Is it an upgrade?

[rhyzome]

I want to replace my 2014 Quad Core i7 2.5 Ghz 15” rMBP (16GB RAM, with graphics card and 1TB SSD) with the new 13”.

But I notice the new 13” has less Ghz, even with the i7 option. I’m planning on getting it with 32GB RAM and 2 TB SSD, but I’m not sure which processor option I should get.

Will these new 13” models actually be a performance upgrade from what I have?

My current MBP gets too hot, activates the noisy fans and slows down a lot when I have too many Safari tabs open or am managing a large Photos library. I dont want my new MBP to be like that, but I do want a smaller form factor than my current 15”. Should I wait for the ARM or get this one?

 

[mfram]

Since the machine hasn't been delivered yet, no one has been able to run a standard benchmark program on it yet. Assuming you have integrated graphics, the graphics on the new computer will be much faster for sure. The closest machine with benchmarks available is the 2019 13" 2.8G Core-i7. That machine is about 15% faster single core and about 30% faster multi-core. And that doesn't count the fact that you can get the new machine with faster DDR4 RAM. So, yes, it will be an upgrade. You can't directly compare Cpu clock speeds across CPU generations for performance purposes. Not only that, you want lower clock speeds because they lead to lower power consumption. The new machine will be faster in every way. How much exactly, no one knows because they haven't been delivered yet.

 

[robvas]

Turbo is what counts....it will be way way faster than your 2019

 

[playtech1]

Coming from a 15 inch MBP, I doubt you will find the 13 inch MBP it a meaningful upgrade in terms of speed.

Why?
- both have 4 core CPUs
- similar clock speeds (newer CPUs get marginally more performance per Mhz)
- the graphics cards have similar performance
- memory speeds are much quicker in the newer machine, but this is rarely a bottleneck
- SSD speeds are much better in the new machine, but again all SSDs are basically 'fast enough' for most users

I have the 2015 15 inch MBP and the 2018 13 inch i7 and would say performance in daily use is basically the same. The 13inch is much smaller and lighter though, so is nicer to use when I don't need the screen real estate.

Just to say that if you were coming from a 13 inch MBP from 2014 the current 13 inch MBP would be a massive upgrade (2 extra cores, far better graphics in particular), but because you are moving from 15 to 13 you are having to deal with the trade offs made to deal with the space and heat constraints of the smaller machine.

If you want a big performance boost I would go for the 16 inch MBP, which also happens to be nearly identical in size and weight to your current machine.

Basically - you can choose to increase performance or portability, but not both.

Personally I would not hold out for an ARM based MBP, as that feels several years away, if it happens at all.

p.s. the 13 inch should be quieter and less hot, but when you are pushing these machines they are neither silent nor cold, so keep your expectations realistic on that front.

 

[Alex W.]

come join the club grab a 16"

 

[maflynn]

My current MBP gets too hot, activates the noisy fans and slows down a lot when I have too many Safari tabs open or am managing a large Photos library. I dont want my new MBP to be like that, but I do want a smaller form factor than my current 15”. Should I wait for the ARM or get this one?

I suspect that you will still deal with heat, though the new 13" machine will may very be a nice upgrade to your existing set up.