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Next-Generation 13-Inch MacBook Pro Benchmarked with Modest Performance Gains
As we noted last week, Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference came and went without seeing the introduction of updated MacBook Pro models, to the surprise and disappointment of many observers.
But just like with Apple's upcoming Mac Pro, benchmarks for an updated MacBook Pro have begun appearing in the Geekbench results database. The result was posted two days ago, and was noticed by pikeralpha (via forum member Sneakz) yesterday.
As with the Mac Pro, this MacBook Pro appears under a code name of "AAPLJ44,1" and appears to correspond to a 13" MacBook Pro, and while it is not exactly clear whether it refers to a Retina or non-Retina model, the two machines would perform roughly equally when using the same processor. Apple has, however, been rumored to be phasing out the non-Retina models, and if true this result would seem to point to a new Haswell-based Retina MacBook Pro.
The machine shown in the benchmark results is running a dual-core Intel Core i5-4258U processor running at 2.4 GHz with 8 GB of RAM and a Boot ROM dated June 5. Like the Mac Pro, this MacBook Pro is running a special build of OS X Mavericks, termed Build 13A2050.
Primate Labs' John Poole has put together a graphic showing how the Geekbench performance of this new machine compares to that of other recent 13-inch MacBook Pro models, revealing a 5-8% boost in performance compared to the previous low-end models while running at a lower clock speed.
As seen in the MacBook Air released last week, one of the major benefits to Intel's new Haswell platform is reduced energy consumption, with Apple choosing to offer only a modest boost in performance while bringing massive increases in battery life that see the new 13-inch MacBook Air reaching 12 hours or more of battery life.
It has been unclear exactly how Apple will prioritize battery life and performance in the MacBook Pro, but it appears that the company may be pursuing a similar strategy to that seen in the MacBook Air, boosting performance only slightly while pushing much of the energy savings into increased battery life.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro currently offers 7 hours of battery life, and while Apple may not be able to duplicate the 80% increase in battery life seen with the MacBook Air's switch to Haswell due to other power-hungry components such as the MacBook Pro's Retina display, the company may still be able to offer substantial battery life improvements in its new machines.
But just like with Apple's upcoming Mac Pro, benchmarks for an updated MacBook Pro have begun appearing in the Geekbench results database. The result was posted two days ago, and was noticed by pikeralpha (via forum member Sneakz) yesterday.
As with the Mac Pro, this MacBook Pro appears under a code name of "AAPLJ44,1" and appears to correspond to a 13" MacBook Pro, and while it is not exactly clear whether it refers to a Retina or non-Retina model, the two machines would perform roughly equally when using the same processor. Apple has, however, been rumored to be phasing out the non-Retina models, and if true this result would seem to point to a new Haswell-based Retina MacBook Pro.
The machine shown in the benchmark results is running a dual-core Intel Core i5-4258U processor running at 2.4 GHz with 8 GB of RAM and a Boot ROM dated June 5. Like the Mac Pro, this MacBook Pro is running a special build of OS X Mavericks, termed Build 13A2050.
Primate Labs' John Poole has put together a graphic showing how the Geekbench performance of this new machine compares to that of other recent 13-inch MacBook Pro models, revealing a 5-8% boost in performance compared to the previous low-end models while running at a lower clock speed.
As seen in the MacBook Air released last week, one of the major benefits to Intel's new Haswell platform is reduced energy consumption, with Apple choosing to offer only a modest boost in performance while bringing massive increases in battery life that see the new 13-inch MacBook Air reaching 12 hours or more of battery life.
It has been unclear exactly how Apple will prioritize battery life and performance in the MacBook Pro, but it appears that the company may be pursuing a similar strategy to that seen in the MacBook Air, boosting performance only slightly while pushing much of the energy savings into increased battery life.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro currently offers 7 hours of battery life, and while Apple may not be able to duplicate the 80% increase in battery life seen with the MacBook Air's switch to Haswell due to other power-hungry components such as the MacBook Pro's Retina display, the company may still be able to offer substantial battery life improvements in its new machines.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
[ 153 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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70 months ago
Wow... soon they will begin making less-powerful computers just to accommodate design.
What a bunch of nonsense.....
A majority of users who buy these computers have no need for benchmarks to go higher and higher.
Ya know what EVERYONE would love? More battery life. Apple is doing a great thing by pushing the envelope here. 12 hours in a laptop is unheard of (the new MBAs). If they can get a rMBP with this kind of power to 8-9 hours?
Slower clock speeds, more power AND more battery life. Again, Apple is doing it right.
Wow is right, though not the way you used it.
70 months ago
This is good news.
Using the 28W CPUs means:
- Similar CPU performance at much lower power use
- Large increase in GPU performance
These CPUs have the HD 5100 Iris integrated graphics. Here's a comparison chart:
Leftmost bars are the old HD 4000 graphics.
Middle bars are the new HD 5000 graphics like those in the 2013 Air.
Rightmost bars are the HD 5100 graphics that will probably be in the new 13" retina.
Using the 28W CPUs means:
- Similar CPU performance at much lower power use
- Large increase in GPU performance
These CPUs have the HD 5100 Iris integrated graphics. Here's a comparison chart:
Leftmost bars are the old HD 4000 graphics.
Middle bars are the new HD 5000 graphics like those in the 2013 Air.
Rightmost bars are the HD 5100 graphics that will probably be in the new 13" retina.
70 months ago
Nope. People buying Macbook Pro wants power over battery. People buying Macbook Air wants battery over power.
What a bunch of nonsense.....
A majority of users who buy these computers have no need for benchmarks to go higher and higher.
Ya know what EVERYONE would love? More battery life. Apple is doing a great thing by pushing the envelope here. 12 hours in a laptop is unheard of (the new MBAs). If they can get a rMBP with this kind of power to 8-9 hours?
Slower clock speeds, more power AND more battery life. Again, Apple is doing it right.
Wow is right, though not the way you used it.
70 months ago
Wow... soon they will begin making less-powerful computers just to accommodate design.
70 months ago
It has been unclear exactly how Apple will prioritize battery life and performance in the MacBook Pro
Really?And no mention of the fact that Apple is switching from a M-series CPU to a U-series one?
Going from 35W TDP to 28W is a considerable change. The new MBA only dropped 2W and look at the kind of battery life increase we've had.
70 months ago
It's not the CPU performance thats the problem, it's the underwhelming 5100 gpu, they should've went with the 5200 which is a beast and could've easily fit in the current rMBP while getting about 2 hour battery boost because of haswell and maverick.
I'm shocked Apple hasn't extended to you an offer of employment. You obviously know more about designing Apple's computers than Apple.
70 months ago
Poor benchmarks. Not even double my 2008 laptop. I thought performance was supposed to double every 2 years?
5-10% every generation is average fare. The transistor count is to double every 18 months. Years ago that would have been solely devoted to the CPU portion of the die alone but now you have to take into account things like the memory controller, IGP, and PCIe controller sharing that transistor budget.[ Read All Comments ]
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