Apple Introduces New Processor and Macs Powered By It

Apple has finally unveiled its highly anticipated ARM based processor for its Mac line of laptops. Initially dubbed Apple Silicon, Cupertino has gone on to call the new System on Chip (SoC) as the M1. It’s built on the 5-nanometer process technology, the 8-core chip has 16 billion transistors, and according to Apple:

• World’s fastest CPU core in low-power silicon,
• World’s best CPU performance per watt,
• World’s fastest integrated graphics in a personal computer,
• Apple-designed Thunderbolt controller with support for USB 4, transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, and compatibility with more peripherals than ever.

Compared to previous generation Macs:

up to 3.5x faster CPU performance,
up to 6x faster GPU performance
up to 15x faster machine learning
Battery life up to 2x longer than previous-generation Macs

Unlike conventional PCs, Apple’s M1 consists of the CPU, I/O and security module into a single package. This is supposed to offer better efficiency and performance compared to previous generation Macs.

Along with the introduction of the M1, Apple also unveiled a new MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac Mini that feature this new chip. Each device is said to be leaps and bounds better than their predecessors in terms of performance. Though they look identical to the Intel based Macs, they M1 ones are faster and offer exceedingly better battery life.

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• When compared to the previous generation, the M1-powered MacBook Air can:
• Export a project for the web with iMovie up to 3x faster.
• Integrate 3D effects into video in Final Cut Pro up to 5x faster.
• For the first time, play back and edit multiple streams of full-quality, 4K ProRes video in Final Cut Pro without dropping a frame.
• Export photos from Lightroom up to twice as fast.
• Use ML-based features like Smart Conform in Final Cut Pro to intelligently frame a clip up to 4.3x faster.
• Watch more movies and TV shows with up to 18 hours of battery life, the longest ever on MacBook Air.
• Extend FaceTime and other video calls for up to twice as long on a single charge.

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• When compared to the previous generation, the M1-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro can:
• Build code in Xcode up to 2.8x faster.
• Render a complex 3D title in Final Cut Pro up to 5.9x faster.
• Fluidly design intricate game scenes in Unity Editor up to 3.5x faster.
• Perform ML tasks in Create ML up to 11x faster.
• Separate out beats, instrumentals, and vocal tracks from a recording in real time in djay Pro AI, thanks to the amazing
• performance of the Neural Engine.
• Play back full-quality, 8K ProRes video in DaVinci Resolve without dropping a single frame.
• Compile four times as much code on a single charge, thanks to the game-changing performance per watt of the M1 chip.

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• When compared to the previous generation, the M1-powered Mac mini can:
• Compile code in Xcode up to 3x faster.
• Play a graphics-intensive game like “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” with up to 4x higher frame rates.
• Render a complex timeline in Final Cut Pro up to 6x faster.
• Take music production to new levels by using up to 3x as many real-time plug-ins in Logic Pro.
• Magically increase the resolution of a photo in Pixelmator Pro up to 15x faster.
• Utilize ML frameworks like TensorFlow or Create ML, now accelerated by the M1 chip.