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So, M1 is the best MacBook right now, correct?
- Thread starter Socrates-1
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Depends if what you're doing with it will support the processor.
Better in what sense?
The MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro both have the Apple M1 processor now, which is faster and more energy-efficient than its Intel counterparts. Also, all future Macs are expected to feature M1 chips, so they are the future, at least in what concerns the Apple platform. As it is a recent architecture, not all software will be optimized for the new processor, though, and perhaps some never will be. Plus, the M1 Macs do not run Windows on Bootcamp, at least until both Apple and Microsoft build some support for it.
Now, in terms of performance, yes, the M1 beats even the Intel Core i9 of the 16-inch MacBook Pro (which is the 9th generation, two behind the current one). According to Geekbench (https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/macbook-pro-16-inch-late-2019), the M1 MacBook Pro is 56% faster than the fastest i9 16-inch version in single-core speeds and 8% faster in multi-core speeds. The results may vary depending on the benchmark you use, though, but in general the M1 should be superior.
I've been curious about this. I don't understand how the M1 can beat out the Intel MBPs with dGPUs. I don't know if people are just using benchmarks or software that favors the M1, or that few people actually own MBPs with dGPUs. How can the M1s gpu beat out the 5600M? It just doesn't make sense to me.
I really don't understand the general computing performance. I still use a 2012 non-retina mbp, with the Nvidia GPU for about 90% of my general computing needs (internet, word processing, etc). I have a WD Blue SSD and 16GB of RAM installed, but its still almost 10 years old. I played around with a coworkers M1 air, and it certainly didn't feel superior. I guess Safari launched a second faster or so, but the M1 really didn't feel all that different when using regular applications like Word or iTunes/Music.
I really want to believe the hype, but it just doesn't make much sense to me.
I really don't understand the general computing performance. I still use a 2012 non-retina mbp, with the Nvidia GPU for about 90% of my general computing needs (internet, word processing, etc). I have a WD Blue SSD and 16GB of RAM installed, but its still almost 10 years old. I played around with a coworkers M1 air, and it certainly didn't feel superior. I guess Safari launched a second faster or so, but the M1 really didn't feel all that different when using regular applications like Word or iTunes/Music.
I really want to believe the hype, but it just doesn't make much sense to me.
Define best and better.
Graphic performance? No
Current compatibility, including with Windows? No
Power consumption? Yes.
Pure CPU benchmark? It depends.
Quiet performance? Yes.
Future compatibility with MacOS? Probably yes.
Most benchmarks look at CPU performance, not GPU performance. The GPU performs somewhat close to a 5300M however. Which is wildly impressive for its power consumption, but no, not a rival for the 5600M in pure performance. Considering price and power usage however, it is very impressive
Battery life?
Silent fans or no fans?
Doesn't burn your legs?
Software that can be written specifically for Apple's custom-made processors rather than off-the-shelf Intel processors?
These are just some of the reasons why Apple started down the path of making their own chips.
Sure... M1 might not be faster in all scenarios right now especially when compared to dGPUs. But it's only been one year. And not all Macs have M-series yet. I'm interested to see what happens in year two, three, five, ten, etc.
Just think... M1 is the "worst" M-series processor that will ever be in a Mac. And it's still pretty great. It can only go up from here.
People thought Apple was crazy when they introduced their own processors starting with the A4.
But that decision seemed to work out in the long run.
As noted above, it really depends on your use-case.
For software development a 13" or 16" Intel MacBook Pro is almost required. We are still in a transition to M1, so Intel Macs have better utility at the moment, especially for things like older versions of NodeJS which are incompatible with the M1. Also the Intel MacBook Pros support more than one external monitor.
For the best overall user experience, the 13" M1 MacBook Pro is superior. Instant-on from sleep, no overheating, incredible battery life, excellent performance, the ability to run many iPad apps, etc. Plus all development for iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS, etc. runs natively on the M1, instead of the clunky emulators for the Intel Macs.
For software development a 13" or 16" Intel MacBook Pro is almost required. We are still in a transition to M1, so Intel Macs have better utility at the moment, especially for things like older versions of NodeJS which are incompatible with the M1. Also the Intel MacBook Pros support more than one external monitor.
For the best overall user experience, the 13" M1 MacBook Pro is superior. Instant-on from sleep, no overheating, incredible battery life, excellent performance, the ability to run many iPad apps, etc. Plus all development for iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS, etc. runs natively on the M1, instead of the clunky emulators for the Intel Macs.
I'm not that surprised the M1 Macs barely beat the 16" i9 MacBook Pro. It's a good sign of what's to come for future Apple Silicon Macs. Currently, my M1 MacBook Air is my fastest and most powerful Mac on hand, especially since the memory is maxed out to 16 GB. Of course, my other Macs are from 2012, 2009, 2006, 2005 and 2001, so it's a no-brainer. If you want a nice powerful and ultraportable Mac laptop, an M1 MacBook Air or 13" Pro is the best bet.
Battery life?
My company-provided Dell laptop has a battery life of 30 minutes. Between car chargers, power banks, solar chargers, and public outlets, battery life hasn't been an issue for a few years now. That being said, I do think the M1 MBP battery life is pretty amazing.
Fans?
I can live with them or without them. My iPP is silent, which is cool, but my world doesn't end when fan noise kicks in on my computers.
Burning?
uhhh, just take it off your legs?
Specific software?
I don't understand why I, as a consumer, would ever want that? Why lock myself into Apple products?
I don't mean to argue; I get what you're saying, and I'm sure things will be great ten years from now (privacy issues aside), but today, answering the OPs question, I don't see why the M1 would be better than the i9 16".
Now, I would never buy the 2019 16" mbp, but that is because of the integrated parts, not because I think it is outclassed or obsolete. I hate the thought of having to replace the entire computer if there is an issue with the storage or ram.
Anyways, I'm monitoring this thread because I have a hard time believing the M1 MacBook is significantly faster than the dGPU Intel MacBooks, even the 2013 MBP. I'm hoping someone could provide some real-world evidence. A quick search will show me seemingly infinite comparisons, but a closer read reveals the author is using a mbp with Intel HD, or Intel Iris graphics; it is quite tiring.
My company-provided Dell laptop has a battery life of 30 minutes. Between car chargers, power banks, solar chargers, and public outlets, battery life hasn't been an issue for a few years now. That being said, I do think the M1 MBP battery life is pretty amazing.
Fans?
I can live with them or without them. My iPP is silent, which is cool, but my world doesn't end when fan noise kicks in on my computers.
Burning?
uhhh, just take it off your legs?
Specific software?
I don't understand why I, as a consumer, would ever want that? Why lock myself into Apple products?
I don't mean to argue; I get what you're saying, and I'm sure things will be great ten years from now (privacy issues aside), but today, answering the OPs question, I don't see why the M1 would be better than the i9 16".
Now, I would never buy the 2019 16" mbp, but that is because of the integrated parts, not because I think it is outclassed or obsolete. I hate the thought of having to replace the entire computer if there is an issue with the storage or ram.
Anyways, I'm monitoring this thread because I have a hard time believing the M1 MacBook is significantly faster than the dGPU Intel MacBooks, even the 2013 MBP. I'm hoping someone could provide some real-world evidence. A quick search will show me seemingly infinite comparisons, but a closer read reveals the author is using a mbp with Intel HD, or Intel Iris graphics; it is quite tiring.
A lot of what you are going to read is anecdotal. From personal experience I can vouch for the M1 being dramatically faster with common every day tasks. It's not just the raw processor or GPU speed. The shared memory pool in the SoC makes a huge difference too.
Until you have actually used an M1 Mac it can be difficult to explain other than saying, it's just a much faster and more efficient processor. Of course Apple can optimize many facets of macOS for the M1, so it's not just about the hardware. If you are able, I would advise trying one out at an Apple Store if you are still skeptical.
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I said Mac software written specifically for the M1.
That means M1 optimized... and not translated by Rosetta.
Mac software was previously written for Intel processors for the last 15 years. Now it's being written for M-series processors.
But if someone doesn't care about Mac software... I wonder why they want a Mac in the first place?
To be fair... Apple hasn't yet created a competitor to the 16" MBP with dGPU. We're still waiting for that.
It'll be interesting to see what Apple can do in the GPU department, with unified memory, targeting their own software, etc.
But again... it's only year one of the M-series transition. And not all Macs have even been updated yet.
We'll have to see what the future holds.
For an ultraportable laptop for light to medium usage, I would say yes. But they aren’t better than the high end Intel 13” and 16” MBP for certain heavier use cases. It all depends on what you plan to do with it. My M1 MacBook Air will last me years. Excellent efficiency, portability, power, build quality. Apple crushed it with the M1 Air particularly because of the price point of $999.
I agree on the price point. I brought up the 2013 mbp for performance comparison, but I don't think the price difference between a used/refurb 2013 and a used/refurb 2020 M1 mbp is enough to justify buying the 2013. Apple is selling the refurb M1 air for $850. I think used/refurb 2013s are still going for around $700 or so; you'll need to have a really great reason to buy a nearly 10-year old laptop at that price. With that being said, I don't believe it's worth upgrading to the M1s if you have already have a recent Intel mbp with a dGPU.
I appologize for dragging the thread out. The OP barely gave any information, has few posts, and they might just be a troll. Once again, I don't mean to be argumentative; please enjoy your M1 products. I used to be a sysad for a private company, so I have a bad habit of having to justify new hardware purchases.
I appologize for dragging the thread out. The OP barely gave any information, has few posts, and they might just be a troll. Once again, I don't mean to be argumentative; please enjoy your M1 products. I used to be a sysad for a private company, so I have a bad habit of having to justify new hardware purchases.
Who in the world buys a 2013 MacBook Pro for $700 in 2021??? I didn’t realize they were still out there!
My M1 seems to be getting slower and slower.. not sure why, my 12.9 Ipad blows it away speed wise and does about 99% of everything I need. Thinking of even selling the MacBook feels too duplicative. Anyone in a similar siutation?
I would, and would consider that an upgrade, from my mid-2011 13" MBA!
Seriously, I'd pass. I'm 10 years onto this workhorse that has been rock solid on Sierra for years. I'm only waiting until this fall to upgrade, so as long as I keep up on TM backups and wait a few more months, I'm all good.
BL.
The battery life difference and software short comings would keep me from doing that
My M1 MacBook Air has much better battery life than my 11” iPad Pro. It also runs software that I need for grad school. If Apple can get battery life to the level of the MacBooks, I may eventually consolidate to iPad only (once I’m done with grad school)
yeah airs are nice! although i'd never have an 11" as a laptop substitute
yeah airs are nice! although i'd never have an 11" as a laptop substitute
not a big Chromebook fan, mine in the past was slow :/
Wow really?
I have a 13-inch 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, an i7 processor, and 16 GB RAM, and it is painful to run any MS Office application. Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, they all feel heavy and sluggish.
I tried an M1 Mac on a store and the very same apps were much faster.
Graphic performance... But, value for money absolutely. Wait until M1X in a few months and it will blow intel away.
Current compatibility. No. but it's getting better every month.
Power consumption. Massive yes.
CPU benchmark. It depends, but again, we are talking the bottom of the barrel M1 chips against mid to top of the line intel. bang for buck absolutely yes.
Quiet performance. No comparison. M1 is a fantastic.
Future compatibility with Mac OS. Massive Yes. the new OS disables a few features for intel Macs and it will only get worse from there.
I would very much caution anybody buying an intel mac not to do so unless they know why they are getting intel over AS. By the end of November you may not even have a choice to buy an intel mac laptop. It remains to be seen if Apple will continue to sell the intel versions of their pro line up once the 14 and 16 are released.