We’ve published our review of the standard configuration of Apple’s recently revised Mac Pro line, but that’s not the final chapter in the Mac Pro story.
In addition to the eight-core, 2.8GHz model we reviewed, Apple offers three other build-to-order configurations. We’ve already tested the 3GHz, eight-core Mac Pro and the 2.8GHz, four-core system, and we finally received the last piece of the Mac Pro puzzle—an eight-core 3.2GHz model. As you might expect, this machine, powered by a pair of 3.2GHz 4-core Xeon processors, is the fastest Mac we’ve tested yet.
We have tested the skeleton code on, and provide versions for Mac OS, Windows and Linux. In particular, one of the initial goals is to get set up with a suitable compilation environment. If there are issues, please speak to the instructor or GSI.
As I mentioned in the last set of Mac Pro benchmarks, our first 3.2GHz Mac Pro model (purchased from Apple’s online store for $4,399) showed up DOA. A call to tech support and the Apple Store here in San Francisco quickly netted us an RMA number and printable Fed Ex airbill to exchange the system. Receiving a non-functioning product is never fun, but this exchange process was rather painless.
Essential Skeleton 4 is a fully functional, self-contained app covering the essential anatomy of the skeleton. This app is being offered free to demonstrate the groundbreaking 3D technology and innovative design inherent in 3D4Medical's new range of apps. Essential Skeleton 4 is a fully functional, self-contained app covering the essential anatomy of the skeleton. This app is being offered free to demonstrate the groundbreaking 3D technology and innovative design inherent in 3D4Medical's new range of apps.
This 3.2GHz Mac Pro system has the same 320GB 7,200-rpm SATA hard drive, 2GB of 800MHz DDR2 fully-buffered ECC memory, and ATI Radeon HD 2600XT graphics card you’ll find in Apple’s recommended 2.8GHz 8-core system (which costs $2,799).
Here’s how the 3.2GHz Mac Pro compares to some of the other models released by Apple last month; our results also include an older eight-core 3GHz Mac Pro and a four-core Power Mac G5. (To compare those figures to other systems, here’s our chart of other Speedmark 5 scores.)
Speed- mark 5 | Adobe PS CS3 | Cinema 4D XL 10.5 | Comp. 3 | iMovie HD | iTunes 7.5 | Unreal Tourney 2004 | Quake 4 | Finder | H’Brake | Pro App Multi 2GB RAM | Pro App Multi 4GB RAM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OVERALL SCORE | SUITE | RENDER | MPEG2 ENCODE | AGED EFFECT | MP3 ENCODE | FRAME RATE | FRAME RATE | ZIP ARCHIVE | H.264 ENCODE | SUITE | SUITE | |
Mac Pro Xeon/3.2GHz (8 cores)* | 342 | 0:39 | 0:13 | 0:51 | 0:28 | 0:42 | 111.7 | 33.7 | 3:34 | 0:56 | 1:02 | 0:59 |
Mac Pro Xeon/3GHz (8 cores)* | 327 | 0:40 | 0:15 | 0:52 | 0:30 | 0:44 | 106.4 | 32.9 | 3:43 | 1:02 | 1:06 | 1:03 |
Mac Pro Xeon/2.8GHz (8 cores) | 314 | 0:49 | 0:16 | 0:46 | 0:30 | 0:47 | 100.8 | 33.3 | 3:51 | 0:54 | 1:17 | 1:11 |
Mac Pro Xeon/3GHz (8 cores)(2007)* | 317 | 0:44 | 0:15 | 1:02 | 0:34 | 0:51 | 95.4 | 51.4 | 3:41 | 0:57 | 1:20 | 1:12 |
Power Mac G5/2.5GHz (4 cores) | 225 | 1:12 | 0:32 | 1:28 | 0:37 | 0:48 | 32.6 | 37.7 | 4:47 | 2:25 | 2:28 | 2:23 |
>Better | <Better | <Better | <Better | <Better | <Better | >Better | >Better | <Better | <Better | <Better | <Better |
Best results in red. Reference systems in italics. * denotes build-to-order configuration.
Speedmark 5 scores are relative to those of a 1.5GHz Core Solo Mac mini, which is assigned a score of 100. Adobe Photoshop, Cinema 4D XL, iMovie, iTunes, and Finder scores are in minutes:seconds. All systems were running Mac OS X 10.5.1 with 2GB of RAM. The Photoshop Suite test is a set of 14 scripted tasks using a 50MB file. Photoshop’s memory was set to 70 percent and History was set to Minimum. We recorded how long it took to render a scene in Cinema 4D XL. We used Compressor to encode a 6 minute, 26 second DV file using the DVD: Fastest Encode 120 minutes – 4:3 setting. In iMovie, we applied the Aged Film effect from the Video FX. menu to a one minute movie. We converted 45 minutes of AAC audio files to MP3 using iTunes’ High Quality setting. We used Unreal Tournament 2004’s Antalus Botmatch average-frames-per-second score; we tested at a resolution of 1,024 by 768 pixels at the Maximum setting with both audio and graphics enabled. We created a Zip archive in the Finder from a 2GB folder. For the Professional Application Multitasking suite, we recorded how long it took Photoshop to run our standard test suite while a longer Cinema 4D task and our Compressor encode test ran in the background.—MACWORLD LAB TESTING BY JAMES GALBRAITH, JERRY JUNG, AND BRIAN CHEN.
In our tests, we found the new 3.2GHz Mac Pro to be nearly 9 percent faster than the stock, 2.8GHZ 8-core Mac Pro, and 4.6 percent faster than the build—to-order 3GHz system in Speedmark, our overall performance benchmark. The 3.2GHz model was 16 percent and 13 percent faster than those two systems in our Cinema 4D render test—currently the best, pure processing test we have.
Other results show the 3.2GHz system to be faster than those systems in just about every application, including 3-D game frame rate tests and Finder tasks. The exceptions: a couple of tests (HandBrake and Compressor) where the 2.8GHz model inexplicably took first prize.
In comparing the new top-of-the-line build-to-order Mac Pro with last year’s fastest available model, a 3GHz, eight-core system, we find the new 3.2 GHz model to be 8 percent faster at Speedmark, 9 percent faster in our Photoshop test suite, and 13 percent faster at Cinema 4D.
The one test where the older 3GHz machine bested the newer model was in the Quake average frame rate tests—in fact, even the Power Mac G5 turned in a better score on this test than the new Mac Pros. Their lower scores could be due to a lack of graphics driver optimization, but the ATI Radeon HD 2600XT does represent the low end of the graphics cards offered for these new Mac Pros. We’ve seen improvement in the past after subsequent OS X updates. We’ll be sure to retest these systems again when the next updates arrive.
We still plan to publish results on some of the other options, such as SAS drives, the Apple RAID card, and the two optional graphics cards as soon as we get our hands on them.
[James Galbraith is Macworld Lab director.]
It doesn’t matter if you have a Windows or macOS, the choice of a browser for an operating system is very crucial and should always be a wise decision. After all, you spend quite a significant part of your day surfing the web, isn’t it? Here we are going to talk about some of the best web browsers for Mac that helps in speeding up the delivery of browsed information.
If you ever had a notion that you probably don’t have as many options as you would have if you were a Windows user, the following options for browsers for macOS will make you think twice.
When choosing the best internet browser for MacBook Pro, there are several aspects that you should consider. Apart from an easy to use interface, you should find its security aspects, features pertaining to readability, the speed at which it loads pages, especially when you are multitasking and several other inbuilt features.
We shall try and cover several such features and here are some of the best Mac internet browsers –
Best Web Browser for Mac: |
1. Brave |
2. Safari |
3. Chrome |
4. Firefox |
5. Maxthon |
6. Microsoft Edge |
7. SeaMonkey |
8. Yandex |
9. Vivaldi |
10. Camino |
Talking of the powerful browsers for Mac and not mentioning Brave browser would be unjustified. It rises like a champion on several aspects like privacy, security and performance. Plus, it doesn’t hold back when it comes to delivering impeccable features.
Having mentioned the prominent features, some of the minor features include a distil page which removes any extra elements from a web page and makes it easy to read. With the iOS version, you also get a web page to PDF converter as well. Now you definitely want to call Brave as the top browser for Mac.
The native browser for Macbook, Safari is one of the finest browsers and is combined with updated features like Dark mode, Siri suggestions, easy switching in between tabs and intelligent security. Safari itself completes a user’s browsing experience with additionals like:
Ever since 2004, it has been a default browser for Apple’s devices for various good reasons. To begin with, it works on the Nitro JavaScript engine, which is almost eight times faster than the Internet Explorer.
It comes with built-in functionality for sending email and accessing social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. For readers, Safari is a treat since it comes with a Safari reader that allows distraction-free reading. Apart from all this, Safari comes loaded with extensions that facilitate both security and comforts. For instance, you get Save to Pocket, 1 Password and DuckDuckGo.
And, not to forget it is indeed a fast performer that takes care of the multitasking needs of a modern user which is why it is counted amongst the fastest browsers for Mac.
Chrome from Google is a popular browser not just for Windows users, but it is undoubtedly one of the best browsers for Mac as well. And why won’t it be? It comes packed with several features because of which it stays ahead of the competition by quite a margin. To begin with,
Despite being one of the oldest browsers on the block, it is still one of the best internet browsers for Mac because it has quite recently gone through several updates. These updates have focused on increasing its reliability amongst the users and the speed putting it head to head with all the other browsers.
Also Read : Best Mac Apps 2021- That Every Apple Newbie Should Install
While Maxthon is a lesser-known browser if pitted against other browsers in its class but it is genuinely one of the fastest and lightweight browsers for Mac. Despite being light in size, it doesn’t compromise on performance and delivers exceptional and fast browsing experience.
Many might misconstrue, Microsoft Edge as a revamped internet explorer. Which can’t be wholly negated, but when it comes to functionality, Edge has come a very long way. Ask many mac users, and they won’t shy away from saying that Edge is one of the best internet browsers for Mac.
Also Read:7 Best App Uninstaller For Mac to Remove Unwanted Apps
Seamonkey is yet another lightweight browser for Mac.
While carrying the similar look as Microsoft Edge, Yandex is making its way in the list of best and fastest browsers for Macbook nowadays. This browser gives an opportunity to view the browser interface in different shapes and colors.
Vivaldi is yet another best web browser on Mac which is famous for its security features like protection from hackers, blocks unwanted ads that may become a security threat tomorrow and gives you control of your browsing experience with its in-built features.
This is a good browser for Mac where you can access favorite chat apps, social media feeds and news sites with one single click. You can even rearrange the icons with the drag and drop option.
Read Also :CleanMyMac X Review: Pros, Cons & All You Want To Know
Camino is differently special for mac and works as an open source browser. Loaded with tabbed browsing features like scrollable tab bar and drag and drop tabs for rearranging.
Browser cache is a temporary storage area which stores all the recently downloaded web pages. It plays a vital role as you can quickly go back to a particular web page without needing to download it from the web again.
Now, you may wonder, if it is so important, why would anybody need to get rid of it? That’s because there are times when this browsing cache can cause more harm as if it is compromised and misused, your security can be jeopardised. For instance, hackers can access your location from the website you have visited or access any files you have used when accessing an online application. That’s why it is recommended that you clean the browser cache from time to time.
One of the best and the easiest ways to get rid of browser cache is to use a tool such as TuneupMyMac that scans all the browsers you have installed on your Mac and cleans any browser cache and internet history that can be misused.
Which One’s Your Favorite?
Now since you know that in the race of best browser for Mac, there are several contenders to choose from, do let us know which one is your absolute favorite. If you are already using a browser for Mac and just adore it over every other browser, do share your experience with us.
FAQs: Fastest Browsers For macOS
1. What is the best browser to use with a Mac?
The native browser app of Mac, Safari is one of the best browsers to use with Mac. Apart from this, Chrome, Firefox and Opera are other best options for browser on Mac.
2. Is Chrome faster than Safari on Mac?
Let’s just say, Safari is faster than Chrome on Mac. Although Chrome is fast but it consumes more battery and doesn’t possess as many developer tools as Safari.
3. What is the best browser for Mac 2020?
Safari is undoubtedly the best browser for Mac. If you wish to consider other browsers, Chrome, Opera and Firefox are some of the best browsers.
4. Is Firefox or Chrome better for Mac?
Once considered, Chrome is considered better for Mac in terms of speed, developer tools, etc. and scores a lot better than Firefox.