There are two factors why the M1, Apple’s initial custom silicon chip, is generating its debut with a new MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini. One is the apparent. Apple is testing the waters with the M1. The other purpose is, the M1 is not technically constructed for “pro” customers, even although I have certainly no doubt in saying that it is clearly ahead of its time – in spite of its several limitations.
Apple does not usually like to speak about clock speeds. It is not the 1 to boast about the quantity of cores either. Rather, it will inform you how capable its items are, how they are the ideal in the small business, so on and so forth. But this approach does not perform properly in the pc space. Users — specifically the pro customers — demand numbers. The business demands numbers.
And that is why, Apple also has some numbers for you.
The M1 is an ARM-primarily based method on a chip (SoC) constructed on a 5nm manufacturing approach. It packs 16 billion transistors. It has an 8-core setup with 4 higher functionality cores and 4 higher efficiency cores. This is paired with an 8-core integrated GPU and a 16-core neural engine. A 13-inch MacBook Pro with Apple M1 chip and 16GB of RAM can theoretically provide up to 3.5x more rapidly CPU functionality, up to 6x more rapidly GPU functionality, up to 15x more rapidly machine mastering, and up to 2x longer battery life more than the preceding generation.
In the words of Apple, we’re looking at the “world’s fastest CPU core in low-power silicon, the world’s best CPU performance per watt, the world’s fastest integrated graphics in a personal computer, and breakthrough machine learning performance with the Apple Neural Engine.”
The MacBook Air refresh, launching alongside, has the same silicon but performance and battery life would vary because a.) it does not have a fan, and b.) it has a smaller battery. To what extent though, is something that only time will tell.
Aside from the aforementioned differences, and a couple of more less intriguing ones, the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are virtually the same machines. Just to add some more context, Apple has already discontinued the Intel-powered MacBook Air it had launched in March even as it continues to make the 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac Mini with Intel inside giving “pro” users two options to choose from depending on their use case.
So, let’s talk about some of the pressing limitations of Apple’s M1 chip.
- M1-based MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini top out at 16GB RAM. Meanwhile, you can get an Intel-based MacBook Pro with up to 32GB RAM, while Mac Mini with Intel inside is available with up to 64GB RAM.
- Since the RAM is integrated into the SoC, you can’t upgrade it in case of M1-based MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini.
- Discrete GPUs are a no-go.
All that’s aside from the fact that it’s still early days for Apple silicon. The biggest concern would be app compatibility though I have higher hopes from Apple in this regard as opposed to say, Windows. Apple says most iPhone and iPad apps will work natively on its M1-based Mac computers and it would take only a matter of days for developers to build apps for the “new” platform. Lightroom for instance will be available later this year, while Photoshop is coming early next year. The latest and greatest version of macOS, aka Big Sur, that was built keeping ARM-based Macs in mind also comes with an emulator called Rosetta 2 for “translating” apps not optimized for the M1 yet.
The name’s Sur, Big Sur: Decoding Apple’s all-new macOS and why it is a big deal
The M1 is one small step for the Mac, but one giant leap for Apple. It has delivered on the first promise. The first wave of Mac computers with Apple silicon is indeed ready to ship this year. But it’s just the start and Apple isn’t making any bold claims. A full transition away from Intel will take another two years, Apple has confirmed, and it will continue to support existing devices for years. Apple has history and products like the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch all powered by its home-grown silicon on its side. An M1Z for more power-hungry users could well be in the making. It should be if Cupertino wants its class-leading pro Macs to continue to lead the pack.