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JPack

macrumors G5
Mar 27, 2017
13,561
26,212
M1 is not a cellphone processor. M1 is large package with adjacent memory (up to 16GB). That consumes a lot of power and is poor in terms of space utilization.

Besides, the main difference between mobile and desktop processors is the type of transistors used and the voltage and frequency. Apple might be binning their desktop and mobile devices differently and it would make complete sense.
 
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muzzy996

macrumors 65816
Feb 16, 2018
1,119
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I don’t feel having M1 in an iPad cheapens the Mac because the two still run different operating systems and therefore allow different workflows to be employed, providing value to users of each platform. The M1 is no slouch, so if Apple is able to leverage some economy of scale by using it in multiple platforms more power to them.
 
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rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,921
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My initial reaction when Apple announced Apple Silicon was, “I don’t want a cell phone processor in my Mac.” I don’t have anything against cell phone processors, but they are designed to use as little electricity as possible. Although I do care about electricity and the environment, computer CPUs should be more focused on performance.

So then Apple says, “We’re not putting a cell phone processor in your Mac. We developed the powerful new M1 processor.”

“…which also goes in tablets.”

I know it doesn’t necessarily mean anything from a technical perspective, but at least intuitively speaking, somehow it just doesn’t feel right to have the same processor in tablets and computers (even desktop computers).


I've been paying attention to Apple's CPU development over the years. The reality is Intel pretty much stagnated after Ivy Bridge/Haswell while Apple's chipsets delivered considerable YOY improvements while remaining relatively low power.

To me, high efficiency and low power is a pro not a con. That means great performance and battery life with silent, fanless operation.

M1 is pretty much how the A14X/Z would've performed anyway. Apple just branded it differently. I believe there's actually a smaller performance difference between A12X/Z and M1 compared to A10X and A12X/Z.
 
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PBG4 Dude

macrumors 601
Jul 6, 2007
4,364
4,645
Hmmm, M1 equipped 12.9” display iPad Pro, $1,099. M1 equipped 13” MacBook Air, $999.

Seems the Mac is cheaper.
 
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