Apple M1 chip vs Intel Core i7: is M1 Really Faster?

In Late 2020, Apple introduced its very own first computer processor: the M1 chip. And many of us immediately wondered: Is it really faster than Intel Core i-Series processors? Namely, who would win the M1 vs. Intel Core i7 standoff?

Apple M1 Chip

Apple claims that its ARM-based M1 chip’s benchmark results show superior performance compared to Intel. Furthermore, they state that the M1 is basically the fastest processor available on the market today. And it sure sounds like it should be. M1 chip is an octa-core processor with four performance and four efficiency cores. In addition, it features eight-core graphics and a 16-core Neural Engine, designed to deliver up to 15 times faster machine learning performance.

Due to the eight-core GPU, M1-based computers excel in graphics performance, surpassing the onboard quad-core Intel chips typically found in older MacBook Pro versions’ logic boards.

Intel i7 vs Apple M1: How Does the Intel Core i7 11th Generation Processor Compare?

In response to Apple, Intel released its 11th-generation Tiger Lake processors shortly after. But not only does it have to withstand Apple’s competition now, but Intel is also continuously challenged by AMD processors. And their latest Ryzen 5000 family can certainly call into question Intel chips’ superiority.

Yet, Intel claims that its 11th-generation Core i7 processors can offer significant power. The chip has been redesigned to improve performance and efficiency. In addition, the Tiger Lake chips come in pairs with Intel Xe graphics, allowing the CPU to nearly double its benchmark scores.

But unlike the eight-core Apple M1 chip, the new Intel Core i7 is a quad-core CPU with eight threads. Although Intel offers a higher base frequency, it still lags behind the M1. So, if we dismiss the software adaptation factor, M1 wins the Apple M1 chip vs Intel i7 standoff in speed and overall performance.

Apple M1 Chip vs Intel i7: Reality Check

In reality, processor performance and speed largely depend on how you use your hardware. For example, content creators report that the latest Intel Core i7 11th-generation processor is about 1.1-1.2 times faster than the Apple M1 in 4K file conversion. Intel Core i7 also outperforms the Apple M1 chip by a mile when using machine learning/AI programs. It can and does beat Apple in both native and non-native apps. And when it comes to gaming, well, the Apple M1 simply can’t run many games. For example, Apex Legends, Halo MCC, and Overwatch fans report that they cannot run their favorite games on the M1-based MacBook.

M1 vs Intel-Based Macs

There are a few key advantages of the M1 chip-based MacBook Pro 13 and MacBook Air laptops over the Intel ones. First, M1 is more efficient on the battery, yielding users almost twice the battery life compared to Intel-based counterparts.

The 2020 M1 MacBook Pro laptops from Apple are more cost-effective: the base model starts at $1,299, compared to the $1,799 13-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i5, for example. Fast performance, longer battery life, and a lower price make the M1-based model a no-brainer for most Apple Mac users.

Yet, Intel CPUs can accommodate more powerful internal hardware, support more RAM, and offer greater storage capacity. While computers with Apple M1 chips are the best choice for most people, not everyone can benefit from using one. For example, programmers and web developers, who rely on traditional apps, like Cisco, Microsoft 365, and Slack, are better off with the Intel-powered computer. The reason is that most of these programs have yet to be optimized for the Apple M1 chip.

Apple M1 vs Intel: Resale Value

As we established earlier, M1-based MacBooks are more affordable than their Intel counterparts. Therefore, the resale value of the M1 MacBook is likely to be lower than that of the Intel one. But that is not necessarily the case, not yet anyway. It may be due to M1’s novelty and impressive benchmarks, but based on the resale data we have gathered so far, used M1 Macs are selling for more in most cases. Naturally, this trend echoes on our Gadget Salvation site. For example, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 with M1 chip and 256GB storage can be resold for up to $614 on our website.* While the 2020 Intel Core i5 Apple MacBook Pro 13 gets up to $546 valuation.*

Final Thoughts

As we can see, Apple M1 appears to be a stiff competition to Intel’s latest Core i7 processor. And by standardized benchmarks, it definitely wins the Apple M1 chip vs Intel i7 rivalry. Additionally, the extended battery life and lower cost make the M1 chip more appealing to most Apple fans. Yet, web programmers cannot take full advantage of the M1 chip, for example. As to resale value, M1 beats Intel yet again. However, given that the chip is relatively new, everything could still change. If you have a used MacBook for sale, we suggest moving forward sooner rather than later.

*Priced on 08/04/21. Subject to change.