Real World Speed Tests For 'Late 2008' MacBook Pro

1. The primatelabs tests do not have the dedicated graphics card enabled, so they aren't testing the real speed the late 2008 MBP is capable of. This test is useless.

2. The MacWorld test shows a 7.5% speed bump between Feb 2008 MBP and late 2008 MBP overall.

3. The barefeats test is also useless: it compares the 2.8 Ghz new MBP with slower older MBP models (and Mac Pro desktops). There is no comparison between different MBP models running at the same clock speeds.

So, in the one test that offers a real comparison among generations of MBP models, the new one is, overall, 7.5% faster. However, the graphics on the new one are 2-3 times faster (and this shows up in gaming tests).

The real improvement to my mind (aside from gaming) is that the new MBP can have both GPUs in use at the same time when Apple enables this in software. The NVIDIA GPUs can also handle CPU tasks, and this will be used by Apple and software makers over the next year to further speed up the MBP for graphics and video.

The gain to be had in the next generation of Intel CPUs is not that great (maybe 20% faster). However, the gains available in speed as the software catches up to the NVIDIA GPU capacities is greater.

Add this to the solid aluminum design, and I think the new MBP is a very good upgrade to the MBP line.

So, in the one test that offers a real comparison among generations of MBP models, the new one is, overall, 7.5% faster. However, the graphics on the new one are 2-3 times faster (and this shows up in gaming tests).

That's about what I am noticing. Not a real lot, but going from a 2.16Ghz MBP with a glossy fluorescent LCD screen to a back-lit LED screen, was worth the price of admission alone. The new unibody construction and elegant black-boardered screen was a plus for me too. I just wish the screen hinge was tighter. 😟

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support' (designed exclusively for an iPhone/iPod touch)

I also look at it as going from a two processor computer (Core 2 Duo) to a four processor computer (Core 2 Duo + 9400 + 9600). My reasoning is that the NVIDIA GPUs can be used to carry out CPU tasks via NVIDIA's CUDA technology. This will be tapped in future system software upgrades (at least in Snow Leopard next Spring if not in a small release sooner). It will also be tapped by applications, especially graphics and video and future games. So, the bump in speed now may not be the full story.

The decision is easier for me since I currently have a 1st generation MacBook, so I'll gain screen real estate, graphics oomph, and only nominal weight.

Hi can someone give me a rough idea of the performance advantage (maybe a percentage) of a new 2.4 MBP over my early 2006 2Ghz Core Duo?
I use it for music.
thanks v much

J

It's mainly due the above websites using tests that don't fully utilize the hardware available in the MB Pro, in one of the above I note that they use some very old games. Apple does sometimes include specs on their website, take these that show a shootout between integrated and discrete graphics power:

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/graphics.html

Usually the Apple numbers are a bit more rigorously tested. Sometimes the Mac enthusiast sites may bias their scores if they happen to dislike a particular hardware release on test.

3. The barefeats test is also useless: it compares the 2.8 Ghz new MBP with slower older MBP models (and Mac Pro desktops). There is no comparison between different MBP models running at the same clock speeds.

I think comparing laptops running at the same speed is exactly the type of comparison you need. how else can you see whether its faster if they don't use the same clock speeds.

Anyways even if the they (who ever they are) use different clock speeds, its useful because it shows how the new MBP measurse up. Is it faster and how much. Based on these benchmarks, from barefeats, macworld, endgadget and the like I was able to make an educated decision which MBP (if any) would be a good fit for my needs (and wants). I opted for the 2.53 and I've been very happy that I have