# Apple M1 compared to 4GHZ i7 iMac **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [August 4, 2022, 8:51am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534 "2022-08-04T08:51:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Trig_Charters1)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 8:51am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/1 "2022-08-04T08:51:47Z")
Hi Everyone, I know a few people have posted their experiences of using an M1 compared to their old machines. I didn’t expect much as I had a pretty high spec 4Ghz i7 iMac with 32gb of ram. A friend gave me a M1 Mac mini with 16gb ram and 1tb disk and I’m shocked at the speed difference. I ran some of my assembly code on the iMac to generate a Mandelbrot and it took just over 30 seconds on the M1 it took exactly 16 seconds and I have to say everything about Xojo seems snappier… A good upgrade IMO TC ---
**Author:** ![Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/michel_bujardet/32/252_2.png) [@Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Michel_Bujardet)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 10:22am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/2 "2022-08-04T10:22:56Z")
Indeed I switched from a 27" iMac to an M1 Mac Mini, it is was twice as fast. I can only suppose M2 is even better. ---
**Author:** ![Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Trig_Charters1)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 10:32am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/3 "2022-08-04T10:32:37Z")
Yes… I was going to wait until a M2 Mini was out, but still… 🙂 TC ---
**Author:** ![Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/michel_bujardet/32/252_2.png) [@Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Michel_Bujardet)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 10:45am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/4 "2022-08-04T10:45:19Z")
I have been using the Mac Mini for over a year, now. I don’t plan on upgrading to M2. It is fast enough for what I do. ---
**Author:** ![Per\_Ronny\_Westereng](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/per_ronny_westereng/32/1223_2.png) [@Per\_Ronny\_Westereng](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Per_Ronny_Westereng)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 10:55am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/5 "2022-08-04T10:55:39Z")
do you have 8 or 16GB? Would 8GB be enough? Thinking of upgrading from my 2015 mbp… ---
**Author:** ![Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/michel_bujardet/32/252_2.png) [@Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Michel_Bujardet)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 10:58am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/6 "2022-08-04T10:58:05Z")
I am fine with 8GB. ---
**Author:** ![Loannis\_Kolliageorgas](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@Loannis\_Kolliageorgas](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Loannis_Kolliageorgas)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 11:03am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/7 "2022-08-04T11:03:54Z")
I make the upgrade from imac 27 to mac mini m1 8/256 and is perfect… I make only 1 upgrade and i buyed the [Satechi hub](https://satechi.net/products/stand-hub-for-mac-mini-with-ssd-enclosure) with 1TB and now i have everything organized… ---
**Author:** ![Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Trig_Charters1)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 11:05am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/8 "2022-08-04T11:05:19Z")
I think the only thing I need is a set of speakers, the Mini’s one is not the best… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/michel_bujardet/32/252_2.png) [@Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Michel_Bujardet)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 11:10am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/9 "2022-08-04T11:10:34Z")
I wanted some real small speakers for my Mac Mini. > **[Amazon.com: ARVICKA Computer Speaker, LED Accents USB Speaker Small Mighty Solid...](https://www.amazon.com/ARVICKA-Computer-Multimedia-Smartphones-Projectors/dp/B01KC7WGQQ)** > > Buy ARVICKA Computer Speaker, LED Accents USB Speaker Small Mighty Solid Wired Multimedia Speaker for PC Monitor Desktop Laptop Gaming Smartphones Tablets Projectors TVs, Black: Computer Speakers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible... ---
**Author:** ![Per\_Ronny\_Westereng](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/per_ronny_westereng/32/1223_2.png) [@Per\_Ronny\_Westereng](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Per_Ronny_Westereng)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 11:12am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/10 "2022-08-04T11:12:23Z")
Good to hear 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Per\_Ronny\_Westereng](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/per_ronny_westereng/32/1223_2.png) [@Per\_Ronny\_Westereng](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Per_Ronny_Westereng)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 11:15am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/11 "2022-08-04T11:15:00Z")
How does that hub work for you, looks like something I would like to have ---
**Author:** ![Loannis\_Kolliageorgas](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@Loannis\_Kolliageorgas](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Loannis_Kolliageorgas)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 1:53pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/12 "2022-08-04T13:53:09Z")
Work perfect,i have put 1tb disk and i have additional space. The hub is mounted from back and i use the usb ports without problem\s.if you need photos or anything else just ask i send to you. [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLXgUZ2hOIM&t=1s) ---
**Author:** ![Per\_Ronny\_Westereng](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/per_ronny_westereng/32/1223_2.png) [@Per\_Ronny\_Westereng](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Per_Ronny_Westereng)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/13 "2022-08-04T16:16:47Z")
nice, thanks, might have to get me one of them when I get me a M1 or M2 ---
**Author:** ![PhilippeP](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/philippep/32/5348_2.png) [@PhilippeP](https://forum.xojo.com/u/PhilippeP)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 5:53pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/14 "2022-08-04T17:53:05Z")
mmmm i hope you don’t expect to listen to music with these 😉 there is no miracles concerning sound, still best speakers will come from known brands > **[Amazon.com: Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers - for PC (with 3.5mm...](https://www.amazon.com/Bose-Companion-III-Multimedia-Speakers/dp/B00CD1PTF0)** > > Amazon.com: Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers - for PC (with 3.5mm AUX & PC Input) Black : Electronics or you could use bluetooth and connect other devices > **[Amazon.com: Bose SoundLink Color II: Portable Bluetooth, Wireless Speaker with...](https://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundLink-Color-Bluetooth-speaker/dp/B01HETFQKS)** > > Amazon.com: Bose SoundLink Color II: Portable Bluetooth, Wireless Speaker with Microphone- Soft Black : Electronics ---
**Author:** ![Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/michel_bujardet/32/252_2.png) [@Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Michel_Bujardet)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/15 "2022-08-04T18:06:54Z")
I did not want huge speakers, and no, I did not plan to listen to music. ---
**Author:** ![Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Trig_Charters1)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/16 "2022-08-04T22:20:19Z")
I ordered some basic Creative Pebble USB speakers, don’t need much, just something to make some noise… If I want to listen to some music or a movie I’ll use my Apple Beats sound cancelling headphones… [Pebble Speakers](https://www.umart.com.au/product/creative-pebble-2-0-usb-speaker-black-44164) Don’t know what I’m going to do with my old 2012 Retina Mac Book Pro and 2013 27" iMac… TC ---
**Author:** ![Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/michel_bujardet/32/252_2.png) [@Michel\_Bujardet](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Michel_Bujardet)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2022, 11:01pm UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/17 "2022-08-04T23:01:34Z")
I keep my 2015 MacBook, let alone because it can run Intel Linux and Windows in VMWare Fusion if it needs to. Quite convenient on the road. Sure, I could have Parallels and Windows for Arm, but I could not use previous virtual drives. The 27" iMac I gave to a nephew. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Rowlands](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/sam_rowlands/32/265_2.png) [@Sam\_Rowlands](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Sam_Rowlands)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 1:28am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/18 "2022-08-05T01:28:03Z")
> [@Michel\_Bujardet](#): > > I can only suppose M2 is even better. 10% CPU improvement, 40% GPU improvement and -50% storage performance if you only get the 256GB version. ---
**Author:** ![Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@Trig\_Charters1](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Trig_Charters1)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/19 "2022-08-05T01:46:58Z")
These little speakers are great… I also replaced the HDMI cable with a Thunderbolt 4 to DisplayPort and the screen is so much crisper and rock solid… ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Rowlands](https://forum.xojo.com/user_avatar/forum.xojo.com/sam_rowlands/32/265_2.png) [@Sam\_Rowlands](https://forum.xojo.com/u/Sam_Rowlands)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2022, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534/20 "2022-08-05T02:38:06Z")
Go for 16GB. I’ve seen too many people on Reddit and in real life who purchased the 8GB, then months down the road ran into problems caused by not having enough RAM. This irritates people as the only way to upgrade RAM is to buy a new Mac. On my M1, simply booting the machine takes 6.5GB of RAM. Last time I checked, my Xojo made applications also appear to use almost twice the RAM on M1 as they do on Intel. [Next page](https://forum.xojo.com/t/apple-m1-compared-to-4ghz-i7-imac/71534.md?page=2)