[深度文文系列] Introduction of the new Mac at the end of 2020

(Cover image source: Apple)

 

At the end of 2020, Apple launched the latest computer, which is said to use a new architecture chip. What is the difference between the new chip and the original Intel processor? If I want to change to an Apple computer, which one should I buy? I believe this is a question in the minds of many people.


(Source: Apple)

 

 

It is well known that Apple launched products equipped with a new M1 chip on November 10, 2020, including the new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini. The focus of the conference is on the M1 chip with the new ARM architecture. After the new products arrive. All kinds of out-of-the-box and measured content about the M1 chip are also piled up, so I decided not to mention too many discussions about the new version of the Mac in this article. I will directly talk about how people who want to change their Mac should choose, and share some by the way. After reading these discussions, I sorted out my experience. 

Endurance and heat generation


(Source: Apple)

 

Here is a brief introduction to the difference between Apple's latest M1 chip and the previous Intel chip.

Intel processor: high energy consumption, high heat generation

Reason: Intel processor adopts CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture and adopts a more complicated design in chip manufacturing. Complex design means that there are more transistors on the chip, and the power consumption and heat generation also increase.

M1 chip: low energy consumption, low heat

Reason: M1 chip adopts RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture, and adopts a simpler design in chip manufacturing. The number of transistors used on the chip is small. Compared with CISC architecture, it has the advantages of low energy consumption and low heat generation.

 

Supplement: The main difference between CISC and RISC: CISC architecture will directly produce many instructions or functions on the chip in the form of circuit logic, engineers can use less code to complete the same task; on the contrary, the RISC architecture is to simplify the chip as much as possible. For the instructions above, engineers need to use more code to accomplish the same task. Therefore, the CISC architecture requires more circuits than the RISC architecture on a chip with the same performance, which results in more complicated design and manufacturing processes. The CISC architecture chip also consumes more power and generates heat due to more circuits.

 

Software support


(Source: technews.tw)

 

The new Mac currently cannot install Windows

M1 chips are not all advantages. Intel processors still have their advantages. For example, Windows does not currently support ARM architecture, so many users who are accustomed to installing Windows in Boot Camp on Macs cannot use M1 chips on Macs. Windows is installed on the computer, and because the M1 chip has just been launched, although Apple has cooperated with many software manufacturers to launch the ARM native version of the software, there are still many software updates and optimizations that have not been completed. Therefore, many people have heard complaints about many of them in common use. The software cannot be used, so you need to take these factors into consideration before changing your computer.

Rosetta2 translation function allows Mac to run Intel-based software

Speaking of this, some people may say that there is still Rosetta2? (Rosetta is a translation function developed by Apple to allow Mac to run Intel-based software). Using Rosetta2 to run Intel-based software on Mac is indeed a solution provided by Apple, but the problem lies in this situation, like x86 and ARM Two people are chatting, one speaks English and the other speaks Chinese. In order to communicate, the two parties invited Rosetta2 to help with translation. The key point is whether Rosetta2 can translate well so that both parties can communicate smoothly? I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that two people who use the same language will communicate smoothly.

 

M1 chip can run iPadOS and iOS software

But Apple must have known these problems before launching the M1 chip. Therefore, in addition to actively cooperating with major software manufacturers, Apple also directly allowed iOS and iPadOS software to run on the M1, because the iPhone and iPad were originally used with M1 has the same ARM architecture chip, so it can be directly moved to the new Mac. With more than 1 million apps on the iPad, it can solve the urgent problem of too little software on the Mac, and gain time for other software developers to use it. Develop software for the new Mac based on the iOS and iPadOS ecology. I believe that it won’t be long before the apps available for Mac will be gradually improved.

 

How to choose?


(Source: freepik.com)


After briefly introducing the basic differences between the M1 chip and the Intel processor, I will analyze several different situations and recommend how consumers in this situation should choose if they want to switch to an Apple computer. I will provide you with some of my own subjective purchase opinions, and I hope I can provide a little help before you place an order.

 

1. Old Mac users who haven't changed their computers for a long time

Just change it, you will find that his endurance is really good, and the heat dissipation is much better.

 

2. Old Mac users who have only changed their Macs in the last one or two years

Such users don’t need to change it. The original Mac is still very useful. There is no need to change it. People who are not bound by money can ignore this.

 

3. Mac users who need a Windows system

Please wait, wait until Microsoft develops Windows that supports the ARM architecture and then buy it. Please buy a Mac equipped with an intel processor.

 

4. Users who mainly use laptops to play games

Because the game currently supports Windows, unless the game you are playing mainly supports Mac, then you can consider buying a Mac with an intel processor. For the M1 chip, please let the bullet fly for a while, otherwise please choose another Windows laptop or It is more suitable for the demand to directly group a desktop computer.

 

5. Media creators working with Mac

It is highly recommended that you switch to a Mac with an M1 chip. This upgrade will be very interesting, especially for film creators. The new M1 chip has greatly improved the speed of processing materials and exporting videos, which can reduce a lot of waiting time for you.

 

At the end of this special 2020, Apple introduced the M1 chip and officially announced that it will leave Intel and let the Mac's computing core enter the ARM architecture. M1 is a small step Apple has taken for this purpose. How can we take this step firmly? The progress of the ecological transfer will be the next focus and challenge. As for the challenge to the majority of fruit fans, it is relatively simple. Find a sufficient amount of money and offer it with both hands.