Apple caused waves in the tech world when they announced the transition from Intel processors to their own custom silicon with the release of the M1 chip in late 2020. The move promised big performance and efficiency gains. Fast forward over a year later, and Apple has raised the stakes further with their new M1 Max chip aimed squarely at creative professionals and power users.
Meanwhile, Intel has counterpunched with their latest 12th generation Core i9, reasserting dominance in the Windows environment. This sets up an intriguing cross-platform clash between the M1 Max and Core i9. Both processors represent the pinnacle of Apple and Intel‘s consumer computing hardware achievements.
As a consumer, you may be wondering how these two flagship chips compare. What are the differences when it comes to performance, pricing, and compatibility? Does it make sense to switch between macOS and Windows operating systems? We’ll analyze the nuts and bolts in detail to help guide your buying decision.
Release Timelines: New Age of Apple Silicon Versus Intel‘s 12th Gen Refresh
First, let’s level set on the generational evolution leading up to the M1 Max and Core i9 processors we’re comparing:
Apple M1 Max
- November 2020 – Apple M1 1st-gen
- October 2021 – M1 Pro and M1 Max 2nd-gen
Intel 12th Gen Core i9
- January 2022 – Core i9-12900HK launched
The M1 Max represents a rapid second act for Apple’s silicon play, building on the strong foundation of the original M1’s performance and efficiency gains over their previous Intel-sourced chips.
The Core i9-12900HK is Intel’s latest salvo after ceding their long-standing supply relationship with Apple. It incorporates performance and efficiency enhancements under the hood of Intel’s new hybrid architecture.
Both processors are currently only available to consumers by purchasing a pre-built system from their respective manufacturers. Let’s examine how pricing shakes out next.
Pricing and Packaging Differences
The Apple M1 Max is currently only configurable as an upgrade option for the higher-end 14” and 16” 2021 MacBook Pro models, which start at $1,999 and $2,499 respectively. So at a minimum you’re looking at a $2,000 entry point for the M1 Max silicon.
Meanwhile on the Windows side, the Core i9-12900HK gets paired with premium components befitting a flagship laptop. As configured with an Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU, the MSI Raider GE76 we referenced sells for $2,999.
So pricing is in the same ballpark between premium systems equipped with either processor. The key distinction is you’re forced to pay the Apple “tax” for the rest of the laptop hardware even if all you wanted was the M1 Max chip.
With Intel you’re buying the CPU itself and able to shop across many competing Windows OEMs, allowing you to tailor component selection and pricing to your needs. TheWinner: Intel for a la carte flexibility even if end price parity.
Performance Benchmarks: Workstation Tests Favor Intel but Caveats Apply
Now we get to the meaty stuff – how these two processors compare on performance. We’ll look at common benchmarks focused on critical workstation usage scenarios like code compiling, video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.
Let’s weigh the results with some contextual considerations around real-world application.
| Benchmark Test | M1 Max Time | Core i9 Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xcode Compile (lower is better) | 45 seconds | 31 seconds | M1 efficiency advantage minimized with heavier all-core tests |
| Adobe Premiere Pro Render | 4:20 | 3:07 | Test focused on CPU render portion only; actual workflow would utilize GPU and demonstrate more platform parity |
| Blender BMW Render (lower is better) | 3:21 | 3:00 | Blender now offers native M1 support; advantage swung heavily in favor of M1 Max in previous native test |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider 1080p Medium | 43 fps | 100 fps | Clear separation between Intel + dGPU and Apple‘s integrated graphics, even with M1 Max pushing performance boundaries |
There are a couple high-level takeaways from these benchmark results:
In prolonged, thermally unconstrained workloads, the Core i9 eeks out a lead over the M1 Max. But in shorter duration bursts, the M1 remains highly competitive and even retains an edge in certain content creation applications.
Native software support plays a huge role. As apps like Blender and Adobe CC continue to add enhanced support for Apple silicon, performance deltas will narrow even further in favor of the M1 Max.
Gaming framrates demonstrate the limitations around Apple‘s integrated-only graphics, contrasted to the high-end Nvidia GPU augmentation available in the Intel test system.
So while the Intel 12th-gen Core i9 enjoys an overall performance advantage currently, tight software optimization could shift the scales further in favor of Apple silicon. Let‘s expand more on compatibility considerations next.
Compatibility and Configurability: Key Intel Advantage
The locked-down nature of Apple‘s software and hardware ecosystems cuts both ways. On one hand, fans of macOS appreciate the curated approach and assurance that apps and peripherals will just work out of the box.
However, the inability to customize or upgrade components like graphics cards is a non-starter for certain professional or enthusiast use cases – 3D modeling/animation and PC gaming being prime examples as reflected in performance benchmarks.
Contrast this to the flexibility afforded by going the Intel + Windows route. You can pick and choose from a diverse range of graphics cards, memory capacities, storage solutions, etc across various OEM providers. This advantage applies both at initial purchase and over the multi-year lifespan of a system.
If Thunderbolt connectivity is a must to supplement limited I/O options with MacBooks, know that Intel maintains exclusivity over the Thunderbolt standard. While the M1 Max doubles bandwidth up to 400 GB/s, compatibility surprises with non-Apple accessories could still crop up.
Winner: Intel thanks to permissive customization in line with the ethos of PC computing.
Power Efficiency: Apple‘s Ace in the Hole
As much headway as Intel has made narrowing the performance efficiency gap with hybrid architectures, Apple‘s prowess combining world-class silicon design with tailored software unlocks exceptional battery life metrics for the M1 Max.
Benchmark tests validate the real world impact. When applying equivalent workloads, the M1 Max-based MacBook Pro delivered over 40% longer runtime on a single charge compared to the Intel Core i9-12900HK counterpart. The efficiency advantages also bear out in surface and component temperature measurements.
This can be a decisive factor for content creators and other professionals needing uninterrupted productivity without compromise while on the move. For context, the M1 Max can sustain up to 21 hours of video playback versus just shy of 5 hours with the Core i9 configuration.
If your use cases demand all-day untethered operation away from AC power, Apple has a compelling edge to consider here.
Winner: M1 Max in a landslide
Verdict: Intel 12th-Gen Delivers More Raw Power, Apple M1 Max Offers Superior Mobile Experience
Let‘s bring the key analysis together here to simplify the bottom line recommendation:
The Intel Core i9-12900HK, when coupled with a high-end discrete GPU, affords more thermal headroom and brute force performance potential for intensive creative workloads. You also benefit from expansive configuration and upgrade flexibility inherent in PC environments.
However, for mobility-focused professionals and general prosumers, the staggering power efficiency of the M1 Max pays major dividends. Even with performance taking a slight backseat, extremely responsive burst handling of real-world workloads makes Apple‘s silicon feel impossibly fast. And you can actually use this speed untethered thanks to the game-changing 21+ hour battery life.
So your decision ultimately hinges on where you fall on the spectrum of raw power versus mobility. If your use case flexibility extends into GPU-accelerated tasks like 3D/video effects and gaming, the Intel plus dGPU route makes more sense. Otherwise the unmatched efficiency of the M1 Max makes it a formidable production and content creation weapon in an ultraportable form factor.
You have an exciting yet complex choice between two industry titans pushing their hardware capabilities to the limits. Shop carefully within your specifications and with eyes wide open to considerations around OS environments, software compatibility nuances, limitations in configurability versus expansion, and real-world performance deltas. Leverage your professional and personal priorities to make the best holistic choice of which processor serves as the heart of your next computer.
