Apple M1 (8-core) vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
53.6Single-core79
35.8Multi-core86.8
80Efficiencyspec-based44.4
—iGPU60.5
31.1Platformspec-based73.9
0 spec wins — Apple M1 (8-core)13 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins this laptop processor face-off, 73.9 to 47.3, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+51) and single-core (+25). Apple M1 (8-core) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M1 (8-core)
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
- Stronger single-core score: 79 vs 54
- Stronger multi-core score: 87 vs 36
- 1500% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 16 GB
- 411% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 39,617 vs 7,760
- 315% higher PassMark: 58,672 vs 14,122
General
| Spec | Apple M1 (8-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020 | 2026 |
| Process | 5 nm | 3 nm+40% |
| Base TDP | — | 55 W |
| Max TDP | — | 160 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M1 (8-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 24+200% |
| Performance cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 16+300% |
| Threads | 8 | 24+200% |
| Base clock | — | 2.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.2 GHz | 5.5 GHz+72% |
| L3 cache | — | 36 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M1 (8-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 8-core GPU | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores) |
| iGPU clock | — | 2,000 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M1 (8-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR4X-4266 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 16 GB | 256 GB+1500% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M1 (8-core) | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,340Bottom 34% | 3,198+37%Top 9% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 8,350Bottom 29% | 21,581+158%Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,500Bottom 28% | 2,340+56%Top 2% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 7,760Bottom 23% | 39,617+411%Top 1% |
| PassMark | 14,122Bottom 27% | 58,672+315%Top 1% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,855Top 37% |
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