Intel claims its 12th-gen 14-core Core i9 outperforms Apple's M1 Max and is the fastest CPU ever, although the i9 uses significantly more power than the M1 Max
Intel’s claim makes the M1 Max a direct reference point for high-end laptop CPU performance, while conceding that the comparison involves a substantially different power profile. The next Intel laptop range extended the company’s push toward mixed-core designs with the 13th-generation flagship’s performance and efficiency cores.
Later coverage shows the benchmark moving quickly: Apple’s M4 Max performance claims against M1 Max reset the reference device rather than settling the Intel-versus-Apple comparison.
First-order effects
Intel can market the 14-core Core i9 on peak-performance leadership, but its higher power use makes efficiency an inseparable part of the comparison with Apple’s M1 Max.
Apple’s M1 Max becomes the efficiency benchmark Intel must address when pitching Core i9 performance to laptop buyers.
Second-order effects
Intel’s subsequent 13th-generation laptop lineup reinforces a design response centered on combining performance and efficiency cores, not simply raising peak specifications.
Apple’s later M4 Max positioning against M1 Max keeps upgrade comparisons focused on generational gains, making Intel’s one-generation lead claim less durable as a marketing frame.
Third-order effects
High-end laptop CPU competition is shifting toward performance-per-power comparisons, where raw CPU leadership and energy use are evaluated together rather than as separate product attributes.
If both vendors continue scaling mixed-core and multi-core designs, the useful competitive unit becomes the complete laptop workload profile, not a standalone “fastest CPU” assertion.
The trend: Premium laptop processors are converging on a performance-per-watt race in which peak speed claims must be paired with an efficiency story.
Intel is claiming its new 12th Gen Core i9 laptop processor can outperform Apple's M1 Max chip. It can also run at up to 115 watts, so I can't imagine the battery life is going to outperform Apple https://www.macrumors.com/... https://twitter.com/...
Intel is making the case that its upcoming laptop chips will beat the M1 Max on performance. Maybe! But Intel also not making any big battery life claims to go along with it, so.... https://www.theverge.com/...
@davemark ... My *guess* is that it'll be something like “in this one test, if we turn off all the p-cores, and only run on a single e-core, which Apple doesn't give you the controls to do, we can open a single email pretty quick!”
“Intel claims the new Core i9 processor is faster than the Apple M1 Max - but that doesn't mean much” Yeah, it only means something when it's the reverse.
@JPWP ... It's not that they claim to be faster, per se. Intel's often willing to drive voltage to win benchmark LARPer cred. It's that they're also claiming better efficiency per watt than M1 Max, which is a staggering claim I'd truly love to see actual reviewers test out
I don't want “faster than Apple's Mx chips”. I want an efficient processor that allows me to work on the go without being attached to a plug every 2 hours (being lucky). Also, I want to see performances of both chips at 35-45W. https://twitter.com/...
The copium consumption in the replies here is off the charts. If you thought Intel/AMD/NVIDIA fanboys were obnoxious, wait until you discover how braindead and brainwashed Apple fanboys/shills/slaves truly are: https://twitter.com/...
Let's also remember M1 Max chip doesn't have a set TDP so I wouldn't compare the Intel TDP against Apple. I'd read something like this Anandtech article for a little more info on how M1 Max works and wait for them to check out the 12900HK. https://www.anandtech.com/... https://tw…
@elkmovie 1) that Intel processor is going to chew through energy. 115W!! 2) not yet in any products. 3) which gives Apple at least a year's lead; it will have plans at least two years ahead 4) cheaper than buying parts from intel 5) it buys screens and cameras, like most others.