Macworldhas already had its say on both the 1.83GHz and 2GHz MacBook Pro laptops . But as telling as those role model are , neither the 1.83GHz configuration nor the 2.0GHz translation can lay title to being the fast MacBook Pro . That honor goes to the built - to - monastic order MacBook Core Duo/2.16GHz .
The news that Apple would volunteer fast - than - expected MacBook Pro exemplar caught many by surprisal — especially since it came before the previously harbinger configurations even shipped . Available as a work up - to - order upgrade , the 2.16GHz Core Duo processor is the fastest Intel central processing unit presently available in a Mac . We ordered one the day the 2.16GHz modeling was foretell , up the ante by adding another optional raise — the 7,200 - revolutions per minute 100 GB tough drive .
It took awhile , but our glossy young , MacBook Pro 2.16 Core Duo with speedy internal concentrated drive has make it and the test outcome show that these more expensive upgrades emphatically pay off in terms of carrying into action . Whether the increase speeding is deserving your superfluous dollars depends on who you are and what you do .
Using our standard performance trial suite , Speedmark 4.5 , we found that the new organization was quicker across the control board when equate to the 2GHz MacBook , with the extra megacycle of processing power squeezing between 4 to 10 - percent improvements in performance . The processor also help the 2.16GHz MacBook play in the fast Cinema 4D score of any Intel - based Mac .
MacBook Pro/2.16GHz Tested
Best results inbold . cite system initalics .
Speedmark 4.5 scores are relative to those of a 1.25GHz Mac miniskirt , which is assigned a score of 100 . Adobe Photoshop , Cinema 4D XL , iMovie , iTunes , and Zip Archive scores are in proceedings : seconds . All system were running Mac OS X 10.4.5 with 1 GB of RAM , with processor public presentation dress to Highest in the Energy Saver preference pane when applicable . The Photoshop Suite test is a set of 14 written labor using a 50 MB file . Photoshop ’s store was coiffe to 70 percent and History was set to Minimum . In iMovie , we apply the Aged video effect to a 1 - moment movie . We convert 45 minutes of AAC audio files to MP3 using iTunes ’ High Quality setting . We used Unreal Tournament 2004 ’s Antalus Botmatch average - form - per - moment score ; we test at a answer of 1,024 by 768 pixels at the Maximum place setting with both audio frequency and graphics enabled . We created a Zip archive in the Finder from a 1 GB pamphlet . To liken Speedmark 4.5 scores for various Mac systems , visit our Apple Hardware Guide.—Macworld research laboratory examination by James Galbraith and Jerry Jung
The optional 7,200 - rpm hard drive assist the 2.16GHz framework eat up our 1 GB leaflet archive test 15 percentage quicker than the 2GHz MacBook Pro ( which has a 5,400 - rpm drive ) . Another test , the 1 GB file duplicate , was more than 20 per centum faster on the built - to - order MacBook .
kick upstairs to a 2.16GHz Core Duo processor costs an additional $ 300 ; the 7,200 - rpm drive supply another $ 100 to the monetary value tag . Is the increase carrying into action worth the special cost over the standard $ 2,499 2GHz MacBook Pro ? The carrying into action gains are nothing to sneeze at and almost any substance abuser could recognize some time - saving benefits flop now with these upgrades . But , it seems to me that many of those willing to pay top dollar sign for every oz. of speed available are professionals still waiting for their bread - and - butter applications to scarper natively on Intel processors before taking the dip .
