Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
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Updated MacBook Airs with Improved Haswell Processors See Minor Speed Boosts
Following the introduction of refreshed MacBook Airs yesterday, Geekbench 3 benchmarking scores have begun appearing, suggesting, as expected, just minor speed improvements for the new notebooks.
Apple only updated the low-end processor option for the MacBook Air and that is seeing 32-bit single-core scores around 2532 and multi-core scores around 4781. Compared to the 2013 MacBook Air the new processor brings just a slight boost in processing power. The 11-inch 2013 MacBook Air saw average scores of 2379/4480, while the 13-inch version saw scores of 2369/4468.
Single and multi-core Geekbench scores for the low-end 2013 MacBook Airs
Along with minor speed improvements, the new 1.4Ghz Core i5–4260U processor has also increased the battery life of some tasks, namely video playback, which has gained an extra hour on the 11-inch model and an extra two hours on the 13-inch model.
Most notably, Apple's update brought lower prices for the MacBook Air, dropping its price tag by $100 across the board in the United States and many other countries. MacBook Air prices now start at $899 instead of $999, and there are also several more affordable 2013 and 2012 options available in Apple's online refurbished store.
Though this update has not been a significant change for the MacBook Air, Apple is said to be working on a significantly improved version of the notebook with a 12-inch Retina display, a slimmer body with a fanless design, and a buttonless trackpad. This redesigned MacBook Air may launch towards the end of the year.
Apple only updated the low-end processor option for the MacBook Air and that is seeing 32-bit single-core scores around 2532 and multi-core scores around 4781. Compared to the 2013 MacBook Air the new processor brings just a slight boost in processing power. The 11-inch 2013 MacBook Air saw average scores of 2379/4480, while the 13-inch version saw scores of 2369/4468.
Along with minor speed improvements, the new 1.4Ghz Core i5–4260U processor has also increased the battery life of some tasks, namely video playback, which has gained an extra hour on the 11-inch model and an extra two hours on the 13-inch model.
Most notably, Apple's update brought lower prices for the MacBook Air, dropping its price tag by $100 across the board in the United States and many other countries. MacBook Air prices now start at $899 instead of $999, and there are also several more affordable 2013 and 2012 options available in Apple's online refurbished store.
Though this update has not been a significant change for the MacBook Air, Apple is said to be working on a significantly improved version of the notebook with a 12-inch Retina display, a slimmer body with a fanless design, and a buttonless trackpad. This redesigned MacBook Air may launch towards the end of the year.
Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Air (Buy Now)
[ 73 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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70 months ago
They dropped the price and gave it a minor bump. The price drop tends to get lost but it is significant. Problem I have is that I can't deal with a 4GB RAM laptop, especially the soldered crap.
Just buy it with 8GB then.
70 months ago
Why would anyone buy a new MacBook Air right before WWDC and the announcement of new MacBooks airs?
Because there wont be new mb air at wwdc
70 months ago
This conclusion is extremely surprising. :rolleyes:
I know. Who would have thought that the higher clocked processor in the same generation would be faster? :rolleyes:
Why even click the article? Seriously? What were you expecting?
People like you are so annoying.
70 months ago
Not really worth it, then. May as well hunt yourself out a bargain on the even more discounted 2013 model.
Either that or wait another 12 months when they will likely completely refresh the MBA line. That bezel has got to go!
Either that or wait another 12 months when they will likely completely refresh the MBA line. That bezel has got to go!
70 months ago
Complaining about ram is even older. Apple could drop the 4 GB $899 version and sell the 8 GB $999 version as the cheapest one and your complaint would vanish, but no one would actually benefit.
I don't get the complaints… the MBA is not meant to be a computing powerhouse, it's meant to be portable, yet a decent machine to handle most day to day uses. People always want products to do things they are not designed for. :rolleyes:
Just saying.
70 months ago
This conclusion is extremely surprising. :rolleyes:
I know. Who would have thought that the higher clocked processor in the same generation would be faster? :rolleyes:
70 months ago
for comparison, the iPhone 5s is at 1393 (single core) and 2485 (multi-core).
It might be possible for Apple to catch up to Haswell/Broadwell this year with iPhone 6.
They don't even need a major rearchitecture of A7 to catch up.. just bump up power limits and increase cache size and memory interface speeds.
It might be possible for Apple to catch up to Haswell/Broadwell this year with iPhone 6.
They don't even need a major rearchitecture of A7 to catch up.. just bump up power limits and increase cache size and memory interface speeds.
70 months ago
Wish for more RAM option
My only wish is for a 16GB RAM option. When is the 12" expected
My only wish is for a 16GB RAM option. When is the 12" expected
70 months ago
Four months into 2014, we get a minor spec bump in one of the product lines... Yay?
"Can't innovate anymore my ***!!!"
:rolleyes:
"Can't innovate anymore my ***!!!"
:rolleyes:
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