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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A

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Update Published November 9, 2016

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What are all the differences between the 13-Inch 'Early 2015' and the 15-Inch 'Mid-2015' Retina Display MacBook Pro models? Which is best for my needs?

Apple has discontinued 15-Inch 'Mid-2015' Retina Display MacBook Pro models with dual graphics. All other models in these lineups still are sold as new. This Q&A has been updated with the latest details.

Specifically, the 13-Inch 'Early 2015' Retina Display MacBook Pro models are the MacBook Pro 'Core i5' 2.7 13', 'Core i5' 2.9 13', and 'Core i7' 3.1 13' and the 15-Inch 'Mid-2015' Retina Display MacBook Pro models are the still current MacBook Pro 'Core i7' 2.2 15' (IG),'Core i7' 2.5 15' (IG) and 'Core i7' 2.8 15' (IG) as well as the now discontinued MacBook Pro 'Core i7' 2.5 15' (DG) and 'Core i7' 2.8 15' (DG).

With a quick glance, it is obvious that the 'Early 2015' models have 13-Inch displays and the 'Mid-2015' models have 15-Inch displays, but there are many other differences that are nearly as important, even if they are not as obvious. As a result, a detailed comparison of the lines is necessary to determine which model is the best choice for your needs.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Retina Display MacBook Pro Models -- 13' Left, 15' Right)

External Differences

The 13-Inch and 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models use a similar and essentially 'sealed' aluminum and glass design of uniform thickness. The 13-Inch 'Early 2015' and 15-Inch 'Mid-2015' notebooks both are 0.71 of an inch thick, but the 13-Inch models are 3.46 pounds (1.57 kg) and the 15-Inch models are 4.46 pounds (2.02 kg).

The 'Early 2015' and 'Mid-2015' MacBook Pro models all have a high-resolution LED-backlit widescreen 'Retina' display, but the size and resolutions are different. The 13-Inch models have a 13.3' widescreen 2560x1600 (227 ppi) display and the 15-Inch models have a 15.4' widescreen 2880x1800 (220 ppi) display. By default, the 13-Inch and 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models run 'pixel doubled' at 1280x800 and 1440x900, respectively, but with four times the detail of a 'traditional' display.

Both lines have integrated stereo speakers, dual microphones, an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam, a full-size 'chiclet-style' backlit keyboard, and a new 'Force Touch' trackpad.

Apple explains that this new trackpad has 'built-in force sensors that allow you to click anywhere and haptic feedback that provides a responsive and uniform feel' and enables a new gesture called 'Force Click' which is a 'click followed by a deeper press' for additional functionality over the 'inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities' of the earlier trackpad.

Connectivity Differences (or Lack Thereof)

The 13-Inch 'Early 2015' and 15-Inch 'Mid-2015' Retina Display MacBook Pro notebooks have the same connectivity. Both lines have 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 ports, two 'Thunderbolt 2' ports, an HDMI port, an audio out port, an SDXC card slot, and a 'MagSafe 2' power connector port.

Thunderbolt-to-Gigabit Ethernet and Thunderbolt-to-Firewire 800 adapters also are offered at extra cost.

Identification Differences

The 'Early 2015' 13-Inch models and 'Mid-2015' 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models share external Model Numbers with earlier models that have the same display sizes. Specifically, the 13-Inch models share model number A1502 and the 15-Inch models share model number A1398.

Consequently, Model Identifiers, in software, and EMC Numbers, externally, are necessary for unique identification.

As always, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these details for your convenience:

Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- additionally can uniquely identify each one of the Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers, which are listed in software as well as on the bottom of the system.

Internal Differences

Internally, the 'Early 2015' 13-Inch models and the 'Mid-2015' 15-Inch MacBook Pro models quite a bit in common. Each notebook has a storage module that uses a PCIe 2.0 x4 interface, and has a battery that is gluedin place. However, there are notable differences, too.

The 13-Inch models have dual core Intel 'Core i5' or 'Core i7' processors, 8 GB of onboard 1866 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM memory (that can be upgraded to 16 GB of RAM at the time of purchase at additional cost, but not later), and an 'integrated' Iris Graphics 6100 graphics processor that shares memory with the system.

By contrast, the 15-Inch models have much fasterquad core 'Core i7' processors, 16 GB of slower onboard 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM that cannot be upgraded later, and either a single Iris Pro 5200 graphics processor or dual graphics processors -- a AMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 SDRAM as well as an Iris Pro 5200 graphics processor.

The SSD storage is not intended to be upgraded after purchase, but both the 13-Inch and 15-Inch models use the same proprietary 'blade' type PCIe-based storage and it can be upgraded later.

The internal battery on the 13-Inch models provides an Apple estimated 10-12 hours of runtime and the 15-Inch models provides an Apple estimated 9 hours of runtime.

Comparison Chart

The differences between the 'Early 2015' 13-Inch and 'Mid-2015' 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models -- processors, storage, memory, video processors, displays, battery life, identifiers, and original prices -- are summarized below:

† The 'Early 2015' 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models can be upgraded to 16 GB of RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase in any of these models.

* The Intel Iris Pro 5200 graphics processor shares 1 GB of memory with the system for graphics function, but also has 128 MB of 'Crystalwell' embedded DRAM on the CPU package to provide additional memory bandwidth.

For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the 'Global Prices' on the specs page for each Mac as well as the 'By Global Original Prices' section of EveryMac.com.

So, which is ideal for my needs?

The 15-Inch 'Mid-2015' Retina Display MacBook Pro models provide much faster performance in a package that is a bit larger and a pound heavier than the 13-Inch 'Early 2015' Retina Display MacBook Pro models.

For those interested in a big, beautiful display and high performance, but who do not place a great deal of importance on price, internal upgrades, or legacy connectivity, a 15-Inch model is the clear choice.

Specifically, for those looking for the best price-to-performance ratio, the entry-level 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro 'Core i7' 2.2 15' (IG) -- is the best choice. For one looking for the ultimate in performance, particularly graphics performance, the high-end MacBook Pro 'Core i7' 2.5 15' (DG) or even the custom processor upgraded MacBook Pro 'Core i7' 2.8 15' (DG) are ideal, although these models now are only available on the used market.

On the other hand, for those more interested in a beautiful display in a smaller package and who place more importance on battery life than performance, a 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro could be the perfect match. The 13-Inch model is best suited for someone who views a 15-Inch MacBook Pro Retina Display as too heavy, large, or expensive and who is less concerned about performance or value.

Site sponsor Adorama has new MacBook Pro models with free shipping for all.

In the US, site sponsor Evertek has extensive inventory of used MacBook Pro models, including Retina Display models, at bargain prices for business customers. Evertek also ships bulk orders at wholesale prices worldwide.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a number of used 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

If you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated site sponsors Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older MacBook Pro directly for fast cash.

Please refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook Pro model to any other Mac.

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At their press event on Monday, March 9, Apple unveiled a new 2015 MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro to go along with the new ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook with Retina Display. They showed these off after giving details about a lower cost Apple TV with the new HBO Now unbundled service and before sharing final details about the new Apple Watch.

2015 MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is the new “budget” MacBook from Apple.

The headline for the refreshed 2015 MacBook Air comes primarily from the new processor. The machine offers 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost mode up to 2.7GHz. That means, at a lower price, we get a slightly faster processor in the 2015 MacBook Air than in the more expensive ultrathin 12-inch MacBook with Retina Display. The new MacBook with Retina only sports an Intel Core M processor which provides longer battery life, but less speed.

The 13-inch 2015 MacBook Air will ship with the 2X faster flash storage that also comes on the new 12-inch MacBook. The 11-inch won’t get this faster storage that Apple claims runs at twice the speed.

Apple boosted the onboard graphics putting Intel HD Graphics 6000, which also should run faster than the 12-inch MacBook’s slower graphics chip.

Here’s the other important specs, most of which mirror the old version. First the 11-inch 2015 MacBook Air:

• 4GB of RAM
• 1366×768 display resolution
• Older generation 128GB or 256GB flash storage
• 720p FaceTime HD Camera
• Full-size backlit keyboard and clickable trackpad
• Ports: 2 USB 3.0, 1 Thunderbolt 2, MagSafe 2 Power, Headphone/mic combo port, dual mics
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi compatible with a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth 4.0
• 9 hours of battery life
• .11-.68-inches thick, 11.8-inches wide and 7.56-inches deep
• 2.38lbs.

Here’s the specs for the 13-inch 2015 MacBook Air that differ from the 11-inch model above.

• 1440×900 display resolution
• 12-hours of battery life
• .11-.68 inches thick, 12.8 inches wide, 8.94 inches deep
• 2.96lbs.
• adds an SD card slot

The MacBook Air prices start at $899 making it the “budget” option for potential MacBook buyers. Compare that to the MacBook Pro with Retina Display and the new ultrathin MacBook, both of which start at $400 more than the intro-level 11-inch 2015 MacBook Air. Apple also offers a 13-inch MacBook Pro without a Retina Display for $1,099, but we don’t think very many buyers will find it appealing.

Buyers can get the updated 2015 MacBook Air now at the Apple Store online and in retail stores “coming soon.”

See the new ultrathin MacBook with Retina Display reveal video to compare it with the new 2015 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

2015 MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro offers more power in a thicker design for the same price as the new MacBook.

The new 13-inch 2015 MacBook Pro with Retina gets a few new features to bring it forward. We assume Apple will update the 15-inch version later this year.

What Is The Price For Mac Book Pro Model 2015 Model

The new 13-inch model crams some power into the small design for serious mobile warriors who need a machine for editing big images or video, playing video games and running power-hungry software. People like this need power more than they need a super thin machine that’s extremely light, like the new MacBook with Retina Display.

What Is The Price For Mac Book Pro Model 2015

There’s a slight processor speed increase in this model. The entry-level machine comes with an Intel Core i5 2.7GHz processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz. It’s still got 8GB of RAM standard with configurations up to 16GB available. The storage will hold 128GB configurable up to 1TB of flash storage. The faster flash storage in these models will run at a promised 2x speed boost over the older flash drives we get in the 2015 MacBook Air and older MacBook Pros.

The biggest change comes from the new Force Touch Trackpad available only on the 13-inch 2015 MacBook Pro and not on the 15-inch yet. This new technology doesn’t click like the old trackpads. Instead it’s touch only, but senses the amount of force the user applies. Instead of a simple tap to click, the user can exert greater pressure which OS X will treat differently depending on where the person’s mouse cursor hovers. For example, Apple demonstrated a video game where the presenter pressed harder and it sped up the game’s character. We assume Apple will add it to the 2015 model later this year.

Macbook Pro 2015 Review

Here’s the list of detailed specs for the 2015 MacBook Pro.

• 2.7 to 2.9GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor or 2.9 to 3.1GHz Intel Core i7
• 8GB to 16GB RAM
• 128GB to 1TB of flash storage
• Intel Iris 6100 on 13-inch
• Intel Iris Pro or Intel Iris Pro+NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of dedicated RAM on 15-inch
• 2 USB 3.0, 1 HDMI, 2 Thunderbolt 2, MagSafe 2 charger, Headphone/mic combo, dual mics, SD card slot
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi compatible with a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth 4.0
• 720p FaceTime HD Camera
• 10 hours of battery life on the 13-inch model and 8 on the 15-inch
• .71 inches thick
• 12.35 inches wide on 13-inch or 14.13 inches wide on 15-inch
• 8.62 inches deep on 13-inch or 9.73 inches deep on 15-inch
• 3.48lbs on 13-inch or 4.46lbs on 15-inch

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