Intel Core i7-8550U vs Apple M1

The Intel Core i7-8550U, manufactured by Intel at the end of 2017 using the 14 nm process based on the Kaby Lake U Refresh architecture, targeted thin notebooks and general productivity.

It features 4 cores, 8 threads, Intel UHD Graphics 620, and 8 MB of Level 3 Cache. Its maximum memory bandwidth is 38 GB/s. In benchmarks, it is surpassed by the Apple M1 in performance and energy efficiency.

The Apple M1, introduced by Apple at the end of 2020, is a 5 nm System-on-a-Chip (SoC) with 8 cores (4 performance, 4 efficiency), optimized for macOS. It offers outstanding performance, high energy efficiency, and a powerful integrated Apple M1 (8 Core) graphics unit.

With 16 MB of Level 2 Cache and a maximum memory bandwidth of 68 GB/s, it significantly outperforms the Intel Core i7-8550U in all performance tests, including gaming. Comparison and Recommendation: The Apple M1 delivers much higher single-core and multi-core performance, as well as superior graphics performance for gaming.

Thanks to its 5 nm manufacturing process, it is also significantly more energy-efficient than the 14 nm Intel Core i7-8550U, allowing for longer battery life. In terms of price, the Intel processor can be found in older, often cheaper laptops. The M1, integrated into Apple products, offers an optimized hardware and software ecosystem.

For demanding tasks and efficiency, the M1 is the clear choice; for basic needs in a Windows environment, the Intel Core i7-8550U.