Early MacBook and MacBook Pro Benchmarks

[MacRumors]

Primate Labs publishes new benchmark tests comparing the new MacBook (Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (Late 2008) to their predecessors. These benchmarks measure both processor and memory performance but do not appear to measure graphics capabilities (GPUs) which should be clearly improved in the new machines.

The findings show very little improvements in both processor and memory performance in the new laptops. Processor performance was unlikely to be greatly impacted as the processors remained much the same between the revisions. In theory, memory access should have been improved with bus speeds increasing to 1066MHz in the newest models, but it appears in practice the improvements are minimal.

Of course, real use performance of these new notebooks will be improved due to the faster graphics cards. In fact, ArsTechnica posts some early impressions from the new MacBook Pros and were impressed by its performance:

It's important to note here that, while no serious gamer is going to be trading in his or her main gaming machine for a MacBook Pro any time soon, this level of performance in such a compact form-factor and at this price-point is pretty impressive. The new MacBook Pro is definitely up to the task of gaming on the road or for use at LAN parties when lugging around a desktop machine finally starts making your back hurt.

Another early set of benchmarks from PCMag actually showed dramatic increases in 3D benchmarks even when compared to other PC laptops with the same graphics hardware. This original led some people to believe that both GPUs were being used. This has since been denied by NVIDIA. The discrepancy is hard to explain, however, so we may have to wait for more benchmarks to believe these dramatic gains.

Article Link

[electricfiddle]

The benchmarch for the Macbook Firewire is 0mb/s...

[lazyrighteye]

Given the specs, were we really expecting much of a performance difference?

It is pretty apparent this redesign is more about the fabrication of the hardware, more than anything. Which is cool. Just saying...

[pgifford]

It's all about graphics performance this go around.

[Digital Skunk]

This is why it's insane to update to the very next revision. Users should wait for the second or third at the very least. Or, just wait until they really need it.

The biggest improvement in my opinion will come in build quality. After having finally touched one of the new cases today, I have to say it's the best built machine I have seen Apple make since the MBA.

pgifford, very very true. I know that 12" PowerBook users now have a somewhat better choice in notebook now that the MacBook has backlit keys and dedicated graphics. May not be the same size and weight, but it's a worthy book IMHO.

[iGary]

So, graphics aside, my 1-year-old 17" 2.6 still rates higher.

I don't feel so horrible now.

[sfwalter]

Does Intel not have any faster chips from when the Early 2008 models were released?

[bbplayer5]

I got the new one for the graphics performance, LED LCD, new keyboard, and the new design.

Awesome laptop.

[Aranince]

Originally Posted by sfwalter

Does Intel not have any faster chips from when the Early 2008 models were released?

The MBP(Not sure about the Macbooks) processor was updated to Intel's Montevina, apparently it didn't help much. It probably helped in battery life.

[electricfiddle]

"Somewhat suprisingly, processor performance is virtually unchanged in the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros; the new NVIDIA chipset and the faster DDR3 memory haven’t managed to help increase processor performance." from Primelabs...

So if it's not faster... Then all Apple did was take things away LIKE FIREWIRE and give us a better case???

[840quadra]

This is great news.

I needed a laptop, bought the pro for graphics capabilities, and am glad that the results of these tests back up my reasons for going with it. I didn't expect faster processing, as I didn't opt for the high end processor to begin with .

[ibanana]

Does a MBP OK to run Far Cry 2, GTA IV or Crysis ?

Where can I see some video of crysis, etc running on new MBP?


I've ordered my new MBP + pre-ordered far cry2 + GTA IV yesterday....

I can't wait !

[Digital Skunk]

This is why I am waiting for Nehalem updates. Those will be the next serious chip updates to come, and will make my Penryn look mighty slow. It will also allow me to get a good three years out of my current MBP.

[infernohellion]

Originally Posted by Digital Skunk

]
pgifford, very very true. I know that 12" PowerBook users now have a somewhat better choice in notebook now that the MacBook has backlit keys and dedicated graphics. May not be the same size and weight, but it's a worthy book IMHO.

The new MacBooks DO NOT have the dedicated graphics.

[twoodcc]

looking forward to seeing the benchmarks for the macbooks that show the graphics in there also

[840quadra]

Originally Posted by Digital Skunk

This is why I am waiting for Nehalem updates. Those will be the next serious chip updates to come, and will make my Penryn look mighty slow. It will also allow me to get a good three years out of my current MBP.

Not a bad plan. I did similar (getting only 2 years though) moving away from my 2006 MB (Core2) into the new MBP. My increase in performance (photo editing) has more than doubled (IMHO) and I should be set for a couple years with this setup .

Looking forward to post Nehalem system releases myself . Lets hope the 17" has a Matte / Glossy option as that will be an important for many of us!

[Small White Car]

Originally Posted by Digital Skunk

This is why it's insane to update to the very next revision. Users should wait for the second or third at the very least. Or, just wait until they really need it.

Yeah. I remember the mid 90's, when upgrading every 8 months almost seemed mandatory.

I think that these days, upgrading every 2 years is an "advanced" schedule and the average is more like 3-5 years.

Even if I'm not right, it sure seems like Apple feels this way too. I think their upgrades are very well positioned to serve that sort of upgrade timeline.

[bbplayer5]

The new Pros are for graphics, LED displays which blow your mind, new design, eco friendly.

[jobberwacky]

Originally Posted by electricfiddle

Then all Apple did was take things away LIKE FIREWIRE and give us a better case???

No, they also increased the price.

[nikhsub1]

Originally Posted by sfwalter

Does Intel not have any faster chips from when the Early 2008 models were released?

No they don't, not yet.

Originally Posted by pgifford

It's all about graphics performance this go around.

Graphic performance for the MB should be much better, the MBP's will be a marginal speed bump, nothing worth writing home about.

Originally Posted by Aranince

The MBP(Not sure about the Macbooks) processor was updated to Intel's Montevina, apparently it didn't help much. It probably helped in battery life.

Montevina is a CHIPSET not a CPU. Penryn is the name of the CPU that currently goes with the Montevina chipset.

DDR3 latencies are horrid, this is why performance won't outpace DDR2 just yet. It needs time to mature as DDR did and DDR2 did. Another year and DDR3 will be smokin. By that time, we'll likely be looking at DDR4 or 5

[pismodude2]

A MacBook that can actually play games? Blasphemer!!!

[aristobrat]

Originally Posted by electricfiddle

So if it's not faster... Then all Apple did was take things away LIKE FIREWIRE and give us a better case???

You get faster graphics, a LED backlight for the screen, and a larger hard drive as well.

You should move the stuff following your posts into a proper signature (use the Control Panel). It makes quoting your posts a PITA and doesn't respect other users who have their preference set for the forum not to display signatures.

[FJ218700]

still waiting for Nehalem . . . .

[Darkroom]

how 'bout a scratch test? anyone got a big bag full of razors and keys they wanna drop the macbook into and shake around?

[polaris20]

Originally Posted by electricfiddle

The benchmarch for the Macbook Firewire is 0mb/s...

_________________________________
Posting will do little good! Have you filed with Apple???
To file a complaint about the exclusion of FIREWIRE in Macbooks you can simply click here... very simple.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbook.html

Or call 1800-MYAPPLE and ask for the Conumser Relations Division...

For MACBOOK PRO click here...
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

How long are we going to beat this to death on forum that Apple doesn't care about?

Also, learn how to use the signature function. It's in the CP.