The rollout of Apple silicon continue with theintroduction of the 24 - inch iMac . Now there are four dissimilar Macs with Apple ’s M1 system - on - a - chip ( SoC ) at the heart of each simulation : two laptop and two desktop computers . That means you have more choices , and that ’s good — but that also stand for there are now more design , features , stipulation , and prices to count , which can make picking the right one tricky .
To help you decide with M1 Mac to buy , let ’s give way down each model and wait at each of their similarities and differences . If you know for sure that you need an M1 Mac laptop and not a desktop computer , take a flavour at ourM1 Mac laptop guidethat compares the MacBook Air and 13 - column inch MacBook Pro . PlusApple still sells Macs with Intel central processing unit , so there ’s a lot to consider before you plunk down a thousand - plus dollars on a Modern Mac .
M1: Laptop versus desktop
The four M1 Macs that Apple sells can be easily divided into laptop computer and background computers . The differences are obvious — skip to the next segment if you do n’t need it spelled out for you . study on if you require more information to help you decide .
Laptops . Apple sells two M1 Mac laptops , theMacBook Airand13 - inch MacBook Pro . laptop computer are all - in - one computers , with a built - in video display , keyboard , and trackpad . mack laptops have a built - in battery that you bear down by plugging in a power adapter to one of the Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports . you’re able to charge the shelling , disconnect it when you jaunt , and then apply the laptop on battery power at a distant location .
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)
Mac laptops lean to be a slower than Mac desktop computers because the laptops need to do more to maintain a comfortable temperature . But with the M1 , the performance spread is n’t as big as it used to be with Intel processors , which we ’ll outline below . Even before the substitution to Apple silicon , Mac laptops provide enough performance to be used as a primary computer both on an power desk and on the go .
Desktop . Apple extend two desktop M1 Macs , theMac miniand the24 - inch iMac . These computer are designed to bide on a desk and are not in the main considered to be peregrine devices . The Mac mini requires you to allow a display and input devices , which you may also purchase at the item of purchase from Apple or utilize your own . The iMac is an all - in - one calculator with a built - in show and it come with input signal gadget .
Mac mini (M1, 2020)
24-inch iMac (2021)
The desktop M1 Macs are faster than the M1 laptop computer , but not by a lot in general economic consumption . A desktop has a speed advantage with work that is very processor intensive , such as with pro apps like Final Cut , Logic Pro , and Xcode . Laptops need to be more paying attention to the running temperature and will slow up down if it protrude to get too spicy . Desktops , meanwhile , can run at a higher temperature for a longer period .
Our take : Laptops are pop and with well grounds . They have enough processing power for most users , are easy to travel with , and have the feature most people need . A laptop computer might seem like the obvious choice , but if you ’re not going to be traveling much , Apple ’s M1 desktop information processing system are ideal for users who necessitate the most processing baron and an extensive setup with extraneous computer hardware . If you require a monitor , look at the iMac , if not the Mac miniskirt is a howling option .
M1: Processor and graphics
All four Macs use the M1 SoC , which has an 8 - core CPU with four performance pith and four efficiency cores . Based on our examination of three of the four Macs release so far , it provides impressively fast functioning , with interchangeable resultant across all four modeling .
As of this writing , the 24 - inch iMac had not yet started shipping . Apple said the iMac would initiate making its way to customers in the second half of May . We wo n’t be surprised if the 24 - inch iMac post Geekbench 5 scores similar to what has been posted by the M1 Mac miniskirt , but we ’ll update this post once we get our hand on one .
Here ’s a aspect at the Geekbench 5 C.P.U. effect . The M1 laptops have scores that are blue than the Mac mini , in all likelihood because the laptop run for a shade slower for temperature ascendancy . But the difference is really small — we’re speak about 1.5 percent — and in everyday consumption , you wo n’t notice a remainder between the three .
Geekbench 5 CPU benchmark
The $ 999 MacBook Air and $ 1,299 24 - column inch iMac have 7 - core GPUs . The other M1 Macs have GPUs with 8 core .
orchard apple tree
dissect and comparing the graphics performance of the M1 Macs is a little more involved . The number of GPU cores alter free-base on the model . Here ’s a look at what Apple proffer in terms of GPU .
Below are the Geekbench 5 GPU outcome . The $ 999 MacBook Air and the $ 1,299 iMac have a 7 - core GPU that ’s slower than the other M1 Macs , but you probably wo n’t notice a difference in general unremarkable use . The conflict is 9 percentage between the two MacBook Air model , and high equate to the MacBook Pro and Mac mini , so if your work is pictorial - sound , see spending a footling more on the 8 - inwardness model .
The 24 - inch iMac has three standard configurations , starting with the low - end $ 1,299 model that has a 7 - core GPU , and the $ 1,499 and $ 1,699 manakin with an 8 - essence GPU . We expect the $ 1,299 iMac ’s 7 - core GPU to be slightly faster than the MacBook Air ’s 7 - heart and soul GPU , while the iMac ’s 8 - core GPU performance could be similar to the Mac mini . We ’ll update the performance chart with iMac data point as soon as potential .
Geekbench 5 Compute GPU benchmark
Our take : If all you worry about is getting the top - perform M1 Mac , then the Mac mini is for you . If you’re able to wait , take hold off until result from the 24 - column inch iMac are in , but we carry they ’ll be similar . The 13 - inch MacBook Pro ’s operation is very near to the Mac mini , so it ’s a worthy competitor as well , but if you want the upright price - to - public presentation proportion , the Mac mini is the way to go .
M1: Memory and storage
All four of these Macs have 8 GB of “ unified memory ” in their standard conformation . ( If you do n’t live , memory or RAM is used by a computer when it is doing work and processing data . have a high amount of memory can avail performance . ) If you cerebrate 8 GB is n’t enough , you have the option to upgrade to a maximum of 16 GB of memory for an additional fee . However , Apple changed the room memory is used in the M1compared to Intel - based Macs , and most regular users will be fine with 8 GB .
The M1 Macs do not countenance you to well add more computer memory after purchase .
Then there ’s storage , the place where files and software is kept . Malus pumila use solid - land drives ( SSDs ) in its M1 Macs , offering 256 GB to start and 512 GB at the higher - priced models . you may also configure your Mac with up to 2 TB of storage .
Our take : Buy as much memory and storage as you could afford . Most hoi polloi will be ok with 8 GB of retentivity , but if you like to apply professional apps and plan to keep your MacBook for a while , upgrade to 16 G . As for the SSD , if you rely on cloud storage such as iCloud , Dropbox , or Microsoft OneDrive , you may go with a smaller SSD , but remember , you need an internet connection to get at those service .
M1: Ports and expansion
Even as more external devices tender wireless connectivity , ports are very important . Ports tender truehearted connexion than Bluetooth or Wi - Fi , and sometimes you might prefer ( or have no choice ) to employ a pumped link . And of course , you believably have devices that you ’ve had for a while that you use on your older Mac and want to apply on your new one .
All of Apple ’s M1 Macs heavily rely on Thunderbolt / USB 4 port — they each have two . A few other M1 Macs have additional port . Here ’s a speedy look at the interface on each M1 Mac .
Our take : Because the Mac mini is often used in home plate amusement centers , cubicle , servers , and other setups , it has more port wine built in that are useful for such situations , such as gigabit ethernet and HDMI . All the other Macs will require an adapter to connect to non - Thunderbolt / USB 4 plugs , such as Apple’sUSB - C to USB Adapter , or a Thunderbolt hub . So be prepared to crush out extra John Cash to be able to use your devices .
The Mac miniskirt is the only M1 Mac with USB - A and HDMI ports .
M1: Price
There ’s a lot to consider when thinking about toll , because the M1 Macs are different . But it helps to have the information in front of you and to call out what you ’re pose in each machine . Here are the price of the standard form for each M1 Mac .
Our take : The Mac miniskirt is a nice combination of price and carrying into action , but you must provide your own input devices and presentation , which could add to the monetary value if you ’re buying these new . If you wish the iMac , we recommend the $ 1,499 model — the excess $ 200 spent over the submission - horizontal surface theoretical account gives you a mickle more features equate to the other Macs . The $ 1,249 MacBook Air does endure out — you get the same sizing SSD and the same M1 CPU and GPU configuration as the $ 1,499 13 - column inch MacBook Pro , which does have a full audio frequency system , a slightly brighter screen , and the Touch Bar .
Whichever Mac you choose , get the best car you may afford at the metre of leverage — that means customizing the configuration to add more memory or reposition . It will increase the price , but you ca n’t raise those components after you purchase your Mac .
