Apple M1 vs Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU)

Introduced in late 2020, the Apple M1 offers high efficiency and solid performance for everyday tasks and creative applications.

The Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU), unveiled in early 2023, targets professional users who require significantly higher computing power for demanding creative work and complex multitasking.

Both are manufactured by Apple using a 5 nm fabrication process. The Apple M1 integrates an 8-core CPU (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) with an Apple M1 (8 Core) GPU and 16 MB of Level 2 cache. The Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) features a 10-core CPU (6 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) with an Apple M2 Pro (16 Core) GPU and 28 MB of Level 2 cache.

Both support PCIe 4.0. In single-core operation, the Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) shows a performance advantage of over 10%; for multi-core tasks, it is significantly superior with over 40% higher performance. For gaming, the Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) offers significantly better performance thanks to its Apple M2 Pro (16 Core) GPU (twice as many cores as M1) and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth (M1: 68 GB/s).

Both are known for their efficiency. The Apple M1 operates with a low TDP. The Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) delivers higher performance with an efficient energy profile; its TDP is higher due to the core count and stronger GPU. Price-wise, the Apple M1 is more accessible, while the Apple M2 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) is positioned in the higher segment, reflecting its increased performance for professional applications.