Intel’s New Processor Beats Out Apple’s M1 Max Chip

Every few months, the tech world gathers around a fresh set of benchmark charts like they’re playoff brackets:
somebody “wins,” somebody “loses,” and the rest of us just want our laptop fans to stop impersonating a leaf blower.
This time, the headline floating around the internet is that Intel’s new high-end mobile processor beats Apple’s M1 Max.
That’s a spicy claimso let’s unpack what “beats” actually means, where it’s true, where it’s not, and why your
day-to-day experience might look nothing like a single Geekbench screenshot.

We’ll focus on the Intel Core i9-12900HK (Alder Lake-H), one of Intel’s flagship laptop CPUs that arrived after Apple’s
M1 Max-powered MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021). In several CPU-focused benchmarks, the i9-12900HK can edge out the M1 Max
sometimes by a little, sometimes by moredepending on the test, the laptop’s power limits, and how long the workload runs.
But raw performance is only half the story. The other half is power, heat, battery life, and what you actually do on your machine.

Quick context: the two “Max” philosophies

Intel and Apple are solving the same problemfast laptopsusing very different playbooks.
Apple’s M1 Max is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) designed to deliver high performance while staying power-efficient, especially on battery.
Intel’s i9-12900HK is designed to scale performance aggressively when a laptop’s cooling and power budget allow it.
Both approaches are legitimate. They just shine in different lighting.

At-a-glance specs (the “what’s inside the sandwich” view)

Already, you can see why comparisons get messy. Intel can throw more CPU cores/threads at multi-core workloads and boost hard
if the laptop vendor lets it. Apple integrates CPU, GPU, and memory into a tightly optimized SoC with specialized engines
(notably for media). Different goals, different “wins.”

What does “beats” mean in benchmark land?

When an article says “Intel beats Apple,” it’s usually shorthand for: “In this benchmark, on this laptop, under these power limits,
the score is higher.” That’s not useless, but it’s not a full verdict either. Here’s what to check before you mentally tattoo a benchmark
chart onto your buying decision:

• Single-core vs. multi-core: Many everyday tasks are bursty and care about single-core speed; heavy rendering and compiling lean multi-core.
• Sustained vs. short runs: A 30-second sprint can look amazing. A 30-minute render is where heat and power limits start writing the story.
• Plugged-in vs. on battery: Some laptops keep most performance on battery; others “politely” reduce boost so your battery doesn’t vanish like a magic trick.
• Thermals and vendor tuning: Two laptops with the same Intel CPU can score very differently depending on cooling, fan curves, and power limits.
• Workload match: A video export isn’t just “CPU.” It can be GPU, media engines, memory bandwidth, or software optimization.

In other words: “beats” can be true and still not mean “you’ll feel it.” You might, but it depends on what you do.

The headline numbers: where Intel pulls ahead

1) Geekbench: a narrow but real CPU lead in some results

Geekbench is popular because it’s quick and widely reported. In multiple comparisons, Alder Lake’s flagship laptop CPUs come in a bit higher
than M1 Max in multi-core CPU scores. Some testing roundups showed M1 Max landing in the low-to-mid 12,000 range in Geekbench 5 multi-core,
while Alder Lake gaming laptops pushed into the mid-13,000s. That’s not an embarrassing gapmore like the difference between “fast” and “also fast,
but with louder fans.”

It’s also worth noting that average, user-submitted benchmark databases show M1 Max scoring strongly in newer Geekbench versions as well.
The takeaway isn’t “M1 Max is slow.” The takeaway is: Intel can nudge past it in CPU throughput when the laptop is allowed to run hot and hungry.

2) Cinebench R23: Intel’s multi-core strength can look bigger

Cinebench R23 is another common test that tends to reward sustained CPU performance. In some reported runs,
the Core i9-12900HK posted a noticeably higher multi-core score than M1 Max. This is the kind of benchmark where Intel’s hybrid core design and
higher power ceiling can translate into a clearer leadagain, assuming the laptop can feed the chip enough power and keep it cool.

If you’re the type of person who regularly does CPU-heavy work like compiling large projects, running multicore simulations, or cranking out 3D CPU renders,
these deltas can matter. You may actually feel the difference, especially when the task is long enough that the CPU stays pegged.

The catch: power, heat, and the “laptop experience tax”

Here’s the part that gets left out of the victory lap: peak performance often has a price, and that price is paid in watts.
Intel’s top mobile chips can boost to high power levels when chasing maximum performance. That can be totally finemany creator and gaming laptops are built
for exactly that. But it changes the ownership experience:

• More power draw can mean more heat. More heat can mean more fan noise (or thicker laptops).
• Battery life can vary wildly. A well-tuned Windows laptop can last a long time doing light tasks, but under heavy load,
  it’s common for battery life to drop fast.
• Performance on battery can be different. Some Windows laptops reduce CPU boost on battery more aggressively than Macs do.

Apple’s MacBook Pro with M1 Max is well known for strong battery life in normal use, and reviewers commonly highlighted that you can get high performance
without needing to be tethered to a charger all day. That “unplugged confidence” is part of why M1 Max made such a splash.

So yes: Intel can beat M1 Max in certain CPU benchmarks. But if it takes significantly more power to do it, the win may matter less to someone who cares about
portability, quiet operation, or consistent performance while traveling.

Real-world performance: it depends on what you do (and what you run)

Creators: video editing isn’t just CPU

For video workflowsespecially formats like ProResApple’s M1 Max has a not-so-secret weapon: dedicated media engines designed to accelerate encode/decode.
That means certain exports, transcodes, and timeline scrubbing tasks can feel incredibly smooth, even if a pure CPU benchmark says Intel is faster.
When software is optimized for Apple Silicon, the “time to finish the job” can be excellent, and the machine can stay relatively quiet while doing it.

Meanwhile, many Windows laptops built around Intel i9 chips pair them with powerful dedicated GPUs. In Adobe apps, 3D work, and GPU-accelerated effects,
the discrete GPU can dominate the outcome. In those cases, you’re not really comparing i9 vs. M1 Maxyou’re comparing entire laptop designs, including GPUs,
cooling, and software stacks.

Developers and power users: multi-core muscle matters

If you routinely compile big codebases, run multiple containers, do heavy multitasking, or build projects where every minute saved compounds over a week,
Intel’s top-end mobile CPUs can be extremely compelling. Many high-end Windows laptops also offer more flexibility for RAM and storage configurations
(depending on model), which can matter for development and data-heavy work.

That said, macOS brings its own strengths: excellent battery life for dev-on-the-go, strong Unix tooling, and a stable, consistent performance profile.
Your best chip might be whichever platform you fight with less.

Gamers: this is where Windows laptops often sprint away

If gaming is a priority, the biggest performance differentiator is typically the GPU and game support. Many Intel i9 laptops ship with high-wattage NVIDIA GPUs,
and that combination can crush integrated solutions in graphics-heavy benchmarks and games.

Apple Silicon gaming has improved a lot in recent years, but the M1 Max era still isn’t “buy this Mac if you want the broadest AAA game support” territory.
For many people, it’s not about frames per secondit’s about which library you want access to, which anti-cheat systems work, and whether your favorite games
even ship on macOS.

How to interpret “Intel beat M1 Max” without falling for clickbait

Here’s a practical way to translate headlines into decisions:

• If your work is CPU-heavy and you’re often plugged in: Intel’s i9-12900HK class chips can be a real advantage, especially in well-cooled laptops.
• If you care about quiet performance and long battery life: M1 Max MacBook Pros are still a strong “it just works” option for many pro tasks.
• If you need GPU horsepower for 3D/gaming: The Intel laptop you’re actually buying is likely an Intel + NVIDIA packageand that can be brutally fast.
• If your apps are optimized for Apple Silicon: M1 Max can feel faster than a benchmark chart suggests, because the workload isn’t purely CPU.
• If you live in a specific ecosystem: A slightly faster benchmark score won’t fix a workflow that constantly fights your OS, tools, or file formats.

The honest conclusion is not “Intel wins” or “Apple wins.” It’s: Intel can win the CPU race on raw numbers in certain conditions,
while Apple often wins the “total laptop experience” in efficiency and consistencyespecially on battery.

So… should you care in 2026?

In 2026, the M1 Max is no longer Apple’s latest and greatestbut it remains a relevant reference point because it’s widely available in the used/refurb market
and still powerful for creative work. Intel, meanwhile, has continued iterating aggressively, and modern Windows laptops can deliver startling performance.
The key is to compare the full machine you’re buying, not just the chip name.

If you’re shopping today and you see a headline that “Intel beat M1 Max,” treat it like a food label:
it tells you something important, but it doesn’t tell you how it tastes, how it travels, or whether it makes a mess in your backpack.

Conclusion

Intel’s Core i9-12900HK proved something meaningful: Apple Silicon isn’t untouchable in raw CPU throughput, and Intel’s hybrid-core approach can deliver real gains
in multi-core workloadsespecially when laptop makers let the chip run at high power. At the same time, the M1 Max remains a masterclass in performance per watt,
with media acceleration and battery-friendly consistency that many people feel every single day.

If your priority is maximum CPU muscle in a well-cooled Windows laptop (and you don’t mind the plug-in lifestyle), Intel’s win can be your win.
If your priority is quiet, efficient pro performanceparticularly for Apple-optimized creative workflowsthe M1 Max is still a remarkably practical choice.

Real-World Experiences (Extra)

Benchmark charts are great, but they don’t capture the little moments that add up to “I love this laptop” or “why is my desk vibrating?”
Here are a few real-world-style scenarios people commonly run into when choosing between an Intel i9 Windows laptop and an M1 Max MacBook Pro.
Think of this as the part of the review where the camera zooms out and shows the cables, the coffee, and the mild panic.

Experience #1: The “plugged-in rocket ship” Windows laptop day

You sit down, plug in your charger (because you know what’s coming), and hit “render,” “compile,” or “export.”
The Intel i9 machine responds like it just heard a starting pistol. Big workloads finish quickly, multitasking feels snappy,
and the performance ceiling is highespecially if your laptop also has a strong dedicated GPU.

Then the fans spin up. Not always dramatically, but often enough that you become aware of them. If you’re wearing headphones, no big deal.
If you’re in a quiet room, you might suddenly feel like your laptop is trying to negotiate air traffic control clearance.
This isn’t “bad”it’s physics. High performance in a thin-ish chassis needs airflow. The upside is speed. The tradeoff is sound and heat.

Experience #2: The “quiet pro” M1 Max workflow

With the M1 Max MacBook Pro, the vibe is often the opposite: you do something heavy, and the machine stays surprisingly calm.
Not always silent, but frequently quieter than you’d expect. The consistency can be the most noticeable partespecially on battery.
You can be editing, exporting, and moving between apps without feeling like your laptop’s personality changes when you unplug.

And when your work aligns with Apple’s strengthslike certain media workflowsthe time-to-finish can feel fantastic.
Instead of chasing the highest possible peak score, you get a steady stream of “yep, still fast” across the day.
For people who travel, work in cafés, or bounce between meetings, that predictability is worth more than a 5% benchmark win.

Experience #3: The “software reality check” moment

This is the one nobody wants to admit matters, but it does: you can’t benchmark your way out of software friction.
If your must-have tools are Windows-only, require specific drivers, or depend on certain game anti-cheat systems,
an Intel laptop can be the path of least resistanceeven if you love macOS aesthetics.
On the other side, if your workflow lives in Final Cut Pro, macOS scripting, or Apple ecosystem integration,
an M1 Max MacBook can feel like everything is in the right place.

The “best” chip is often the one that lets you stop thinking about your computer and start thinking about your work.
A slightly slower machine that never breaks your flow can be more valuable than a faster one that constantly asks for attention.

Experience #4: The “desk setup” and docking lifestyle

At a desk with external monitors, storage, and peripherals, both platforms can be greatbut they behave differently.
Many Intel creator/gaming laptops are happiest at full power on the charger, delivering their best performance as part of a desk setup.
Meanwhile, the M1 Max MacBook Pro often feels like it’s doing nearly the same job whether it’s docked or not,
which makes it easier to move between “desk mode” and “sofa mode” without recalibrating expectations.

If you’re building a semi-permanent workstation that occasionally leaves the house, Intel’s high ceiling can be a joy.
If you’re building a laptop-first life that occasionally pretends to be a desktop, M1 Max’s balance can feel effortless.

Experience #5: The “value” surprise

By 2026, M1 Max machines often show up refurbished or used at prices that make them very tempting. That changes the math.
You may find that an M1 Max MacBook Pro offers a level of screen quality, battery behavior, and pro performance that’s hard to match at the same cost.
On the Windows side, you may find a wide range of designssome thin and premium, others chunky and brutally powerfulso you can “buy the experience” you want.

If you’re shopping smart, you’re not just picking Intel vs Apple. You’re picking the specific laptop design, cooling system,
screen, keyboard, ports, and ecosystem that you’ll live with every day. The chip matters. The whole machine matters more.