Core M 1.1 vs 1.3

[ChristopherFitch]

hey everyone,
I've been hemming and hawing about buying a Retina Macbook, with the usual concerns about power, performance, longevity, etc. I've read the Geekbench stuff and a lot of comments in the forums, and I guess I was just wondering if anyone has thoughts/experience on the actual lived-use difference between a 1.1 GHZ processor vs 1.2 or 1.3. Does it make sense to max out the processor, or are the gains so slight as to be unnoticable to the casual user (ie: me)? Also, if price were no object, for PERFORMANCE, would you upgrade the processor or go 512GB on the hard drive?

I primarily need to use it for Final Draft, Microsoft Office, web browsing, etc, with an occasional need for light recording on Garageband. It seems to me that the processor speeds will not make a huge difference for these tasks, but I have no real idea since I pretty much know squat about computers. I guess my main concern and priority would be that for the basic tasks I described, will it be snappy and fast so that when the inevitable Skylake upgrade comes out I won't be spiraling into despair with buyer's regret? OR, if I upgrade now to a 1.3, would that be at all similar to the base-model Skylake improvements (here is where my complete ignorance reveals itself with the notion of faster graphics, etc).

Any insights would be much appreciated. I currently use a 15" 2011 MBP with an EVO SSD and 8G of RAM, and I'm hoping at very least the stock rMP will be slightly zippier with a much nicer display. I've read the specs and Geekbench scores, but I guess I was hoping someone who has experience with these variables could tell me what the actual/literal/lived differences are. Thank you very much!

 

[skm8159]

hey everyone,
I've been hemming and hawing about buying a Retina Macbook, with the usual concerns about power, performance, longevity, etc. I've read the Geekbench stuff and a lot of comments in the forums, and I guess I was just wondering if anyone has thoughts/experience on the actual lived-use difference between a 1.1 GHZ processor vs 1.2 or 1.3. Does it make sense to max out the processor, or are the gains so slight as to be unnoticable to the casual user (ie: me)? Also, if price were no object, for PERFORMANCE, would you upgrade the processor or go 512GB on the hard drive?

I primarily need to use it for Final Draft, Microsoft Office, web browsing, etc, with an occasional need for light recording on Garageband. It seems to me that the processor speeds will not make a huge difference for these tasks, but I have no real idea since I pretty much know squat about computers. I guess my main concern and priority would be that for the basic tasks I described, will it be snappy and fast so that when the inevitable Skylake upgrade comes out I won't be spiraling into despair with buyer's regret? OR, if I upgrade now to a 1.3, would that be at all similar to the base-model Skylake improvements (here is where my complete ignorance reveals itself with the notion of faster graphics, etc).

Any insights would be much appreciated. I currently use a 15" 2011 MBP with an EVO SSD and 8G of RAM, and I'm hoping at very least the stock rMP will be slightly zippier with a much nicer display. I've read the specs and Geekbench scores, but I guess I was hoping someone who has experience with these variables could tell me what the actual/literal/lived differences are. Thank you very much!

I have a 1.2/512SSD Macbook 2015. The Retina screen is/feels sharper then my MBP15 Retina.
The speed of the diff processors has been benchmarked, the 1.2 is impressive jump, and the 1.3 is nice if you have teh $ and are CPU bound with heavy apps that may show marginal improvment - per benchmarks. The 1.2 is what I decided on, and have been very very pleased.

Overall, loving the Macbook 2015. I use my MBP for very heavy lifting, i.e. video encoding and work related heavy apps. But Macbook 2015 has been able to run almost everything I have thrown at it, with surprising efficiency and speed.

 

[RUGGLES99]

For what you plan to use it for I'd stay with the 1.1. I have the same uses you do and I went for a gold base (they are being sold at discount) and it is perfect for the job. I also have a 2014 MBA base i5, and they both do the same except the rmb has the better screen. That's the only true BIG plus, retina vs non-retina. The rmb has a different kb and trackpad, but nothing special there. long story short, the base 1.1 will do it all. Watch for better price than the apple list of $1299. I paid $1149 no tax, free shipping.

 

[ChristopherFitch]

thank you both for the great insights. I generally fear buying base models, but I think if it functions essentially as 2014MBA, then I should be fine. The $300 difference is a bit steep for the 512/1.2, but it IS tempting, especially if it can do all that heavy lifting stuff in a pinch. I'll sleep on it for a couple days, but I thank you both again - it sounds like I can't really make a BAD choice, and I guess if worse comes to worse I could sell it in April at a loss and buy the Skylake version. Thanks again!

 

[Xeyad]

I'm in the exact situation right now. I went to the store today, trying to figure out which one to buy. 1.1 vs. 1.2 seems very small on paper, but benchmark tell that it's a bigger difference.

Please help us out guys!

 

[SteveJUAE]

I'm in the exact situation right now. I went to the store today, trying to figure out which one to buy. 1.1 vs. 1.2 seems very small on paper, but benchmark tell that it's a bigger difference.

Please help us out guys!

On the reports I read the benchmark score deltas are actually better for the 1.3 and more surprising is the 1.3 is possibly better not worse on power consumption in non burst mode.

I understand its how they were tested in burst and prolong high demand and average readings puts a different slant on things than just a simple Geekbench score

Certainly if you factor in the larger SDD on the 1.2 or 1.3 these should be your preferred options, but looking at the OP the 1.1 is more than adequate.

 

[Xeyad]

On the reports I read the benchmark score deltas are actually better for the 1.3 and more surprising is the 1.3 is possibly better not worse on power consumption in non burst mode.

I understand its how they were tested in burst and prolong high demand and average readings puts a different slant on things than just a simple Geekbench score

Certainly if you factor in the larger SDD on the 1.2 or 1.3 these should be your preferred options, but looking at the OP the 1.1 is more than adequate.

I want to use the Macbook for studying (MBA), so mostly writing documents and presentations. I think the 1.1 is enough, but the 1.2 with 512GB is tempting, I'm still on the fence though for paying $300 extra. I need to make my decision soon.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I want to use the Macbook for studying (MBA), so mostly writing documents and presentations. I think the 1.1 is enough, but the 1.2 with 512GB is tempting, I'm still on the fence though for paying $300 extra. I need to make my decision soon.

Well if you have a friend travelling to Thailand and have currency in USD you can get the 1.2 for less than the price of 1.1 currently with the international US KB (ie 55k TBHT less the 3K TBHT tax refund at BK airport = 52k at 36TBHT to the $ = 1440 USD)

 

[skm8159]

Well if you have a friend travelling to Thailand and have currency in USD you can get the 1.2 for less than the price of 1.1 currently with the international US KB (ie 55k TBHT less the 3K TBHT tax refund at BK airport = 52k at 36TBHT to the $ = 1440 USD)

For those studying, why not take advantage of the education pricing and back to school promo. You get discounted macbook, and $200 credit on a Beats headphones (so basically Beats Solo2 for free).

 

[SteveJUAE]

For those studying, why not take advantage of the education pricing and back to school promo. You get discounted macbook, and $200 credit on a Beats headphones (so basically Beats Solo2 for free).

Good offer and could always sell the Beats on.

Personally I use the Bose QuietComfort 20 for travelling/flying with such a small footprint and one of the best noise cancelling they are a great match with the rMB

 

[garyleecn]

I've seen posts saying 1.3 has he longest battery life, since the cpu is in "boost" mode for the shortest period. But since his MacBook charges off any portable batteries, I say it's not worth the upgrade

 

[MKronenburg]

I have a 1.3 and 512 GB of storage and performance has never been an issue for apps similar to the ones you mentioned. My additional remark would be that these higher end machines tend to command a higher second hand value, so the additional money you'll cough up does not disappear in a black hole. If money is not a concern I would go for the high end - ease of mind and over the lifetime of the machine the difference in write off probably isn't too high.
And re Skylake: other people on this forum have (in my view rightfully) commented that you are arguably better off even waiting for Skylake's successor which will even be more power efficient and perhaps more performant. I personally think the Skykake discussion misses the point, the current processors get the job done that I am looking for, which was sufficient reason for me to get a Macbook.

 

[Queen6]

1.2Ghz 512 SSD, any issues you can easily exchange at your local Apple Store or Authorised Reseller. The 1.3 won't make any significant difference to performance nor will you be able to reclaim the additional cost, and the extra storage space will be far more attractive to any prospective buyer.

Skylake will bring approximately 15% improvement on the CPU performance and more importantly up to 40% for the iGPU, personally I will upgrade my current 1.2 rMB on release to it`s Skylake equivalent.

Q-6

 

[SteveJUAE]

1.2Ghz 512 SSD, any issues you can easily exchange at your local Apple Store or Authorised Reseller. The 1.3 won't make any significant difference to performance nor will you be able to reclaim the additional cost, and the extra storage space will be far more attractive to any prospective buyer.

Skylake will bring approximately 15% improvement on the CPU performance and more importantly up to 40% for the iGPU, personally I will upgrade my current 1.2 rMB on release to it`s Skylake equivalent.

Q-6

I will also upgrade my 1.2 once Skylake is available, but I think its more likely to be next year than this ,much to the annoyance of my eldest who's waiting to be gifted my 1.2 to replace his 11" MBA I7 2013

 

[Queen6]

I will also upgrade my 1.2 once Skylake is available, but I think its more likely to be next year than this ,much to the annoyance of my eldest who's waiting to be gifted my 1.2 to replace his 11" MBA I7 2013

Same am not really in a hurry to upgrade, as the 1.2 runs all I want flawlessly, equally Skylake is a sensible upgrade especially Apple release the rMB with TB-3 over USB C. My Mac`s follow the same path being "gifted" to one of the family, as they are used for business purpose they are swapped out fairly regularly.

In the next six months I plan to upgrade 12" & 15" Retina`s and drop the 13" Retina from my work related usage.

Q-6

 

[SteveJUAE]

Same am not really in a hurry to upgrade, as the 1.2 runs all I want flawlessly, equally Skylake is a sensible upgrade especially Apple release the rMB with TB-3 over USB C. My Mac`s follow the same path being "gifted" to one of the family, as they are used for business purpose they are swapped out fairly regularly.

In the next six months I plan to upgrade 12" & 15" Retina`s and drop the 13" Retina from my work related usage.

Q-6

I was lucky my wife was struggling with her MBP 2014 in her handbag when travelling

So I gave her my rMB 1.1 and got the 1.2 as I was struggling with just the 256SDD and as Windows 10 had screwed up Onedrive, as it was the only option for actually releasing drive space. There is a temporary fix for it but it's not so seamless.

A friends daughter wanted a MAC so I gave her the MBP at half price to get rid of it as my other 2 sons already have the Pro

 

[Vladislav]

Same am not really in a hurry to upgrade, as the 1.2 runs all I want flawlessly, equally Skylake is a sensible upgrade especially Apple release the rMB with TB-3 over USB C. My Mac`s follow the same path being "gifted" to one of the family, as they are used for business purpose they are swapped out fairly regularly.

In the next six months I plan to upgrade 12" & 15" Retina`s and drop the 13" Retina from my work related usage.

Q-6

So on skylake rmb we will get usb-c with support for T3?? That's huge.

 

[Queen6]

So on skylake rmb we will get usb-c with support for T3?? That's huge.

This is solely dependant on Apple including Intel`s new Alpine Ridge controller in the upcoming rMB, technically it`s possible, as to whether Apple proceed with this path is entirely another thing.

If we see an early update for the rMB in Q-4 2015 it will probably be CPU/GPU "bump", if the update comes later Q-1 2016 I would suggest the likelihood TB-3 will be stronger. Personally I will be surprised if Apple does not implement TB-3 over USB C for the rMB as it`s a premium product and will significantly improve the Notebooks flexibility.

Q-6

 

[Tummy]

I able to get a 3 month old 1.2ghz/512gb for $1255 on eBay. Since it as a couple days after I bought the 1.1, I returned it. I saved almost $500 over a new one with tax. Similar approach might solve your dilemma.

 

[DavidLynch]

OP, I use my 1.1 base model heavily with Safari and Microsoft Office, a bit of light Photoshop Elements use, and a Windows 8.1 VM in VMware Fusion and it runs like a dream. I'm sure the upgraded models would be a bit faster, but for my usage they don't seem worthwhile with how well the base model runs. I think you'll have a similar experience.

 

[guychicago]

The 1.1 is an over clocked 900mhz chip running at 5w. The 1.2 is an over locked 1.1ghz chip hence the bigger jump in performance.

 

[BoneHead001]

What is TB-3?

 

[emilioestevez]

What is TB-3?

Tuberculosis type 3.
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(Thunderbolt 3 )

 

[ixxx69]

I've seen posts saying 1.3 has he longest battery life, since the cpu is in "boost" mode for the shortest period.

I don't know if it's true or not (though it sounds unlikely, at least significantly), but I've never seen this mentioned in a single "professional" review of the rMB (and there were about a hundred of them), or even by a chorus of other users determining the same thing... nope, just some random dude on MacRumors who freely admitted he used no scientific method whatsoever. Then someone else repeats it, and then someone else tries to offer a "scientific" explanation for why this could theoretically be true, and then we're off to the races.

Forums are such a fascinating social experiment.

 

[garyleecn]

I don't know if it's true or not (though it sounds unlikely, at least perceptibly), but I've never seen this mentioned in a single "professional" review of the rMB (and there were about a hundred of them), or even by a chorus of other users determining the same thing... nope, just some random dude on MacRumors who freely admitted he used no scientific method whatsoever. Then someone else repeats it, and then someone else tries to offer a "scientific" explanation for why this could theoretically be true, and then we're off to the races.

Forums are such a fascinating social experiment.

So glad I mentioned "I've seen posts" instead of just saying it. Lol