Apple M4 benchmarks suggest it is the new single-core performance champ

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

iPad capabilities, openness, and OS convergence

  • Many want iPads to run VMs, Linux, or macOS, seeing M‑series hardware as underused.
  • Today this is only possible via unofficial sideloaded tools (e.g., UTM) with re-signing hassles; Apple removed official hypervisor/virtualization support on iPadOS.
  • Some hope EU rules (DMA) will force app sideloading on iPad, but others argue this will only change payment flows, not deep device control or “true” sideloading.
  • Strong desire for either macOS on iPad or a dual‑personality device (tablet UI when handheld, desktop UI when docked). Others argue past attempts (Windows 8, Windows Phone, ChromeOS vs Android) show merging paradigms often fails and that separate OSs make more sense.
  • Debate over whether tablets are actually good for software development; some report iPad+SSH works well, others say they still prefer laptops/desktops for coding.

Apple Silicon performance, thermals, and architecture

  • Widespread praise for M‑series: high single‑core performance, strong perf/W, silent or near‑silent laptops, and excellent battery life.
  • Some argue Apple’s lead stems mainly from early access to cutting‑edge process nodes and on‑package high‑bandwidth RAM, not unique architecture; others counter that even on older nodes, M‑series remains more efficient than contemporary x86 laptop chips.
  • Discussion on TDP being misleading; real‑world fanless designs still seen as an Apple advantage.
  • Concerns about whether M4’s benchmark leadership in an iPad form factor involves short‑burst performance; replies cite prior M‑series behavior where throttling under heavy load takes minutes, not milliseconds.

Ecosystem, pricing, and market dynamics

  • Frustration that non‑Apple laptops (especially Linux and Windows) still don’t match even early M1 MacBooks on perf/W or sleep behavior.
  • Some point out that for certain professional workloads (CAD/BIM, engineering software), Windows laptops and GPUs remain essential, and Mac hardware/software is inadequate or overpriced, especially for large RAM configurations.
  • View that Apple’s product strategy intentionally keeps iPad and Mac distinct to sell multiple devices, even though many users want a dockable iPad “laptop.”
  • Speculation that M4’s appearance in iPad Pro before MacBooks is tied to AI features, display controller needs, high margins, and the relatively niche/slow‑refresh iPad Pro market.