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

The Apple M1 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) and the Apple M2 are both System-on-Chips developed by Apple.

The Apple M1 Pro, introduced as part of the M1 architecture, targets high performance for demanding tasks such as video editing and software development. The Apple M2, as the successor to the base M1 with the M2 architecture, targets a broader audience and offers improved efficiency for general computing performance.

Both processors are manufactured by Apple using a 5nm process. The Apple M1 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) features a 10-core CPU (typically eight performance cores, two efficiency cores) and a 16-core GPU, with 28 MB of L2 cache. The Apple M2 offers an 8-core CPU (mostly four performance cores, four efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU, with 20 MB of L2 cache.

The maximum memory bandwidth for both is 102 GB/s. In terms of performance, the Apple M2 shows a slight advantage in single-core applications. However, the multi-core performance of the Apple M1 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) is significantly higher, with over a 20 percent lead in benchmarks, due to more performance cores.

Also in gaming, the Apple M1 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) delivers better performance than the Apple M2 with its 10-core GPU, thanks to its 16-core GPU. The Apple M2 is designed for efficiency and typically consumes less energy. The Apple M1 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) requires a proportionally higher power consumption for its increased core and graphics performance.

In terms of price, devices with the Apple M2 are usually more affordable, ideal for everyday tasks. Systems with the Apple M1 Pro (10-CPU 16-GPU) are more expensive but offer superior overall performance for professional applications.