Benchmarks: Our analysis explained

> GEEKBENCH 5 SINGLE– CORE TEST

This tests the capability of a single processor core. Many more common tasks on a Mac will only use a single core at a time. Geekbench 5 is universal app running on Big Sur.

> HANDBRAKE VIDEO ENCODING

We transcode a Blu–ray–quality video file into H.264 format using HandBrake to test the multicore processor performance. Handbrake hasn’t yet been optimized for the M1.

> TOMB RAIDER (1920X1080)

For a real–world gaming test, we use the benchmarking tool in this game, with the graphics quality set to High and the resolution set to 1920x1080. No yet optimized for M1.

> DAVINCI RESOLVE

In Blackmagic Design’s editing tool for video professionals, we exported an effects-laden, 2.5-minute project to the H.264 format. Version 15 of the app doesn’t run natively on the M1, so runs under Rosetta 2.