The 2013 MacBook Air Review (13-inch)
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 24, 2013 12:01 AM ESTMore GPU Performance Numbers
The next set of benchmarks are taken from our 2013 Laptop Bench. Here we're comparing to HD 4000 and HD 4400, both using Acer S7s. Compared to HD 4400 the HD 5000 in Apple's 2013 MBA ends up being around 15% faster in most tests. Compared to Ivy Bridge/HD 4000 the gap ranges from lower single digits in thermally constrained environments to 25% or 40% in the best case scenarios.
3DMark GPU Performance
We close out our look at Intel's HD 5000 performance using a historical collection of 3DMark data. The comparison gives us some more data points to characterize Intel's HD 5000. The data here is all best case scenario for HD 5000 as there are no situations where we hit thermal limits.
On average, Intel's HD 4400 ends up being 18% faster than HD 4000, while Intel's HD 5000 is 31% faster.
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Bkord123 - Tuesday, June 25, 2013 - link
I second your opinion about a "PC laptop with a working trackpad." Brother you ain't kidding. I've wondered for years how Apple is the only company that can get it right.Stuka87 - Monday, June 24, 2013 - link
The 13.3 is *IS* 1600x900. The 11" is 1366x768.Sm0kes - Monday, June 24, 2013 - link
Nope, the 13'' is 1440x900. You're correct the 11'' is 1366x768.Guspaz - Monday, June 24, 2013 - link
The XPS13 also costs $1600 with those options...abazigal - Monday, June 24, 2013 - link
I find 1366x768 quite sufficient for a 11" laptop.mavere - Monday, June 24, 2013 - link
I agree that there's no reason to increase resolution unless they're jumping straight to Retina.However, the whole TN thing has got to go.
Wolfpup - Tuesday, June 25, 2013 - link
You're right, the resolution is far too high, it should be lower at that tiny screen size. And yes, should have 8GB minimum, if not 16.8steve8 - Monday, June 24, 2013 - link
disappointing... zero improvement in weight and dimensions (or screen)...maybe next time carbon fiber and/or magnesium will allow for a 2.5lb macbook air with a smaller bezel around the screen.
biassj - Monday, June 24, 2013 - link
Damn looking to pick up something portable like the Air, but wish it came with a higher res screen. I think I might have to wait for the Samsung Ativ 9 Plus, but that crazy of a res may bring the price up to like $1700 and hope Samsung's claim of 12hrs is true too.sherlockwing - Monday, June 24, 2013 - link
Hopefully both the 9Plus & the Zenbook Infinity have a <$1200 1080p variant.