M1 MacBook Pro vs. 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro (2020) Performance Comparison
Apple’s transition from Intel processors to Apple Silicon marked one of the most significant changes in Mac history, and the introduction of the first-generation M1 MacBook Pro completely changed expectations for laptop performance, efficiency, and battery life.
When Apple announced the M1 chip in late 2020, many users expected modest improvements over Intel-based Macs. Instead, the M1 MacBook Pro delivered a massive leap in performance, outperforming not only the Intel-based 13-inch MacBook Pro it replaced, but also challenging much more expensive professional Mac systems.
To better understand how dramatic the difference was, the M1 MacBook Pro was compared directly against the 2020 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro equipped with a 1.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645, and 8GB of RAM.
Although the Intel-based MacBook Pro had only been released a few months earlier in May 2020, Apple’s new M1 architecture immediately made it feel outdated. From synthetic benchmarks to real-world workflows, the M1 MacBook Pro consistently delivered faster performance, quieter operation, lower power consumption, and dramatically improved efficiency.
This detailed comparison breaks down all of the major differences between the two laptops and highlights why Apple Silicon became such a major turning point for the Mac lineup.
M1 MacBook Pro vs. Intel MacBook Pro Comparison Table
| Feature | 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro (2020) | M1 MacBook Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 quad-core | Apple M1 chip |
| CPU Architecture | x86 Intel architecture | Apple Silicon ARM architecture |
| CPU Cores | 4-core CPU | 8-core CPU |
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 | Integrated 8-core GPU |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB unified memory |
| Geekbench Single-Core | 871 | 1722 |
| Geekbench Multi-Core | 3786 | 7535 |
| OpenCL Score | 6962 | 19305 |
| SSD Read Speed | 1600MB/s | 2800MB/s |
| SSD Write Speed | 1100MB/s | 2300MB/s |
| 40GB File Transfer | 90 seconds | 27 seconds |
| Final Cut Pro 4K Export | 6 min 47 sec | 4 min 53 sec |
| Cooling System | Active fans frequently used | Fans rarely activate |
| Noise Level | Loud under heavy load | Nearly silent |
| Battery Life | Good | Exceptional |
| Wake Speed | Standard startup | Instant Wake |
| App Performance | Slower multitasking | Faster multitasking |
| Thermal Efficiency | Higher heat output | Cooler operation |
Apple Silicon vs. Intel Architecture
The biggest difference between the two laptops is the processor architecture.
The Intel MacBook Pro relies on Intel’s traditional x86 processor design, which Apple had used in Macs for over a decade. While Intel chips offered solid performance, they also consumed more power and generated more heat, especially during demanding tasks.
The M1 chip marked Apple’s transition to its own ARM-based Apple Silicon architecture. Instead of relying on third-party processors, Apple designed the chip specifically for macOS, enabling tighter hardware and software integration.
This allowed the M1 MacBook Pro to deliver:
-
Better performance per watt
-
Faster app responsiveness
-
Improved thermal efficiency
-
Longer battery life
-
Faster SSD communication
-
Near-silent operation
The result was a laptop that felt dramatically faster in everyday use while also consuming less power.
Geekbench Performance Scores
Synthetic benchmarks immediately revealed how far ahead the M1 chip was compared to Intel’s processors.
The Intel-based MacBook Pro achieved:
-
Single-core score: 871
-
Multi-core score: 3786
The M1 MacBook Pro scored:
-
Single-core score: 1722
-
Multi-core score: 7535
That means the M1 nearly doubled the CPU performance of the Intel model in both single-core and multi-core workloads.
Single-core performance is especially important because it affects how responsive a computer feels during everyday tasks like opening apps, browsing the web, and navigating macOS. The M1’s superior single-core performance made the system feel noticeably faster and smoother.
Graphics performance also improved dramatically. The M1 achieved an OpenCL score of 19305, while the Intel system scored only 6962.
This translated into much stronger graphics performance for:
-
Video editing
-
Gaming
-
Motion graphics
-
Creative applications
-
3D rendering
SSD Performance Improvements
Storage speed was another major advantage for the M1 MacBook Pro.
The Intel MacBook Pro delivered:
-
1600MB/s read speeds
-
1100MB/s write speeds
The M1 MacBook Pro achieved:
-
2800MB/s read speeds
-
2300MB/s write speeds
This huge increase in SSD performance improved nearly every aspect of the user experience, including:
-
Faster app launches
-
Quicker file transfers
-
Faster boot times
-
Improved video editing workflows
-
Reduced loading times
Apple integrated a new SSD controller directly into the M1 chip, which helped maximize storage performance and efficiency.
Real-World File Transfer Test
In real-world usage, the M1 MacBook Pro showed a dramatic advantage during large file transfers.
When transferring a file larger than 40GB:
-
The Intel MacBook Pro completed the task in 90 seconds
-
The M1 MacBook Pro completed it in just 27 seconds
Initially, both machines started transferring files at similar speeds, but the Intel system quickly slowed down while the M1 maintained consistent performance.
This demonstrated the benefits of Apple’s unified architecture and faster SSD subsystem.
For users working with large media files, project folders, or professional workflows, the difference was substantial.
Final Cut Pro 4K Video Export Test
Video editing performance was another area where the M1 MacBook Pro excelled.
Exporting a 10-minute 4K project in Final Cut Pro took:
-
6 minutes and 47 seconds on the Intel MacBook Pro
-
4 minutes and 53 seconds on the M1 MacBook Pro
The difference became even more impressive when considering thermal performance.
During the export process:
-
The Intel MacBook Pro’s fans became extremely loud
-
The M1 MacBook Pro remained almost completely silent
This showcased one of Apple Silicon’s biggest advantages: efficiency.
The M1 chip delivered better performance while generating far less heat and consuming less power.
Startup and Instant Wake
Apple introduced Instant Wake with the M1 Macs, making them behave more like iPhones and iPads.
The M1 MacBook Pro woke instantly when opening the lid, with virtually no delay before becoming fully usable.
The Intel MacBook Pro still relied on more traditional startup and wake behavior, which felt noticeably slower by comparison.
Shutdown times were also faster on the M1 system.
Although these differences may seem minor individually, they contributed significantly to the overall feeling of responsiveness.
Browser and Multitasking Performance
Browser performance was another area where the M1 MacBook Pro dominated.
During testing, a dozen YouTube tabs were opened simultaneously in Safari on both laptops.
The M1 MacBook Pro handled playback smoothly across every tab without noticeable slowdowns or fan noise.
The Intel MacBook Pro struggled much more under the same workload:
-
CPU usage increased substantially
-
Fans ramped up quickly
-
Performance became less consistent
This highlighted the M1 chip’s superior efficiency during multitasking and web-based workloads.
App Launch and Productivity Tests
To test multitasking performance, approximately 50 applications were opened simultaneously from the Applications folder.
The M1 MacBook Pro handled the workload effortlessly, opening apps quickly and maintaining smooth system performance throughout the test.
The Intel MacBook Pro experienced:
-
Noticeable lag
-
Slower app loading times
-
Reduced responsiveness
-
Stuttering in Mission Control
Heavy applications like Final Cut Pro took especially longer to launch on the Intel machine.
Even with every app open, the M1 MacBook Pro remained responsive and fluid.
Fan Noise and Thermal Performance
One of the most surprising aspects of the M1 MacBook Pro was how cool and quiet it remained under heavy workloads.
Throughout benchmarking, video exporting, multitasking, and stress testing:
-
The M1 MacBook Pro’s fans rarely activated
-
The Intel MacBook Pro’s fans frequently ran at high speeds
This dramatically improved the user experience.
The near-silent operation of the M1 MacBook Pro made it feel more refined and efficient, especially during creative workloads or long working sessions.
The fanless MacBook Air (M1) also delivered similar performance, further emphasizing the efficiency of Apple Silicon.
Battery Life Improvements
Battery life became one of the defining advantages of the M1 generation.
Despite extensive benchmarking and stress testing, the M1 MacBook Pro maintained exceptional battery endurance throughout the day without needing to be recharged.
Compared to Intel Macs, Apple Silicon dramatically reduced power consumption while simultaneously improving performance.
For mobile users, students, professionals, and creators, this improvement alone was enough to justify upgrading.
Final Verdict
The M1 MacBook Pro represented a revolutionary leap forward for the Mac platform.
Compared to the 13-inch Intel MacBook Pro (2020), the M1 model delivered:
-
Nearly double CPU performance
-
Dramatically faster graphics performance
-
Faster SSD speeds
-
Better multitasking
-
Superior battery life
-
Instant Wake responsiveness
-
Much quieter operation
-
Improved thermal efficiency
What made the achievement especially remarkable was that Apple accomplished all of this while reducing heat output and power consumption.
Even years later, the M1 MacBook Pro remains an extremely capable machine for productivity, creative work, and professional workflows. Apple’s transition to Apple Silicon completely reshaped expectations for laptop performance, and the M1 chip proved that ARM-based Macs could outperform Intel systems while delivering exceptional efficiency and battery life.