Low End Mac Benchmarks
A lot of benchmarks have been created to compare one computer with another: sometimes one Mac against another, sometimes computers with totally different architectures. And each has generated at least as much heat as light as users debate the pros and cons of each test.
In this section I am providing benchmark scores on systems I have tested personally. If I don't have access to a certain Macintosh, I can't test it.
Where possible, I'm testing with Speedometer 3.06 and 4.02, two fairly quick benchmarks specifically designed for the Macintosh. Models tested are indexes on the left. I've also begun testing with MacBench 3 and 5, which is more a time-consuming process.
Remember that benchmarks are arbitrary. They measure certain types of performance that may or may not reflect the way you work. dk
Benchmarks
Desktops
- Plus
- Plus w/Brainstorm
- SE
- Classic
- SE/30
- Classic II
- Mac II
- Mac IIcx
- Color Classic
- Color Classic w/Presto 040
- Mac IIsi
- Mac IIci w/Presto 040
- LC III
- Mac IIfx
- Quadra 605
- Quadra 630
- Quadra 650
- Quadra 700
- Quadra 950
- Centris 660av
- 6100/60 and 66
- Power Mac 5200
- SuperMac C500
- SuperMac J700
- iMac, Rev. B
- Beige Power Mac G3/266
- Blue and White Power Mac G3/350
- Power Mac G4/450 dual
- Power Mac G4/500 dual
- Power Mac G4/533 MHz
- Power Mac G4/1 GHz dual
- 'Digital Audio' Power Mac with 1.8 GHz Gigadesign upgrade
Notebooks
Hard Drives
Further reading on benchmarks
- Speedmark's rebirth heralds return of meaningful Mac benchmarks, Andrew Gore, Macworld. Updated benchmark replaces MacBench, provides a single score for a computer.
- Are iMac/Pentium comparisons fair?, Mac Mania
- Benchmark wars erupt again, Chicago Tribune
- The folly of benchmarks, Mac Opinion
- Understanding CPU Performance, MacKiDo
- CPU Performance, MacKiDo
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