Apple M1
- Boost/Base Clock:
- 3.2 GHz / 2.064 GHz
- Core/Thread Count:
- 8 Core / 8 Thread (4 Performance + 4 Efficiency)
- Cache:
- 16MB L2 + 2MB L1
- TDP:
- 10 Watts
- CPU Process Node:
- 5 Nanometers
- CPU Series:
- Apple Silicon
- Form Factor:
- Laptop
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Manufacturer: Apple Last updated: September 9, 2026
Apple M1 Review
Launched in late 2020, the Apple M1 is an 8-core System-on-Chip (4 performance cores plus 4 efficiency cores) built on a 5nm process, running within a genuinely minimal 10 Watt TDP, found in the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and 24-inch iMac.
The M1 marked Apple's transition away from Intel x86 chips to its own ARM-based silicon, and its combination of strong single-thread performance and extremely low power draw represented a genuine architectural leap most contemporary x86 laptop chips couldn't match at the time.
Integrated Graphics
The M1 includes Apple's own integrated GPU as part of the unified SoC design, though this specific data focuses on CPU-side benchmarks; Apple's tight hardware-software integration is a genuine differentiator from the discrete CPU-and-iGPU pairing found on Windows laptops.
How Is the Apple M1 in Terms of Performance
The combination of 4 high-performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, managed by Apple's own scheduler, delivers genuinely strong single-thread performance at a remarkably low 10W TDP, a real architectural advantage over contemporary x86 chips running at 3-4x the power draw for comparable results.
Benchmarks
PassMark single-core scores of 3,698 and Cinebench R23 single-core scores of 1,513 reflect genuinely class-leading single-thread performance for a 10W chip. Geekbench 5 multi-core scores of 7,679 confirm the M1 competed directly with considerably higher-power x86 chips despite its minimal power envelope.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Apple |
|---|---|
| Product Line | Apple Silicon |
| Product Line | Other |
| Model Number | M1 |
| Release Year | 2020 |
Segment and platform
| Market Segment | Laptop |
|---|---|
| Microarchitecture | Apple Silicon, First Generation |
| Socket Status | End of Life |
| Process Node | 5 nm |
| Process Node | 5 nm |
Core configuration
| Total Cores | 8 |
|---|---|
| Performance Cores | 4 |
| Efficiency Cores | 4 |
| Total Threads | 8 |
| SMT Enabled | No |
Clock speeds
| P-Core Base Clock | 2.064 GHz |
|---|---|
| P-Core Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 16 MB |
|---|
Power and thermal
| Base Power | 10 W |
|---|
Memory
| Max Memory Speed | 4266 MT/s |
|---|---|
| Memory Channels | 2 |
| Max Memory Capacity | 16 GB |
| ECC Support | No |
Graphics and AI
| Integrated Graphics | Yes |
|---|
Commercial
| Retail Availability | Soldered Only |
|---|
| Form Factor | Laptop |
|---|---|
| Core/Thread Count | 8 Core / 8 Thread (4 Performance + 4 Efficiency) |
| TDP | 10 W |
| Cache | 16MB L2 + 2MB L1 |
| Boost/Base Clock | 3.2 GHz / 2.064 GHz |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Best for
- MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, or 24-inch iMac buyers wanting genuinely strong performance at minimal power draw
Not for
- Buyers needing x86 software compatibility without emulation — this is an ARM-based chip requiring Rosetta 2 translation for non-native x86 applications
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Apple M1?
The Apple M1 is a processor from Apple. Key specs: Boost/Base Clock 3.2 GHz / 2.064 GHz, Core/Thread Count 8 Core / 8 Thread (4 Performance + 4 Efficiency), Cache 16MB L2 + 2MB L1, TDP 10 Watts, CPU Process Node 5 Nanometers.
Who is the Apple M1 best suited to?
It suits macbook air, 13-inch macbook pro, mac mini, or 24-inch imac buyers wanting genuinely strong performance at minimal power draw.
What are the drawbacks of the Apple M1?
It is a poor fit for buyers needing x86 software compatibility without emulation — this is an arm-based chip requiring rosetta 2 translation for non-native x86 applications.