

We are particularly eager to see whether the new Vega GPU is more efficient than the previous Radeon Pro GPUs or whether the thermal capabilities limit the performance. We will have a look at different aspects in this review, but the main focus is the performance of the two new components. This results in a total price of 8379 Euros (~$9435). Our test sample is equipped with all the expensive options: Intel Core i9 processor (+340 Euros/~$383), 32 GB RAM (+480 Euros/~$541) and massive 4 TB SSD storage, which costs an insane amount of 3840 Euros (~$4324). Apple only offers the two new GPUs as upgrades for the more expensive SKU, so you have to pay another 300 Euros (~$338/Radeon Pro Vega 16) or 420 Euros (~$473/Radeon Pro Vega 20) in addition to the base price of 3299 Euros (~$3715). However, the thermal output is most likely similar (35 watts), so we will have to wait for the benchmark results to see how big the performance advantage really is. While the two regular Radeon Pro chips (555X & 560X) are still based on the older GCN4 architecture, the two Radeon Pro Vega GPUs are based on the GCN5 architecture. They are completely new Vega GPUs from AMD. This means you pay a high premium for effectively less performance.In a somewhat surprising move, Apple announced two new GPUs for the MacBook Pro 15 in the end of last year. The average result during our CB R15 Multi loop is 1007 points, while the Core i7 manages 1031 points on average. Once you start to stress more cores, however, the Core i9-8950HK is slower than the Core i7-8850H, even during the first Cinebench run. The answer is definitely no, because the expensive Core i9 only has a small advantage in single-core scenarios thanks to its higher Turbo clock (even though it does not reach the max.


We were obviously eager to find out how the Core i9 in the MacBook Pro 15 performs after the updates and whether the additional charge of $300 or $400 (depending on the base configuration), respectively, is worth paying.
APPLE MACBOOK PRO 2018 I7 VS I9 SOFTWARE
We initially had problems with the Core i7 as well, but Apple eventually improved the situation with comprehensive software updates. After the launch in mid 2018, there were numerous reports about Apple users disappointed by the low performance of the Core i9.
APPLE MACBOOK PRO 2018 I7 VS I9 UPDATE
We were primarily interested in the new Vega 20 GPU from AMD during our upcoming review update of the Apple MacBook Pro 15, but our test model is also equipped with the optional Core i9 processor we did not review before. 3D Printing, 5G, Accessory, AI, Alder Lake, AMD, Android, Apple, ARM, Audio, Benchmark, Biotech, Business, Camera, Cannon Lake, Cezanne (Zen 3), Charts, Chinese Tech, Chromebook, Coffee Lake, Comet Lake, Console, Convertible / 2-in-1, Cryptocurrency, Cyberlaw, Deal, Desktop, E-Mobility, Education, Exclusive, Fail, Foldable, Gadget, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S, Gamecheck, Gaming, Geforce, Google Pixel, GPU, How To, Ice Lake, Intel, Intel Evo, Internet of Things (IoT), iOS, iPad, iPad Pro, iPhone, Jasper Lake, Lakefield, Laptop, Launch, Leaks / Rumors, Linux / Unix, List, Lucienne (Zen 2), MacBook, Mini PC, Monitor, MSI, OnePlus, Opinion, Phablet, Radeon, Raptor Lake, Renoir, Review Snippet, Rocket Lake, Ryzen (Zen), Science, Security, Single-Board Computer (SBC), Smart Home, Smartphone, Smartwatch, Software, Storage, Tablet, ThinkPad, Thunderbolt, Tiger Lake, Touchscreen, Ultrabook, Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR), Wearable, Wi-Fi 7, Windows, Workstation, XPS, Zen 3 (Vermeer), Zen 4
