Apple M1 vs Apple M2
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Apple M1 | Apple M2 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 8 / 8 | 8 / 8 | — |
| Boost clock (GHz) | 3.2 | 3.5 | — |
| Single-core score | 2,350 | 2,600 | -9.6% |
| Multi-core score | 8,300 | 9,700 | -14.4% |
| TDP (W) | 20 | 20 | — |
- Apple M1 is slower than Apple M2 by 9.6% in single-core and slower by 14.4% in multi-core.
- Apple M2 draws less power (20W vs 20W).
Verdict: M1 or M2?
Apple M1 advantages
- No decisive advantage on the tracked metrics.
Apple M2 advantages
- Single-core speed (+10%)
- Multi-core speed (+14%)
- Peak clock (+9%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Apple M2 if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Apple M1 vs Apple M2: which should you choose?
Apple M1 — 8-core / 8-thread Apple laptop processor (2020) with a boost clock of 3.2 GHz and 20 W TDP.
Apple M2 — 8-core / 8-thread Apple laptop processor (2022) with a boost clock of 3.5 GHz and 20 W TDP.
Apple M1 vs Apple M2: Apple M2 leads in multi-core performance. Apple M1 is slower than Apple M2 by 9.6% in single-core and slower by 14.4% in multi-core. Apple M2 draws less power (20W vs 20W).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Apple M2 leads there with a single-core score of 2,600 versus 2,350, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.
Content creation and multitasking
For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the Apple M2 is stronger, posting 9,700 multi-core against 8,300. Its 8 cores and 8 threads give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The Apple M1 is the more efficient chip at 20 W versus 20 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Apple M1 better than the Apple M2?
Apple M2 is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Apple M1 is slower than Apple M2 by 9.6% in single-core and slower by 14.4% in multi-core.
What is the main difference between the Apple M1 and the Apple M2?
Apple M1 is slower than Apple M2 by 9.6% in single-core and slower by 14.4% in multi-core. Apple M2 draws less power (20W vs 20W).
Which should I choose?
Choose the Apple M2 if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Methodology
Each processor is scored on a normalized benchmark index aggregating single-core and multi-core results. Single-core predicts responsiveness and gaming; multi-core predicts throughput in rendering and compilation. We also report cores/threads, boost clock and TDP.