Apple installs the Mac chip for the first time



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On November 10, Apple invited to the third and probably final event this fall. The theme of the “One more Thing” keynote was about new Macs. The technical group presented a new Macbook Pro, a new Macbook Air and the new Mac Mini. The big news on all three devices is Apple’s M1 chip. So far, the manufacturer has been using Intel chips in its Macs. With M1, Apple now brings the first specially designed ARM-based processor to Macbooks and Mac Minis.

“The M1 is optimized for Mac systems, where compact size and energy efficiency are extremely important,” said Apple. There are 16 billion transistors built into the chip and it is also the first chip to be produced using 5 nanometer process technology. With the M1, the manufacturer promises up to 3.5x faster CPU performance, up to 6x faster GPU performance and up to 15x faster machine learning with up to 2x longer battery life than the Previous generation Mac.

All combined in one chip

Until now, Macs used multiple chips for CPU, I / O, security, and other functions. According to Apple, thanks to the M1, these technologies are now combined on a single SoC (System on a Chip). Furthermore, the new chip has a shared memory architecture. This combines storage with high bandwidth and low latency through special technology in a single pool. In this way, the technologies in the SoC can access the same data without having to copy between multiple storage pools, which should ensure greater efficiency and performance.

According to the manufacturer, the three new devices represent the beginning of the transition to a new range of chips developed specifically for Mac. The transition to Apple chips will take a total of about two years.

With the new chip comes a new operating system: Big Sur. The system was specially developed for the M1. “With Big Sur, the Mac, like the iPhone and iPad, wakes up immediately from sleep,” writes Apple. Additionally, Big Sur users can run a large number of apps. Apps for iPhone and iPad can now be launched directly on the Mac.

Das Macbook Air (Source: Apple)

The new Macbook Air

The new Macbook Air appears in the usual 13-inch format. Apple has also given the device a fanless design. This keeps it quiet no matter what applications are currently running. According to Apple, the battery offers more than its predecessor, namely up to 15 hours of wireless browsing and up to 18 hours of video playback. In addition, Apple has provided the Macbook Air with a new image signal processor (ISP). This ensures higher camera image quality with better noise suppression, wider dynamic range and better auto white balance, as well as improved facial recognition via machine learning. Thanks to the new chip, compared to its predecessor, the device is able to:

  • Export a project to the web up to 3x faster with iMovie.

  • Integrate 3-D effects into your videos in Final Cut Pro up to 5x faster.

  • Cut and play multiple streams of 4K ProRes video in full quality Final Cut Pro without skipping individual frames.

  • Export photos from Lightroom up to 2x faster.

  • Take advantage of ML-based features like Smart Conform in Final Cut Pro to intelligently restructure a clip up to 4.3x faster.

  • Enable FaceTime and other video calls for up to double the time on a single charge.

The new Macbook Pro is 13 inches. (Source: Apple)

Macbook Pro in 13-inch format

With the Macbook Pro with 13-inch display, Apple unveiled a second notebook that works with the new M1. The manufacturer praises the device primarily for students and creative professionals. The device offers high performance for code compilation, video transcoding and high resolution photo editing.

In addition, the new Macbook Pro comes with built-in studio-quality microphones and, thanks to the new image signal processor, the camera delivers sharper images with more detail. It has Touch ID and Secure Enclave in the M1. It also has two Thunderbolt ports with USB 4 support. Compared to the previous generation, the 13-inch Macbook Pro can:

  • Compile code in Xcode up to 2.8x faster.

  • Render a complex 3D title up to 5x faster in Final Cut Pro.

  • Design complex scenes seamlessly in Unity Editor up to 3.5x faster.

  • Perform machine learning tasks up to 11x faster in Create ML.

  • Isolate beats, instruments and vocals in a real-time djay Pro AI recording thanks to the excellent performance of the Neural Engine.

  • Play 8K ProRes video in DaVinci Resolve in full quality without skipping individual frames.

  • Compiles up to 4x more code on a single charge thanks to the revolutionary performance per watt of the M1 chip.

The Mac Mini (Source: Apple)

Small desktop: the Mac Mini

The new Mac Mini supports up to two displays, comes with Wi-Fi 6 for faster wireless connections and the Secure Enclave in M1. Demanding workloads have become noticeably faster thanks to the new chip. Compared to the previous generation, thanks to the M1, the Mac Mini can:

  • Compile code in Xcode up to 3x faster.

  • Play graphics-intensive games like “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” with up to 4x higher frame rates.

  • Rendering a complex timeline up to 6x faster in Final Cut Pro.

  • Take music production to a whole new level in Logic Pro with up to 3x more plug-ins in real time.

  • Increase the resolution of a photo in Pixelmator Pro up to 15x faster.

  • It uses ML frameworks like TensorFlow or Create ML, which are now accelerated by the M1 chip.

Prices and availability

The three new devices can be pre-ordered immediately. Deliveries begin in the week of November 16th. The Macbook Air is available for CHF 1079. The Macbook Pro costs CHF 1399 and the Mac Mini is available from CHF 779.

In mid-October, Apple unveiled the first 5G-compatible iPhone. The group also unveiled the new iPads and Apple Watch in September.

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