those things could likely just run fine on the gpu though

Someone1234 7 hours ago | parent | next [-]

They could run fine on the CPU too. But these are mobile devices, therefore battery usage is another significant metric. Dedicated hardware is more energy efficient than general hardware, and GPU in particular is a power-hog.

	▲	vel0city 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Exactly. It's the same thing as video or audio encoding and decoding. Sure the CPU could do it, potentially use the GPU, but having actual hardware encoders and decoders for the most common codecs will save a lot of energy.

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Nevermark 5 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Not if GPU RAM is a limiter. Which it is for most models.

Unified memory is a serious architectural improvement.

How many GPUs does it take to match the RAM, and make up for the additional communication overhead, of a RAM-maxed Mac? Whatever the answer, it won’t fit in a MacBook Pro’s physical and energy envelopes. Or that of an all-in-one like the Studio.