Chrome for Mac M1 works up to 80% faster than Rosetta 2 version

Earlier this week, Google released a version of Chrome designed specifically for Apple’s Mac M1s, and those with a newer MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Mac mini will want to download the Apple-specific Silicon version of Chrome because it will run longer. faster than the x86 version running through Rosetta 2.

Following the release of version M1 of Chrome, Ars Technica did a series of tests using Speedometer 2.0, JetStream2, and Motion Mark 1.1, and in all cases the M1 Chrome was much faster than the x86 version.

In a Speedometer 2.0 test, M1 Chrome got a score of 210, while the standard Chrome got a score of 116, and in a Jetstream 2 test, M1 Chrome got a score of 156.9 and the standard Chrome got a score of 93.1. In the Motion Mark 1.1 test, M1 Chrome scored 726.4, while standard Chrome scored 435.7.

In all tests, the native M1 version of Chrome scored between 66-81% better than the version of Chrome running Rosetta 2. Safari was the fastest browser of all, of course, being made by Apple, and he won through all the tests.

According to Ars Technica, the Speedometer test best mimics actual usage and this is where the biggest advantage between the two browser versions was seen. Jetstream 2 best mimics web applications such as spreadsheets, and MotionMark 1.1 measures complex motion graphics techniques.

The M1 version of Chrome can be downloaded on M1 Macs from the Chrome website by selecting the “Mac with Apple Chip” option after clicking Download.