5 important details you may have missed from Apple's November event
Apple's "One more thing" event is behind us, and I bet you're confused.
In some ways, Apple has simplified its lineup. All variants of the new MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini have the exact same processor (with one minor difference we'll get to later). But it's also harder than ever to decide whether you need a MacBook Pro or Air, and there are several important differences between Apple's new computers and the old, Intel-based ones, that were very easy to miss.
These details — both good and bad — might actually make the difference between swiping your credit card or waiting for the next generation of Apple laptops. Here's our list; read it before you hit that "buy" button.
1. MacBook Air's disappearing GPU core
This one was probably the easiest to miss. Apple's new MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro sport, per Apple's specifications, the same M1 processor, which has an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
While the $1,249 MacBook Air has 8 GPU cores, the entry-level, $999 MacBook Air only has a 7-core GPU.
The $999 MacBook Air on the left, the $1,249 MacBook Air on the right.Credit: appleIt's hard to say how much that one missing core (it's probably not missing but disabled) will impact performance, especially given that Apple didn't share any other details about the M1 processor, such as clock frequencies and cache sizes. It's also important to note that the Pro has a cooling fan, while the Air is cooled passively, which might also make a difference in performance, especially when performing long CPU or GPU-intensive tasks.
The bottom line is this: You might want to wait for real-world tests until you buy any of these machines.
2. Apple's still selling an Intel-based MacBook Pro and Mac mini
During its presentation on Tuesday, Apple was careful not to mention the word "Intel." But the fact is, the company still sells a Mac mini with an Intel Core i5, 6-core processor, starting at $1,099. The 13-inch MacBook Pro can be had with an Intel Core i5 quad-core processor, starting at $1,799.
The new Macs run cool and have long battery life, but there's a few things you should know about them before you buy.Credit: appleThe Intel-based MacBook Air is gone from Apple's online store, so the only way to get it right now is from third-party retailers or second-hand.
3. The RAM is capped at 16GB, even on the Mac mini
Apple's new M1 chip comes with 8 or 16GB of RAM soldered to the board. That means you cannot upgrade RAM after you buy any of these new machines. This is especially important for potential Mac mini buyers. Even though the Intel-based, 2018 Mac mini does not officially have user-installable RAM, it's quite possible to upgrade it yourself, all the way up to 64GB of RAM. We can't know for sure until someone opens the new Mac mini up, but it's extremely unlikely that this will be possible with the M1-based Mac mini.
And even if you aren't the tinkering type, the Intel-based Mac mini (which is still sold by Apple, see above) can be bought with up to 64GB of RAM. With the M1 Mac mini, you're stuck with a maximum of 16GB.
SEE ALSO:What Apple’s new in-house silicon chip means for youIf Apple's promises of the M1's performance are true, the new Mac mini might be so fast that it offsets having less RAM installed. But as us computer geeks say, more RAM is more RAM (OK, I may be the only one who says this). The new Mac mini might be good enough for some tasks, but you won't be able to spec it into a proper workhorse for certain RAM-hungry tasks.
4. M1 chip means the Mac mini and 13-inch MacBook Pro can drive a 6K display. But there's a catch.
The new Mac mini can drive one 6K display, and an additional 4K display, but not a third one.Credit: appleAt one point during the event, Apple said the new Macs can power a 6K display. This was already true for the last generation of MacBook Air, but — as MacRumors noticed— it's a first for the Mac mini and the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro. So if you're planning to connect these machines to a single 6K display, you're good to go.Note the "single" bit. If you were planning to connect two external displays to an M1-based laptop, it won't work, at least per Apple's specifications. The Intel-based, 13-inch MacBook Pro can support one external 6K display or up to two external 4K displays.
Luckily, the M1-based Mac mini can support one 6K display and an additional 4K display, which should be enough for most users. The Intel-based Mac mini still wins here, as it can support up to three displays.
It's also notable that the Blackmagic eGPU isn't listed as a supported accessory for any of the new computers. The Blackmagic eGPU, which Apple sells through its online store, is an external graphics card that can turn a MacBook into a gaming or graphics-processing powerhouse.
I asked Apple for clarification on the Blackmagic eGPU, and multi-monitor support, and will update this article when I hear back.
5. FaceTime cameras on the new MacBook Air and Pro still have 720p resolution
Apple claims the new M1 chip enables better camera performance, so you should get a clearer image during video calls on your laptop. However, the actual camera on the new MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro still has a paltry 720p resolution.
This, perhaps, isn't as troubling on the Air, which is Apple's entry level machine. But the new MacBook Pro, which is aimed for professionals, should at least have a 1080p camera.
(责任编辑:关于我们)
-
Trump won't stop making a deceptive bird claim. Experts debunk it.
Billions of birds are likely killed in the U.S. each year — but contrary to popular claims, wi ...[详细] -
正在制茶的黄学云名山区蒙顶山山腰上,有一个茶农,30年如一日坚持做手工茶,传承着蒙顶山茶手工制茶的古老技艺。今年年初,这位茶农代表雅安的万千茶农到北京为成龙亲自送上自己做的手工茶,并有幸和成龙面对面交 ...[详细]
-
认捐一棵树只需4步!绿美广东公共服务平台操作指南来了_南方+_南方plus【记者】卓倩【设计】吕敏怡【来源】南方农村报 ...[详细]
-
雅安日报讯昨(8)日,市区八一路与西康路中段交汇的西门茶廊提升工程启动。据了解,西门茶廊提升工程道路总长947米,宽15米到24米,其中行车道宽7米到14米,两侧慢行系统和绿化景观带9米到10米。建设 ...[详细]
-
SCOTUS: The courts implementing Project 2025, without Trump.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court refused to allow a new rule issued by the Department of Educat ...[详细] -
喜报!南方农村报记者获评“2023全国村BA宣传报道优秀个人”
喜报!南方农村报记者获评“2023全国村BA宣传报道优秀个人”_南方+_南方plus近日,如火如荼的全国“村BA”总决赛落下帷幕。比赛期间,这场体育盛会吸引了上万人涌入贵州台盘村,线下座无虚席、场场“ ...[详细] -
五月,农村最忙碌的季节。15日,记者在灾区农村看到,村民们抓住晴好天气,合理调配家庭劳力,老少协同,多管齐下,抓好住房重建的同时,抢收抢种,抓好春耕生产。镜头一夫妻俩起早贪黑插秧连日来,天全县始阳镇新 ...[详细]
-
伽师歌舞团:佛山秋色巡游中绽放的新疆风采_南方+_南方plus日前,以“品味佛山·秋醉岭南”为主题的“广东非遗周暨佛山秋色巡游活动”在佛山震撼上演,51个表演项目、11辆绚丽多彩的彩车、近2000名演 ...[详细]
-
24 of the Oldest Trees in the World
These trees have remained firmly rooted for centuries, in some cases millennia. The oldest among the ...[详细] -
罗朝华左)正在装修的新房在芦山县龙门乡古城村古城坪组的公路边,坐落着一幢在建的全实木结构新房,散发着浓郁的古色古韵。二楼上,几名工人在粉饰木墙和柱子。而此时,户主罗朝华也在忙着安装室内的房门。“下个月 ...[详细]