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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Revision Published June 23, 2015
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How fast are the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced? How fast are they compared to the MacBook Air?
Please note that the "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful to anyone buying or selling one of these systems on the used market.
In the company press release for the "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro line, Apple confidently notes that these systems have "faster processors [and] double the memory in both entry-level configurations."
With faster processors and more default memory (in some models), it is a safe bet that the "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro notebooks -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.6 13", "Core i5" 2.8 13", "Core i7" 3.0 13", "Core i7" 2.2 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.5 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.8 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.5 15" (DG), and "Core i7" 2.8 15" (DG) -- are faster than their predecessors.
However, even a quick glance at an in-depth comparison of the two lines shows that they both use the same Haswell architecture and clockspeeds are quite similar.
Consequently, it would be reasonable to expect a fairly modest speed difference between them, particularly for systems configured with the same amount of RAM. Just how much faster requires benchmarks and real-world testing, though.
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 "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models and earlier notebooks, 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 demonstrates that the entry-level "Mid-2014" 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" (IG) is nearly twice as fast (98%) overall than the entry-level 13-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.6 13". However, the high-end standard 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.5 15" (DG) -- only is around 6% faster overall than the entry-level 15-Inch model.
Finally, the custom processor configured high-end 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 15" (DG) -- is about 8% faster than the standard high-end 15-Inch model, 14% faster than the entry-level 15-Inch model, and a whopping 125% faster than the entry-level 13-Inch model.
Compared to the "Late 2013" MacBook Pro line, Geekbench 3.0 shows that the "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro systems are in the neighborhood of 4% to 8% faster than the model each replaced. Notable, but not earth shattering, by any means:
Compared to the 13-Inch "Early 2014" MacBook Air systems -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.4 13" and "Core i7" 1.7 13" -- Geekbench 3.0 shows that the stock 13-Inch "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.6 13" and "Core i5" 2.8 13" -- are 23% and 13% faster.
Of course, given how much faster the 15-Inch MacBook Pro models are than the 13-Inch models, it should not be surprising that even the entry-level 15-Inch MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" (IG) -- is a massive 110% faster than the fastest custom processor configured 13-Inch "Early 2014" MacBook Air, the MacBook Air "Core i7" 1.7 13".
For those interested in the most performance for the price, the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.5 15" (IG) and "Core i7" 2.8 15" (IG) custom processor upgrades of the standard entry-level 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" (IG) -- as well as the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 15" (DG) custom processor upgrade of the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.5 15" (DG) all are a decent value, but not an outstanding one.
Specifically, the two integrated graphics models (IG), provide 6% and 14% more overall performance for 5% and 15% more money, whereas the dual graphics model (DG) provides about 8% more overall performance for 8% more money.
Other Benchmarks & Real-World Test Results
Geekbench provides a good overview of overall performance, but other benchmarks and application tests also can be worthwhile for a complete perspective.
As the "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models were such a minor update, they did not receive much in-depth attention from the blogosphere, but some sources did evaluate the performance of the line.
The stalwart Macworld tested both models and reported even more modest speed gains than Geekbench:
Each of the newer models was faster than its corresponding predecessor in our application tests, including Photoshop, Aperture, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and Handbrake. Unfortunately, all of the newer models were also slower than their predecessors in our copy, zip, and unzip tests. In fact, only on the entry-level 13-inch and 15-inch mid-2014 models were the processor gains [along with twice the RAM] enough to keep the new systems overall Speedmark 9 score above the scores of the late 2013 systems.
The always excellent BareFeats compared the high-end configure-to-order 15-Inch "Mid-2014" model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 15-Inch (DG) -- to its counterpart from the "Late 2013" line -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch (DG) -- and concluded:
The best CTO 'Mid-2014' MacBook Pro quad-core is clocked 7.7% faster than the best 'Late 2013' MacBook Pro quad-core CTO, but as you can see from CPU heavy benchmarks, that does not translate in all situations. In fact, in the "CPU only" LuxMark OpenCL test, last year's rMBP tested faster.
BareFeats also discovered some interesting discrepancies in graphics performance and disk performance that are best evaluated in-depth on their site.
Performance Summary
Ultimately, the "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models are a tiny upgrade from the "Late 2013" models that they replaced. Faster, yes, but only marginally so.
When these systems were new, the entry-level 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" (IG) -- represented the best value as it is roughly 86% faster than the standard high-end 13-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.8 13-Inch -- but only costs 11% more.
If maximum performance is your objective -- and 3D graphics performance in particular is important -- the high-end standard MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.5 15" (DG) or even the high-end custom configured MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 15" (DG) would be best for you among these models.
Alternately, if you place greater importance on a smaller physical notebook and a super high resolution display than performance or overall value, a 13-Inch model is well worth consideration, too.
Of course, on the used market, prices are lower still, and the value proposition of some configurations can be even greater.
Retina MacBook Pro Purchase & Sale Options
There are many places to purchase a new or used Retina Display MacBook Pro. However, buying from a quality reseller 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.
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