Recall that the Apple M1 is a single—chip system that includes 8 processor cores and 8 graphics cores, as well as a separate neural unit for machine learning. Apple did not disclose the frequency specifications of the processor, so we looked at the numbers for the test version of the iPad Pro 12.9 2021 in the Geekbench benchmark. According to him, the maximum core frequency reaches a rather modest 3.2 GHz, and the amount of memory soldered on a chip is 15.2 GB.

It seems that the highlight of the processor is not the record number of cores or their clock frequency, but the ability to intelligently parallelize tasks between conventional and energy-efficient cores, ensuring optimal flow Rate while simultaneously saving battery life. The processor turned out to be so cold that the new MacBook Air didn't even need a traditional cooling system. It is also the first 5-nanometer mobile processor with 16 billion transistors. For comparison, fresh AMD Ryzen Vermeer chips are manufactured according to a 7-nm process technology, and Intel with its Intel Core Alder Lake series is just preparing to switch to a 10-nm process technology.

M1 in test comparison with other Apple processors

Let's start with synthetic tests. For comparison, we used the popular Geekbench benchmark. This test is loved for its cross-platform nature and a fairly accurate overall rating that the device receives after comprehensive tests on the speed of image processing, video compilation, archiving, gaming capabilities, etc. In addition to the M1-based novelty, we added the previous generations of iPad Pro with A12X and A12Z processors to the common boiler, as well as the relatively recent iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Air 4, which use the more recent 14th iteration of the Apple Bionic processor.


In comparison with single-core processors, M1 shows a flow Rate gain of "only" 48%. But in multi-core tests, the iPad Pro with M1 turns out to be significantly faster than last year's iPad Pro models, gaining almost twice as many final points. The advantage over the newer Apple A14 chips is also great, even though they are built on a common platform.

The AnTuTu benchmark tests not only the processor, but also the graphics core, RAM and overall flow Rate of the device. A direct comparison with the 2020 MacBook Air shows that the laptop is 17% faster in terms of computing power, and just a little ahead when it comes to graphics processing. The overall rating of the laptop is 1119243 points. And the tablet gets 1060247 points as a result. Recall that both devices have an identical M1 processor with passive cooling. If we compare the iPad Pro 2021 with the iPhone 12 with a more modern Apple A14 chip, then the tablet turns out to be significantly faster than the smartphone in almost all categories.

And now the final round. In the best traditions of mass fights at wrestling, the new iPad Pro 2021, a couple of old "pros" and the previously mentioned MacBook Air on M1 fall out on one stage. We will test with the common tools Geekbench, 3DMark, GFXBench and Basemark, evaluating both pure power and flow Rate in games.

With an overall assessment of multi―core flow Rate, the Geekbench benchmark draws a tiny advantage of the MacBook Pro over the iPad Pro 2021 - 7692 points against 7294 points. We add the iPad Pro of previous generations to the general boiler and see that the new tablet is significantly ahead of its predecessors ― 7692 points against 4734 and 4698 points.

We're moving on. 3DMark WildLife is a cross―platform test that is used to test the graphical flow Rate of laptops, tablets and smartphones based on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. In it, the iPad Pro 2021 with its 109 points unexpectedly takes the lead, beating the MacBook Pro by 2 points. The advantage over the iPad Pro tablets of previous generations is 29 and 36 points. In fact, this is the same 30% increase that Apple promised.

GFXBench is another cross―platform test for evaluating flow Rate in games, which has acquired support for M1 processors. And it paints the same picture as 3DMark WildLife ― the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro 2021 are neck and neck, and the iPad Pro 3rd and 4th generation lag behind by an average of a third.

Popular Apple tablet models

Personal impressions

Synthetics are synthetics, but what about personal impressions? They definitely confirm all of the above, and to some extent even anticipate the results of benchmarks. Moreover, appetite improves from the very beginning of the process — from the system setup. Over the years of tests, we have had a lot of ordinary and unusual iPad tablets and "flash" in our hands. Usually, transferring all data, settings and applications from an old tablet to a new one can take several hours. Transferring the same data from the old "firmware" to the new one took less than an hour.

In addition to the quick setup, it caught my eye that games from Apple Arcade and 4K video streaming from Apple TV look smoother. The slightest thoughtfulness disappeared at the moments of transition between steps or stuttering during the processing of dynamic scenes. When launching applications for photo and video processing, the new iPad Pro with the M1 processor does not slow down at all. Unlike the iPad Pro 2020, which could slightly lag during the change of photo settings in Pixelmator or slow down when uploading RAW files to Lightroom. Now there is practically no trace of the lags, even if you start feeding him RAW files of several tens of megabytes in size.

Having both a tablet and a laptop with an M1 chip on hand, it was difficult to resist the temptation to check how quickly the browser opens on both platforms, the system restarts and working applications start. This is by no means a scientific test, just information for reflection.

  • The iPad Pro was fully operational in 16 seconds, the 13-inch MacBook Pro took 53 seconds to be fully operational.
  • Safari browser opens on both devices in 2 seconds.
  • A full load of a new "heavy" non-cached web page takes 5.6 seconds on the iPad Pro versus 8 seconds on the MacBook Pro.
  • Most of all, the difference rushed when trying to open Microsoft Outlook and Planner tools. iPad Pro coped with the first in 2 seconds, and with the second in one. The launch of Outlook on the MacBook Pro took 11.2 seconds, and the Planner opened on the laptop in 4 seconds. Probably it has something to do with the optimization of Microsoft products for macOS.
Laptops with Apple M1 processor

Conclusions

The transition of Apple tablets to the M1 processor did not give them the same impetus that Apple computers and laptops received after the "divorce" with the Intel Core platform. On the one hand, the flow Rate gain between the iPad 2021 and 2020 is an impressive 50%. But this is a common story for the iPad Pro series, where each new Apple Bionic processor turned out to be a third or even half as fast as the old chip. Therefore, if you have a "proshka" of the second or third generation on your hands, then right now there is no special point in running for a new one. At least, if you don't plan to use Apple's branded keyboard case, which has become much more convenient than a couple of years ago.

Perspective issues are another matter. Apple has brought two platforms together for a reason, pronouncing the mantra "iPad is the new laptop." There have been rumors for a long time that in the future the Cupertino giant will allow heavyweight programs like Apple Logic Pro, DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro to be launched on M1 tablets. There are no technological obstacles to this, there would be the will of Apple's UX designers and marketers.