Best CPU that doesn't require fans? I love my Core M-based ultrabook with 3k screen and zero noise while compiling (and performance is on par with Ivy Bridge 3517U).
It's faster than you'd expect, despite the very low TDP. I have the base model 2nd gen 12" MacBook, and I haven't had any issues with anything feeling slow on it.
I've been looking at the 12" Macbook line since it released and I'm curious how it performs dev work - do you run XCode on it? How's the form factor working for you overall?
Sorry to derail the topic - just genuinely interested in the thoughts on that hardware!
I primarily use Atom and do JavaScript + Laravel development (with a Homestead VM always running!) and for that it performs quite well. I haven't tried running XCode yet, but from what I read before I bought it, I doubt it will be much of an issue.
I'm writing this on a Core M. It really doesn't feel like 800MHz. Compiling stuff might be a bit slower, but the main performance bottleneck in most modern PCs seems to be disk IO anyway, rather than raw processing speed.
If you're doing video rendering, or using a bloaty IDE etc. then you might need something more powerful. For general use though, a Core M is completely fine.
