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<\/p>\nContinuing its pandemic-driven approach of short, focused announcements, Apple once again took to the Internet to stream its \u201cOne More Thing\u201d event. On center stage, this time was the Mac, or specifically, three Macs, all of which replace the longstanding Intel chip with Apple\u2019s new M1 chip.<\/p>\n
Before we talk about the Macs that are now based on Apple\u2019s custom-designed M1 chip, let\u2019s explain what it is and why it\u2019s important.<\/p>\n
First, the M1 is what\u2019s called a \u201cSystem on a Chip\u201d or \u201cSoC.\u201d Instead of having a separate CPU (main processor), GPU (graphics processor), and RAM (memory, which both the CPU and GPU need), the M1 combines those components onto a single chip. The M1 also has a special 16-core processor, called the Neural Engine, that helps with machine-learning tasks, along with a custom storage controller, image signal processor, and Secure Enclave.<\/p>\n
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Within the 8-core CPU, Apple has four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. When you need maximum processing power to edit a video, for instance, macOS dynamically brings the high-performance cores into play. However, if you\u2019re just reading email, macOS switches to the high-efficiency cores to avoid wasting power and draining laptop batteries. Another way the M1 achieves its performance gains is through \u201cunified memory.\u201d By putting the RAM on the chip and sharing it among the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, those processors can access it more quickly than when it\u2019s elsewhere on the motherboard. The downside is that the M1 chip comes with only 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM; there\u2019s no option for more.<\/p>\n
Second, since 2006, Macs have been powered by CPUs from Intel. Switching to its own M1 chip benefits Apple in a couple of ways:<\/p>\n
Over time, the M1 will enable Apple to make Macs that are faster and have better battery life. It will also allow Macs to run all iPhone and iPad apps since the M1 is similar to the A-series chips that power those devices.<\/p>\n
The first three Macs to take advantage of the M1 are the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. Apart from a few small exceptions, the main thing that has changed about these Macs is the M1 chip. They look the same, feel the same, and work the same, although they do all come with\u2014and require<\/strong>\u2014macOS 11 Big Sur.<\/p>\n The new M1-based MacBook Air<\/a>\u00a0replaces the previous Intel-based model that Apple released in March 2020. It does so thanks to massive M1-powered performance improvements: up to 3.5x faster processing, up to 5x faster graphics, and up to 9x faster machine-learning workloads. The M1\u2019s integrated storage controller and the latest solid-state storage technology also combine for up to 2x speedier SSD performance.<\/p>\n Because the M1 is so much more efficient than Intel chips, the MacBook Air no longer needs a fan to keep its cool. It\u2019s now silent. Apple significantly improved battery life as well, promising up to 15 hours of \u201cwireless web\u201d and up to 18 hours of video playback, up from 11 and 12 hours for the previous model. More relevant is that videoconferencing should last twice as long on a single charge.<\/p>\n There are a few other small improvements:<\/p>\n Note that the MacBook Air lacks the Touch Bar of the MacBook Pro\u2014which may be a pro or a con\u2014but its Magic Keyboard does include traditional F-keys and a Touch ID sensor for login and authentication.<\/p>\n The MacBook Air comes in two configurations: an entry model whose M1 chip has an 8-core CPU and a 7-core GPU, plus 8 GB of unified memory and 256 GB of storage for $999. The high-end model switches to an 8-core GPU and 512 GB of storage for $1249. \u00a0You can custom order the MacBook Air with 16 GB RAM for $200, and increased storage levels of 1 TB, or 2 TB.<\/p>\n Don’t want to be an early adapter? Save on Intel MacBook Air models<\/a><\/p>\n Things get a little more confusing with the M1-based 13-inch MacBook Pro<\/a>. Previously, there were four configurations, priced at $1299, $1499, $1799, and $1999. Apple replaced the bottom two with M1 configurations but left the top two with Intel chips. Why? Probably because the higher-end Intel models can take up to 32 GB of RAM. They also have four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 4TB storage option.<\/p>\n Apple doesn\u2019t say if or by how much the new M1 MacBook Pro is faster than the Intel models, but it does say that it\u2019s up to 2.8x faster overall than what it replaces, has up to 5x faster graphics, and is up to 11x quicker for machine-learning tasks. It should outperform the M1 MacBook Air, even though they share the same chip because the 13-inch MacBook Pro has a fan that lets the M1 chip run faster and thus hotter than in the MacBook Air. Nonetheless, battery life is excellent, with up to 17 hours of \u201cwireless web\u201d and up to 20 hours of video playback\u2014the longest battery life ever for a Mac.<\/p>\n The M1 MacBook Pro shares most of the small improvements in the MacBook Air, including the two Thunderbolt 3\/USB 4 ports, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, better image quality from the 720p FaceTime HD camera, and instant wake. New is a \u201cstudio-quality three-mic array\u201d that promises better audio for videoconferencing. It already supported P3 wide color, and the Retina display remains gorgeous.<\/p>\n The M1-based 13-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1299 with an M1 chip that has an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8 GB of memory, and 256 GB of storage. Custom order options include 16 GB of RAM and storage options of 1 TB \u00a0or 2 TB.<\/p>\n It can be hard to choose between the MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Our take? Pick the MacBook Air for its lower price, fanless design, and F-keys, or go with the MacBook Pro if you\u2019re willing to pay for more performance and a Touch Bar. \u00a0Apple’s tests were not run against the processors of the fast Intel processors and Apple still offers the higher-end Intel MacBook 13-inch options.<\/p>\n The third Mac model to switch to the M1 chip is the Mac mini<\/a>. Like the 13-inch MacBook Pro, not all models make the jump, however. Previously, there were two Mac mini models, one starting at $799 and the other at $1099. The M1 Mac mini replaces the low-end model and drops the price to $699.<\/p>\n As with the other two M1-based Macs, the M1 Mac mini boasts impressive performance improvements. Apple says its CPU performance is 3x faster than the model it replaces, it has up to 6x faster graphics, and machine-learning tasks complete up to 15x faster.<\/p>\n Although Apple made no comparisons with the remaining Intel-based Mac mini, we suspect the M1 model will be faster, and it has the new 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6. So why is that Intel Mac mini sticking around?<\/p>\n Our feeling is that at $200 cheaper, a comparable M1 Mac mini is a better deal unless you need any of the hardware options that exist solely on the Intel Mac mini.<\/p>\n Apple has announced some major changes switching from Intel processors to their own custom M1 processors and we are excited about the future. However, we also recommend approaching it cautiously. \u00a0Just as the switch from PowerPC chips to Intel chips the switch and tremendous upside, but still had some growing pains we expect the same now. \u00a0If you mainly use your mac for internet, email, and other Apple apps like Photos the transition should be pretty smooth. \u00a0However, if you rely on 3rd party apps (Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, etc) we strongly recommend waiting to purchase a new M1 based Mac and perhaps even purchasing a new Intel Mac while you can. \u00a0If you run Windows on your Mac, via BootCamp, Parallels or other virtualization software you will want to keep an Intel Mac around for a while since it will not run on Apple processors. \u00a0In fact, if you run Windows on a Mac and your Mac is more than a few years old we recommend upgrading to a current Intel Mac soon.<\/p>\n If your livelihood depends on your Mac don’t chase the shiny new Apple<\/strong>. If not the new M1 Macs might be a perfect fit.<\/p>\n Ready to make the plunge? We are expecting to have new M1 Macs in stock later this month, call the reserve one. \u00a0Find store locations.<\/a><\/p>\nMacBook Air<\/h3>\n
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13-inch MacBook Pro<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nMac mini<\/h3>\n
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Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n
macOS Big Sur on November 12th<\/h3>\n