Key Takeaways

• The End of Digital Comparisons: Traditional numbers and Benchmarks are no longer valid for comparing different architectures (x86 vs. ARM); the focus is now on the “Final Product” and user experience.

• The Producer vs. Consumer Concept: Do not pay extra money for “production” capabilities (like 12K resolution) that you will never use as a consumer; invest that money in screen quality, battery life, or durability instead.

• The Gaming Revolution on Mac: Apple Silicon has proven terrifying efficiency in running heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077 using only 10% of the power compared to traditional PCs.

• Nintendo Switch 2 & AI: The future belongs not to Raw Power, but to Custom SoCs and Upscaling technologies like DLSS, which is exactly what Nintendo is doing in partnership with Nvidia.

• Software Before Hardware: The buying decision must start with the list of software you use daily. Fields like Engineering (CAD/CAM) remain the stronghold of x86, while Media and Coding are shifting strongly towards ARM.

Introduction: Searching for a “Friend,” Not Just a Device

The computer has always been an incredibly fun and interesting machine, far beyond the work you do on it. It contains elements of extreme enjoyment and fascination, to the point where it can become your “friend” that completes your day after work hours. This device can transform in an instant from a calculation and data processing machine into an entertainment and gaming hub.

Instead of pulling up your chair to sit on the balcony and watch the same street and the same people every day, the computer enables you to pull up that same chair but watch the entire world. New people every day, stories, and tales that never end. Anyone who loves computers—like me and like any of you—cares about every detail: numbers, specs, differences in internal and external design, and even colors.

“The journey of searching for a new computer and scrutinizing every tiny detail is a journey of searching for a friend for the next 10 years, and also an investment… You want the money you pay to be in a device that accompanies you, entertains you, and yields more value than its cost.”

Today’s video is a review and update to a video I made a year ago, where I talked about the end of the x86 generation (Intel and AMD) and handing over the banner to the new ARM generation (like Apple Silicon and Snapdragon). After a full year of discussions and comments, I am here today to answer the most important question: Where has the market arrived? And what should I buy now?

Has the x86 Era Really Ended? (The Honest Answer)

To get rid of the people who are here just to “fight” or score a point right at the start of the video: Did ARM processors (supported by Apple and Microsoft) completely kill off x86? The short answer: No, that didn’t happen.

But if you want the correct answer, the question should be: Should I buy these new devices, or will they become obsolete? And do they have strengths that cripple traditional devices? This is the question anyone buying a computer today needs to ask. Computers are no longer just one type; they have become completely different species, much like the difference between a PlayStation and a Nintendo Switch. It is illogical to compare them simply by “numbers.”

In this article, I will prove to you that the old way of thinking (that the stronger computer is the one with higher numbers) is dead. Now, if you want your computer to be faster, you have two paths:

1. The Classic Path: Increasing the Raw Hardware Power.

2. The Modern Path: Solving the problem in a different, smarter way (Smart Computing & Optimization).

Why Benchmarks No Longer Work for Comparison?

In the past, comparison was easy: This is 3 GHz and that is 4 GHz, so the faster one is better. This logic worked when we were comparing apples to apples (same architecture). But now, we are comparing completely different architectures (CISC vs. RISC).

The new trend in comparison isn’t “who is faster in numbers,” but “comparing the same program in its Native version on both architectures.”

The Producer vs. Consumer Dilemma

To understand why numbers are deceptive, we must divide computer users into two types: Producer and Consumer.

Imagine a film director (Producer) shooting a movie. They need cameras that shoot at 12K resolution. Why? So when they get to editing, they can Zoom and Re-frame freely, eventually outputting an 8K version for cinemas and a 4K version for homes (Netflix, etc.). Here, the Producer needs a “beast” of a machine to handle 12K.

The question is: Does the Consumer sitting at home need a device that plays 12K? Of course not! Because the movie will reach them in 4K anyway. So, if I, as a computer manufacturer, make a device for the consumer that handles 12K, I am making them pay money for a “number” they will never use (Zero actual utility). The smarter move is to remove the cost of that 12K capability, and with that money, “spoil” the user in other ways:

• A stunning HDR screen.

• Military Grade components that last 10 years.

• A battery that lasts a full day.

“The 12K computer will give higher numbers in Benchmarks, but the utility of these numbers is zero… It’s just a big number to be happy about and show off to our less fortunate friends.”

Consequently, x86 in recent years has become Overkill (excessive), complex, and power-hungry, while advancements in software and smart processing methods have made us no longer in need of all this complexity.

First: ARM Performance in Video Editing

Here, I will talk about the overwhelming superiority of Apple devices (considering them the strongest currently in ARM architecture) compared to traditional Windows devices (x86).

1. The “Performance per Watt” Dilemma

We’ve all tried powerful Windows laptops. You find “Battery lasts 10 hours” written on the box, but as soon as you open a heavy editing program, the battery dies in two hours (and I wish they were two hours of smooth work!). The device throttles its speed to half to preserve the battery.

In contrast, the MacBook (Apple Silicon) doesn’t care if it’s running on battery or plugged into the wall. The speed is the same, and the efficiency is the same. If you are a photographer or an editor moving around a lot (On Set), and you need to show the client your work at the shooting location, the Windows device will “struggle” with you, while the Mac will be the ideal solution.

2. The Role of DIT (Digital Imaging Technician)

On film sets, there is a job called DIT, whose task is to gather data from cameras, archive it, and ensure its integrity. Since the Mac is built on the Unix system, it is extremely secure for files. Furthermore, the Apple ecosystem (AirDrop and fast wired transfer) makes gathering data from iPads, iPhones, and cameras a very seamless process. Here, the traditional PC fails in the speed and reliability required on location.

3. DaVinci Resolve & Media Engine

Apple placed “specialized hardware” (Media Engine) inside their processors for video decoding and encoding. This allows you to play highly compressed files (like H.265) and perform Playback on the timeline with extreme smoothness, much faster than PCs with higher benchmark numbers. In a contest held between a Windows editor and a Mac editor, even though both used the exact same LUTs, the video that came out of the Mac had more accurate and better colors, due to the system consistency and the XDR display.

Second: Gaming – The Biggest Conflict

This section is the longest and most important because games are a true “Stress Test” for any computer.

1. The Myth of Native Resolution

In the past, the race was: Who can run the game at true 4K (Native)? Now, this has become “foolishness.” Crunching millions of pixels to output Native Resolution no longer yields a noticeable difference to the eye compared to modern Upscaling technologies (like DLSS and FSR).

Developers have now agreed with hardware manufacturers (specifically Nvidia) on a principle: “Get the quality you want, and don’t worry about how I achieved it.” The card might be rendering at 1080p, but using Artificial Intelligence (Tensor Cores), it upscales it to 4K, and the image comes out better than Native!

2. Cyberpunk 2077 on Mac

The game Cyberpunk 2077 is considered the current benchmark for any device.

• A Native version was released for Mac in 2025.

• It utilized MetalFX technology (Apple’s alternative to DLSS).

• The Result: The game runs at 1440p and 60 frames on a light “laptop” (MacBook Pro) consuming only 80 Watts!

• Compare this to a PC consuming 800 Watts to give you almost the same performance (or slightly higher, but not justifying the terrifying power difference).

The MacBook Pro was able to run this game for an hour and a half on battery at maximum performance. This is impossible on any x86 laptop in existence.

3. Nintendo Switch 2 – The Genius of ARM with Nvidia

This is another example of a device using an ARM processor (customized for gaming), but this time with an integrated GPU from Nvidia.

• This device is “weaker” than the PlayStation 5 in terms of numbers.

• But because it uses DLSS and specialized hardware (Custom SoC), it managed to run Cyberpunk with image quality and details that sometimes surpass the Xbox Series S!

• The Switch 2 was able to output a 4K image (Upscaled) with sharpness and clarity far exceeding devices much stronger than it, all in a portable device with a battery that lasts.

“The question is no longer a benchmark… The question is now: Can you play this game on this device and enjoy it more? The Switch 2 offers the fun of playing while walking, which is impossible on the PS5.”

Third: The Software Guide (The Summary to Choose Right)

Forget about hardware and Moore’s Law. Do the right thing. The right thing is to choose the device based on the Software you use. Define your programs (first tier, second tier) and see where they run best.

1. Photographers

• Programs: Photoshop, Lightroom, Affinity Photo.

• Status: Running like a “rocket” on new devices (Apple Silicon and Snapdragon). Go ahead with confidence.

2. Video Editing & VFX

• Programs: Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Nuke.

• Status: Full support and legendary performance (Native Support). The future is here.

3. 3D Artists (Creatives)

• Programs: Blender, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Maya, ZBrush.

• Status: Improved significantly. Programs like Blender (being Open Source) are flying on Apple Silicon. However, be cautious if you use old Plugins or very specialized tools; check if they are supported first.

4. Engineering & CAD/CAM (ARM’s Weak Point)

• Programs: AutoCAD (Available), Fusion 360 (Available).

• The Problem: Heavy programs like Revit, Inventor, SolidWorks, Catia still do not fully or natively support the new processors.

• Advice: If you are a mechanical or civil engineer, stick to x86 (Windows and Intel). This is your home and turf. New devices will “struggle” with you here due to lack of support.

5. Developers (Programmers)

• Most programmers adore Mac (because it’s built on Unix like servers).

• If you code for mobile (iOS & Android), Mac is the only comprehensive choice.

• Development tools (IDEs) are available and powerful on both systems, so the choice here is preference and work environment.

6. General Computing

• Office, Teams, Zoom, Browsing, Management… everything works perfectly on any device (old or new) because the whole world is moving towards Web-based solutions.

Fourth: Final Buying Tips (What to Buy Now?)

If you are going out to buy right now, I will make it easy for you and tell you what I would do if I were in your shoes:

1. If you have a good budget and want no headaches:

• Get an Apple MacBook (with M1/M2/M3 processor).

• You will get insane battery life, a terrifying XDR screen, and a stable system (Plug and Play). Open the device, finish your work, and sleep.

2. If the budget is limited:

• Go for Windows (x86).

• Don’t try to get the “cheapest Mac”; get a respectable Windows device for the same price, and it will give you better value.

3. If you are thinking about a Windows “Laptop” with new ARM processors (Copilot+):

• Wait a bit. Support isn’t 100% like Apple yet. Microsoft is following Apple and will get there, but it needs a little time.

4. If you are building a PC for Windows (Golden Advice):

• In the past, we chose the Processor first. Now it’s the opposite.

• Start with the Graphics Card (GPU). Get the most expensive and best card you can afford (because we are in the era of GPU Computing and AI).

• Then get lots of RAM.

• Finally, get a processor that serves them.

5. If you are an “Employee” or forced to use specific software:

• Stick to x86 (The Old Generation). It is safety, and it has the largest catalog of software in history. Don’t gamble with a new device that might not run the program your manager demands.

A Final Message: Loyalty to the Pound/Dollar, Not Companies

Before I close, I have a word stuck in my throat for each team:

• To Intel (x86) Lovers: You are a customer, paying money for a service. Companies and developers work for you. There is no need for loyalty. If “Intel” becomes bad tomorrow, leave it and go to someone else. They themselves make partnerships with your competitors for their own benefit.

• To Apple Lovers (and Show-offs): Don’t buy the “Tramway” (Trolley) just because it has an apple logo on it! There must be a balance between price and specs. Don’t go buy a slow, dead 2015 MacBook model and say “I have a Mac.” Be smart and buy what serves your work.

“It is not right to have loyalty to companies when their loyalty is basically to the Pound… I want to assure you that the ‘PC Builders’ usually understand way more than you, and they assemble a machine for a tenth of the price and get double the work out of it.”

Be kind to one another, folks… We are the customers, and they work for us to win us over.

If you liked the article and felt you understood where the roadmap is heading, please watch the full video as it contains visual details and comparisons that will make a huge difference in your understanding.

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