Canonical Rankings

Best Macs for this model

Gemma 4 31B ranked across the Mac lineup at the best practical quantization, using the best available runtime evidence. Model picker is focused on current-market choices.

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29 ranked MacsUse the strongest current runtime evidence for each row.28 historical models hiddenBaselinesStatic paths cover only canonical model pages; sort and quantization stay as query state.

Rank	Mac	Score	Quant	Tok/s	Runtime	Fits	Headroom	Context	Evidence	Price	Why it ranks here
1	Mac Studio M3 Ultra 256GB	373	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	219.4 GB	206k	Estimated	$7,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 219.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
2	Mac Pro M2 Ultra 192GB	309	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	155.4 GB	146k	Estimated	$6,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 155.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
3	MacBook Pro M5 Max 128GB 16-inch	261	8bit	26.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 26.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	91.4 GB	87k	Estimated	$5,399	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 26.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 91.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
4	Mac Studio M4 Max 128GB	245	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	91.4 GB	87k	Estimated	$4,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 91.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
5	MacBook Pro M4 Max 128GB 16-inch	245	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	91.4 GB	87k	Estimated	$5,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 91.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
6	Mac Studio M3 Ultra 96GB	213	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	59.4 GB	57k	Estimated	$3,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 59.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
7	Mac Studio M4 Max 64GB	181	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	27.4 GB	28k	Estimated	$2,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 27.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
8	MacBook Pro M4 Max 64GB 16-inch	181	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	27.4 GB	28k	Estimated	$4,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 27.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
9	Mac Mini M4 Pro 48GB	165	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	11.4 GB	13k	Estimated	$1,599	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 11.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
10	MacBook Pro M4 Pro 48GB 14-inch	165	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	11.4 GB	13k	Estimated	$2,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 11.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
11	MacBook Pro M4 Pro 48GB 16-inch	165	8bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	11.4 GB	13k	Estimated	$2,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 11.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
12	Mac Studio M4 Max 36GB	155	6bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 6bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	6.6 GB	9k	Estimated	$1,999	6bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 6.6 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
13	MacBook Pro M4 Max 36GB 14-inch	155	6bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 6bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	6.6 GB	9k	Estimated	$2,999	6bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 6.6 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
14	MacBook Pro M4 Max 36GB 16-inch	155	6bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 6bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	6.6 GB	9k	Estimated	$3,499	6bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 6.6 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
15	Mac Studio M4 Max 48GB	149	8bit	18.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 18.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	11.4 GB	13k	Estimated	$2,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 18.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 11.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
16	MacBook Pro M4 Max 48GB 14-inch	149	8bit	18.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 18.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	11.4 GB	13k	Estimated	$3,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 18.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 11.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
17	MacBook Pro M4 Max 48GB 16-inch	149	8bit	18.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 18.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	11.4 GB	13k	Estimated	$3,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 18.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 11.4 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
18	Mac Mini M4 32GB	148	5bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 5bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	6.1 GB	10k	Estimated	$799	5bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 6.1 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
19	MacBook Air M4 32GB 13-inch	148	5bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 5bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	6.1 GB	10k	Estimated	$1,499	5bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 6.1 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
20	MacBook Air M4 32GB 15-inch	148	5bit	22.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 5bit · 22.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	6.1 GB	10k	Estimated	$1,699	5bit is the current best practical quantization. 22.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 6.1 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
21	Mac Mini M4 24GB	85	3bit	14.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 3bit · 14.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	5.3 GB	10k	Estimated	$599	3bit is the current best practical quantization. 14.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 5.3 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
22	MacBook Air M4 24GB 13-inch	85	3bit	14.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 3bit · 14.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	5.3 GB	10k	Estimated	$1,299	3bit is the current best practical quantization. 14.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 5.3 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
23	Mac Mini M4 Pro 24GB	85	3bit	14.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 3bit · 14.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	5.3 GB	10k	Estimated	$1,399	3bit is the current best practical quantization. 14.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 5.3 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
24	MacBook Air M4 24GB 15-inch	85	3bit	14.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 3bit · 14.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	5.3 GB	10k	Estimated	$1,499	3bit is the current best practical quantization. 14.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 5.3 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
25	MacBook Pro M4 Pro 24GB 14-inch	85	3bit	14.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 3bit · 14.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	5.3 GB	10k	Estimated	$1,999	3bit is the current best practical quantization. 14.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 5.3 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
26	MacBook Pro M4 Pro 24GB 16-inch	85	3bit	14.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 3bit · 14.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	5.3 GB	10k	Estimated	$2,499	3bit is the current best practical quantization. 14.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 5.3 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
27	Mac Mini M4 16GB	0	F32	—	MLX	No	-106.4 GB	—	Estimated	$499	Gemma 4 31B does not fit on Mac Mini M4 16GB at the current practical quantization.
28	MacBook Air M4 16GB 13-inch	0	F32	—	MLX	No	-106.4 GB	—	Estimated	$1,099	Gemma 4 31B does not fit on MacBook Air M4 16GB 13-inch at the current practical quantization.
29	MacBook Air M4 16GB 15-inch	0	F32	—	MLX	No	-106.4 GB	—	Estimated	$1,299	Gemma 4 31B does not fit on MacBook Air M4 16GB 15-inch at the current practical quantization.

Gemma 4 31B — ranking first, raw rows below

Start with the ranked Mac table above. Use the rest of this page to inspect raw Apple Silicon coverage and model metadata.

Quantizations observed: Q4_K - Medium

4Benchmark rows

4Chip tiers covered

26.0Fastest avg tok/s (M5 Max (128 GB))

—Minimum RAM observed

Quick take

Fastest published result is 26.0 tok/s on M5 Max (128 GB) at Q4_K - Medium. Published runtimes include MLX, Ollama. Start with Rankings for the decision, then use the raw rows below to audit the evidence.

Based on 4 external benchmarks; no lab runs yet.

Published runtimes: MLX, Ollama.

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Catalog record

30.7BTotal params

DenseActive params

262,144Context window

2026-04-02Release date

What this model is, and what Apple Silicon users are actually seeing

Official model cards tell you what the model is for and which software stacks it targets. Field reality below shows how much Apple Silicon evidence we have so far.

Official brief

Gemma is a family of open models built by Google DeepMind. Gemma 4 models are multimodal, handling text and image input (with audio supported on small models) and generating text output. This release includes open-weights models in both pre-trained and instruction-tuned variants.

Official source · Raw model card

agentscodingreasoningvisual-understanding

Runtime support mentioned

llama.cppTransformers

Official specs

Architecture: Dense.
Total parameters: 30.7B.
Context: 256K tokens.
Sliding window: 1024 tokens.
Modalities: Text, Image.

Official takeaways

Reasoning: All models in the family are designed as highly capable reasoners, with configurable thinking modes.
Extended Multimodalities: Processes Text, Image with variable aspect ratio and resolution support (all models), Video, and Audio (featured natively on the E2B and E4B models).
Diverse & Efficient Architectures: Offers Dense and Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) variants of different sizes for scalable deployment.
Increased Context Window: The small models feature a 128K context window, while the medium models support 256K.

Official model cards describe intent, capabilities, and supported stacks. They do not prove Apple Silicon speed by themselves.

Field reality on Apple Silicon

Gemma 4 31B: 10 Apple Silicon field reports; best reported generation ~28 tok/s; best reported prompt processing ~628.6 tok/s; reported RAM use ~17.6-34.5GB; seen on M5 MAX 128GB, MacBook Pro M5 MAX 64GB, MacBook Pro M5 MAX 128GB; via atomic.chat, cupel, oMLX, llama.cpp.

4Benchmark rows

10Field reports

6Practitioner signals

Sparse BenchmarksEvidence status

What practitioners keep saying

The oMLX context table reports gemma-4-31b-it 8bit on an M5 Max 40-core 128GB Mac at 1024 tokens context with 607.7 tok/s prompt processing, 15.2 tok/s generation, and peak memory at 31.8GB.
The oMLX context table reports gemma-4-31b-it 8bit on an M5 Max 40-core 128GB Mac at 4096 tokens context with 628.6 tok/s prompt processing, 11.9 tok/s generation, 6.516s TTFT, and peak memory at 34.5GB.
The page also includes separate batching results, so multi-request aggregate throughput should be modeled outside single-stream generation claims.

Apple Silicon field sources

oMLX community benchmarks
2026-05-05 · M5 Max 40-core GPU, 128GB unified memory · oMLX
A same-day oMLX row shows the 8-bit Gemma 4 31B conversion running on an M5 Max 128GB setup, adding high-memory Max-tier context for dense Gemma while preserving the first-party reproduction gate.
r/LocalLLaMA
2026-05-01 · MacBook Pro M5 Max 64GB · atomic.chat
A high-engagement practitioner comparison reports Gemma 4 31B producing the preferred one-shot game implementation on an M5 Max 64GB MacBook Pro even though Qwen3.6-27B reported higher decode speed.
oMLX community benchmarks
2026-04-23 · MacBook Pro M4 Max 36GB · oMLX
Gemma 4 31B now has a concrete oMLX 4-bit M4 Max 36GB profile, but the dense 31B decode rate makes it a more conditional recommendation than the smaller-active-parameter frontier options.
r/LocalLLaMA
2026-04-19 · M5 Max laptop, 128GB unified memory
A Gemma 4 31B operator says an M5 Max 128GB laptop can run the 4-bit dense model for one or two local agents, but concurrency pressure quickly pushes the workload toward dedicated GPU infrastructure.
r/LocalLLaMA
2026-04-14 · MacBook Pro M5 Max 128GB · cupel
An M5 Max 128GB operator reports preferring the Gemma 4 31B 4-bit path over 8-bit in a subjective cupel comparison, but the source itself and comments make the result unsuitable as benchmark truth.

1 more Apple Silicon field source tracked in the research queue.

Runtime mentions in the field

llama.cppMLXoMLX

Hardware mentioned in reports

64GB128GBM4MacMacBookMacBook Pro

What would improve confidence

Reproduce Field Performance Signal
Upgrade To First Party Measurement

Current published coverage

Published chip coverage includes M5 Max (128 GB), M5 Max (64 GB), M4 Max (48 GB), M4 Pro (24 GB). Fastest published row is 26.0 tok/s on M5 Max (128 GB) at Q4_K - Medium.

M5 Max (128 GB)M5 Max (64 GB)M4 Max (48 GB)M4 Pro (24 GB)

Related Gemma 4 models with published pages: Gemma 4 E4B · Gemma 4 26B-A4B · Gemma 4 E2B

Raw benchmark rows for Gemma 4 31B

Rows stay below the ranking because this page is answer-first. Use them to inspect exact chips, quantizations, runtimes, and sources.

Chip	Quant	RAM req.	Context	Avg tok/s	Prompt tok/s	Runtime	Source
M5 Max (128 GB)	Q4_K - Medium	—	—	26.0 tok/s	—	MLX	ref
M5 Max (64 GB)	Q4_K - Medium	—	—	22.0 tok/s	—	Ollama	ref
M4 Max (48 GB)	Q4_K - Medium	—	—	18.0 tok/s	—	MLX	ref
M4 Pro (24 GB)	Q4_K - Medium	—	—	14.0 tok/s	—	Ollama	ref

Best Macs for Gemma 4 31B

Ordered by fastest published tok/s on the chip family in each Mac. Click through for the full machine page.

MacBook Pro M5 Max 128GB 16-inch — 26.0 tok/s MacBook Pro M4 Max 36GB 14-inch — 18.0 tok/s MacBook Pro M4 Max 48GB 14-inch — 18.0 tok/s MacBook Pro M4 Max 36GB 16-inch — 18.0 tok/s MacBook Pro M4 Max 48GB 16-inch — 18.0 tok/s MacBook Pro M4 Max 64GB 16-inch — 18.0 tok/s

Chips with published results for Gemma 4 31B

M5 Max (128 GB)M5 Max (64 GB)M4 Max (48 GB)M4 Pro (24 GB)

Data

benchmarks.json — full dataset · models.json — model summaries · benchmarks.csv — CSV export

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