Apple M1 vs Intel Core i7-12650H

The Apple M1 was introduced in late 2020 as the first proprietary chip for Mac systems and is aimed at home users as well as creative professionals.

Manufacturing takes place using a 5 nm process, with the architecture based on eight cores divided into performance and efficiency cores. The processor has 16 MB of L2 cache but lacks an L3 cache. In terms of computing power, the Apple M1 shows a balanced performance for everyday applications.

However, in multi-core performance and specific single-core performance tests, it remains measurably behind the Intel model. The integrated Apple M1 (8 Core) graphics unit is suitable for simple graphical work but reaches its limits with demanding games. Energy efficiency is a key feature, as the chip operates with low thermal power dissipation, which optimizes battery life and minimizes heat generation.

The Intel Core i7-12650H belongs to the Alder Lake H architecture and was released in early 2022 for performance-oriented notebooks.

It is manufactured using a 10 nm process and utilizes a hybrid structure of six performance and four efficiency cores. With 24 MB of L3 cache, it offers advantages for data-intensive applications. In benchmark scenarios, the Intel Core i7-12650H impresses with significantly higher multi-core performance and superior single-core performance, making it ideal for parallel processes.

In gaming scenarios, it provides a stable basis due to the higher raw performance, but is limited by the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 12th Gen (64 EU). Energy consumption is higher than that of its competitor, requiring active cooling. The price-performance ratio is attractive for users who need maximum computing power for productive applications.

The Apple M1 is recommended for mobile efficiency, the Intel Core i7-12650H for demanding tasks.