The Rise of Intel: Is Apple Silicon Losing Its Edge?
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Chapter 1: Apple Silicon's Initial Triumph
When I first embarked on my writing journey on Medium, I was captivated by the capabilities of Apple silicon. Just three days after acquiring an 8GB M1 Mac mini on its launch day, I penned an article titled “The Mac mini is Now Faster Than the iMac Pro.” This piece garnered widespread acclaim from esteemed platforms like Six Colors, TechCrunch, The Verge, Daring Fireball, Ars Technica, and AnandTech, and featured my own positive benchmark results comparing the M1 Mac mini with its Intel-based predecessor from 2018.
As Tony Stark aptly put it, “We create our own demons.” The emergence of Apple silicon jolted Intel from a prolonged period of dormancy. This was underscored by a leadership change just two months post-M1 launch, with Pat Gelsinger taking the helm from Bob Swan. Now, with the introduction of Intel's Core™ Ultra Processor Family (codenamed Meteor Lake), it is clear that Intel is back in the game. Recently, I published an article titled “Apple’s M3 CPUs, Nothing to See Here,” which evaluated Apple's processor advancements against its rivals, leading me to conclude that Apple’s once substantial lead appears to be diminishing.
Section 1.1: Responses and Challenges
The article elicited several reactions, which I had largely overlooked until one caught my attention: “Not that my needs require any extreme speed, but I’m just curious what the author’s reply is to comments trashing his analysis.” Challenge accepted.
In my previous piece, I noted that since the rollout of Apple silicon, Intel has launched Tiger Lake, Alder Lake, and Raptor Lake, with Meteor Lake set to debut on December 14th. A response I received stated, “Always love how Apple products are going to be trashed by something coming any day now…” I listed three processors already released and one upcoming, yet the takeaway was that I was promoting vaporware? With years of experience in the tech industry, I am well aware of companies announcing products that often arrive late or not at all. To suggest that Meteor Lake was vaporware is rather flimsy, especially since it indeed launched on schedule.
Section 1.2: Clarifying Terminology
Another comment pointed out, “An M3 is not a CPU.” Yes, let’s clarify this. The M3 is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) that consolidates various components, including a CPU, GPU, memory, and other elements. Is that clearer? I have my doubts.
What truly matters is my role as a software developer. I seek faster build times in Xcode, primarily determined by the SoC’s CPU performance. If you’re considering an upgrade from the first or second generation of M-series chips, you likely share my priorities. In 2022, Apple shipped over 26 million Macs, and during that year’s WWDC, Tim Cook announced 34 million registered developers for Apple’s platforms. Without the dedicated developer community driving the majority of Mac sales, the existence of Apple silicon would be uncertain.
To achieve a significant upgrade over my M2 Pro Mac mini, I would need to invest in the 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Max chip, 16-core CPU, 64GB unified memory, and 1TB SSD, totaling $4,157.31 (tax included). Even opting for the M3 Pro chip would cost $2,984.43, for a machine offering performance akin to my M2 Pro Mac mini. For professional tasks, the third generation of Apple silicon presents minimal advancements unless one opts for the M3 Max. Regardless of the terminology—CPU, SoC, processor, or chip—the M3 family leaves much to be desired.
Section 1.3: Clickbait Accusations
Clickbait refers to the practice of crafting sensational headlines to attract clicks. My headline promised an exploration of Apple’s diminishing processor technology lead, which I delivered. Nonetheless, some labeled it clickbait. So be it.
The last Intel-based 13-inch MacBook Pro was released in 2020 with an Intel Core i7–1068NG7, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $1,299. With Meteor Lake now available, Acer offers the Swift Go 14 Laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, 16 GB LPDDR5X, and a 1 TB SSD for $999. These processors achieved benchmark scores of 9,584 and 22,452 CPU marks, reflecting a 2.3x performance boost. Additionally, the Swift Go boasts up to 12.5 hours of battery life.
Is the Swift Go comparable to an M3 Max MacBook Pro? No, I never claimed that Intel’s current processors could match Apple silicon. However, I have maintained that Intel is closing the performance gap. It is evident that they are making strides, and if Intel continues on this trajectory, it could surpass Apple in the coming years. While setbacks are possible, the forthcoming Angstrom era of Intel’s technology may allow the company to reclaim its position as a leader in CPU innovation.
Chapter 2: The Future of Processor Technology
In light of these developments, it’s clear that Apple’s processor technology lead may soon become negligible—or even surpassed—within the next few years. Whether you label it vaporware, clickbait, or something else, the reality remains unchanged.
Video Description: This video discusses the current semiconductor shortages and highlights the competitive landscape involving Nvidia's acquisition of ARM, while comparing Intel, TSMC, and Samsung's strategies.
Video Description: An in-depth analysis of Intel's Arrow Lake leaks, detailing the cancellation of specific features, desktop performance expectations, and comparisons to the upcoming Panther Lake.