Canonical Rankings

Best Macs for this model

Gemma 4 E2B ranked across the Mac lineup at the best practical quantization, using the best available runtime evidence. Model picker is focused on current-market choices.

Model

Quantization

Sort

Runtime

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	MacBook Pro M5 Max 128GB 16-inch	821	8bit	158.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 158.0 tok/s · MLX · Estimated	MLX	Fits	122.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$5,399	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 158.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 122.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
2	Mac Studio M3 Ultra 256GB	697	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	250.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$7,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 250.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
3	Mac Pro M2 Ultra 192GB	633	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	186.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$6,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 186.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
4	Mac Studio M4 Max 128GB	569	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	122.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$4,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 122.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
5	MacBook Pro M4 Max 128GB 16-inch	569	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	122.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$5,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 122.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
6	Mac Studio M3 Ultra 96GB	537	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	90.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$3,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 90.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
7	Mac Studio M4 Max 64GB	505	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	58.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$2,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 58.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
8	MacBook Pro M4 Max 64GB 16-inch	505	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	58.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$4,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 58.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
9	Mac Mini M4 Pro 48GB	489	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	42.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,599	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 42.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
10	MacBook Pro M4 Pro 48GB 14-inch	489	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	42.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$2,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 42.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
11	Mac Studio M4 Max 48GB	489	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	42.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$2,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 42.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
12	MacBook Pro M4 Pro 48GB 16-inch	489	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	42.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$2,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 42.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
13	MacBook Pro M4 Max 48GB 14-inch	489	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	42.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$3,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 42.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
14	MacBook Pro M4 Max 48GB 16-inch	489	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	42.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$3,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 42.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
15	Mac Studio M4 Max 36GB	477	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	30.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 30.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
16	MacBook Pro M4 Max 36GB 14-inch	477	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	30.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$2,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 30.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
17	MacBook Pro M4 Max 36GB 16-inch	477	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	30.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$3,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 30.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
18	Mac Mini M4 32GB	473	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	26.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$799	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 26.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
19	MacBook Air M4 32GB 13-inch	473	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	26.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 26.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
20	MacBook Air M4 32GB 15-inch	473	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	26.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,699	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 26.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
21	Mac Mini M4 24GB	465	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	18.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$599	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 18.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
22	MacBook Air M4 24GB 13-inch	465	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	18.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,299	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 18.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
23	Mac Mini M4 Pro 24GB	465	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	18.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,399	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 18.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
24	MacBook Air M4 24GB 15-inch	465	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	18.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 18.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
25	MacBook Pro M4 Pro 24GB 14-inch	465	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	18.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,999	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 18.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
26	MacBook Pro M4 Pro 24GB 16-inch	465	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	18.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$2,499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 18.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
27	Mac Mini M4 16GB	457	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	10.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$499	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 10.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
28	MacBook Air M4 16GB 13-inch	457	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	10.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,099	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 10.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.
29	MacBook Air M4 16GB 15-inch	457	8bit	95.0 tok/s Fastest evidence path: 8bit · 95.0 tok/s · Ollama · Estimated	Ollama	Fits	10.5 GB	131k	Estimated	$1,299	8bit is the current best practical quantization. 95.0 tok/s is estimated from nearby benchmark coverage. 10.5 GB headroom remains at this quantization.

Gemma 4 E2B — 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

158.0Fastest avg tok/s (M5 Max (128 GB))

—Minimum RAM observed

Quick take

Fastest published result is 158.0 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.

Need the best Mac for this model? Use Buy Need a setup-first answer? Use Run Checking whether it fits? Use Fit Browse Macs by exact hardware Need the full audit trail? Use Bench Comparing against rented GPUs? Use AI Datacenter Index

Catalog record

5.1BTotal params

DenseActive params

131,072Context 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: 2.3B effective (5.1B with embeddings).
Context: 128K tokens.
Sliding window: 512 tokens.
Modalities: Text, Image, Audio.

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 E2B: 6 Apple Silicon field reports; best reported generation ~88.7 tok/s; best reported prompt processing ~4999 tok/s; reported RAM use ~3.4-5GB; seen on MacBook Pro M5 PRO 64GB, M5 24GB, MacBook Air M5 32GB; via llama.cpp, oMLX.

4Benchmark rows

6Field reports

3Practitioner signals

Sparse BenchmarksEvidence status

What practitioners keep saying

The post reports a MacBook Air M5 32GB, 10 CPU/10 GPU setup using llama-bench with Q4_K_M quantization across 37 models.
In the reported top-speed table, Gemma 4 E2B reaches 653 tok/s prompt processing, 29.2 tok/s generation, and 3.4GB RAM use; this is useful directional evidence for base-M5 small-model recommendations but not enough for canonical benchmark promotion without raw JSON or first-party reproduction.
The oMLX context table reports gemma-4-E2B-it-4bit on an M5 10-core 24GB Mac at 1024 tokens context with 1136 tok/s prompt processing, 47.9 tok/s generation, and peak memory at 4.5GB.

Apple Silicon field sources

r/LocalLLaMA
2026-04-06 · MacBook Air M5 32GB · llama.cpp
mac-llm-bench reports Gemma 4 E2B as a fast Q4_K_M GGUF option on a MacBook Air M5 32GB, giving Silicon Score a llama.cpp counterpoint to the existing small-model runtime signal.
oMLX community benchmarks
2026-04-03 · M5 24GB · oMLX
Gemma 4 E2B has an oMLX 4-bit M5 24GB profile that keeps it relevant as a small, fast Apple Silicon frontier candidate rather than just an official model-card entry.
SharpAI HomeSec-Bench
2026-03-26 · MacBook Pro M5 Pro 64GB · llama.cpp
The HomeSec-Bench E2B row is very fast on M5 Pro 64GB, but its 47-test row should stay separate from the full 96-test comparisons.

Runtime mentions in the field

llama.cppoMLX

Hardware mentioned in reports

24GB32GB64GBMacMacBookMacBook 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), M4 Pro (24 GB), M3 (16 GB), M1 (8 GB). Fastest published row is 158.0 tok/s on M5 Max (128 GB) at Q4_K - Medium.

M5 Max (128 GB)M4 Pro (24 GB)M3 (16 GB)M1 (8 GB)

Related Gemma 4 E2B models with published pages: Gemma 4 E4B · Gemma 4 26B-A4B · Gemma 4 31B

Raw benchmark rows for Gemma 4 E2B

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	—	—	158.0 tok/s	—	MLX	ref
M4 Pro (24 GB)	Q4_K - Medium	—	—	95.0 tok/s	—	Ollama	ref
M3 (16 GB)	Q4_K - Medium	—	—	82.0 tok/s	—	Ollama	ref
M1 (8 GB)	Q4_K - Medium	—	—	58.0 tok/s	—	Ollama	ref

Best Macs for Gemma 4 E2B

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 — 158.0 tok/s Mac Mini M4 Pro 24GB — 95.0 tok/s Mac Mini M4 Pro 48GB — 95.0 tok/s MacBook Pro M4 Pro 24GB 14-inch — 95.0 tok/s MacBook Pro M4 Pro 48GB 14-inch — 95.0 tok/s MacBook Pro M4 Pro 24GB 16-inch — 95.0 tok/s

Chips with published results for Gemma 4 E2B

M5 Max (128 GB)M4 Pro (24 GB)M3 (16 GB)M1 (8 GB)

Data

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

See all models →