Photoshop and iMovie tests

[dexterbell]

This is for the base model MacBook. I did things the average user might do, so I avoided 4k video or RAW files in this test. Here are the results:

iMovie: 10 minute clip. 1920x1080i 24Mbps, 30fps. Took 1:02 to import. Trimmed to 4 minutes and exported to file. 1920x1080 and default medium setting 410MB file. Took 9:10, not bad considering the 2015 rMBP 13 base model I did this same test with took 7:12 to export, not too far off. I noticed zero lag or stuttering in the playback window which REALLY surprised me considering the rMBP 13 stuttered quite a bit in the same test.

Photoshop CS6: PS opens very quickly, 3 seconds and another second top load the photo. 3456x5184 2.7MB photo. Didn't get to crazy, just doing a few things an average use might do. Resized to 1600x2400 instantly, ran Portraiture 2 filter under default low shooting setting, applied it in a second. No noticeable lag using any tools. No lag using any tools within liquify either. No batch test yet as most average users won't do that, but I still want to see.

Preview opened all 477 pics (1.08GB file) within a second and going thru them produced no lag, even when doing so quickly. I must say I am impressed. I would never use this as my main machine for photo and video editing but the average user should have no problems with editing photos or video with even the base model. Good news!

 

[squirrrl]

This is for the base model MacBook. I did things the average user might do, so I avoided 4k video or RAW files in this test. Here are the results:

iMovie: 10 minute clip. 1920x1080i 24Mbps, 30fps. Took 1:02 to import. Trimmed to 4 minutes and exported to file. 1920x1080 and default medium setting 410MB file. Took 9:10, not bad considering the 2015 rMBP 13 base model I did this same test with took 7:12 to export, not too far off. I noticed zero lag or stuttering in the playback window which REALLY surprised me considering the rMBP 13 stuttered quite a bit in the same test.

Photoshop CS6: PS opens very quickly, 3 seconds and another second top load the photo. 3456x5184 2.7MB photo. Didn't get to crazy, just doing a few things an average use might do. Resized to 1600x2400 instantly, ran Portraiture 2 filter under default low shooting setting, applied it in a second. No noticeable lag using any tools. No lag using any tools within liquify either. No batch test yet as most average users won't do that, but I still want to see.

Preview opened all 477 pics (1.08GB file) within a second and going thru them produced no lag, even when doing so quickly. I must say I am impressed. I would never use this as my main machine for photo and video editing but the average user should have no problems with editing photos or video with even the base model. Good news!

How was the heat management? you feel the underside of the macbook while you were doing it?

Also, Dexter, for being such a curmudgeon so early on, you've done a surprising turnaround.

 

[dexterbell]

How was the heat management? you feel the underside of the macbook while you were doing it?

It got quite warm, might even say hot underneath up by the display. It started cooling down almost immediately after it finished exporting though. Down to a slightly warm temp a minute or so after.

 

[hypno]

It got quite warm, might even say hot underneath up by the display. It started cooling down almost immediately after it finished exporting though. Down to a slightly warm temp a minute or so after.

You know it is funny I wasn't really noticing heat, but then your post here just dawned on me. The main board is so small and it's located up at the top/middle near (guessing keys 6-7 are around the middle). I keep my legs wider for stabilization with it in my lap so I don't feel the heat at all, but it definitely is warmer in that focused area if your legs are not spread a bit.

 

[Souli]

Thanks for the tests. This looks really promising and I can't really imagine that the Macbook Air is a real noticeable improvement over the MB if you really want more performance only the MBP is an alternative.

But it is funny to read this test from you dexterbell after you bashed the MB at each opportunity since it was announced. Posts like this come to mind: "Looks like you're stuck paying $1300+ for a web browsing and email machine then." It's good that you gave it a try to see for yourself.

 

[gugy]

Good to know Photoshop worked well.
I have CS6 as well and need a machine for emergency work while on the road. Mostly I will be browsing, mail and watching media, that's why I like the small footprint of rMB.

 

[newellj]

It got quite warm, might even say hot underneath up by the display. It started cooling down almost immediately after it finished exporting though. Down to a slightly warm temp a minute or so after.

I saw some spikes up to about 60 degrees C and they come back down to high 30s very quickly. I need to see what happens with a more sustained task like a big export of jpgs from Lightroom. I'm impressed by how quickly the temps come back down on normal tasks.

 

[mattopotamus]

Can you open 2 safari tabs and separate them (so it looks like 2 apps). Then 3 finger swipe up to see if you experience any lag. For some reason that is the only time I see lag on my rMBP 2015. If I have 10 separated tabs there is no lag, but just two causes it.

 

[nj-mac-user]

How was the heat management? you feel the underside of the macbook while you were doing it?

Also, Dexter, for being such a curmudgeon so early on, you've done a surprising turnaround.

To be honest, it doesn't get much hotter than an iPad Air for example when pushed. I think the excessive heat claims I read in one of the reviews might be a little exaggerated, but something like that is a bit subjective anyway.

 

[gregvet]

This is for the base model MacBook. I did things the average user might do, I must say I am impressed. I would never use this as my main machine for photo and video editing but the average user should have no problems with editing photos or video with even the base model. Good news!

Who are you, and what have you done to Dexterbell?

 

[Geert76]

Who are you, and what have you done to Dexterbell?

I think our Dexter is on grass

 

[dexterbell]

Who are you, and what have you done to Dexterbell?

I expected it to be more sluggish, as did many others. Its not for serious work but its not supposed to be. We'll see if I keep it but Im rather enjoying it so far.

 

[andy9l]

Photoshop and iMovie tests

Dexter, I was partly relying on you to dissuade me from this purchase. Now look what you've done. You've cost me £1,050...

Seriously though, thanks for the real-world tests. Helps put a meaning to the benchmark numbers.

I'm only going to buy in-store, so I've got a bit of a wait first. I want to see the Space Grey and do some similar tests for my own usage. I'm in no rush, but I guess Skylake is.

 

[objektør]

Who are you, and what have you done to Dexterbell?

Well, we don't have to give him a break but at least he has enough of an open mind to change his preoccupations and that is more than can be said of some of us...
Thanks for the iMovie review. It's what I was most interested in.
I just might order a base model now. It will take 6 weeks before I'll get it and with the 2 weeks of try-out and a bit of luck, Skylake has just arrived...
Anyway, if this machine does what I want, I could just as well keep it. I've been waiting so long now.

 

[gregvet]

I just might order a base model now. It will take 6 weeks before I'll get it and with the 2 weeks of try-out and a bit of luck, Skylake has just arrived...
Anyway, if this machine does what I want, I could just as well keep it. I've been waiting so long now.

I don't want to disappoint you, but there is no way that apple will update the MB with skylake in 8 weeks time.

Even if skylake chips are released on schedule they are going to wait till early next year at the earliest, in my opinion, before updating the MB.

It's pretty clear from the mini reviews on here that the current version is good enough, without major flaws (hell, even Dexterbell likes it!), so apple will want to make some money from this version before updating. The only time they rush a revised version out is when the original is severly lacking in performance in some area.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I expected it to be more sluggish, as did many others. Its not for serious work but its not supposed to be. We'll see if I keep it but Im rather enjoying it so far.

You use it you own it.

----------

This is for the base model MacBook. I did things the average user might do, so I avoided 4k video or RAW files in this test. Here are the results:

iMovie: 10 minute clip. 1920x1080i 24Mbps, 30fps. Took 1:02 to import. Trimmed to 4 minutes and exported to file. 1920x1080 and default medium setting 410MB file. Took 9:10, not bad considering the 2015 rMBP 13 base model I did this same test with took 7:12 to export, not too far off. I noticed zero lag or stuttering in the playback window which REALLY surprised me considering the rMBP 13 stuttered quite a bit in the same test.

Photoshop CS6: PS opens very quickly, 3 seconds and another second top load the photo. 3456x5184 2.7MB photo. Didn't get to crazy, just doing a few things an average use might do. Resized to 1600x2400 instantly, ran Portraiture 2 filter under default low shooting setting, applied it in a second. No noticeable lag using any tools. No lag using any tools within liquify either. No batch test yet as most average users won't do that, but I still want to see.

Preview opened all 477 pics (1.08GB file) within a second and going thru them produced no lag, even when doing so quickly. I must say I am impressed. I would never use this as my main machine for photo and video editing but the average user should have no problems with editing photos or video with even the base model. Good news!

Thanks for this. I am more determined to get my hands on one of these machines. Appreciate the thoughtful review.

 

[driftless]

Mine is not here yet. Thanks for posting a PS review, I am glad to hear that there is no lag. I would be interested in hearing from someone who ran FCPX as well. I don't view this a video editing machine but I would be surprised if FCPX is usable.

 

[objektør]

You use it you own it.

I'm afraid it's more like: you use it, it owns you...