Performance gain per generation
M1 to M2: ~18% faster single-core, ~20% faster multi-core, marginally better GPU. Released 2022.
M2 to M3: ~15% single-core, ~17% multi-core, ~15% GPU. First Apple chip with hardware ray-tracing + mesh shading + AV1 decode. Released October 2023.
M3 to M4: ~15% single-core, ~25% multi-core (extra efficiency cores), ~15% GPU. New ML accelerators for Apple Intelligence. Released May 2024 (iPad), October 2024 (Mac).
Cumulative M1 to M4: ~55% single-core gain, ~75% multi-core gain over 4 years. Significant for compute-bound users, invisible for most everyday workflows.
Used PKR pricing in mid-2026
M1 Air (A2337, 2020): PKR 145,000-195,000 used. Sweet spot for budget-conscious buyers.
M2 Air (A2681, 2022): PKR 195,000-280,000 used. Best balance of perf + price + chassis design.
M3 Air (A3113, 2024): PKR 250,000-360,000 used. Apple Intelligence ready.
M4 Air (A3240, 2025): PKR 295,000-420,000 used. Newest, 16GB base, two external displays.
M1 Pro 14: PKR 320,000+. M2 Pro 14: PKR 390,000+. M3 Pro 14: PKR 450,000+. M4 Pro 14: PKR 540,000+ (when available).
Feature differences that actually matter
M1: USB-C only (no MagSafe), 720p webcam, no ProMotion (Pro only), supports 1 external display (Air).
M2: MagSafe 3 added, 1080p webcam, Air bumped to 13.6" larger display, supports 1 external display.
M3: Hardware ray-tracing (first on Mac), mesh shading, AV1 hardware decode, Air supports 2 external in clamshell mode only.
M4: Apple Intelligence ready, two external displays with lid open (huge fix), 12MP Center Stage camera, Sky Blue color option.
Which chip generation is the best buy in 2026?
Best PKR-per-performance: M1 Air. Still extraordinary at PKR 145k. Use case: budget-conscious users who don't need Apple Intelligence.
Best balance of price + features: M2 Air at PKR 195-245k. MagSafe + better display + 1080p webcam · meaningful upgrades over M1.
Best for Apple Intelligence prep: M3 or M4 Air. M3 starts at PKR 250k, M4 at PKR 295k. The newer chips have the ML headroom for upcoming on-device AI features.
Best for road-warrior nomads: M2 Air. Best chassis-to-price ratio.
Best for 4K video on Air: M3 or M4 Air. AV1 hardware decode handles modern web video efficiency.
Pro-tier chip generations · M1 Pro vs M2 Pro vs M3 Pro vs M4 Pro
M1 Pro (2021): the original Pro-tier Apple Silicon. 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU on the 16-inch. Still extraordinary in 2026.
M2 Pro (2023): ~12-15% faster than M1 Pro. Added Wi-Fi 6E, HDMI 2.1, faster SSD.
M3 Pro (Oct 2023): controversial chip. SAME CPU performance as M2 Pro in some benchmarks (Apple reduced memory bandwidth from 200 to 150 GB/s, reduced max RAM from 32GB to 36GB max). Net: M3 Pro is the LEAST upgrade-worthy Pro generation Apple has shipped.
M4 Pro (Oct 2024): redeemed the Pro line. Back to higher bandwidth (273 GB/s), better thermal envelope, Thunderbolt 5.
Honest verdict for used Pro buyers: M1 Pro at PKR 320k is the BEST PKR-value Pro chip. M3 Pro at PKR 450k is a marginal upgrade · most buyers should skip directly from M1 Pro to M4 Pro.
Max-tier chips · M1 Max vs M3 Max vs M4 Max
M1 Max (2021): 10-core CPU, 24/32-core GPU, 400 GB/s bandwidth, 32/64GB RAM. Beast.
M3 Max (2023): 14/16-core CPU, 30/40-core GPU, 400 GB/s bandwidth (16-core variant), 36/48/64/96/128GB RAM. Hardware ray-tracing.
M4 Max (2024): 14/16-core CPU, 32/40-core GPU, 546 GB/s bandwidth (16-core variant), 36/48/64/128GB RAM. Thunderbolt 5.
Used PKR: M1 Max at PKR 520k+, M3 Max at PKR 720k+, M4 Max at PKR 950k+.
Best value Max in 2026: M1 Max at PKR 520k. Outperforms most 2026 Windows desktop CPUs. M3 Max for 128GB requirement (local LLM). M4 Max only if you specifically need Thunderbolt 5 or sustained 6K work.