Which processor do I need?

All MacBooks may look very similar on the outside, but appearances can be deceiving. Underneath their sleek aluminum bodies, the models differ greatly. But what do terms like i5, GHz, and TurboBoost actually mean?

Type of processor

In short, the general rule is: the higher the number, the better the processor. Every MacBook contains an Intel Core processor, and there are four different types: the i3, i5, i7, and i9. We’ll explain these in more detail later.

M1 Chip

Recently, Apple developed a new M1 chip specifically for Macs. Older Mac models always contained multiple chips: a processor and additional chips for things like memory and security. The M1 chip combines all of this into one chip. As a result, Macs with these chips are faster and need to be charged less often. However, this is still a fairly recent development, so support is not yet fully optimized.

Cores

The number of 'cores' in your processor indicates how many different tasks your MacBook can handle at once. The more cores the processor has, the more demanding programs it can run simultaneously. These cores are indicated by the following terms:

• Dual Core: 2 cores
• Quad Core: 4 cores
• Hexa Core: 6 cores
• Octo Core: 8 cores
• Deca Core: 10 cores

Clock speed, GHz, and Turbo

The speed of the processor is measured in GHz. The higher the GHz, the faster the processor. When running demanding programs, your MacBook can temporarily increase its speed using a 'turbo' function, which boosts the processor’s GHz for a short time.

All the specifications are interconnected. For example, it might seem obvious that an i3 DualCore processor with a 3.2 GHz clock speed is faster than an i5 QuadCore with 2.0 GHz, but in practice, that’s not the case. To provide more clarity, we’ve outlined all the types below.

Which 'i' is right for me?

To help you choose the right processor for your needs, you can interpret the processors as follows:

i3

The i3 processors are suitable for all basic tasks. Think of browsing the internet or sending emails. For light users who mainly send emails, check Facebook, watch Netflix, and create documents in Word, this is more than enough.

i5

All MacBooks with an i5 processor are suitable for your everyday activities, such as browsing the internet, emailing, watching Netflix, or creating documents in Word/Excel. Simple tasks in Photoshop and Premiere Pro can also be handled, but for more intensive work, an i7 is a better choice.

i7

A MacBook with an i7 processor is perfect for users who want to perform professional tasks. Think of programs like Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, AutoCAD, etc. Of course, you can also use it to watch Netflix and send emails ;)

i9

The Intel i9 is the best processor currently available in MacBooks. You can perform any task with it. With an i9 processor, you’re guaranteed to have a laptop that will stay up-to-date for years.

Conclusion:

'Which processor do I need?' It’s important to figure out which processor best suits your needs. For most people, an i5 processor is more than enough. If you use a lot of graphic programs, an i7 is the best choice. If that’s not the case, an i5 will work just fine.