iMac M4 vs MacBook Air M4: which is better for gaming?
Compared across 35 Mac games · High preset · no MetalFX
In short
Both use the same Apple M4, so cooling and memory make the difference.
For gaming the gap is small: if you already own the iMac M4, upgrading is not worth it. If you are buying, pick whichever has more memory for the money.
15 games at 60+ FPS · wins 33 of 35
14 games at 60+ FPS · wins 0 of 35
Average FPS by resolution
| Resolution | iMac M4 | MacBook Air M4 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 61FPS | 56FPS | -8 % |
| 1440p | 38FPS | 35FPS | -8 % |
| 4K | 20FPS | 18FPS | -10 % |
Which one for your resolution?
- 1080p: iMac M4, at 61 FPS on average, smooth.
- 1440p: iMac M4, at 38 FPS on average, playable.
- 4K: iMac M4, at 20 FPS on average, though neither is smooth without lowering settings.
Specifications
| iMac M4 | MacBook Air M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M4 | Apple M4 |
| Generation | M4 | M4 |
| GPU cores | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Geekbench Metal | 49,002 | 49,002 |
| Unified memory | 16 / 24 / 32 GB | 16 / 24 / 32 GB |
| Cooling | Fan | Fanless |
| Gaming score | 13/100 | 13/100 |
| Year | 2024 | 2025 |
Game performance
Estimate1080p · High
The MacGameFPS verdict
Calibrated on real Mac benchmarks, not spec sheets
Verdict
The iMac M4 wins in 33 of 35 games. For gaming the gap is small: if you already own the iMac M4, upgrading is not worth it. If you are buying, pick whichever has more memory for the money.
FAQ
Which is better for gaming, the iMac M4 or the MacBook Air M4?
Both use the same Apple M4, so cooling and memory make the difference.
Is upgrading from the iMac M4 to the MacBook Air M4 worth it for gaming?
For gaming the gap is small: if you already own the iMac M4, upgrading is not worth it. If you are buying, pick whichever has more memory for the money.
How big is the FPS gap in Cyberpunk 2077?
At 1080p High, the iMac M4 gets about 19 FPS and the MacBook Air M4 about 15 FPS.
Which one for 1440p or 4K gaming?
At 1440p the average is 38 vs 35 FPS, and at 4K 20 vs 18 FPS (iMac M4 vs MacBook Air M4).
How much memory should I get?
For gaming, 16 GB is the sensible minimum and 24 GB leaves headroom. The iMac M4 ships with 16, 24, 32 GB and the MacBook Air M4 with 16, 24, 32 GB.
