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Apple’s revolutionary Retina MacBook is about as powerful as a 3-year-old laptop

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 8:58PM EST
Retina MacBook Performance

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Though Apple’s recently unveiled Retina 12-inch MacBook is set to hit store shelves for a few days, a Geekbench benchmark of Apple’s newest hardware has shed some light on what type of CPU performance users can expect under the hood.

The Geekbench tests measured Apple’s entry-level 1.1GHz Retina MacBook featuring Intel’s new Core M processors. Tested twice, Apple’s svelte laptop delivered two single-core scores of 1924 and 2044 along with multi-core scores of 4038 and 4775.

But how do those numbers stack up to, say, the MacBook Air?

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Well, Apple’s new Retina MacBook, from a CPU standpoint, is about on par with the company’s upper-tier MacBook Air circa 2011.

Packing a capable laptop into a case that thin clearly prevented Apple from using some key higher-end components in this generation. Still, don’t expect Apple’s latest laptop to be something of a laggard. The machine makes up for it in other ways as it not only sports better graphics but more advanced SSD technology which should, taken together, make for an extremely zippy computing experience.

Also, keep in mind the market the super light and thin MacBook is geared for. People interested in Apple’s newest laptop aren’t going to be primarily interested in raw computing power. Rather, they’re interested in an extremely mobile device with stellar battery life and an awesome display, three things the MacBook absolutely nails.

 

Yoni Heisler Contributing Writer

Yoni Heisler has been writing about Apple and the tech industry at large with over 15 years of experience. A life long expert Mac user and Apple expert, his writing has appeared in Edible Apple, Network World, MacLife, Macworld UK, and TUAW.

When not analyzing the latest happenings with Apple, Yoni enjoys catching Improv shows in Chicago, playing soccer, and cultivating new TV show addictions.