On paper, the M1 is slower than the Core i5 and i7, which both have higher maximum ‘clock speeds’. SoCs are common in smartphones and tablets, but less so in laptops. The best load webpages in a flash and power through demanding tasks, such as video editing, whereas a cheap processor could make anything more taxing than online shopping slow your laptop to a crawl.Īpple’s new SoC (‘system on a chip’) M1 processor concentrates everything onto a single chip, unlike the Intel Core i5 and i7 processors in older Macs, which use multiple chips to manage different tasks.
It may not be as attention grabbing as a brushed aluminium case or a stunning screen, but a laptop’s processor plays a vital role in how fast and efficient it is. See also: See all of our best laptops | Answer three questions to find the best laptop for you | Best Windows 10 laptops | Best laptops for students Which MacBook should I buy, and should I pick the M1 processor? We take a look at the key differences between the MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro ranges, so you can be confident that you're buying the right Mac for you. Apple laptops aren't cheap, so it's important that you consider your MacBook options carefully before parting with your cash.
