Thin and light laptop Segment — 4 Processors Compared

Decision table

Thin and light laptop Segment: which one for what?

The 4 models on this page are scored only against each other, for the use you pick. Scores come from the spec sheets; no price and no advertising go in.

What will you use it for? Gaming Content Creation On-device AI Battery Life

Leads for Gaming: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V65%

Leads for Content Creation: Apple M668%

Leads for On-device AI: Apple M666%

Leads for Battery Life: Apple M457%

#3#2#3#3
Apple M5Apple
10 · 10 · SoC (soldered)
57% 56% 63% 50%
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: On-device AI
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
#2#1#1#4
Apple M6Apple
12 · 12 · SoC (soldered)
59% 68% 66% 50%
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
Why it ranks here
- 12 cores / 12 threads
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: On-device AI
Why it ranks here
Nothing stands out for this use; the score comes from overall balance.
#1#4#2#2
Intel Core Ultra 7 258VIntel
8 · 8 · 4.8 GHz
65% 50% 65% 53%
Why it ranks here
- 4.8 GHz boost
- 24 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- 4.8 GHz boost
- 24 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- 47 TOPS NPU
- 24 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- 24 months on the market — a successor may be near
#4#3#4#1
Apple M4Apple
10 · 10 · 4.4 GHz
52% 51% 46% 57%
Why it ranks here
- 29 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- 29 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- 38 TOPS NPU
- 29 months on the market — a successor may be near
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Battery Life
- 29 months on the market — a successor may be near