[ianhowson]

You've got it backwards. Apple chooses the TDP. Intel provides the CPU to suit. Apple is choosing TDPs which are too small and then providing thermal solutions which only just meet that spec. They could provide better thermals without hurting anything else in the machine and get a higher base clock.

I assume they do this for market segmentation; see 2016 Touch Bar vs. non-Touch-Bar Pro. One fan vs. two.

The TDPs look appropriate for M1 parts. They're too small for Intel. I'm guessing that (a) Apple predicted the M1 transition sooner and (b) Apple designed ahead for Intel's roadmap (perf at reduced TDP) which never eventuated.

So, unfortunately, Apple have shipped a generation of laptops with inadequate cooling.