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MacBook 12” 2015 vs. 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the MacBook 12” 2015 and 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina, including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

By Conor Banett

January 24, 2024 10:13 am

MacBook 12” 2015 vs. 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina

The MacBook 12” 2015 features the 6W 5th Generation Intel Broadwell dual-core Intel Core M-5Y31 (1.1 GHz) up to dual-core Intel Core M-5Y71 (1.3 GHz) with the boost speed up to 2.90 GHz. While the 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina features the 28W 5th Generation Intel Broadwell dual-core Intel Core i5-5257U up to dual-core Intel Core i7-5557U with the boost speed up to 3.40 GHz.

If you are in the market looking for a laptop and don't know what's the difference between the 12″ MacBook 12” 2015 and the 13.3″ 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina , we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

MacBook 12” 2015 vs. 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina: Specs Comparison

	Compare With Please enter device name or part of it MacBook 12” 2015	Compare With Please enter device name or part of it 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Availability
Released	2015	2015
Release Info	Announced on March 9, 2015 Available on March 10, 2015	Announced on March 9th, 2015 Available on March 9th, 2015
Pricing	$1,299 Intel Core M-5Y31 \| 8GB RAM \| 256GB SSD $1,599 Intel Core M-5Y51 \| 8GB RAM \| 512GB SSD	$1,299 Intel Core i5 5257U \| 8GB RAM \| 128GB SSD $1,499 Intel Core i5 5257U \| 8GB RAM \| 256GB SSD $1,799 Intel Core i5 5287U \| 8GB RAM \| 512GB SSD

Display	MacBook 12” 2015	2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Size	12 Inches	13.3 Inches
Info	Retina display 12-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology 2304-by-1440 resolution at 226 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors 16:10 aspect ratio Supported scaled resolutions: 1440 by 900 1280 by 800 1024 by 640	Retina display 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors Supported scaled resolutions: 1680 by 1050 1440 by 900 1024 by 640 300 nits brightness Standard color gamut (sRGB) 900:1 contrast ratio

Exterior	MacBook 12” 2015	2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Size Comparison
Dimensions	11.04” x 7.74” x 0.14 - 0.52” (280.5 mm x 196.5 mm x 3.5 - 13.1 mm)	12.35” x 8.62” x 0.71” (314 mm x 219 mm x 18 mm)
Weight	Starting at 2.03 pounds (920 g)	Starting at 3.48 lb (1.58 kg)
Colors	SilverSpace GrayGold	Silver
Keyboard and Trackpad	Full-size backlit keyboard with: 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) individual LED backlit keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys with ambient light sensor Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures	Full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement) with ambient light sensor Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures
Ports	One USB Type-C port with support for: Charging USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps) Native DisplayPort 1.2 video output VGA output using USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter (sold separately) HDMI video output using USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (sold separately)	2 x Thunderbolt 2 ports Supports data transfers up to 20 Gbps. 2 x USB 3.0 ports Supports data transfers up to 5 Gbps. 1 x HDMI port 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack 1 x SDXC card reader 1 x MagSafe 2 power port

Internal Specs	MacBook 12” 2015	2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Processor	5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y31 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.10 → 2.40 GHz, 4MB Cache, 6W 5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y51 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.20 → 2.60 GHz, 4MB Cache, 6W 5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y71 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.30 → 2.90 GHz, 4MB Cache, 6W	5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5257U 2 cores, 4 threads, 2.70 → 3.10 GHz, 3MB Cache, 28W 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5287U 2 cores, 4 threads, 2.90 → 3.30 GHz, 3MB Cache, 28W 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5557U 2 cores, 4 threads, 3.10 → 3.40 GHz, 4MB Cache, 28W
Integrated Graphics	5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y31 Intel® HD Graphics 5300 24 Execution Units, 300 → 850 MHz 5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y51 Intel® HD Graphics 5300 24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz 5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y71 Intel® HD Graphics 5300 24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz	5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5257U Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100 48 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5287U Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100 48 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5557U Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100 48 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
Memory	8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory	8GB configurable to 16GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage	256GB512GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage.	256GB512GB configurable to 1TB SSD

Connectivity	MacBook 12” 2015	2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Wi-Fi	802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible	802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology	Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology

Battery	MacBook 12” 2015	2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Size	39.5 Wh lithium‑polymer battery	74.9 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life	Up to 9 hours of wireless web Up to 10 hours of iTunes movie playback Up to 30 days of standby time	Up to 10 hours wireless web Up to 12 hours of iTunes movie playback Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply	29W USB-C Power Adapter	60W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port.

Software	MacBook 12” 2015	2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
OS	Shipped with OS X Yosemite	Shipped with OS X Yosemite
Built-in Apps	PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSafariMailMessagesFaceTimeCalendarNotesApp StoreiTunesiBooksMapsContactsReminders	PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewiTunesiBooksApp StoreTime Machine

Camera & Audio	MacBook 12” 2015	2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Camera	480p FaceTime HD camera	720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio	Stereo speakers Dual microphones 3.5 mm headphone jack Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone	Stereo speakers Dual microphones 3.5 mm headphone jack Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone Support for audio line out (digital/analog)

Misc	MacBook 12” 2015	2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Sensors		Ambient light sensor
In the box	MacBook 29W USB-C Power Adapter USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)	13‑inch MacBook Pro MagSafe 2 Power Adapter Power cord AC wall plug
Warranty	Limited Warranty and ServiceYour MacBook comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan to extend your service and support to three years from your computer’s purchase date. Only the AppleCare Protection Plan provides you with direct telephone support from Apple technical experts and the assurance that repairs will be handled by Apple-authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. For more information, visit Apple Support or call 800-823-2275.	Your MacBook Pro with Retina display comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan to extend your service and support to three years from your computer’s purchase date. Only the AppleCare Protection Plan provides you with direct telephone support from Apple technical experts and the assurance that repairs will be handled by Apple‑authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. For more information, visit Apple Support or call 800-823-2775.
More	Video Support Intel HD Graphics 5300 Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors	Video Support Intel Iris Graphics 6100 Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels on up to two external displays, both at millions of colors. Thunderbolt digital video output Native Mini DisplayPort output DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI output supported using Mini DisplayPort adapters (sold separately) HDMI video output Support for 1080p resolution at up to 60Hz Support for 3840-by-2160 resolution at 30Hz Support for 4096-by-2160 resolution at 24Hz