Early Benchmarks Reveal New MacBook Air Rivaling High-End 2010 MacBook Pro

MacRumors · Jul 20, 2011

Electricpig reports that early benchmarking data obtained by Laptopmag.com from Apple's new MacBook Air models released today demonstrate significant performance improvements over the previous generation and even other Apple notebooks. Testing was performed using the Geekbench benchmarking tools.

According to the report, not only do the new MacBook Air models at least double the scores of the previous generation in testing with Geekbench, but the new machines also compare extremely favorably to even high-end MacBook Pro models from last year.

The new 13-inch MacBook Air earned a Geekbench score of 5860, a bump in performance of over 100 percent compared to last year's model. The 11-inch MacBook Air was even more impressive, skyrocketing from 2024 to 5040 for 149 percent increase.

To put these benchmarks into perspective, the 2010 17-inch 2.67 GHz Core i7 MacBook Pro scored 5423. For £849 the 11-inch MacBook Air offers a benchmark on par with last year's £2099 17-inch MacBook Pro.

Geekbench testing focuses on processor and memory performance, providing comparisons of raw power between machines but only telling part of the story. Consequently, it remains to be seen how the new MacBook Air models will stack up in real-world situations, but early indications suggest that Apple's ultraportable lineup has indeed received a major increase in performance.

Article Link: Early Benchmarks Reveal New MacBook Air Rivaling High-End 2010 MacBook Pro

ECUpirate44 · Jul 20, 2011

If only there was a 15" Air

res1233 · Jul 20, 2011

I'm going to make a wild guess here and say that the MBP tested doesn't have an SSD? It doesn't seem to say on the site.

Shanpdx · Jul 20, 2011

Thank Intel

and their Turbo Boost technology.

but no thanks for their IGP HD3000

Gemütlichkeit · Jul 20, 2011

Very nice! Can't wait for the big purchase.

Shanpdx · Jul 20, 2011

ECUpirate44 said:
If only there was a 15" Air

wait until the refresh of the MBP.

it will take few features from MBA (SSDs, no super drive) and bring it to MBP

then MBP (35 watt TDP CPU) smack MBA (17 watt TDP CPU) in the face

BornAgainMac · Jul 20, 2011

That didn't take long.

fattire357 · Jul 20, 2011

I wonder if other benchmarks can reproduce this or if it is an artificial result. It seems hard to believe this year's 1.7 GHz processor can outperform last year's 2.7 GHz processor

mrfoof82 · Jul 20, 2011

Not entirely surprising, considering how aggressive the Turbo Boost is.

Everyone should keep in mind that Ivy Bridge is next year. This is when we should see a quad-core MacBook Air (and Mac Mini), and 8-core iMacs. Additionally, there will also be the move to 22nm fabrication processes in addition to 3D transistors, which should be comparable to a fabrication shrink itself.

If you think this year was a big boost, wait until you see what Intel has in store for next year.

CoreyMac · Jul 20, 2011

res1233 said:
I'm going to make a wild guess here and say that the MBP tested doesn't have an SSD? It doesn't seem to say on the site.

You're probably correct, but its still impressive to see that comparison even given that fact. The 2010 MBP is fast with a typical hard drive.....to get that kinda juice out of an ultraportable is pretty awesome.

toddybody · Jul 20, 2011

Hahahaha. Give the MBP a decent SSD, then we'll see what's faster.

Anyways, I'm mostly curious as to the IGP's performance.

CoreyMac · Jul 20, 2011

mrfoof82 said:
Not entirely surprising.

Everyone should keep in mind that Ivy Bridge is next year. This is when we should see a quad-core MacBook Air (and Mac Mini), and 8-core iMacs. Additionally, there will also be the move to 22nm fabrication processes in addition to 3D transistors, which should be comparable to a fabrication shrink itself.

If you think this year was a big boost, wait until you see what Intel has in store for next year.

The jump from SB to IB won't be as big as C2D to SB. You'll be very disappointed.

b11051973 · Jul 20, 2011

I really only use my 11" MBA for web browsing. I have a desktop PC as my workhorse.

Still, seeing these improvements makes me very jealous.

thatisme · Jul 20, 2011

toddybody said:
Hahahaha. Give the MBP a decent SSD, then we'll see what's faster.

with that logic, give the MBA the faster i7 processor as well to make it all "equal" :roll eyes:

Seriously, though. I am pleased to see high scores. Now if we can get secondary testing to validate these numbers...

adrian.oconnor · Jul 20, 2011

My late-2010 MBA 13 is all of a sudden feeling quite sluggish. And the keyboard is decidedly unlit. Oh, what to do...

Nielsenius · Jul 20, 2011

Say it ain't so!

AppleScruff1 · Jul 20, 2011

Nice!!! And you guys were worried that the new ones wouldn't be any good.

zephonic · Jul 20, 2011

Fingers crossed that real-world performance approaches the 2010 MBP as well. It would a real problem solver for me.

wordoflife · Jul 20, 2011

Geekbench scores don't really mean anything, but I'm impressed.

bigp9998 · Jul 20, 2011

ECUpirate44 said:
If only there was a 15" Air

Keep in mind that the resolution of the 13" MBA is equal to that of the 15" MBP.

PeterSharp · Jul 20, 2011

Maybe I am crazy, but Ive just realised that I want new 11inch MBA and Thunderbolt Display. Am I crazy? I need feedback. I want it mostly for Aperture and Photoshop. Cinema display has firewire so I can connect my external drives. Seems perfect. Doesnt it?

RastaLulz · Jul 20, 2011

ECUpirate44 said:
If only there was a 15" Air

I agree; if there was a 15" MacBook Air, they'd have me sold.

ArnieX · Jul 20, 2011

I dont really like it

Im really happy that I have bought old one 13 coz missing NVIDIA Graphic card is NO BUY factor for me. I do hate anything called Intel HDXXXX maybe good for portability but I dont care step back for me. Anyway - objective power is different than this test just because it is only the highest power of CPU not CPU+GPU as 1part so I thing first gen is better and backlit keyboard isnt something I would really appreciate

but anyway Im happy that I dont have to be disappointed that I have bought old one instead of new one

kyle1320 · Jul 20, 2011

The 13" 1.7GHz i5 air is about the same score as my 2011 13" 2.3GHz i5 pro :/

toddybody · Jul 20, 2011

shanmugam said:
wait until the refresh of the MBP.

it will take few features from MBA (SSDs, no super drive) and bring it to MBP

then MBP (35 watt TDP CPU) smack MBA (17 watt TDP CPU) in the face

I'm most excited for the MBP (IB) refresh. Standard Quad Core (3D Transistors look fantastic), new gen of AMD mGPUs, no ODD and .75 inch body, standard SSD...and most of all, the much needed resolution bump. 1280x800 on the 13" MBP is a total joke. I can't believe Apple got away with that one.

Early Benchmarks Reveal New MacBook Air Rivaling High-End 2010 MacBook Pro

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