CPU Comparison
Apple M1 vs Intel Core i5-1145G7
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Apple M1 is an 8-core ARM-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) that marked Apple’s transition from Intel to its own Apple Silicon for the Mac, combining four high‑performance and four efficiency cores, an 8‑core integrated GPU, and a 16‑core Neural Engine on a 5 nm process.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Very responsive for everyday tasks, Xcode builds, and light creative work; benefits from fast single‑core and SSD, but heavy multi‑thread workloads are constrained by 8 threads.
High single-thread performance makes everyday tasks and web browsing feel extremely snappy.
Gaming
Competent for 1080p gaming in macOS and via Rosetta 2 for many titles, but the 8‑core GPU and 8–16 GB memory limit modern AAA performance and resolution scaling.
Iris Xe 80EU allows for playable framerates in older or esports titles at 1080p Low, a massive step up from UHD graphics.
Virtualization
Capable for a couple of light VMs, but not ideal for large parallel VM farms due to core count and memory ceiling.
Can run basic VMs for development, but 4 cores limit heavy virtualization workloads.
Efficiency
Outstanding performance per watt; MacBook Air and 13‑inch MacBook Pro with M1 delivered dramatically better battery life and lower heat than comparable Intel Macs.
Good efficiency at 15W, though 10nm SuperFin is slightly surpassed by newer nodes.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16‑core Neural Engine accelerates Core ML models
- CPU and GPU also provide ML accelerators for framework‑level ops
- Not designed for large‑scale training or server‑side inference
- Intel DL Boost for INT8
- GNA 2.0 for background noise cancellation
- Suitable for consumer AI features like background blur
Content Creation
Gaming
- 8‑core GPU comparable to low‑end discrete GPUs of its era in some Metal titles
- Rosetta 2 adds overhead for x86 games; some titles have compatibility or performance quirks
- 16 GB memory limit and 8 GPU cores cap texture resolutions and frame rates in modern AAA games
- Can play CS:GO, Valorant, and League of Legends at 1080p
- Driver support is mature
- Performance heavily depends on laptop memory configuration (dual-channel is essential)
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent single‑thread performance and responsiveness
- Outstanding performance per watt and battery life
- Integrated GPU much faster than old Intel UHD/Iris in Macs
- Unified memory simplifies development and improves efficiency
- Silent, fanless operation in MacBook Air and Mac mini under light loads
- Strong on‑device ML inference via Neural Engine
Cons
- Only 8 CPU threads; heavy multi‑thread workloads can hit a ceiling
- Max 16 GB unified memory; not user‑upgradeable
- No eGPU support and limited PCIe expansion
- Rosetta 2 translation layer for some x86 apps; not all software is native
- Newer M2/M3 chips and modern x86 CPUs offer more cores, higher clocks, and better GPU performance
Pros
- Excellent single-thread performance for everyday tasks
- Iris Xe 80EU provides best-in-class integrated graphics at launch
- Good power efficiency for battery life
- Hardware AV1 video decoding
- Native Thunderbolt 4 support (via platform)
Cons
- Only 4 cores and 8 threads limits multi-threaded headroom
- Limited to 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes
- End-of-life status means no further BIOS/feature updates
- Does not support ECC memory
- Surpassed by 12th Gen Alder Lake-U in efficiency and performance
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M1
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Rival
Thin‑and‑Light Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Thin‑and‑Light Laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1135G7Rival
Thin‑and‑Light Laptop
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HRival
Performance Laptop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11800HRival
High‑Performance Laptop
- Alt
Same platform with ~18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU, and support for up to 24 GB unified memory.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
More CPU/GPU cores and higher memory bandwidth for heavier creative workloads.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 7 6800UAlt
Modern x86 laptop CPU with higher multi‑thread performance and DDR5 memory.
Higher core count and better sustained multi‑thread performance in thin laptops.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Newer architecture with better GPU and CPU performance per watt and improved media engines.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-1145G7
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500URival
Consumer Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 4700URival
Consumer Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Consumer Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Rival
Consumer Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2Rival
Consumer Mobile
12th Gen successor with hybrid architecture (P+E cores) offering better multi-core performance.
Compare head-to-headSlightly lower clocks but nearly identical performance, often found in cheaper laptops.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600UAlt
Superior Zen 3 architecture with more cores and better battery life.
A newer 12th gen i3 that matches or beats this i5 in multi-core while being cheaper.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A landmark chip that delivered class‑leading efficiency and single‑thread speed for thin laptops, still very capable for most users but increasingly outdated compared to M2/M3 and modern x86 rivals in multi‑thread and GPU workloads.
Best for: Used or refurbished M1 MacBook Air / Mac mini for general use, study, or light creative work at a low price
Read the full reviewA solid 11th gen mobile chip that brought significant IPC and graphics improvements to ultrabooks. However, it is now end-of-life and surpassed by 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen alternatives.
Best for: Buying a heavily discounted used laptop from 2021 for basic office work or student needs.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M1 or Intel Core i5-1145G7?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M1 comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M1 or Intel Core i5-1145G7?
For gaming, the Apple M1 leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Apple M1 and Intel Core i5-1145G7.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1145G7 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1145G7 (28 W).
Do Apple M1 and Intel Core i5-1145G7 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M1: On-package (BGA-style, not user-replaceable), Intel Core i5-1145G7: Intel BGA 1449), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Apple M1 has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M1 (8 cores), Intel Core i5-1145G7 (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Apple M1 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M1 (7,404), Intel Core i5-1145G7 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.