Intel's Skylake microarchitecture succeeds Broadwell, powering new devices since 2015. For instance, Apple recently refreshed its MacBook lineup with Skylake processors, delivering a modest performance edge over the prior generation.
Beyond the headline gains, what does Skylake offer everyday users? Is it time to skip Broadwell-equipped tech? As seasoned hardware analysts, we've compared the architectures to highlight Skylake's upgrades and their real-world value.
Intel's official benchmarks show Skylake delivering up to 2.5x CPU performance gains, but it truly excels in graphics—30x faster than Broadwell. This makes it ideal for gamers and video editors, with smoother frame rates and reduced lag.
Skylake is also 4K-ready, supporting three 4K displays at 60Hz simultaneously. While many stick to 1080p, Skylake future-proofs your setup as 4K adoption grows.
Skylake balances top-tier CPU and graphics prowess with better power management. Intel reports up to 3x longer battery life versus five-year-old hardware—a strong claim, though real-world results vary with other system factors.
In Apple's MacBook update, Skylake contributed to an extra hour of battery. Expect noticeable but not revolutionary improvements over recent Broadwell devices.
Note: Skylake is optimized for Windows 10, maximizing efficiency gains on those platforms while still performing well on macOS.
Many of Intel's touted benchmarks compare Skylake to five-year-old tech, reflecting broad industry progress. Versus recent Broadwell chips, gains are incremental rather than transformative.
Broadwell systems remain reliable—no need to avoid them. But if upgrading from older hardware, Skylake's refinements in graphics and efficiency make a compelling case for the latest tech.
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