Apple M1 (7-GPU) vs Apple M2 (8-GPU)

The Apple M1 (7-GPU) was introduced as the first proprietary chip for Mac systems and is aimed at home users as well as beginners in the creative field.

The chip is based on a 5 nm process and offers eight cores, divided into performance and efficiency cores. With an L2 cache of 16 MB and a memory bandwidth of 68 GB/s, it provides a solid foundation for daily tasks. In benchmarks, the Apple M1 (7-GPU) shows stable performance, with the difference to the successor in single-core performance varying depending on the application.

The integrated Apple M1 (7 Core) graphics are suitable for simple media editing but reach their limits with demanding games. Due to the low power consumption, the system remains cool and efficient even under load. The Apple M1 (7-GPU) offers a balanced ratio for price-conscious buyers, as it is often available at more favorable conditions.

The Apple M2 (8-GPU) represents the further development of the architecture and addresses users who have higher demands for graphics performance and multitasking.

Manufactured using the 5 nm process, the chip uses eight cores and benefits from a memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s and 20 MB L2 cache. In benchmarks for single-core and multi-core performance, the Apple M2 (8-GPU) often outperforms its predecessor by more than ten percent, making it more efficient for computationally intensive tasks.

In gaming scenarios, the Apple M2 (8 Core) graphics provide better performance thanks to the higher number of cores and bandwidth. The thermal design power remains moderate, allowing for quiet operation. The price-performance ratio is attractive for users looking for future-proof technology. Those looking for maximum efficiency at low costs choose the previous model, while the Apple M2 (8-GPU) is the recommendation for graphics-heavy work.