50% more cores for 13 % more performance. We were eager to find out how the new Apple MacBook Pro 15 handles the new hexa-core processors. Not very well after our initial tests, because the performance advantage under sustained workloads is small compared to the previous model, despite the additional CPU cores.

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Apple's new MacBook Pros are heavily discussed right now and there are multiple reports about problems with severe CPU throttling. Our initial benchmarks with the new 13-inch model (here in review) were not very reassuring, so we were eager to see how the larger MacBook Pro 15 2018 handles the new CPU. We just received the device and performed some benchmarks, and the results are disappointing.

Our test model is equipped with the Core i7-8850H, which is the second fastest option for the new MBP 15. It offers two more cores than the predecessor, so we expected a significant performance advantage over the old quad-core processors you find in the 2017 MacBook Pro 15. However, the advantage is very small. Even a single Cinebench R15 Multi run is too challenging for the cooling solution and the MBP 15 just manages ~950 points. For comparison: The current Dell XPS 15 with the supposedly slower Core i7-8750H scores more than 1200 points.

The performance drops further after the initial run and the average result after 36 runs is just 832 points. This means the advantage over the MacBook Pro 15 2017 with the quad-core Core i7-7700HQ is just 13%, and the difference should be even smaller the more runs we perform. A comparison with the current Dell XPS 15 9570 is interesting as well, because its current quad-core Core i5-8300H is basically on par except for the first run. The situation is even worse for Apple when we look at the Dell XPS 15 with the Core i7-8750H. It suffers during the Cinebench loop as well, but is still 5% faster after 50 runs compared to the best score of the MacBook Pro 15. The XPS 15 with the less expensive processor is almost 18% faster on average. This is a real slap in the face for Apple, because some users of a so-called Pro laptop require steady CPU performance. Not everybody is just watching YouTube videos, browsing the web or writing mails.

