Apple’s A18 Pro in MacBook Neo Smashes Benchmarks, Outperforms Every x86 CPU in Single-Core Cinebench

In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves through the PC and mobile computing industry, Apple’s A18 Pro chip—debuting in the budget-friendly MacBook Neo—has reportedly outperformed every current x86 processor from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm in single-core Cinebench 2024 tests. According to exclusive early benchmarks conducted by Notebookcheck, the A18 Pro not only beats desktop-class chips like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, but also surpasses Apple’s own M3 generation under sustained workloads.

The test, which ran for approximately 10 minutes in Cinebench 2024’s single-core mode, saw the A18 Pro operating at a modest 3.5 to 4 watts while achieving a score of 147 points. That score puts it ahead of every mobile processor currently available from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm—including upcoming Snapdragon X2 chips, which are expected to challenge Apple’s dominance in the near future.

What makes this result even more impressive is the context: the MacBook Neo is positioned as Apple’s most affordable laptop in years, yet it houses a chip that outperforms processors found in premium gaming rigs and high-end workstations. This suggests Apple is leveraging its mobile-first chip architecture to deliver desktop-class performance at a fraction of the power draw.

Industry insiders are calling this a paradigm shift. An ASUS executive recently described the MacBook Neo as a “shock to the PC industry,” signaling growing concern among traditional Windows manufacturers about Apple’s silicon lead. The efficiency gains alone—delivering top-tier performance on just 4 watts—could force competitors to rethink their strategies, especially as laptops increasingly prioritize battery life alongside raw speed.

While multi-core performance remains a key battleground, these single-core results are particularly significant for tasks like gaming, creative software, and everyday productivity, where single-threaded performance still matters most. If sustained under real-world use, the A18 Pro could make the MacBook Neo one of the most compelling laptops of the year—not just for Apple fans, but for anyone seeking cutting-edge performance in a portable form factor.

As Apple continues to blur the lines between mobile and desktop computing, the PC industry may need to brace for more “shocks” to come. With the A18 Pro, Apple isn’t just keeping pace—it’s pulling ahead in ways few expected from a chip designed for a budget laptop.

Tags: Apple A18 Pro, MacBook Neo, Cinebench 2024, single-core performance, Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, mobile processors, PC industry, silicon innovation, power efficiency, Snapdragon X2, ASUS executive, MacBook benchmarks, Apple silicon, x86 vs ARM

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