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Unibody MacBook Pro Q&A
Published July 23, 2012
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How fast are the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models each replaced?
Please note that all notebooks mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and is quite useful for anyone considering one of these models on the used market.
In the official company press release for the non-Retina Display "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13-Inch, "Core i7" 2.9 13-Inch, "Core i7" 2.3 15-Inch, and "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch -- Apple notes that these systems have the "latest Intel Core processors and powerful discrete graphics from NVIDIA." In other promotional copy, Apple reports that the graphics processor in these models "is up to 60 percent faster than the previous generation."
It is important to note that only the 15-Inch models have discrete graphics from NVIDIA, and the 13-Inch models have considerably slower Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processors that share memory with the system.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.
With the marketing copy emphasizing graphics performance rather than overall performance, it would be safe to assume that the overall performance difference between the "Mid-2012" and the "Late 2011" MacBook Pro models is more modest. However, the "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro line does pack a newer "Ivy Bridge" architecture and typically the performance between models with different architectures is significant.
To determine how significant, though, and to compare the performance of the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models to one another requires benchmarks and real-world testing.
General Performance Overview
For a solid overview of the performance difference between the "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro line and earlier MacBook Pro models as well as other Macs, 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.
The Geekbench benchmark shows that the entry-level 13-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13-Inch -- is roughly 15% slower than the higher-end 13-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.9 13-Inch.
Likewise, the entry-level 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15-Inch -- is roughly 39% faster than the higher-end 13-Inch model, but 10% slower than the stock high-end 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch.
Geekbench benchmarks also demonstrate that the 13-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models are roughly 10% and 11% faster than the models each replaced, and the 15-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models, likewise, are around 17% and 14% faster than the models each replaced, respectively.
Other Benchmarks & Real-World Test Results
Geekbench provides a helpful overview of overall performance, but other benchmarks and real-world tests can be worthwhile, too.
Although much of the blogosphere declined to perform testing on the non-Retina Display-equipped "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro line, the industry-standard MacWorld performed their own Speedmark tests and the results are similar to those reported by Geekbench:
The new low-end 13-inch MacBook Pro, with a Speedmark score of 161, clocked 9 percent faster than the previous analogous low-end model, which scored 146. The new high-end 13-inch MacBook Pro, with a Speedmark score of 189, is 15 percent faster overall than its predecessor, which scored 164 on the benchmark. . .
The low-end 15-inch 2.3 GHz Core i7 model with 4 GB of RAM came in with a Speedmark score of 221, 14 percent faster than the previous low-end 15-inch model, with its 2.2 GHz Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) processor and 4 GB of memory. That previous model scored 190 on the benchmark test.
Gains for the new 15-inch high-end 2.6 GHz Core i7 model with 8 GB of memory were more restrained. That unit's Speedmark score hit 239, only 8 percent faster than the previous analogous model, with its 2.4 GHz Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) processor and 4 GB of memory. That previous model scored 219 in the benchmark test.
The always detailed AnandTech likewise performed application tests on the stock high-end 15-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch -- using iMovie, Final Cut Pro X, iPhoto, Lightroom 3, Photoshop CS5 and more and these results are well worth reviewing, too.
For those who prefer video evaluations to text and charts, TLDToday details the performance of the stock entry-level "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13-Inch model:
Performance Summary
Ultimately, it is safe to conclude that the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models are roughly 10%-15% faster overall -- and significantly faster for graphics performance -- than the "Late 2011" models replaced.
Although some users always crave additional performance, those who do not need maximum performance -- or USB 3.0 ports -- may prefer to purchase a used MacBook Pro to save money. All pre-Retina Display MacBook Pro models are easy to upgrade with more RAM and SSDs to provide additional performance.
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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