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Retina MacBook Air Geekbench tests show modest improvements over 2017 model & 12-inch MacBook

Apple’s latest Retina MacBook Air has drawn some criticism over its processor choice. Now, the first MacBook Air Geekbench scores are starting to hit the web and give more detail on that processor.

This comes after we saw the first iPad Pro 2018 Geekbench results this morning, which proved Apple’s claims about besting most PCs – including its own – true.

On Geekbench, the new Retina MacBook Air with a 1.6GHz dual-core 8th-gen Intel Core i5 processor scores a ~4200 in single-core testing and ~7800 in multi-core testing.

In terms of comparison to the mid-2017 MacBook Air, which features a 5th-generation dual-core Intel Core i5 processor at 1.8GHz, the 2018 Retina MacBook is roughly 27 percent faster in single-core and 28 percent faster in multi-core.

Meanwhile, the MacBook Air offers similar performance improvements compared to the base model 12-inch MacBook, with a 20 percent improvement in single-core and a 17 percent increase in multi-core.

As for the mid-2017 MacBook Pro without Touch Bar – which is priced $100 more than the Retina MacBook Air, the Pro scores roughly the same in single-core with a 4314 score. In terms of multi-core, the Pro is 16 percent faster, according to Geekbench scores.

Last but not least, the MacBook Air is blown out of the water by the 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro, which scores a 16464 in multi-score testing, more than double the Air. Single-core testing is closer, with the Pro scoring 4504.

Geekbench scores aren’t always the best indicator of real-world performance, but they do offer general insight on how machines compare to one another. This test seemingly shows the Retina MacBook Air score right in-between the 12-inch MacBook and the 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar, which is coincidentally exactly how the Mac lineup  looks in terms of pricing.

For more details on how the current MacBook lineup compares, be sure to read our full comparison right here. Did you order Apple’s new Retina MacBook Air? Let us know down in the comments!

2018 Retina MacBook Air Geekbench:

2017 MacBook Air Geekbench: 

Mid-2017 based 12-inch MacBook:

Mid-2017 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar:

2018 base 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar: 


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Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.

You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.

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