In some corners of the laptop computer market, the PC versus Mac battle is firing up once more. Apple reignited the flames by together with broad comparisons to PC laptops in its advertising and marketing for the M1 and subsequent chips—after which delivered unimaginable speeds in comparison with its Intel predecessors. However a downright inferno erupted when Qualcomm launched its Snapdragon X Elite processor, taking direct purpose Apple with claims of quicker efficiency then the M3 MacBook Air.
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X Elite last fall and it lastly began transport within the new Microsoft Floor Professional this month. Our colleagues at PCWorld give it a full review with benchmarks and it’s value a learn. Nevertheless, their evaluation is PC-focused and solely mentions the Mac in passing, so we determined to check out their outcomes with a extra a Mac-centric lens.
M3 vs. Snapdragon X Elite: Specs
Qualcomm takes direct photographs at Apple’s M3 in its advertising and marketing, so to get the comparability began, listed below are the fundamental specs for the Snapdragon Elite X and the M3.
M3 | Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 |
|
---|---|---|
CPU cores | 8 (4 efficiency cores, 4 effectivity cores) |
12 (dual-core increase) |
Frequencies | 3.7GHz efficiency 2.4GHz effectivity |
4.0GHz increase 3.4GHz base |
Reminiscence (as examined) | 16GB | 16GB |
Graphics | 10-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
At a look, the specs don’t look “equal” within the sense that the variety of CPU cores and the frequencies don’t match. The truth is that Home windows and Macs have all the time been troublesome to match with straight specs, and within the greater image, it’s inconsequential as a result of most prospects don’t take a look at it that approach.
M3 vs. Snapdragon X Elite: CPU efficiency
Whereas PCWorld ran a battery of various benchmarks, we’ll take a look at two suites particularly. The primary is Geekbench 6, which is a well-liked general-purpose benchmark to gauge the chip’s efficiency. The opposite benchmark outcomes are from Cinebench 2024, a benchmark that performs 3D rendering that calls for extra of the chips.
Apple provides quicker variations of the M3 within the M3 Professional and M3 Max, that are included within the check outcomes for reference. Qualcomm additionally provides variations of its Snapdragon X Elite, but it surely doesn’t particularly goal the M3 Professional and M3 Max in its advertising and marketing. In addition to, the M3 Professional/Max is used within the dearer MacBook Professional, which Microsoft would in all probability say isn’t akin to the Floor Professional.
Geekbench 6.3
Outcomes are expressed as Geekbench scores. Larger scores/longer bars are quicker.
Qualcomm’s claims that its Snapdragon X Elite is as quick because the M3 holds up. The benchmarks present that the X Elite is nineteen p.c quicker than the M3 in multi-core efficiency, which is a distinction that needs to be noticeable when doing sure high-end duties. Nevertheless, the M3 is quicker in single-core testing by 12 p.c, which impacts on a regular basis duties however in all probability gained’t have an excessive amount of of a distinction on efficiency.
Cinebench 2024
Outcomes are expressed as Cinebench scores. Larger scores/longer bars are quicker. *M3 outcomes right here had been examined with Steel; the Snapdragon X Elite was examined with OpenCL.
The MacBook Air and Floor Professional in all probability aren’t the varieties of computer systems that might be picked by somebody who performs the type of work don’t in Cinebench, however the benchmark is an efficient indicator of efficiency. Right here, the Snapdragon X Elite is 26 p.c quicker in multi-core efficiency, a big increase. The M3 once more is healthier with its single-core efficiency, beating the X Elite by a considerable 32 p.c. Nevertheless, anybody doing this sort of work could be utilizing software program that’s benefiting from multi-core processing.
M3 vs. Snapdragon X Elite: GPU efficiency
Should you, as a die-hard Mac fan, are beginning to really feel a bit of upset by the truth that Qualcomm’s advertising and marketing claims are constant, there’s one place to take a look at to show that frown the other way up: GPU efficiency.
Within the Geekbench Compute benchmark, the M3 blows previous the Snapdragon X Elite, particularly when Geekbench Compute is about to check with Steel, Apple’s graphics API that the M3 is optimized for. The M3 boasts a 143 p.c enchancment over the X Elite. (All the M-series chips within the Geekbench Compute chart above are examined utilizing Steel.)
However even when testing the M3 utilizing OpenCL (Home windows’ framework for graphics), the M3 posts a Geekbench Compute rating of 30391, which is 54 p.c quicker.
M4 vs. Snapdragon X Elite
If mentioning the GPU efficiency isn’t sufficient in your debates with Home windows devotees, right here’s one other level you may convey up. The M3 could be the present chip within the MacBook Air, however the future is already right here with the M4–it’s already within the iPad Pro, and it’ll possible make its strategy to the MacBook Air quickly.
Geekbench outcomes can be found for the iPad Professional’s M4, and its multi-core efficiency is mainly the identical because the Snapdragon X Elite. In single-core efficiency, the M4 is 31 p.c quicker. Take that, Qualcomm.
However earlier than you begin to do a victory dance, understand that the M4 MacBook Air might not arrive until next spring, according to reports. That’s some extent that might be made in opposition to you, although you may simply level out that the M4 chip shipped earlier than the Snapdragon X Elite.
In any case, the entire PC-versus-Mac factor is a factor, once more, at the very least from a silicon standpoint. Because it’s typically been mentioned, competitors is an efficient factor as a result of it pushes innovation, so even when you’ve got no need to modify to Home windows, the “battle” will encourage chip improvements that can profit Mac customers.