Can I Run Gemma 4 on Apple M1?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated July 12, 2026
Yes, comfortably — Gemma 4 12B (Unified) at Q4_K_M needs 9.4 GB at 8K context (7.2 GB weights + 2.2 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~2.6 GB of the Apple M1's 12 GB usable memory, at ~5 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 16K context.
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Apple M1 Specs
| VRAM | 16 GB unified memory |
| Memory Bandwidth | 68 GB/s |
Gemma 4 12B (Unified) on the Apple M1: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 16 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 26.1 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q8_0 | 14.9 GB | ✗ No | — | — |
| Q6_K | 11.9 GB | ✓ Yes | 8K | — |
| Q5_K_M | 10.6 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q4_K_M | 9.4 GB | ✓ Yes | 16K | — |
| Q3_K_M | 7.2 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
| Q2_K | 6.1 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
Assumes an 8K-token context with an f16 KV cache, on an estimated architecture — this model publishes no config we can read. A longer window needs more; a quantized KV cache needs less. “Max context” is the largest window that still fits in 16 GB of unified memory. Figures are estimates from parameter count, quantization and memory bandwidth — the analyzer lets you tune KV-cache quant and context.
Context costs VRAM too. At Q4_K_M on the Apple M1: 8K 9.4 GB · 32K 13.3 GB ✗ · 125K 28.5 GB ✗. Past 32K it no longer fits 16 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
No compatible GPU? Gemma 4 12B (Unified) on 16 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs, but it is tight.
Gemma 4 Sizes That Fit the Apple M1 (at 8K context)
| Gemma 4 12B (Unified) | Q4_K_M · 9.4 GB at 8K context · ~5 tok/s (est.) |
| Gemma 4 E4B | Q4 (QAT) · 6.4 GB at 8K context · ~7 tok/s (est.) |
| Gemma 4 E2B | Q4 (QAT) · 4.7 GB at 8K context · ~11 tok/s (est.) |
Gemma 4 needs ~9 GB but this GPU has 16 GB. Rent a RTX 4090 (24 GB)-class GPU by the hour instead of buying one:
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Cloud rates verified 2026-07 — estimates, and marketplace prices vary. Buying price is GPU MSRP only, not a full PC.
FAQ
Does the Apple M1 have enough VRAM for Gemma 4?
Yes, comfortably — Gemma 4 12B (Unified) at Q4_K_M needs 9.4 GB at 8K context (7.2 GB weights + 2.2 GB KV cache/overhead), leaving ~2.6 GB of the Apple M1's 12 GB usable memory, at ~5 tok/s (est.), with room for up to 16K context.
Which quantization of Gemma 4 should I use on the Apple M1?
Gemma 4 12B (Unified) at Q4_K_M quantization needs 9.4 GB at 8K context (7.2 GB weights + 2.2 GB KV cache/overhead), estimated ~5 tokens/sec, up to 16K context.
Every Gemma 4 size on the Apple M1
| Size | VRAM at 8K | Verdict | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemma 4 31B | 21.3 GB | Does not fit | — |
| Gemma 4 26B-A4B | 18.2 GB | Runs at Q2_K | — |
| Gemma 4 12B (Unified) | 9.4 GB | Runs | ~5 tok/s |
| Gemma 4 E4B | 6.4 GB | Runs | ~7 tok/s |
| Gemma 4 E2B | 4.7 GB | Runs | ~11 tok/s |
Gemma 4 on Other GPUs
- Gemma 4 on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080
- Gemma 4 on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
- Gemma 4 on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
- Gemma 4 on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super
- Gemma 4 on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
Popular Models on the Apple M1
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