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M1 Macs Review

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Re: M1 Macs Review

#21

Post by mtgx »

mojzu wrote: post #6

Although I’m definitely not convinced enough to make the jump yet, those emulation benchmarks are impressive (and seem to also apply somewhat to general use based on another review I read). Running x86 code faster than native equivalents, using an ARM chip, that will probably be consuming significantly less power doing it is something I did not expect to see in gen 1 of this switch.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is mainly because Apple does mostly translation, while Windows on Arm is pure emulation.

This combined with the fact that Arm-based Windows PCs have mostly used mobile chips not optimized for the desktop use-case and form factor, is why the new Arm-based Macbooks leave any Arm-based Windows PCs in the dust in terms of performance.

Re: M1 Macs Review

#22

Post by x87678r »

I'm blown away with how good they seem to work. I was about to buy a Lenovo x86 laptop on Black Friday but put it on hold. I presumed M1 was going to be like a Surface X. With Ryzen laptop chips slowly arriving too, next year should be a good one.

Re: M1 Macs Review

#23

Post by seqastian »

yhersk0vitz wrote: post #16

I feel like this may the first time that Macbooks might actually be worth their premium from a purely hardware perspective. Before people jump on this, I mean that for example the previous Intel MB Pro with i5 would cost like $1,500, which is far more than almost any windows laptop running the same specs.

People on the car forum comparing bmw with the same horse power as a fiat will agree with you.

Re: M1 Macs Review

#24

Post by philliphaydon »

mpweiher wrote: post #19
mikece wrote: post #10

Speed is still relative. Yes the benchmark numbers for the M1 are impressive, but I am curious to see non-benchmark, real-world workloads compared. I'm reminded of a YouTube video (link below) in which the comparison was made between an $11,000 Mac Pro and a PC kit that also cost $11,000. In this case the PC was rocking a Ryzen chip with 32 (or was it 64?) cores and smoked the Mac Pro on every benchmark. But when com…

WebKit compile / speed / power: https://images.macrumors.com/t/xjpsPEkXCCuNsW90kwPvVl0xfC0=/... Percent battery remaining after compiling WebKit. 16" MacBookPro 2019: 61%, 13" MacBook Pro: 24%. M1 mini: 91%, M1 Air: 91%. From: https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/17/apple-silicon-m1-compil...

M1 mini doesn’t have a battery. I assume you mean the M1 MacBook?

Re: M1 Macs Review

#25

Post by ricw »

mikece wrote: post #10

Speed is still relative. Yes the benchmark numbers for the M1 are impressive, but I am curious to see non-benchmark, real-world workloads compared. I'm reminded of a YouTube video (link below) in which the comparison was made between an $11,000 Mac Pro and a PC kit that also cost $11,000. In this case the PC was rocking a Ryzen chip with 32 (or was it 64?) cores and smoked the Mac Pro on every benchmark. But when com…

So you want someone to compare a starting at $699 m1 Mac to a $10k top of the line pro machine?

That you are even interested in this shows how great the m1 chip performs, but as a comparison This is pretty useless.

Re: M1 Macs Review

#26

Post by duncanawoods »

shmoogy wrote: post #13
snazz wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The MacBook Air that GP mentioned doesn't even have a fan! That's certainly a nice benefit.

I really want the air for when I work outside in the summer. I worked from an iPad quite often with the magic keyboard, and it started throttling and sometimes overheated to the point of failure while outside in the sun. It's too cold in Chicago to test, but I would love to see if the MacBook Air can work while outside in direct hot sun - it's the only reason I'm considering the MBP.

> I would love to see if the MacBook Air can work while outside in direct hot sun

I'm not optimistic. An unused iPhone 7 will go into an overheating error state if left in direct sunlight on a British summer's day. I don't know how newer models cope.

Re: M1 Macs Review

#27

Post by kgwgk »

xuki wrote: post #18
vishnugupta wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of all the things unveiled during the launch event no-fan thing completely blew me away. That, I was not prepared for! I now wonder, does that mean that MB Air has no moving parts inside it at all?

Yes, like an iPhone or iPad.

And like the 2015-2019 MacBook.

Re: M1 Macs Review

#28

Post by MengerSponge »

mpweiher wrote: post #19
mikece wrote: post #10

Speed is still relative. Yes the benchmark numbers for the M1 are impressive, but I am curious to see non-benchmark, real-world workloads compared. I'm reminded of a YouTube video (link below) in which the comparison was made between an $11,000 Mac Pro and a PC kit that also cost $11,000. In this case the PC was rocking a Ryzen chip with 32 (or was it 64?) cores and smoked the Mac Pro on every benchmark. But when com…

WebKit compile / speed / power: https://images.macrumors.com/t/xjpsPEkXCCuNsW90kwPvVl0xfC0=/... Percent battery remaining after compiling WebKit. 16" MacBookPro 2019: 61%, 13" MacBook Pro: 24%. M1 mini: 91%, M1 Air: 91%. From: https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/17/apple-silicon-m1-compil...

First, that's absolutely bonkers. Second, I think you've got a copy-paste error somewhere... I thought the mini was mains-powered. What does 91% battery mean there?

Re: M1 Macs Review

#29

Post by mikece »

rimliu wrote: post #14
mikece wrote: post #10

Speed is still relative. Yes the benchmark numbers for the M1 are impressive, but I am curious to see non-benchmark, real-world workloads compared. I'm reminded of a YouTube video (link below) in which the comparison was made between an $11,000 Mac Pro and a PC kit that also cost $11,000. In this case the PC was rocking a Ryzen chip with 32 (or was it 64?) cores and smoked the Mac Pro on every benchmark. But when com…

Well, see this e.g.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxH3RabNWfE

Awesome -- that's what I'm looking for... but now I wish there was some explanation as to why a $699 machine is doing things that previously you needed a $4000 machine to do. I look forward to learning more!

Re: M1 Macs Review

#30

Post by varispeed »

mpweiher wrote: post #19
mikece wrote: post #10

Speed is still relative. Yes the benchmark numbers for the M1 are impressive, but I am curious to see non-benchmark, real-world workloads compared. I'm reminded of a YouTube video (link below) in which the comparison was made between an $11,000 Mac Pro and a PC kit that also cost $11,000. In this case the PC was rocking a Ryzen chip with 32 (or was it 64?) cores and smoked the Mac Pro on every benchmark. But when com…

WebKit compile / speed / power: https://images.macrumors.com/t/xjpsPEkXCCuNsW90kwPvVl0xfC0=/... Percent battery remaining after compiling WebKit. 16" MacBookPro 2019: 61%, 13" MacBook Pro: 24%. M1 mini: 91%, M1 Air: 91%. From: https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/17/apple-silicon-m1-compil...

Is battery consumption linear though? For example I can use my phone for half a day and battery will go down to 50%, then the remaining 50% lasts for maybe an hour.
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