26 Macworld • January 2022MAC
KB of L1 data cache and shared 12MB
L2 cache and 4 energy-efficient cores
with 128 KB of instruction cache,
64KB of L1 data cache, and shared
4MB L2 cache. That makes a total
of 8 cores split evenly among power
and efficiency leading to tremendous
speed boosts over the prior models.
The system-on-a-chip also has an
8-core GPU in most models (the
entry-level MacBook Air and 24in
iMac have a 7-core GPU) with 128
execution units and up to 24,576
concurrent threads.
Memory has also changed. With
the M1, the LP-DDR4 memory isn’t
just soldered to the motherboard, it’s
actually part of the chip itself. That
means it’s faster and more efficient
than before, but it’s also a bit more
limited – you can only get 8- or 16GB
in an M1 Mac and there’s no way to
upgrade it after purchase. (That won’t
be a surprise for MacBook buyers
but the same also applies to desktop
models, though we’re no sure about
the Mac Pro yet.) And finally, the chip
has a 16-core Neural Engine, along
with the Secure Enclave and USB 4/
Thunderbolt support.
We started hearing about the
development of an M1X chip earlier
this year, but the rumours weren’t
quite accurate. Apple is calling itsnext-gen processors the M1 Pro and
M1 Max, and true to their names, they
are a massive leap over the M1.
Built using the same 5nm
process as the M1, the M1 Pro and
M1 Max bring a new 10-core CPU,
including eight high-performance
cores and two high-efficiency cores,
that delivers speeds up to 70 per
cent faster than the M1. The M1 Pro
offers up to 200GB/s of memory
bandwidth with support for up to
32GB of unified memory while the
M1 Max delivers up to 400GB/s of
memory bandwidth with support for
up to 64GB of unified memory.
On the graphics side, the M1 Pro
has a 14- or 16-core GPU that is up to
2x faster than M1, while the M1 Max
adds a 32-core GPU options for up
to 4x faster graphics performance
than M1. According to Apple, the new
M1 Max MacBook Pro can transcode
ProRes video in Compressor up to 10x
faster compared with the Intel 16in
MacBook Pro.
Additionally, the chips also have
a 16-core Neural Engine, additional
Thunderbolt 4 controllers, and a new
display engine that can drive up to
four external displays on the M1 Max.
You can find them in the MacBook
Pro and likely the upcoming 27- or
30in iMac.