Apple M2 Max vs Microsoft SQ1
Aggregate performance score
Apple M2 Max outperforms Microsoft SQ1 by a whopping 362% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Microsoft SQ1 and Apple M2 Max processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1469 | 378 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Laptop |
| Series | Qualcomm Snapdragon | Apple M-Series |
| Architecture codename | Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) | no data |
| Release date | 2 October 2019 (4 years ago) | 17 January 2023 (1 year ago) |
Detailed specifications
Microsoft SQ1 and Apple M2 Max basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.
| Physical cores | 8 (Octa-Core) | 12 (Dodeca-Core) |
| Threads | 8 | 12 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 2.424 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| L1 cache | no data | 3.3 MB |
| L2 cache | no data | 36 MB |
| L3 cache | 2 MB | 48 MB |
| Chip lithography | 7 nm | 5 nm |
| Number of transistors | no data | 67000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | no data |
Compatibility
Information on Microsoft SQ1 and Apple M2 Max compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.
| Power consumption (TDP) | no data | 79 Watt |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Qualcomm Adreno 685 | Apple M2 Max 38-Core GPU |
Synthetic benchmark performance
Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 3.73 | 17.24 |
| Recency | 2 October 2019 | 17 January 2023 |
| Physical cores | 8 | 12 |
| Threads | 8 | 12 |
| Chip lithography | 7 nm | 5 nm |
Apple M2 Max has a 362.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads, and a 40% more advanced lithography process.
The Apple M2 Max is our recommended choice as it beats the Microsoft SQ1 in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Microsoft SQ1 and Apple M2 Max, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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