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Geekbench results from 12-inch MacBook show similar performance to 2011 MacBook Air

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Even though the device is not yet available, an early unboxing gave us a hands-on look at Apple’s upcoming 12-inch Retina MacBook this morning, and now Geekbench results (cached) from the device have emerged giving us a look at what kind of performance we can expect from it. As we predicted, the Geekbench process tested the performance of the entry-level 12-inch Retina MacBook, which packs an Intel Core M-5Y31 processor clocked at 1.1GHz with Turbo Boost to 2.4GHz.

The 12-inch Retina MacBook was put through its paces twice with Geekbench. The laptop received single-core scores of 1924 and 2044 and multi-core scores of 4038 and 4475. If you compare those scores to previous Apple laptops, they’re in line with the 2011 MacBook Air that featured a 1.8GHz Intel Core i7 processor. Comparatively, the baseline 2015 MacBook Air received single-core and multi-core scores of 2881 and 5757 respectively. It features a 1.6GHz Core i5 processor.

Of course, it’s important to note that the new MacBook should offer major graphic performance improvements over previous MacBooks. The 12-inch Retina model features Intel HD 5300 graphics and significantly faster PCIe-based flash storage.

Apple unveiled the redesigned 12-inch Retina MacBook at an event last month, although 9to5Mac gave you an early look at the device’s features and design back in January. The 12-inch Retina MacBook will be available from Apple online and in-stores on April 10th. The device starts at $1299 for the baseline model with a 1.1GHz processor and 256GB of storage. For $1599 you can get the slightly faster 1.2GHz model with 512GB of storage. Both models feature 8GB of RAM.

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Comments

  1. peteostro - 9 years ago

    Not sure I would trust geek bench:

    Mar 28, 2015 MacBook Air (13-inch Early 2015) Intel Core i7-5650U 2200 2 Mac OS X 32-bit 2694 5268
    Mar 17, 2015 MacBook Air (13-inch Early 2015) Intel Core i7-5650U 2200 2 Mac OS X 32-bit 3056 6319

    • mpias3785 - 9 years ago

      Are you seeing these result variations on your particular machine? If so, are you using any fan control utilities?

    • standardpull - 9 years ago

      As with all benchmarks, “it depends”. There are lots of other things going on at any time within a typical computer. Most benchmarks are a single, simple look at a very complex and fluid environment.

      Many benchmarks show some kind of “best case scenario”, which may be far from “typical scenario”. But as you show, sometimes the same machine will benchmark in different ways due to uncontrolled variables.

      So, as always, take any and every benchmark with a grain of salt.

  2. rogifan - 9 years ago

    I’ll wait for reviews from people who’ve actually use this machine.

    • Leif Paul Ashley - 9 years ago

      Same here, and really, it’s ultra portable retina with insane battery life. It does it’s job well, but it’s not meant to be a desktop replace laptop, so to speak.

  3. Robert - 9 years ago

    Keep in mind this is a completely new kind of machine. The board is smaller than a Raspberry Pi!
    Flash memory and plenty of RAM are far more important for everyday performance than processor speed.
    I’m interested in reading what reviewers will say about actual performance. It might be wise to hold off and see what processor improvements will come with the generation of processors, for which we might see an update in less than a year!

    • standardpull - 9 years ago

      I agree with your assessment – CPU performance is far from being the most important attribute in a modern computer. All of the modern machines are pretty darn fast. Heck, even a 2007-vintage Core2Duo-based iMac can run Yosemite extremely well – provided you have adequate RAM and a fast I/O drive (SSD or Fusion drive).

      • bfredit - 9 years ago

        Disagree. Yosemite doesn’t run that well on a 2009 MacBook Pro 17″ with SSD and you can read online that I’m not the only one. The update actually pushed me hard to get a new MBPr

  4. Scott (@ScooterComputer) - 9 years ago

    Wow…outperformed by an iPad Air 2 on Geekbench.

    • giorgiopagliara - 9 years ago

      iPad Air 2 -> 1812 Single Core and 4477 Multi-Core Score with less energy needed I guess.
      Except for the ARM architecture “issue” (migrating the whole OS X and every software) for Apple would be better use an A8X instead of an Intel CPU (same or more power, less energy needed and no royalties to Intel). Not counting that they will have a A9X available in few months.

      • Scott (@ScooterComputer) - 9 years ago

        I’m sure Apple has OS X running on ARM in house. No doubt. Unlike the 68K>PPC or PPC>x86 transitions, moving OS X and apps to ARM would be trivial now, considering the ecosystem is so driven by Xcode and LLVM. Performance…well, that would be something different; Geekbench is one thing, everyday use is something else.

        Personally, I’m thinking that this is a shot across the bow to Intel. Apple is flexing a bit with this new MacBook. And they’re throwing a bit of shade at Microsoft and the Surface 3/3 Pro, too. The only drawback to doing that is the proliferation of the sub-$200 Chromebooks. $200 > $1300 is a helluva divide. Pricing will become a more significant problem for Apple, growth-wise (again).

      • standardpull - 9 years ago

        Apple can easily and inexpensively move to any CPU architecture it wants to. But at this stage, Apple is ***choosing*** to stick with Intel.

        (1) Apple has successfully changed the Mac’s CPU architecture twice (68k –> PPC –> x86)
        (2) Apple has successfully changed out the entire OS once (Classic –> X)
        (3) Virtually all Mac developers are using Xcode – where multi-architecture support is trivial
        (4) Many devs use the Mac App Store – where compiling an app for a new architecture is trivial

        Given (3) and (4), adding or changing CPU architectures is easier than ever.

  5. mpias3785 - 9 years ago

    If you still have the MacBook please run the Geekbench stress test. This would give us a good idea of how well the passive cooling works.

  6. ñî¢k (@dongleganger) - 9 years ago

    I have the 2.4GHz Early 2010 MBP. These scores are about 10% faster. This machine with a SSD and 8GB is no speed demon, but it’s not a turtle either. It’s remarkable that this new fanless Macbook can get these type of scores considering my MBP gets pretty toasty when running flash.

    PROTIP: Like many first gen Apple products, I would wait. The 2nd gen is the one you really want.

  7. Jan Kowalski - 9 years ago

    LOL Apple :D

  8. silas681- - 9 years ago

    I dont really get the point of the Macbook. I am sure Apple has done its research and idenfied a slot between the existing machines, but from my point of view it looks more of a fashion statement than a useful computer. But then it not aimed at people who use CAD systems or produce reports with hundreds of images i guess.

    It feels like a machine that moves further towards actual convergence of tablet and laptop in a manner that is more subtle than the likes of the Lenovo Flex or Yoga.

    What do you people think?

    I guess Macbook users might use a word processor, the web, a spreadsheet, and edit some photos and video every now and again?

    Apple please dont NERF the Macbook Pro line with a single USB C connector! I WILL cry and stamp and my little feet if that happens.

    • florinnica - 9 years ago

      The MacBook is most probably meant to be a replacement for the MBA line. It is not (just) a fashion statement, it is an answer for the biggest chunk of their mac customer base. Walk into a campus or a library, and have a look around at all the students using MBAs. Look at any press conference, and see what computers the journalists use. Think of all the people that have a job that has nothing to do with tech. Now, think of what their actual needs are when it comes to computers.

      Do you now see the ‘slot’? :D Is wider than everything else combined…

      • standardpull - 9 years ago

        I agree – as the Pro becomes more Air-like, the Air is losing its roll. I love my Air, but now that the Pro is much thinner and lighter, a pro is a better fit for me with my powerful processing needs like compiles and encodings.

        But for most, the new MB is perfect. Most don’t compile or manipulate huge datasets. They just do photos and some video and word processing. And the MB is awesome for business trips as it is easily carried around.

        For the executive, manager, or student, the MB easily meets the need. For those with high CPU demands, the Pro is there.

      • jimgramze - 9 years ago

        The majority of computer users have lightweight needs and this Macbook will be like a dream come true. I wanted it, but after looking at reviews of the Yoga 2 Pro with the exact same internals for the exact same price, I faced the fact that I needed a Macbook Pro instead and that’s what I recently got. Editing video and multitrack audio with high-end plug-ins is not going to work well on the new Macbook. I prop up a laptop at a piano and work out music scores, I wish this new Macbook was up to the task but it is not going to be able to. The Force Touch Trackpad is awesome.

      • jimgramze - 9 years ago

        I mean after looking at the Yoga 3 Pro.

    • Karnashuk (@Karnashuk) - 9 years ago

      What do I think? As ‘jimgramze’ wrote below – it’s a dream come true – at least for me. I’ve been looking forward for such a laptop. I waited few years – finally it’s here. Light and elegant. I actually think we will be suprised about its’ performance. I wouldn’t compare it to Yoga 3 Pro – different hardware and software.

      I always thought I will need a more powerful machine (gaming etc.), as well as I will never go GOLD. I can see now how my preferences changed in time. Now I will finally be able to take it with me everywhere without worrying about my back. I don’t even mind using adapters.

      Movies, gaming ( old classics like BG, IWD), my favourite music will go to the next level. I’ll be able to do all of this everywhere with this Macbooks’ portability. Sadly I will need to wait until June to get it – as it isn’t cheap, but remember – you are paying for the quality. I am sure it will serve me for years to come! – just like the old white plastic MacBooks people still use!

      Greetings to 9to5mac crue and fellow commentators!

  9. Jezper Söderlund - 9 years ago

    You will also be able up upgrade the CPU to 1,3GHz once released.

  10. Oleg Kachan - 9 years ago

    I have 2.53GHz Early 2010 MacBook Pro 15 and it performs slower than new ultra-compact MacBook. Also disk I/O should be 3 times faster for new model, as SSD performance (which I’ve installed on my own) on my machine is limited with 300 Mb/sec and on newer MacBook it performs about 1Gb/sec. Have to say I’m not experiencing any performance issues with my current setup.

  11. I still think that a Retina MBA is all “we” need(ed) to have heard on March 9. Owning a late-2011 MBA, I can’t complain about its performance at all. It still is a brilliant laptop and I’m no light user. Its only downside is the display not being Retina. But with the new MacBook out, I seriously doubt Apple is gonna retina the MBA, as it’d immediately kill the former.

    If I transitioned to the new MacBook from my MBA, I’d be getting a same-performance laptop with a (much) better display, lighter and with no ports onboard (and I hate carrying dongles, which can get forgotten and lost).

    So, no thanks, Apple. This is not my idea of an upgrade.

  12. Koatsey - 9 years ago

    For me it’s like going to a lap dancing club, why wind yourself up for no return… It looks it wonderful, has a retina display but I read it is a lot slower than an Air so I’m not sure what the a retina display will have to push if the CPU’s can’t do any thing substantial.

    I love my Apple kit and normally buy everything and have given my 11 inch air to my son but despite this being my favourite device I find myself deciding to bypass this. I feel the same about the Apple Watch, the one I like is $1,000 plus and for me the version I configured is a default classic watch look and strap and I find myself feeling unable to support that price. My new iMac fully specec 27 inch retina is not performing to well either, it’s slow, my early 2013 MacBook Pro is so much quicker.

    Add the introduced niggles on my iPhone 6 Plus and I’m feeling a little bit Jaded by Apple products. It’s not bad enough to migrate back to Microsoft but it is enough to not buy any Apple products for awhile. I was up for both theApple Watch and the Macbook but I’ll be giving both a miss.

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com