This probably won't help, since I ended up getting the higher end 15", but played with the base model a crap load at the store. I couldn't get either to slow down whatsoever, so the performance was great at least to me. I'm a spec nerd so I got the higher end - but I honestly couldn't tell a lick of difference (although in games you'd be able to tell obviously). I also got the high end 13" and can't get that thing to slow down either (other than games), so I guess it just depends what you consider high performance. They are both beasts.