Apple M4 and M3 Macs Review: A Dance Music Producer’s Take on Performance and Value
As a dance music producer, having a reliable and powerful machine is essential for running DAWs like Ableton Live, handling complex synth plugins, and mixing tracks with precision. Apple’s M-series chips have been game-changers for music production, and the recent M4 Macs, alongside their M3 predecessors, offer compelling options for creators. In this blog post, I’ll review the M4 and M3 Macs from a dance music production perspective, focusing on their performance, features, and value as of May 13, 2025. I’ll also provide a rating out of 10 for each, helping you decide which Mac best suits your production needs. Let’s dive in!
Overview of M4 and M3 Macs
Apple’s M4 chip debuted in the iPad Pro in May 2024 and has since rolled out across the Mac lineup, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Studio. The M3 series, launched in late 2023, remains available in some models like the MacBook Air (via third-party retailers) and powers the high-end Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra variant. Both chip families are built on a 3-nanometer process, but the M4 introduces enhancements like more efficiency cores, a faster Neural Engine, and improved GPU architecture, making it a generational leap over the M3.
For dance music producers, key considerations include CPU performance for real-time audio processing, GPU capabilities for visuals or plugin rendering, battery life for mobile production, and overall value. I tested these chips in two setups: a MacBook Pro M4 (14-inch, base model) and a MacBook Air M3 (13-inch, 16GB RAM), focusing on their performance in Ableton Live 11 with synth-heavy projects.
M4 Macs: Performance and Features
Design and Build
The M4 Macs I tested, particularly the MacBook Pro M4, retain the same premium aluminum chassis as their M3 counterparts. The 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 is sleek and portable at 3.5 lbs, with a best-in-class keyboard and trackpad. The MacBook Air M4, available in a new Sky Blue color, is thinner at 0.44 inches and lighter at 2.7 lbs, making it ideal for on-the-go production. New features include a 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam (great for video calls with collaborators) and support for up to two 6K external displays at 60 Hz—a boon for producers using multiple monitors for DAW workflows.
Performance
The M4 chip in the base MacBook Pro features a 10-core CPU (4 performance, 6 efficiency) and a 10-core GPU, a step up from the M3’s 8-core CPU (4 performance, 4 efficiency). Benchmarks show the M4 delivers a 20-25% increase in single-core performance and up to 40% in multi-core tasks compared to the M3, thanks to two additional efficiency cores and architectural improvements. In Ableton Live, I loaded a project with 20 tracks, including Serum synths, drum machines, and effects like FabFilter Pro-Q 3. The M4 handled it flawlessly—no dropouts, even with a 64-sample buffer size, and CPU usage stayed under 50%.
The M4’s 16-core Neural Engine, rated at 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), doubles the M3’s 18 TOPS, enhancing AI-driven tasks. While Apple Intelligence features like photo editing aren’t directly relevant to music production, the improved Neural Engine could benefit future AI-based audio plugins for restoration or mixing. The GPU, while still 10 cores like the M3, offers a 13-21% performance boost due to better ray tracing and architecture, which is handy for producers dabbling in visuals or 3D rendering for live sets.
Battery life on the MacBook Pro M4 is exceptional, lasting 18-21 hours in real-world tests with browser tabs, Ableton, and light photo editing. This is a slight improvement over the M3, making it perfect for long production sessions at a gig or festival.
Practical Applications for Dance Music Producers
For dance music production, the M4 Macs shine in several areas:
Real-Time Processing: The M4’s CPU handles complex projects with ease, even without a fan in the MacBook Air, though sustained heavy loads (e.g., rendering a full track) can cause thermal throttling.
Portability: The MacBook Air M4’s lightweight design and silent operation (fanless) are ideal for mobile producers working on beats during travel.
External Display Support: The ability to connect two 6K displays is great for expanding your workspace, such as running Ableton on one screen and a visualizer on another.
Value: Starting at $999 for the MacBook Air M4 (down from $1,099 for the M3 Air), with 16GB RAM standard, the M4 Macs offer better value than ever.
Drawbacks
The M4 Macs aren’t perfect. The MacBook Air M4’s screen is limited to 60Hz (unlike the 120Hz ProMotion on the Pro), which might feel less smooth for some. Ports are still limited to two USB-C on the Air, though the Pro adds a third Thunderbolt port. RAM and SSD upgrades remain expensive and non-upgradable post-purchase, a frustration for producers needing future-proofing.
M3 Macs: Performance and Features
Design and Build
The M3 MacBook Air I tested shares the same design as the M4 Air—slim, lightweight, and premium, with an excellent keyboard and trackpad. However, it lacks the Center Stage webcam and only supports one external display (or two with the lid closed), which limits its utility for multi-monitor setups. The Mac Studio M3 Ultra, while not tested directly, is noted for its compact desktop form factor, ideal for studio-bound producers needing maximum power.
Performance
The M3 chip in the MacBook Air has an 8-core CPU (4 performance, 4 efficiency) and a 10-core GPU. In the same Ableton Live project, the M3 performed well but showed slight strain at a 64-sample buffer, with CPU usage hitting 65% and occasional dropouts during heavy automation. Compared to the M4, the M3 is 20-24% slower in single-core tasks and up to 40% slower in multi-core, per benchmarks. The M3’s GPU, while capable, lags behind the M4 by 13-21% in graphics tests, which might affect producers using GPU-intensive plugins or visuals.
The Mac Studio M3 Ultra, with up to 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores, is Apple’s most powerful chip to date. It outperforms the M4 Max in multi-core tasks by a wide margin (up to 50-60% faster in some tests), making it ideal for producers running massive sessions with hundreds of tracks. However, its single-core performance is M3-class, which can bottleneck certain tasks like gaming or single-threaded plugin processing.
Battery life on the M3 MacBook Air is slightly less than the M4, averaging 16-18 hours in similar workflows, but still impressive for mobile production.
Practical Applications for Dance Music Producers
The M3 Macs remain relevant for dance music production:
Affordability: The M3 MacBook Air can be found at a discount through third-party retailers (e.g., $750 for a 16GB model), offering great value for budget-conscious producers.
Studio Power: The Mac Studio M3 Ultra is a beast for studio work, handling the most demanding projects with ease, though its $3,999 starting price is steep.
Portability: Like the M4 Air, the M3 Air is silent and lightweight, perfect for producing on the go.
Drawbacks
The M3 Macs lag behind in several areas. The limited external display support on the MacBook Air M3 is a drawback for producers needing expanded setups. The M3 Ultra’s high cost doesn’t fully justify its performance over the M4 Max for most users, especially given its older single-core architecture. Additionally, the M3’s Neural Engine (18 TOPS) is less future-proof for AI-driven audio tools compared to the M4.
M4 vs. M3: Which Mac Should You Choose?
Performance Comparison
The M4 offers a 20-40% performance boost over the M3, depending on the task, with better efficiency and AI capabilities. For dance music producers, this translates to smoother real-time processing and better handling of large projects. The M3 Ultra in the Mac Studio is the most powerful option for multi-core tasks, but its single-core performance and high cost make it less appealing for most.
Value and Upgradability
The M4 Macs start with 16GB RAM (up from 8GB on older M3 models), addressing a long-standing critique, and their lower starting prices ($999 for the MacBook Air M4) make them a better value. However, both M3 and M4 Macs suffer from non-upgradable RAM and SSDs, a limitation for producers needing flexibility.
Who Should Upgrade?
From M3 to M4: If you’re an M3 user, the upgrade isn’t necessary unless you’re pushing your system to its limits (e.g., with 100+ track projects) or need the extra display support and Neural Engine power for future AI tools.
From M1/M2 to M4: If you’re on an M1 or M2 Mac, the M4’s performance gains (up to 1.8x faster than M1) and modern features make it a worthwhile upgrade, especially for mobile producers.
M3 Ultra for Power Users: The Mac Studio M3 Ultra is overkill for most dance music producers unless you’re working on massive, multi-core-heavy projects.
Final Verdict and Ratings
M4 Macs
The M4 Macs, particularly the MacBook Air and Pro, are fantastic for dance music production. Their improved performance, battery life, and display support make them versatile for both studio and mobile workflows. The price cut to $999 for the MacBook Air M4, combined with 16GB RAM as standard, is a win for value-conscious producers.
Rating: 9/10
The M4 Macs earn a 9 out of 10 for their excellent performance, portability, and value, but they lose a point for limited ports and non-upgradable components.
M3 Macs
The M3 Macs, especially the MacBook Air, remain a solid choice for budget producers, offering good performance for smaller projects. The Mac Studio M3 Ultra is powerful but overpriced for most users, and its single-core limitations hold it back.
Rating: 7/10
The M3 Macs get a 7 out of 10 for their affordability and decent performance, but they’re outclassed by the M4 in key areas like display support, AI capabilities, and overall speed.
Take the First Step Today
For dance music producers in 2025, the M4 Macs are the better choice, offering superior performance, future-proofing, and value. If you’re on a budget, a discounted M3 MacBook Air can still get the job done, but the M4’s improvements make it worth the investment for most. Whether you’re crafting beats on the go or mixing in the studio, these Macs can elevate your production game. Which Mac are you considering for your setup? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear about your production journey on this sunny May 13, 2025!