CPU Comparison
Apple M1 vs Intel Core i3-1220P
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.
The 8 E-cores handle background multitasking exceptionally well, making the system feel responsive during heavy multi-tab browsing.
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.
The Iris Xe 64EU graphics can handle older or lightweight games at low settings, but this is not a gaming processor.
Virtualization
Capable for a couple of light VMs, but not ideal for large parallel VM farms due to core count and memory ceiling.
The high E-core count provides decent throughput for containerized or VM workloads, though P-core limited tasks will be slower.
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 power efficiency for a 10-core chip. The 28 W base power and E-core dominance allow for long battery life in thin laptops.
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 NPU
- 10 cores provide some CPU inference capability but it is not optimized for AI
- Not recommended for AI development or training
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
- Iris Xe 64EU is vastly superior to UHD Graphics 730 but still not a gaming GPU
- Can play esports titles like League of Legends and CS2 at 1080p low
- Modern AAA games will require low settings and may still struggle
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 multi-tasking capability thanks to 8 E-cores
- Low 28 W power draw enables good battery life in thin laptops
- Iris Xe 64EU graphics are significantly better than desktop i3 iGPU
- 10 cores provide strong multi-threaded specs for the price tier
- Handles everyday web and office tasks with ease
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores severely limit single-threaded and active workload performance
- E-cores cannot match P-core performance in demanding applications
- 28 W base power limits sustained performance in thermally constrained chassis
- Not suitable for serious content creation or heavy productivity
- E-core heavy design can cause inconsistent performance in poorly threaded applications
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 i3-1220P
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500URival
Thin-and-Light Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Zen 3+ Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700URival
High-Core Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
ARM Thin-and-Light
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-1235URival
Mainstream U-Series
Adds 2 more P-cores (4P+8E) for dramatically better active workload performance at a slight price premium.
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 reviewThe i3-1220P maximizes core count on a budget by using 8 E-cores, delivering excellent multitasking for thin-and-light laptops but falling short in single-threaded tasks compared to processors with more P-cores.
Best for: The i3-1220P is not a standalone purchase but a component integrated into laptops. When shopping for a thin-and-light laptop in 2022-2023, a machine with the 1220P offers a good balance of everyday performance and battery life for web browsing, office work, and media consumption. However, be aware that the 2 P-cores will limit performance in CPU-intensive applications like video editing or heavy compiling. If your laptop budget allows, stepping up to an i5-1240P or i5-12500P provides 4 P-cores and significantly better sustained performance for a modest price increase.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M1 or Intel Core i3-1220P?
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 i3-1220P?
For gaming, the Apple M1 leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Apple M1 and Intel Core i3-1220P.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-1220P has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-1220P (28 W).
Do Apple M1 and Intel Core i3-1220P use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M1: On-package (BGA-style, not user-replaceable), Intel Core i3-1220P: BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i3-1220P has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M1 (8 cores), Intel Core i3-1220P (10 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i3-1220P posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M1 (7,404), Intel Core i3-1220P (11,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.