CPU Comparison
Apple M1 vs Intel Core i7-8550U
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.
Snappy for office applications but throttles under sustained load.
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.
Only suitable for very light 2D or older games due to UHD 620 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 one light VM, but limited by 15W TDP.
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.
Excellent idle efficiency and good battery life for ultrabooks.
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
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Relies on CPU for basic inference
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
- Relies on Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Can run esports titles on low settings
- Not suitable for AAA gaming
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
- Brought 4 cores to 15W ultrabooks
- Good single-core burst performance
- Excellent battery life for basic tasks
- Large 8MB L3 cache
Cons
- Low base clock of 1.8 GHz
- Throttles under sustained multi-threaded load
- Basic UHD 620 integrated graphics
- 14nm process is outdated
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 i7-8550U
- AMD Ryzen 7 2700URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-8250URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-7500URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-8565UAlt
Whiskey Lake refresh with higher clocks and better sustained performance.
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500UAlt
Much better multi-core performance and efficiency.
11th Gen offers massive IPC and graphics improvements.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Vastly superior performance and battery life.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 7 4700UAlt
8-core alternative with excellent battery life.
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 pioneering 15W processor that brought 4 cores to ultrabooks, offering solid multitasking, though its low base clock limits sustained performance.
Best for: If you are considering a laptop with the Core i7-8550U today, it should only be purchased in the used or refurbished market at a significant discount. It remains a capable processor for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. The 4-core design ensures it handles basic multitasking without major slowdowns. However, its 14nm architecture and 15W TDP mean it will struggle with any sustained heavy workloads like video editing or modern gaming. Avoid this processor if you need to run demanding software or if battery life is your absolute top priority, as newer chips are far more efficient. It is best suited for budget-conscious buyers or students who need a cheap, reliable secondary machine for schoolwork and everyday use.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M1 or Intel Core i7-8550U?
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 i7-8550U?
For gaming, the Apple M1 leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Apple M1 and Intel Core i7-8550U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-8550U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-8550U (15 W).
Do Apple M1 and Intel Core i7-8550U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M1: On-package (BGA-style, not user-replaceable), Intel Core i7-8550U: Intel BGA 1356), 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 i7-8550U (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). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.