Apple M1 vs Intel Core i5-8279U

The Intel Core i5-8279U, a processor from Intel's Coffee Lake U architecture, was primarily developed around 2018 for mobile devices and compact systems.

It is based on a 14 nm manufacturing process and features four cores that can handle eight threads. The Apple M1, Apple's first own chip generation, was introduced in late 2020 and is found in MacBooks, Mac mini, and iMacs.

Manufactured using the more advanced 5 nm process, it combines eight cores in a hybrid architecture: four high-performance and four energy-efficiency cores. Regarding performance, the Apple M1 significantly outperforms the Intel Core i5-8279U in single-core applications and most multi-core tests.

Gaming performance is significantly better with the Apple M1, thanks to its more powerful integrated Apple M1 (8 Core) graphics unit, compared to the Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 of the Intel processor. The M1's memory bandwidth of 68 GB/s compared to the i5's 38 GB/s also contributes to this.

Furthermore, the Apple M1 is much more energy-efficient, enabling longer battery life and lower heat requirements. A direct price-performance comparison is difficult because the Intel Core i5-8279U is installed in older systems, and the Apple M1 is only available as a component of newer Apple products.

For demanding users seeking maximum performance and efficiency within the Apple ecosystem, the Apple M1 is the superior choice. The Intel Core i5-8279U offers a solid foundation for everyday tasks in existing, often more cost-effective devices.