Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) vs Apple A18 Pro

The Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU), codenamed M1, was introduced in 2021 and is designed for professional desktop applications.

It is manufactured using the 5 nm process and features an 8-core CPU and an integrated Apple M1 Pro (14 Core) graphics unit. The maximum memory bandwidth is 102 GB/s, supplemented by 24 MB L2 cache and PCIe 4.0 support. The Apple A18 Pro, codenamed Donan, is a newer processor from Apple's more advanced 3 nm process, primarily designed for high efficiency and performance.

Considered as a desktop CPU, it integrates an Apple A18 Pro (6 GPU Cores) graphics unit, 20 MB L2 cache, and 24 MB L3 cache, with a memory bandwidth of 60 GB/s. In single-core performance, the Apple A18 Pro significantly outperforms the Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU), making it ideal for less parallelized tasks.

However, in multi-core performance, the Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) shows higher capabilities, advantageous for compute-intensive professional workloads. Also in gaming scenarios, the Apple M1 Pro (8-CPU) offers better performance with its stronger 14-core graphics unit and higher memory bandwidth.

The A18 Pro is more energy-efficient due to its 3 nm process, while the M1 Pro (8-CPU) is designed for demanding desktop systems with its robust overall performance and PCIe 4.0. The choice depends on the priority: single-core efficiency and low heat generation (A18 Pro) or maximum overall and graphics performance (M1 Pro).