When the iPad2 came out we wanted to test how FileMaker Go performed on that platform and found marked improvements. So when the news of a new iPad hit the streets, we knew we needed to find out how it would perform with FileMaker Go. Like us, many of you may use or offer products that work on FileMaker Go (like our product CCNonProfit), and so it’s performance on the new iPad is particularly relevant.
The Tests Run
We have a testing database that we use for internal purposes which we used to run these tests. It can run a sequence of routines, namely:
- Create Records
- Create a specified number of records with the window either frozen or not.
- Custom Function Loop
- A self-referential custom function looping a specified number of times.
- Empty Loop
- A looping script incrementing a local variable a specified number of times.
- Find Records
- Perform a find on all records in the sample data set on either an indexed or unindexed field, either locally or through a relationship, a specified number of times.
- Layout Change
- Jump between two layouts, either refreshing the layout or not, a specified number of times.
- Record Loop
- Loop through all the records is the sample data set, either refreshing the window on each new record or not.
- Sort Records
- Perform a sort on all records in the sample data set on either an indexed or unindexed field a specified number of times.
We have the database process a long loop of each event, and record the time it takes to process. We log the event in the database, and that way we can compare it across multiple platforms. All functions are done in a straightforward manner, and use only native FileMaker functions.
We built the tests using sample tables copied and pasted from the contact management template provided by FileMaker Inc. to keep the table structure simple and repeatable. All tests on the iPad, iPad2, and original iPad were done with the device plugged in and no other applications running in the background, in case that ends up affecting anything.
The hope is that this can start a trend towards finding ways to efficiently code and design on the iOS platform.
The Results
Our results from our test are as follows, each cell is the time in loops per second the device could generate and the second chart is how many times faster than the original iPad the device was. One important note, FileMaker can’t tell which iPad it is on, so the test results in the database are combined in the report, if you look, the faster ones are on the iPad2 and the really fast ones are on the new iPad. 
Loops Per Second
Bigger numbers are better| Machine Tested | Create Records | Custom Function Loop | Empty Loop | Find Records | Layout Change | Record Loop | Sort Records |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original iPad | 51.72 | 1.3 | 2,439.02 | 1.46 | 1.09 | 1.10 | 0.79 |
| iPad2 | 65.22 | 1.67 | 3,448.28 | 2.00 | 1.71 | 1.97 | 1.11 |
| New iPad | 100.0 | 2.31 | 5,882.35 | 3.33 | 4.62 | 4.84 | 1.67 |
| iMac 27″ (i7) | 600 | 10.71 | 38,974.36 | 20.46 | 30 | 29.70 | 10.34 |
Number of Times Faster Than Original iPad and iPad2
Bigger numbers are better| Machine Tested | Create Records | Custom Function Loop | Empty Loop | Find Records | Layout Change | Record Loop | Sort Records |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original iPad | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| iPad2 over Original iPad | 1.26 | 1.28 | 1.42 | 1.37 | 1.57 | 1.79 | 1.41 |
| New iPad over Original iPad | 1.93 | 1.78 | 2.41 | 2.28 | 4.24 | 4.40 | 2.11 |
| New iPad over iPad2 | 1.53 | 1.38 | 1.71 | 1.67 | 2.70 | 2.46 | 1.50 |
| iMac 27″ (i7) | 11.6 | 9.48 | 16 | 14.01 | 27.52 | 27 | 13.09 |
And for those of you who like pictures, here’s the chart showing the number of times faster one iPad is to the other.
FileMaker Go iPad Speed Comparison
Of course we don’t expect you to want to compare the new iPad to our machine, we figured you’d want to see how your systems will compare relative to your machine, so below you’ll find a download link for the database we use to do the testing. It contains our baseline tests on the iMac, the Original iPad, the iPad2, and the new iPad for your own comparisons.
Grab the zipped FileMaker database here…
Enjoy
