Today we answer the crucial question: is 8 GB is enough for music production on the MacBook Pro with Apple M1 CPU?
With previous generation Intel cpu and x86 architecture, 8 GB didn’t get you far. But now, with Apple Silicon M1 CPU featuring a unified memory system we get much better memory performance. Let’s see why this is the case!
Is Apple M1 good for music production?
In Apple M1 for music production episode 2 I answer some of the important questions you asked in my previous videos on the Apple M1 tech. Is 8GB enough? Does Serum and Omnisphere play well with the Apple Silicon M1 CPU? Furthermore, I talk about the PROS and CONS of the MacBook Pro 13″ M1 (2020). Hope you enjoy my MacBook Pro M1 review!
Why does the Apple M1 have unified memory?
Simply put, Unified Memory increases performance and the power efficiency of the system!
If the memory sits closer to the CPU there is a shorter distance for the data to travel. The M1 is designed to take arm64 instructions which basically uses (R)educed (I)nstruction (S)et (C)omputing (RISC).
Intel x86 tech uses (C)omplex (I)nstruction (S)et (C)omputing (CISC).
In short, it’s easier for a CPU to work with RISC instructions since the CPU can instantly process the instructions. A CPU working with CISC has to first break down the complex instructions into simpler instructions, which takes times…and generates heat. Which we all want less of! 😉
The RISC based arm64 architecture of course still process instructions, but takes one simple instruction at a time.
Unified Memory in the Apple M1 CPU
The Apple M1 is designed as a “system on a chip”, or (SoC). This means that there’s not just a CPU inside the processor, but also other key components, including the GPU, I/O controllers, Apple’s Neural Engine for AI tasks. But, more importantly, the physical RAM is part of that same package design. To be clear, the RAM isn’t on the same Silicon as the fundamental parts of the SoC. It sits off to the side, se picture below.
Want to learn more about the Apple M1 tech for music production?
Want to know more about the Apple MacBook Pro M1 technology. Check out my previous article on Apple M1 here.
If you have further questions (or feedback) please let me know in the video comments!
Thanks, // Mattias
