42 PCWorld MARCH 2021REVIEWS APPLE M1 VS. RYZEN^5000
support, which we suspect it will persuade
developers to support—eventually. The
problem for smaller developers such as Topaz
Labs is the engineering effort they have
invested already and how long it takes to make
a 180-degree turn in strategy. So that terrible
performance of the MacBook M1 in Gigapixel
AI and other apps that have supported Intel
hardware may stick around for a while.A NOTE ABOUT
BATTERY LIFE
We don’t get into battery life results here, but
from all the reports we’ve seen, the list would
probably put the Apple MacBook Pro M1 on
top, followed by the two laptops with
integrated graphics, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim
7 and MSI Prestige 14. We do know the Ryzen
9 5980HS in the Asus ROG Flow X13 has no
chance, with video rundown in the 5- to
6-hour range. So victory here probably goesto the MacBook Pro M1.BOTTOM LINE
If you’re purchasing your laptop based on
performance, it’s pretty clear which CPU you
should choose: the AMD Ryzen 5000.
Despite the differences between it and the
MacBook Pro M1 in wattage, both laptops
weigh the same. That AMD and Asus can
shoehorn such a powerful Ryzen 5000 into
such a thin and light—and convertible—
laptop is stunning. It’s going to be really hard
to beat the ROG Flow X13.
Apple has powerful CPUs coming, but
if those go into heavier and larger
laptops—would those compare? We’ll
cross that bridge when we get there. Right
now, for performance users looking for the
ultimate in portability and performance,
the Asus ROG Flow X13 beats the
MacBook Pro M1.The Asus ROG
Flow X13 is
hard to beat.