Apple’s newest line-up marks the first time that they have released a set of computers that do not use Intel chips. Apple has constantly set the bar when it comes to chips in their iPhones and iPad’s, they are able to optimize the experience due to the use of their own Silicon. Now, they take it one step further by creating chips in-house for their own laptop and computer line-up.
The entire line-up consisting of the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Mini will feature the M1 chip. This in-house engineering will help optimize efficiency, CPU, and GPU performance. In the MacBook Pro, there is an 8-core CPU, which are delegated as 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores. Additionally, the GPU is also 8-cores. The performance should also be noticeably better when using Apple’s own productivity applications or video editing, such as Final Cut Pro.
Another claim that has consumers excited is the 20-hour battery life. This is double the battery life that was claimed by Apple on previous models, and even if it doesn’t quite live up to that, it’s a very sizeable improvement. This can also be attributed to the chip optimizations. Apple has really been able to thrive in this area on their mobile devices and tablets, so the improvement finally comes to the laptops since they no longer rely on Intel to develop their silicon chips.
When making a purchasing decision you’ll be faced with the option of 8GB of RAM or 16GB, which is plenty for most users. This is unified RAM, meaning it is used by both CPU and GPU depending on what needs it more. Another way of describing unified RAM is that its memory is not allocated. Colours are limited to space grey and silver and when it comes to ports there are only two. Fortunately, it comes with a power brick as well as a USB type C charging cord, so you don’t need to buy the brick separately as you do with the new iPhone 12s. One of the key differences is that the MacBook Air does not have a fan and due to the lack of thermals that model will not be able to handle as large of a power load.
GeekBench is a good indicator of what the computer is capable of and where it compares compared to previous models. The way the software utilizes the hardware in real-world situations is the only real way to know what it can do and what its limits are.
From my first impressions, it has been really good in all areas. The improvement in battery life is definitely noticeable and with the activity monitor, I have noticed it manages its workload well while balancing its performance to create a fast and efficient experience. The new laptops have been a huge success and Apple will continue to make improvements on them over time. Apple took a huge step by manufacturing their own chips and that will create a better experience for their consumers.