WorldTekhno.com: Do you know what the M3 is that is usually found on a MacBook or iPad? Yes, the M3 is a chipset, like the Snapdragon chipset, and other chipsets that are the mainstay of gadgets. The M3 is a product from Apple like its predecessors_ M2 and M1. The difference between the Apple M3 Chipset compared to other chipsets such as the M2, M1, and competitors such as the Snapdragon X Elite or Intel Core Ultra has several advantages and main differences.
Here is a comparison based on several main aspects:
- Architecture and Fabrication Process
M3: 3nm (more efficient and faster)
M2: 5nm (more power efficient than the M1, but still less efficient than the M3)
M1: 5nm
Snapdragon X Elite: 4nm
Intel Core Ultra (Meteor Lake): Hybrid x86, 7nm (Intel 4)
Conclusion: The M3 is superior in power efficiency and performance due to the more sophisticated 3nm fabrication. - CPU & GPU Performance
M3: 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU (base model) with hardware Ray Tracing
M2: 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU (without hardware ray tracing)
M1: 8-core CPU, up to 8-core GPU
Snapdragon X Elite: 12-core ARM-based CPU with high performance
Intel Core Ultra: Hybrid CPU (P-Core + E-Core) with Arc integrated graphics.
Conclusion: M3 is superior to M2 and M1 in graphics with ray tracing support, but Snapdragon X Elite and Intel Core Ultra also offer high performance in their class. - Power Consumption and Efficiency
M3: Highly efficient thanks to 3nm, better battery life than competitors
M2 & M1: Also efficient, but more power-hungry than M3
Snapdragon X Elite: Built for high efficiency on Windows
Intel Core Ultra: Still more power-hungry than ARM chipsets like M3 or Snapdragon
Conclusion: M3 is more power-hungry than Intel, but Snapdragon X Elite is close to its efficiency. - AI and Machine Learning Performance
M3: Faster 16-core Neural Engine than M2
M2: 16-core Neural Engine (slower than M3)
Snapdragon X Elite: AI Engine claimed to be faster than Apple Silicon
Intel Core Ultra: VPU (Versatile Processing Unit) for AI
Conclusion: M3 remains superior in AI for Apple ecosystem, but Snapdragon X Elite has stronger AI claims for Windows. - Compatibility and Usage
M3, M2, M1: For Mac and iPad only
Snapdragon X Elite: For ARM-based Windows laptops
Intel Core Ultra: For Windows laptops and PCs
Conclusion: If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, the M3 is the best choice. If you’re looking for ARM performance on Windows, the Snapdragon X Elite is compelling.
Final Verdict
The M3 is faster and more efficient than the M2 and M1, especially in GPU and AI.
The M3 is more power efficient than the Intel Core Ultra, but Intel is still more flexible for gaming and legacy software.
The Snapdragon X Elite is a serious contender in the ARM world for Windows laptops, but its ecosystem isn’t as robust as Apple’s.***
