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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Published March 18, 2013
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How much faster are the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models custom configured with processors faster than the stock models? Is the extra performance worth the extra cost?
Please note that all notebooks mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.
The standard 13-Inch "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.6 13" (Retina) -- could be custom configured with a 3.0 GHz Core i7 (I7-3540M) processor. In addition to the faster clockspeed, this custom processor has a 4 MB level 3 cache rather than a 3 MB level 3 cache like the standard configuration.
Both of these processors have dual cores but support "Hyper Threading" technology, which allows each system to recognize four "virtual cores" or "threads." EveryMac.com also documents this custom configuration as the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 3.0 13" (Retina).
The standard 15-Inch "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.4 15" (Retina) and "Core i7" 2.7 15" (Retina) -- could be custom configured with a 2.8 GHz Quad Core Core i7 (I7-3840QM) processor. This custom processor has an 8 MB level 3 cache rather than a 6 MB level 3 cache.
All of the processors in the 15-Inch models have quad cores and support "Hyper Threading" for as many as eight virtual cores or threads. EveryMac.com also documents this custom configuration as the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 15" (Retina).
Unfortunately, the processor cannot be upgraded later in any of these models.
Performance Overview
For a solid general overview of the performance differences between the standard "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro and the custom processor options, EveryMac.com's own Ultimate Mac Comparison makes it quick to compare side-by-side 32-bit-and 64-bit Geekbench benchmark averages with each other and all other G3 and later Macs for thousands of possible performance comparisons.
The Geekbench benchmark shows that when custom configured with the 3.0 GHz Core i7 (I7-3540M), the 13-Inch "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro is roughly 16% faster than the stock model. Likewise, when custom configured with the 2.8 GHz Quad Core Core i7 (I7-3840QM) processor, the system is roughly 12% faster than the entry-level model equipped with a 2.4 GHz processor but only around 5% faster than the higher-end model equipped with a 2.7 GHz processor.
Price Overview
The stock 13-Inch model costs US$1699 and the custom processor option costs an additional US$200. Consequently, the custom configured 13-Inch model with the processor upgrade costs roughly 12% more than the stock model.
The stock 2.4 GHz 15-Inch model with 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD costs US$2199 and the stock 2.7 GHz 15-Inch model with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD costs US$2799. The custom processor option costs an extra US$350 for either model. Assuming the RAM and SSD remain stock, the custom processor costs an extra 16% for the entry-level model and about 9% more for the higher-end model.
Performance & Value Summary
There always are "power users" who probably don't care about the price-to-performance ratio per se, and just want as much performance as possible regardless of the price.
However, for those interested in maximizing the price-to-performance ratio, the 3.0 GHz processor upgrade for the 13-Inch model is a relatively good value as it provides roughly 16% more performance than the stock model for 12% more money. However, from a performance standpoint, the 13-Inch model is a poor value overall compared to the 15-Inch model. Even when the 13-Inch model is configured with the processor upgrade, the entry-level 15-Inch model is roughly 41% faster but only costs 15% more. Of course, some may prefer the smaller physical size of the 13-Inch model and feel it is worth paying the premium accordingly even if it is not as good of a value from a performance standpoint.
The custom processor option is not a particularly good value for the 15-Inch models. The entry-level model gets a 12% speed boost for 16% more money and the higher-end model gets a 5% speed boost for 9% more money. Those interested in maximizing the price-to-performance ratio would be best off purchasing the entry-level MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.4 15" (Retina), but upgraded with 16 GB of RAM, as the RAM cannot be upgraded later. The SSD can be upgraded later in both the 13-Inch and 15-Inch models to not only increase storage capacity but also likely boost performance, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
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