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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Published November 12, 2013
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How fast are the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Late 2013" MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced? How fast are they compared to the 13-Inch MacBook Air?
Please note that the "Late 2013" MacBook Pro models 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.
In the corporate press release for the "Late 2013" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.4 13", "Core i5" 2.6 13", "Core i7" 2.8 13", "Core i7" 2.0 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.3 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.6 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.3 15" (DG), and "Core i7" 2.6 15" (DG) -- Apple mentions that the systems are "faster" more than once.
The company precisely notes that the "new integrated Intel Iris graphics deliver up to 90 percent faster performance than the previous generation MacBook Pro with Retina Display" and that the "PCIe-based flash storage [provides] up to 60 percent faster read speeds than the previous generation."
However, Apple does not offer details about the overall performance of the "Late 2013" models compared to their predecessors. Apple also does not provide any performance information about the "Late 2013" models compared to one another or compared to the MacBook Air series, either. Consequently, unofficial performance information can be particularly helpful.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Retina Display MacBook Pro -- 13" Left, 15" Right)
General Performance Overview
For a solid overview of the performance difference between the "Late 2013" MacBook Pro models and earlier systems, EveryMac.com's own Ultimate Mac Comparison makes it quick to compare side-by-side 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench benchmark averages with all other G3 and later Macs for thousands of possible performance comparisons.
For example, the Geekbench 3.0 benchmark shows that the entry-level 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.0 15" (IG) -- is a massive 96% faster than the entry-level 13-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.4 13". The high-end standard 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15" (DG) -- only is around 10% faster than the entry-level 15-Inch model, though.
Last, but not least, the configure-to-order high-end MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15" (DG) is approximately 7% faster than the high-end stock 15-Inch model, 17% faster than the entry-level stock 15-Inch model and an earth shattering 129% faster than the entry-level 13-Inch model.
Compared to the "Early 2013" MacBook Pro line, Geekbench 3.0 shows that the "Late 2013" MacBook Pro systems are between an effectively irrelevant 1% and substantial 18% faster than the model each replaced (although note that eight models replaced five and the biggest gains are between more expensive build-to-order configurations and less expensive standard configurations):
| Early 2013 MBPr | Late 2013 MBPr | Percent Faster |
| "Core i5" 2.6 13-Inch | "Core i5" 2.4 13-Inch | 6% |
| "Core i5" 2.6 13-Inch | 13% | |
| "Core i7" 3.0 13-Inch | "Core i7" 2.8 13-Inch | 1% |
| "Core i7" 2.4 15-Inch | "Core i7" 2.0 15-Inch (IG) | 1% |
| "Core i7" 2.3 15-Inch (IG) | 11% | |
| "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch (IG) | 18% | |
| "Core i7" 2.7 15-Inch | "Core i7" 2.3 15-Inch (DG) | 3% |
| "Core i7" 2.8 15-Inch | "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch (DG) | 7% |
Compared to the 13-Inch "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.3 13" and "Core i7" 1.7 13" -- Geekbench 3.0 shows that the standard 13-Inch "Late 2013" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.4 13" and "Core i5" 2.6 13" -- are respectively 23% and 7% faster than their less expensive brethren.
Naturally, given the large performance jump between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models, the entry-level 15-Inch MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.0 15-Inch (IG) -- likewise pulverizes even the fastest build-to-order MacBook Air -- the MacBook Air "Core i7" 1.7 13" -- with 96% faster performance.
Of course, there are users who need as much performance as possible and any additional performance is money well spent, but among the upgraded processor options, the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15-Inch (IG) and "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch (IG) custom configurations of the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.0 15" (IG) are the best value as they provide a roughly 10%-17% boost in performance but only cost 5%-15% more.
Other Benchmarks & Real-World Test Results
Geekbench provides a convenient overview of overall performance, but other benchmarks and application tests also can be useful for a well rounded perspective.
In a pair of reviews for the 13-Inch and 15-Inch models alike, Macworld tested each with a number of benchmarks, focusing more on disk-related and graphics tasks than overall performance.
For the 13-Inch models, Macworld found mixed results on disk performance but significantly faster graphics:
The smaller-capacity flash in the [Late 2013] 2.4 GHz laptop was relatively pokey at writing data, but it was fast at reading; and matched against last year's entry-level model with its 256 GB SATA flash storage, the laptops had identical speeds. On the new high-end 2.6 GHz Retina MacBook Pro, copying 6 GB of files and folders from one spot on the drive to another was 34 percent faster than the same task on the early 2013 2.6 GHz model. . .
Our tests show the new MacBook Pros [Iris 5100 graphics] getting between 45 percent and 65 percent higher frame rates than the Early 2013 models, with their Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics.
For the 15-Inch models, Macworld nicely revealed the advantages of the disk-related improvement, but exposed the shortcomings in the "Late 2013" models with integrated graphics, particularly compared to their predecessors (which all have dedicated graphics):
The new low and high-end MacBook Pros were 34 and 41 percent faster, respectively, in our 6 GB folder copy test than the high-end Early 2013 MacBook Pro and its 512 GB SATA-connected flash storage. . .
The Iris Pro [5200] graphics in the [entry-level 15-Inch US]$1999 MacBook Pro were 33 percent faster than the Iris [5100] graphics in the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The discrete graphics in the high-end 15-inch MacBook Pro posted frame rates as much as twice that of the new low-end's Iris Pro. . . [Furthermore] the new low-end 15-inch Retina couldn't keep up with the Early 2013 high-end, trailing in 7 of the twelve tests and tying in one.
In a detailed review of the 13-Inch model, Engadget put the system through its paces with the Batman: Arkham City game and discovered that it provided at least decent graphics performance:
With the detail level set to "medium" and anti-aliasing at a medium setting of 4x, we logged an average frame rate of 24 fps, with frame rates running the gamut from 18 fps to 31 fps, depending on what scene we were playing. Even then, the action was fairly smooth, though there were a few instances when we noticed gameplay briefly slowed down. Fortunately, disabling anti-aliasing more or less solved the problem: Once we did that, average frame rates climbed to a more playable 32 fps. So, our outlook for gaming is good, given that this is actually one of the more graphically demanding titles and it still managed to run decently well.
The always quality ArsTechnica hit the 15-Inch model with a number of benchmarks and summarized the graphics performance accordingly:
To break this down: Iris Pro 5200 is always faster than both the HD 4000 in Ivy Bridge-era MacBooks, and it's always faster than the HD 5000 in the MacBook Airs. It is, however, consistently slower than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M included in every 15-inch 2012 [and Early 2013] Retina MacBook Pro. The amount by which it is slower varies from benchmark to benchmark, but it looks like most of the time, you can expect around two-thirds of the performance of the GeForce 650M depending on what you're doing.
The always comprehensive BareFeats also provides a series of professional application and game benchmarks that compare the integrated and dedicated graphics performance of the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15" (DG) to the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15" (Mid-2012) and iMac "Core i7" 3.5 27" (Late 2013).
Performance Summary
Ultimately, the "Late 2013" MacBook Pro models are modestly faster than their predecessors overall, with the significant performance gains in graphics and disk-related tasks typically more than compensating for the processors with generally lower clockspeeds. However, the entry-level 15-Inch "Late 2013" MacBook Pro model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.0 15-Inch (IG) -- falls short in graphics performance compared to its predecessor equipped with dedicated graphics.
Nevertheless, someone most interested in overall performance still would be best off choosing the entry-level 15-Inch MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.0 15-Inch (IG). It is roughly 85% faster than the stock high-end 13-Inch MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.6 13", but only costs 11% more (US$200). In turn, the entry-level 15-Inch model is only about 9% slower overall than the high-end stock MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15" (DG), but costs 23% less (US$600).
Of course, overall performance may not be the biggest factor for you. If you view a smaller notebook size as more important than overall performance, the 13-Inch MacBook Pro (or MacBook Air) models remain well worth considering. Likewise if you place more importance on graphics performance, the higher-end 15-Inch models with dedicated graphics will be much better for you than the entry-level models with integrated graphics and likely will be worth the added cost to you.
Naturally, on the used market, all of these models are less expensive than they were new and may be an even better value for you accordingly.
Retina MacBook Pro Purchase & Sale Options
There are no shortage of places to purchase a new or used Retina Display MacBook Pro. However, buying from a quality company with an extensive track record in the Mac market will provide the best experience and save you money and time, 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.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used MacBook Pro models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
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