Apple simply took the wraps off its redesigned MacBook Pros that includes new customized M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. And whereas I can’t assist however be impressed by Apple’s lofty efficiency claims, of us at the moment are questioning if this implies the brand new MacBook Pros are instantly good gaming laptops now. We haven’t used the brand new Pros so it’s too quickly to inform, however I might enterprise to say the reply is not any, probably not.

The new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips have 10-core CPUs, with the Pro sporting a 16-core GPU and the Max a 32-core GPU built-in into the identical SoC (system on a chip), permitting for elevated efficiency and higher power effectivity. And on prime of the elevated core counts, Apple’s new chips even have the good thing about with the ability to share as much as 32GB on the Pro or 64GB on the M1 Max of unified reminiscence between its CPU and GPU—one thing that permits for speedy reminiscence bandwidths of as much as 200 GB/s (Pro) or 400 GB/s (Max).

And thanks to those modifications in structure, Apple says the efficiency of its new MacBook Pros doesn’t take successful when operating solely on battery, so that you’ll get the identical blazing efficiency no matter the place you might be. That’s very nice, particularly coming from loads of Windows laptops that routinely drop all the way down to a extra conservative efficiency profile when working unplugged.

When in comparison with the newest 8-core PC laptop computer chip, Apple says the M1 Pro offers 1.7 instances the CPU efficiency on the similar energy degree whereas utilizing 70% much less energy, and the M1 Pro’s GPU is as much as 7 instances quicker than the identical 8-core PC laptop computer’s built-in graphics, and delivers extra efficiency utilizing 70% much less energy in comparison with a discrete GPU for PC notebooks.

Now all these efficiency claims sound spectacular till you dive a little bit deeper into the tremendous print. The footnote on the backside of Apple’s press release specifies that 1.7 instances higher CPU efficiency declare is measuring an M1 Pro towards an MSI GP66 Leopard, which contains a 10th-gen Intel chip that’s a technology previous, and is about to be two generations previous when Intel introduces new Alder Lake laptops chips later this 12 months.

When it involves graphics, the “powerful discrete GPU for PC notebooks” Apple lists as a comparability mannequin in its footnotes is an Nvidia 3050 Ti from a Lenovo Legion 5 (82JW0012US). Now I’m not attempting to throw shade on the 3050 Ti, however it’s not precisely what involves thoughts after I take into consideration highly effective discrete pocket book GPUs. If you’re into gaming, you’re usually going for not less than an RTX 3060 (or equal AMD GPU) or greater.

But extra importantly, the MacBook Pro Apple is utilizing as its benchmark system is a pre-production 16-inch MacBook Pro with a M1 Pro chip with a 16-core GPU and 32GB of RAM, which prices a whopping $3,100 in comparison with simply $1,050 for the Lenovo Legion 5. So whereas these efficiency numbers are nonetheless spectacular, we’re not precisely evaluating apples to apples, so to talk.

I don’t need to downplay the efficiency of Apple’s new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips an excessive amount of, as a result of it actually is sort of spectacular what Apple is doing with its customized ARM-based silicon, particularly in relation to power effectivity in transportable workstation-level machines. But like so many Apple gadgets, with a beginning worth of $1,999 for the least costly new MacBook Pro, this stuff positively aren’t low cost.

There’s one other, maybe extra important challenge: Today’s resource-hungry AAA video games merely don’t run on Macs. Just take a go searching at new or upcoming PC video games like Far Cry 6, Deathloop, New World, and others—none of them are suitable with macOS. So until you need to play one of many few video games that runs on M1 Macs, like World of Warcraft, you’re principally out of luck in relation to taking part in scorching new video games. Bootcamp doesn’t work on M1 Macs both, so don’t even take into consideration attempting to put in Windows on a brand new M1 MacBook Pro.

Apple isn’t calling the brand new MacBook Pros gaming laptops, however the firm did use a variety of property from video games throughout its presentation, along with trotting out numerous builders who praised the efficiency of Apple’s new silicon and laptops. And to Apple’s credit score, a few of the different comparability benchmarks have been made utilizing a Razer Blade Advanced 15. Though as soon as once more, the chart above is basically displaying Apple’s benefit in energy effectivity (which is essential), with precise efficiency being fairly shut.

The new M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pros are machines which may be nice for constructing and creating video games, however may not really be nice at taking part in them because of OS limitations.

But for individuals who have been dreaming about taking part in AAA video games on MacBooks, there may be some gentle on the finish of the tunnel. With Apple’s new and extra highly effective silicon, builders might be extra keen to create video games designed for Macs and macOS. It will definitely be an uphill battle to interrupt the maintain Windows has on PC gaming, however Apple’s highly effective new processors are a important step towards making MacBooks extra aggressive gaming laptops.