New Retina MacBook Pro Models Showing Up in Benchmarks

Following yesterday's introduction of new Retina MacBook Pro models, the machines have already begun showing up in Geekbench benchmarks, offering the opportunity to see how their raw performance compares to the previous generation.

macbook_pro_13_15_late_2013
While several of the entries appear to be fakes, there are enough legitimate results to begin to get a sense of the new machines' performance, which arrive with the following 32-bit Geekbench 3 averages so far:

15-inch with quad-core CPU:
- i7-4750HQ @ 2.0 GHz: Single-Core 2844, Multi-Core 10887
- i7-4850HQ @ 2.3 GHz: Single-Core 3100, Multi-Core 11771
- i7-4960HQ @ 2.6 GHz: Single-Core 3379, Multi-Core 12813

13-inch with dual-core CPU:
- i5-4258U @ 2.4 GHz: Single-Core 2613, Multi-Core 5248
- i5-4288U @ 2.6 GHz: Single-Core 2856, Multi-Core 5954
- i7-4558U @ 2.8 GHz: Single-Core 3000, Multi-Core 6189

As is fairly typical for updated machines, most of the benchmarks come in at approximately 4-10% higher than their predecessors, while the increased efficiency of Intel's Haswell chips has allowed Apple to improve overall battery life. Apple has also made the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro thinner, matching the thickness of its larger sibling but at the cost of a slight decrease in battery capacity from 74 Whr to 71.8 Whr.

The base 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro had shown up back in June in results from Geekbench 2 benchmarking software, which uses different baseline scores than the current Geekbench 3. A 15-inch model also showed up in early July, but with a chip that Apple ultimately elected not to use in yesterday's update. The chip in that early machine was Intel's i7-4950HQ at 2.4 GHz, but Apple bumped the high-end chip in the released lineup to the i7-4960HQ at 2.6 GHz, a new chip that was officially launched just last month.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Thursday September 4, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 AIR Loud Feature

iPhone 17 Air Could Start at $1,099 With 256GB Storage, 1TB for $1,499

Thursday September 4, 2025 2:54 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air will have a $1,099 starting price providing 256GB of base storage and will max out at $1,499 with a 1TB option, according to the latest TrendForce report. Apple will offer three price/storage tiers for the all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model, which replaces last year's iPhone 16 Plus in the lineup. Here's how TrendForce sees them breaking down: 256GB — $1099...

Top Rated Comments

losthorse Avatar
155 months ago
-- removed by user --
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclardy Avatar
155 months ago
All well and good - we got faster Macbooks. But, Apple still hasn't done squat in terms of introducing any new products since Steve Jobs passed. They're just drifting along aimlessly just like they did the first time after Jobs left.

This argument comes up in nearly every thread - No, Apple hasn't done anything really "new" since the iPad. But let us remember, the iPad was Apple's fastest "new innovation" being 3 years apart from the iPhone launch. iPhone was 6 years after the first iPod. Everything in-between those years was incremental.

We are still in the third year from the iPad launch. If there isn't anything new next year then I would be concerned - but Apple never was one to release new products in new categories every year (Or even every 3.)
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FirstNTenderbit Avatar
155 months ago
Apples shift away from discs and never adopting bluray is kinda screwing them in the TV market. Its the perfect time for them to enter as the 4K transition is just beginning, they could release a 4K set, charge their normal high markups and it may slow their competitors race to the bottom and give them a couple of years of high market share like the iPad has enjoyed.

and why would us, the customers, want the prices to stay inflated? i'd rather have the usual competition going with everyone lowering their prices as the tech becomes more common. if apple does charge their normal high markup.. i don't think they will be able to compete anyway. samsung and sony own that market. even with apple's reputation.. being new to that market will not let them get away with marking up their tv's, if they even introduce one.

100% radiohead14. I've often wondered why consumers want Apple to charge high margins. It seems to be a point of pride for certain people. Stock holder? I get it. Consumer? Flabergasted may be too strong of a word but not by much. It's not even a criticism. I'm genuinely curious how a person develops an affinity for a company's high margin. Maybe it's passion. All companies need to make a profit, but I can honestly say I've never cared how much profit any company makes.

Me? I'm more concerned with the value to me. Line up the products. Which meets my need best? That's what I choose. Then where can I get it for the best price. How much profit that company makes is never a variable in that equation.

off topic I know... apologies :o
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HenryDJP Avatar
155 months ago
will wait for retina Macbook Air next year, also the battery life on these are nice but not impressed with the slight increase in benchmark scores

If you were considering a Macbook Air in the first place you weren't going to buy a Macbook Pro. :rolleyes:
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stockscalper Avatar
155 months ago
All well and good - we got faster Macbooks. But, Apple still hasn't done squat in terms of introducing any new products since Steve Jobs passed. They're just drifting along aimlessly just like they did the first time after Jobs left.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rolfbert Avatar
155 months ago
GPU Benchmarks please...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)