Apple Macbook Pro M1 Chip

Apple is among the most premium tech brands in the world, their range of products is on the top shelf in all respective categories. The MacBook Pro 13 from 2020 has its native computer processor the M1 chip. Overall the performance of this device is very good, it would be a choice machine for anyone doing heavy work such as video editing or music production.

The design of this model is barely any different than the one before, some people think this is great as the design was as neat as it can be and didn't need any new additions. Others feel that Apple could have changed things up.

What the M1 chip is about

Optimised for peak efficiency of power usage, the M1 is an in-house design creation at Apple. This is the first chipset for personal computers that was built using the 5nm method, packing it with an astounding 16 billion transistors. With a super-fast CPU core, one of the best performances per Watt and breakthrough performance regarding Machine Learning with Apple's Neural Engine.

Compared to previous chips the M1 has a 3.5x faster CPU performance, 6x on the GPU and 15x on the Machine Learning side. All this is highly impressive. This lets it cut through any task like butter; the GPU can render 3D, power multiple 4K streams with ease and take on any other similarly heavy task with ease.

There are technologies that are a part of this chip that also set it aside. These include the latest Image Signal Processor from Apple which can improve video quality with better noise reduction, greater dynamic range and better auto white balance. The Secure Enclave is some of the best in class security. An NVMe storage controller as well as a Thunderbolt 4 controller; allowing the M1 to manage everything in the leanest manner possible.

OS and internals

The macOS Big Sur is optimised for the M1 so the performance is streamlined as can be. This lets the OS make the most of the M1 chip, a very sensible move otherwise there would have been wasted potential. All the everyday things are noticeably faster, the device wakes up super fast a basic point of usage for any user. Safari can run JavaScript 1.5x faster with this OS and the M1.

Basic RAM is at 8GB and is unified memory, this means that the CPU and GPU share it. This has the advantage of not needing data to be shuffled back and forth between two, each of the processing units have access to the full memory. One can opt for 16GB as the only other option in RAM, this may seem less to people but with how the MacBook runs this RAM could take on pretty much most tasks.

Storage starts at 256GB and is the SSD variant of course. There are options from this to 512GB, 1TB or the highest being the 2TB option. SSD drives are already blistering fast, with the M1 running specialised tech to manage them better this makes your overall performance even better. Giving users access to information at speeds that are rare in this era.

Hardware and the rest

The screen is at 13.3 inches and is Apple's Retina Display technology, with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. It has True Tone as well to adjust the colour tones and features millions of colours so you have a great level of representation. Just below the display is the Touch Bar that can be used to execute quick tasks, making for an efficient tool that also has various functions in different softwares.

With a backlit keyboard that is snappy and one of the best keyboards in the market among all laptops. The trackpad is large so one has a lot of surface to work with a variation of presses that execute different types of clicks. There are only 2 Thunderbolt ports that are also the USB 4 standard this is a slight drawback as one could need more at times and would need to have a hub to extend ports. Headsets can be connected using the combined jack for audio and mics.

For wireless connectivity, there is WiFi and Bluetooth. The MacBook Pro M1 also features a webcam that has a resolution of 720p for a good level of clarity with your pictures and videos. The speakers are long and set on the side of the keyboard, as has been the case, MacBook speakers are also some of the best possible. Laptop speakers are generally lacking, these are about as good as it can get.

The battery on this Mac is the longest battery life up till this point, with 17 hours of browsing and 20 hours of video playback.

Comments

Depending on what you like you can choose to purchase the Apple MacBook Pro 13 M1 in Space Grey or Silver.

This is one of the best laptops you can get in 13 inches, and probably even overall. With a blazing performance and also a super slick, simple design that is functionally peak.

The price of the MacBook Pro M1 is high, with this level of performance and the fact that this is an Apple product it is expensive. If you choose anything higher than the base model specs the price jumps by a lot.