Apple M2 vs Intel Core i5-1038NG7

The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 (Ice Lake U), introduced in 2019, targeted energy-efficient notebooks for everyday tasks.

The Apple M2 (M2 architecture), debuted in 2022, is a System-on-a-Chip for Apple's Mac products, designed for high efficiency and performance within the Apple ecosystem.

The i5-1038NG7 is manufactured using a 10 nm process, typically featuring four cores/eight threads, 6 MB L3 cache, and 60 GB/s memory bandwidth. The M2 utilizes a more advanced 5 nm process, eight cores (four performance, four efficiency cores), 20 MB L2 cache, and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth. The Apple M2 significantly outperforms the i5-1038NG7 in both single-core and multi-core performance.

This considerably accelerates demanding software. In gaming, the M2 is also clearly superior to the Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7, thanks to its Apple M2 (10 Core) graphics and higher memory bandwidth. Both are energy-efficient. The i5-1038NG7 is optimized for low power consumption. However, the M2 sets new standards in performance per watt due to its 5 nm design.

A direct price-performance comparison is difficult; i5 devices are often more affordable, while M2 devices offer more performance in the premium segment. The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 is a solid, energy-efficient option for basic tasks in older Windows laptops. The Apple M2 is the superior choice for maximum computing and graphics performance, excellent energy efficiency, and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem.