Microsoft has once again taken a direct shot at Apple in the ever-evolving battle for PC supremacy, releasing a fresh ad campaign with the assertive tagline, “we’re faster than a Mac.” This proclamation isn’t just a bold marketing quip—Microsoft backs it up with technical claims, specifically referencing the most advanced Windows PCs under the Copilot+ branding, and contrasting their performance against Apple’s latest MacBook Air models equipped with the M3 and the brand-new M4 chips. To the casual tech enthusiast, such head-to-heads are not only compelling but increasingly relevant as the distinctions between Windows and Mac hardware blur with the proliferation of ARM-based architectures and AI-driven accelerators.
At the crux of Microsoft’s message is the claim that top-tier Copilot+ PCs—like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon X Elite), Microsoft’s own Surface Laptop (Snapdragon X Elite), and HP’s OmniBook Ultra 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375)—outpace Apple’s MacBook Air M3 by as much as 58% in the Cinebench 2024 multi-core CPU benchmark. This figure, they note, even extends to newer M4-powered MacBook Air models in select cases, albeit in the fine print. The use of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark as the yardstick isn’t arbitrary: it’s a respected metric in the enthusiast and professional communities, providing a snapshot of a processor’s performance in intensive, real-world multi-threaded workloads.
Yet, the devil is always in the details. The 58% headline number draws from already-publicized data from May 2024, raising questions about up-to-date accuracy given the rapid evolution of hardware, especially Apple’s comparatively recent introduction of the M4 chip. While some Copilot+ PCs may indeed surpass M4 models in “certain tests,” as Microsoft’s own legalese concedes, the playing field is anything but settled.
The critical implication here is not just raw performance, but the flowering of new experiences: seamless AI-driven productivity features, always-on optimizations, faster on-device processing for tasks like summarizing documents, live translations, or intelligent image editing. For Microsoft, Copilot+ isn’t just about beating Apple on benchmarks; it’s about reimagining what a modern Windows PC can do and how quickly it can do it, all while integrating increasingly sophisticated AI agents directly into the OS.
However, with Apple’s M4 chip just coming to market, initial independent testing demonstrates it does close much of the performance gap. While some Copilot+ devices may still edge out the M4 in raw multi-core throughput, Apple’s gains in single-core performance and efficiency muddle the winner-take-all narrative. For reference, early reports put the MacBook Air M4 in the upward band of 1,700 to 1,800 points on Cinebench multi-core tests—a decisive step beyond M3, but still in striking distance of the Snapdragon X Elite. This means that Microsoft’s “still faster than an M4” assertion is nuanced: it holds true in some, but not all, scenarios—especially when considering factors like sustained performance and device form factor.
From a user experience perspective, these factors are impossible to ignore. The MacBook Air’s battery consistently outlasts many Windows competitors in real-world, day-to-day usage, and its thermal design ensures that performance is sustained quietly. For students, professionals, and digital nomads, these attributes might trump marginal benchmark advantages—depending on workload and usage patterns.
Windows Copilot+ devices have made strides, particularly with partnership efforts between Microsoft and Qualcomm/AMD to optimize Windows for ARM architecture. In the wild, however, early user reviews of Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops cite battery life improvements but note they haven’t quite dethroned Apple’s market-leading metrics in all categories. Nonetheless, Copilot+ brings meaningful competition that can only benefit end users by raising the bar across the industry.
Microsoft has heavily marketed these capabilities as part of the Copilot+ pitch, highlighting not just the ability to run AI models locally (for security and speed), but also the Windows-wide integration of AI assistants like Copilot, which can help users draft emails, summarize meetings, and generate content on demand.
However, Apple is expected to catch up quickly: rumors and code discoveries suggest that Apple’s forthcoming updates to macOS will lean harder on the M4’s AI accelerators, making on-device AI a centerpiece of future Macs. The crucial test will be how seamlessly these features work, how many are genuinely useful in daily life—and whether third-party developers embrace the APIs to make must-have apps.
While Windows 11—and its Copilot+ extensions—continue to draw enterprise and gaming audiences with sheer choice and flexibility, macOS remains the darling of creative professionals, students, and users deep in the Apple ecosystem. For some, switching operating systems is an inviolable dealbreaker, regardless of benchmark charts.
This brings into focus one of Microsoft’s subtextual challenges: even if Copilot+ hardware outpaces Apple silicon in specific tests, how meaningful is that advantage if the operating system isn’t what the user wants? For businesses, the answer might be different than for students or independent creators—and this is where both companies’ strategies matter far more than any single ad campaign.
Furthermore, Cinebench, like any benchmark, captures only one dimension of system performance. Tasks like sustained multitasking, gaming, graphics-intensive workloads, and AI inferencing each stress a system in unique ways. A laptop that wins a CPU rendering test might not necessarily deliver the best frame rates, the quietest performance, or the longest battery life.
If you need maximum multi-core CPU power in a Windows environment—especially for tasks like 3D animation or AI development—select Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon X Elite or Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 deliver industry-leading performance, sometimes outpacing Apple’s latest MacBooks in pure rendering workloads. If, on the other hand, your priority is battery life, thermal silence, and seamless user experience, Apple’s M4 MacBook Air deserves its reputation as a laptop for the ages.
Source: MacRumors Microsoft Says 'We're Faster Than a Mac' in Latest Windows PC Ad
The Heart of Microsoft’s Claim: Benchmarks and the Copilot+ Offensive
At the crux of Microsoft’s message is the claim that top-tier Copilot+ PCs—like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon X Elite), Microsoft’s own Surface Laptop (Snapdragon X Elite), and HP’s OmniBook Ultra 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375)—outpace Apple’s MacBook Air M3 by as much as 58% in the Cinebench 2024 multi-core CPU benchmark. This figure, they note, even extends to newer M4-powered MacBook Air models in select cases, albeit in the fine print. The use of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark as the yardstick isn’t arbitrary: it’s a respected metric in the enthusiast and professional communities, providing a snapshot of a processor’s performance in intensive, real-world multi-threaded workloads.Yet, the devil is always in the details. The 58% headline number draws from already-publicized data from May 2024, raising questions about up-to-date accuracy given the rapid evolution of hardware, especially Apple’s comparatively recent introduction of the M4 chip. While some Copilot+ PCs may indeed surpass M4 models in “certain tests,” as Microsoft’s own legalese concedes, the playing field is anything but settled.
What is Copilot+ and Why Does It Matter?
Microsoft’s Copilot+ program represents the company’s most ambitious push yet to infuse AI-driven capabilities directly into Windows PCs, leveraging custom silicon from vendors like Qualcomm and AMD. The Snapdragon X Elite, in particular, is notable for bringing desktop-class ARM computing to a wide array of thin-and-light devices—once the domain Apple almost single-handedly reinvented with its own silicon.The critical implication here is not just raw performance, but the flowering of new experiences: seamless AI-driven productivity features, always-on optimizations, faster on-device processing for tasks like summarizing documents, live translations, or intelligent image editing. For Microsoft, Copilot+ isn’t just about beating Apple on benchmarks; it’s about reimagining what a modern Windows PC can do and how quickly it can do it, all while integrating increasingly sophisticated AI agents directly into the OS.
Cinebench 2024: A Window Into Multi-Core Might
Cinebench R24 (2024 edition) is a CPU benchmarking tool from Maxon, well-known for rigorous, repeatable tests using real-world rendering workloads. In the case of the Snapdragon X Elite and the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, both aim to maximize multi-core throughput—a key metric for workloads stretching across video editing, code compilation, 3D rendering, and even the AI-powered features on offer.Verifying the 58% Figure
Scrutinizing the sources reveals that Microsoft’s cited 58% performance advantage is derived by comparing its flagship Copilot+ PC (equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite) to the MacBook Air M3’s scores, where the latter reaches around 1,260 points in the Cinebench 2024 multi-core suite. The Snapdragon X Elite, on the other hand, has been reported to score well above 1,900 points, depending on device thermals and sustained load. This gap aligns with Microsoft’s claims, although sample variability, thermal throttling, and device chassis design all impact scores in the real world.However, with Apple’s M4 chip just coming to market, initial independent testing demonstrates it does close much of the performance gap. While some Copilot+ devices may still edge out the M4 in raw multi-core throughput, Apple’s gains in single-core performance and efficiency muddle the winner-take-all narrative. For reference, early reports put the MacBook Air M4 in the upward band of 1,700 to 1,800 points on Cinebench multi-core tests—a decisive step beyond M3, but still in striking distance of the Snapdragon X Elite. This means that Microsoft’s “still faster than an M4” assertion is nuanced: it holds true in some, but not all, scenarios—especially when considering factors like sustained performance and device form factor.
Apple’s Counterpoint: Efficiency Is King
Apple, for its part, counters these performance numbers with a relentless focus on power efficiency. The company claims that the M4 family delivers “industry-leading performance per watt,” enabling MacBook Air devices to achieve compelling everyday speed, marathon-class battery life, and a thin, fanless design. It’s a unique proposition: while the Copilot+ PCs might inch ahead in brute CPU performance, Apple’s strategy is to win over users with a combination of efficiency, longevity, and sheer silence (no internal fan, even under load).From a user experience perspective, these factors are impossible to ignore. The MacBook Air’s battery consistently outlasts many Windows competitors in real-world, day-to-day usage, and its thermal design ensures that performance is sustained quietly. For students, professionals, and digital nomads, these attributes might trump marginal benchmark advantages—depending on workload and usage patterns.
Performance Per Watt: The Silent Battle
While both Microsoft and Apple tout top-line benchmark victories, the real battleground for 2024 and beyond looks to be “performance per watt.” This metric expresses how much computing work a chip can perform for each watt of energy consumed, and is directly tied to battery life, fan noise, and the possibility of ultra-thin designs. Independent benchmarks repeatedly rank Apple Silicon as best-in-class here, consistently outperforming x86 and ARM competitors in energy efficiency.Windows Copilot+ devices have made strides, particularly with partnership efforts between Microsoft and Qualcomm/AMD to optimize Windows for ARM architecture. In the wild, however, early user reviews of Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops cite battery life improvements but note they haven’t quite dethroned Apple’s market-leading metrics in all categories. Nonetheless, Copilot+ brings meaningful competition that can only benefit end users by raising the bar across the industry.
The AI-First PC: Promise and Practicality
Both Apple and Microsoft have telegraphed their intent to make AI the defining characteristic of the next wave of computing. Here, the Windows world—especially those PCs under the Copilot+ umbrella—arguably holds a lead in variety and raw AI horsepower. Many Snapdragon X Elite and Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 platforms pair the main CPU with dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) able to handle hundreds of TOPS (trillions of operations per second), accelerating tasks like background blurring, voice isolation, real-time translation, and more.Microsoft has heavily marketed these capabilities as part of the Copilot+ pitch, highlighting not just the ability to run AI models locally (for security and speed), but also the Windows-wide integration of AI assistants like Copilot, which can help users draft emails, summarize meetings, and generate content on demand.
However, Apple is expected to catch up quickly: rumors and code discoveries suggest that Apple’s forthcoming updates to macOS will lean harder on the M4’s AI accelerators, making on-device AI a centerpiece of future Macs. The crucial test will be how seamlessly these features work, how many are genuinely useful in daily life—and whether third-party developers embrace the APIs to make must-have apps.
Platform Preference: Why Windows vs. Mac Still Matters
Despite the fevered focus on benchmarks and specs, for countless customers the choice between a high-end Windows PC and a MacBook Air is dictated by factors as old as personal computing itself: ecosystem, software compatibility, and personal comfort with the operating system.While Windows 11—and its Copilot+ extensions—continue to draw enterprise and gaming audiences with sheer choice and flexibility, macOS remains the darling of creative professionals, students, and users deep in the Apple ecosystem. For some, switching operating systems is an inviolable dealbreaker, regardless of benchmark charts.
This brings into focus one of Microsoft’s subtextual challenges: even if Copilot+ hardware outpaces Apple silicon in specific tests, how meaningful is that advantage if the operating system isn’t what the user wants? For businesses, the answer might be different than for students or independent creators—and this is where both companies’ strategies matter far more than any single ad campaign.
Caveats and Critical Analysis: The Real-World Story
Microsoft’s decision to use the MacBook Air M3 as a primary comparison point in its latest advertising push is somewhat controversial, considering that machines featuring the newer M4 silicon are entering the market. While the company’s fine print does account for this, it’s critical for consumers to recognize that such comparisons are snapshots in time—hardly comprehensive reflections of the ongoing tit-for-tat between chipmakers.Furthermore, Cinebench, like any benchmark, captures only one dimension of system performance. Tasks like sustained multitasking, gaming, graphics-intensive workloads, and AI inferencing each stress a system in unique ways. A laptop that wins a CPU rendering test might not necessarily deliver the best frame rates, the quietest performance, or the longest battery life.
Additional Risks and Verifiability
A few specific caveats are necessary when interpreting Microsoft’s claims:- Benchmark Chasing: Manufacturers often design and optimize devices for specific benchmarks. Real-world performance, particularly in system-heavy workloads involving storage, memory, and graphics, can differ appreciably.
- Thermal Management: Some ARM laptops, especially ultra-thin models, may experience performance throttling under sustained loads, lowering average performance relative to peak benchmark runs.
- Software Compatibility: Despite dramatic improvements in Windows-on-ARM, certain professional apps—especially legacy x86 programs—may not yet run natively or optimally.
- Evolving Competition: With both Apple and Microsoft rapidly introducing new silicon and AI-driven features, today’s speed king might be tomorrow’s runner-up.
- Lack of Independent Verification: While Microsoft’s cited data aligns with early test results from reviewers, some claims about “58% faster” performance remain conditioned on best-case scenarios, as real-world workflows might not mimic benchmark conditions exactly.
The End User: Who Truly Wins?
For users seeking to actually purchase a new PC or Mac in mid-2024, the best advice is to approach headline numbers as a single data point in a much broader landscape. The move toward ARM architectures, AI acceleration, and ever-thinner and longer-lasting devices means that both Windows and Mac offerings are objectively better than ever.If you need maximum multi-core CPU power in a Windows environment—especially for tasks like 3D animation or AI development—select Copilot+ PCs powered by Snapdragon X Elite or Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 deliver industry-leading performance, sometimes outpacing Apple’s latest MacBooks in pure rendering workloads. If, on the other hand, your priority is battery life, thermal silence, and seamless user experience, Apple’s M4 MacBook Air deserves its reputation as a laptop for the ages.
In Summary
- Microsoft’s claim that Copilot+ Windows PCs can outpace MacBook Air M3 (and in some tests the M4) in Cinebench 2024 multi-core benchmarks is supported by available data, though the advantage narrows with each Apple silicon generation.
- Apple responds by emphasizing industry-leading performance per watt, sustained battery life, and thin, fanless designs—qualities that are not fully captured by synthetic benchmarking.
- The real innovation war is shifting to AI-accelerated features, with Copilot+ PCs staking a clear lead in early 2024, even as Apple prepares to roll out enhanced AI functionality in macOS.
- For consumers, platform loyalty, ecosystem lock-in, and practical use cases matter more than any single metric. The good news: whichever camp you choose, the golden age of thin, fast, and intelligent laptops has clearly arrived.
Source: MacRumors Microsoft Says 'We're Faster Than a Mac' in Latest Windows PC Ad
