Benchmarks for the new MacBook Neo have surfaced, indicating that its CPU performance is nearly identical to that of the iPhone 16 Pro. The MacBook Neo incorporates the 6-core A18 Pro chip, first seen in the iPhone 16 Pro, but features one fewer GPU core.
Benchmark Results
The MacBook Neo achieved a single-core score of 3461 and a multi-core score of 8668. Its Metal score was recorded at 31286.
The MacBook Neo achieved a single-core score of 3461 and a multi-core score of 8668. Its Metal score was recorded at 31286.
Performance Comparisons
Compared to other Apple devices:
- iPhone 16 Pro: 3445 single-core, 8624 multi-core, 32575 Metal
- M1 MacBook Air: 2346 single-core, 8342 multi-core, 33148 Metal
- M4 MacBook Air: 3696 single-core, 14730 multi-core, 54630 Metal
- M3 iPad Air: 3048 single-core, 11678 multi-core, 44395 Metal
- iPad 11: 2587 single-core, 6036 multi-core, 19395 Metal
The slightly lower Metal score for the MacBook Neo is consistent with its reduced GPU core count compared to the iPhone 16 Pro.
Performance Implications
When evaluated against existing Macs, the A18 Pro's multi-core performance in the MacBook Neo aligns with the M1 chip found in the MacBook Air. However, its single-core performance is notably higher than the M1, positioning it closer to the M3 or M4 chip's capabilities.
High single-core performance is beneficial for tasks such as web browsing, document applications, and video streaming, which are key for the MacBook Neo's intended audience. The device is not primarily designed for demanding tasks like video editing, music creation, or 3D modeling, where multi-core performance is more critical.
Apple's marketing of the MacBook Neo emphasizes competition with similarly priced Windows PCs and Chromebooks, rather than direct comparisons with other Macs, iPads, or iPhones.
The company states the A18 Pro is up to 50 percent faster for everyday tasks compared to the bestselling PC with the latest Intel Core Ultra 5. Additionally, it is claimed to be up to 3x faster for on-device AI workloads and up to 2x faster for photo editing.
These initial benchmark results align with expectations. The MacBook Neo is available for preorder starting at $599 and is scheduled to launch on March 11.