M1 starts a new processor chapter for the Mac

Apple has introduced M1, the first chip it has designed specifically for the Mac. Rather than treating the processor, graphics and other functions as separate components, M1 brings them together in a system on a chip with a shared memory architecture.

The announcement puts performance per watt at the center of the Mac story. That matters for a notebook, where heat and battery life can shape the experience as much as raw speed. Apple's claims will need to be understood in the context of particular applications and workloads.

Compatibility is the immediate question for existing owners. Native applications can target the new architecture, while Rosetta 2 provides a bridge for many Intel applications. Anyone who relies on specialist plug-ins or unusual hardware should check those dependencies before making the switch.