Apple M1 Chip Revolutionizes Computing

Thanks to the new Apple M1 chip, 2021 MacBook laptops can now compete with the most sophisticated PC computers in terms of processing power.

The chip can perform 11 trillion operations per second, delivering twice the performance of most mid-priced PC processors. The Apple MacBook Air was among the first models to receive the M1 processor upgrade, and users report that it performs much faster than its Intel-based counterpart. Not sure which model of the lineup to pick? Check out our MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro M1 review.

M1 Chip is the Highest Performing Core to Date

The Apple M1 chip has an integrated GPU, a unified memory architecture, and a neural engine. New Mac devices are so superior in performance that you might want to sell a broken MacBook and start saving up to get a new M1 chip-based MacBook. That said, there are some reasonably priced MacBook models that have come out recently. But as expected, there is a catch: cheaper models have less memory and lower battery capacity. Still, you get a device with the Apple M1 chip, which means it can handle all of your tasks with ease and even increase productivity.

Which Model to Buy?

The new MacBook Air is a great option, but if you are willing to spend a little more, go for the MacBook Pro or even the Mac Mini desktop. Apple states that the M1-based devices are 3.5 times faster than their Intel predecessors. They are also claiming that their 2021 MacBooks offer far better battery life. However, now that M1 chip-based models have been around for some months, there is a bit of debate among Mac users about battery performance.

M1 Chip: Video Conferencing on a Single Battery Charge

Apple says M1-based devices offer about 15 hours of web surfing on a full charge. This claim suggests that multiple Zoom meetings may no longer require you to carry a power supply around. But even if we assume the battery yields half of the suggested time, it still exceeds the previous model’s performance.

The Stats

Apple offers an M1 chip option in all of its laptops. The MacBook Air with M1 is quite a departure from its predecessor. Plus, the base model now comes with 16GB of RAM embedded. You can also configure your laptop with up to 2TB of storage. This is great because a few years back, Apple was really pushing to store everything in the cloud by limiting the actual laptop’s storage. Perhaps numerous Apple Cloud breaches may have taught them a lesson.

The Mac Mini with M1 Chip

So Mac Mini is here to stay. And it got the M1 processor too. New models are about 3x faster and 10% cheaper than previous versions. Some speculate that this slight price reduction is caused by the pandemic. Regardless, the new Mac Mini desktop is not cheap with its starting price of $699 plus tax for the base model.

The Apple M1 Chip is an In-House Chip

Intel is a household name in processors, and Apple has used Intel chips exclusively for the past 15 years! In 2020, everything changed. Apple M1 is built entirely in-house: by Apple, for Apple. If you hope to see it licensed for use on Windows-based PCs, prepare to be disappointed. The M1 chip will remain exclusive to Apple devices, at least for the foreseeable future. So therein lies the catch: if you want to experience the fastest processor, you must switch camps.

Trade-in Value

Preowned Macs hold great reselling value, and M1-based models are no exception:

• The trade-in value of the 2020 MacBook Air 13-inch with a 3.2GHz M1 chip and 256GB of storage is up to $519*.
• Used Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 Touch Bar 3.2 GHz M1 Chip 512GB gets you up to $725 cash offer.

In Conclusion

Apple M1 chip is currently the most efficient processor available, without a doubt. However, upgrading to this latest Apple invention is costly, especially if you are a PC user switching. But there are always options. Start by checking the current resale value of your used computer, which can help offset the cost of your new M1-based MacBook. Plenty of companies purchase used electronics. Gadget Salvation is one of them. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. We are happy to help!

*Priced as of 03/29/2021. Subject to change.