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MacBook 12” 2017 vs. MacBook 12” 2016 - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the MacBook 12” 2017 and MacBook 12” 2016, including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

By Conor Banett

January 24, 2024 10:13 am

MacBook 12” 2017 vs. MacBook 12” 2016

The MacBook 12” 2017 features the 4.5W 6th Generation Intel Skylake dual-core Intel Core m3-7Y32 up to dual-core Intel Core i7-7Y75 with the boost speed up to 3.60 GHz. While the MacBook 12” 2016 features the 4.5W 6th Generation Intel Skylake dual-core Intel Core m3-6Y30 up to dual-core Intel Core m7-6Y75 with the boost speed up to 3.10 GHz.

If you are in the market looking for a laptop and don't know what's the difference between the 12″ MacBook 12” 2017 and the 12″ MacBook 12” 2016 , we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

MacBook 12” 2017 vs. MacBook 12” 2016: Specs Comparison

	Compare With Please enter device name or part of it MacBook 12” 2017	Compare With Please enter device name or part of it MacBook 12” 2016
Availability
Released	2017	2016
Release Info	Announced on June 5, 2017 Available on June 7, 2017	Announced on April 19, 2016 Available on April 19, 2016
Pricing	$1,299 Intel Core m3-7Y32 \| 8GB RAM \| 256GB SSD $1,599 Intel Core m5-7Y54 \| 8GB RAM \| 512GB SSD	$1,299 Intel Core m3-6Y30 \| 8GB RAM \| 256GB SSD $1,599 Intel Core m5-6Y54 \| 8GB RAM \| 512GB SSD

Display	MacBook 12” 2017	MacBook 12” 2016
Size	12 Inches	12 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 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

Exterior	MacBook 12” 2017	MacBook 12” 2016
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)	11.04” x 7.74” x 0.14 - 0.52” (280.5 mm x 196.5 mm x 3.5 - 13.1 mm)
Weight	Starting at 2.03 pounds (920 g)	Starting at 2.03 pounds (920 g)
Colors	SilverSpace GrayGoldRose Gold	SilverSpace GrayGoldRose Gold
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 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) 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
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)	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)

Internal Specs	MacBook 12” 2017	MacBook 12” 2016
Processor	7th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-7Y32 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.10 → 3.00 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7Y54 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.20 → 3.20 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7Y75 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.30 → 3.60 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W	6th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-6Y30 2 cores, 4 threads, 0.90 → 2.20 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W 6th Gen Intel® Core™ m5-6Y54 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.10 → 2.70 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W 6th Gen Intel® Core™ m7-6Y75 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.20 → 3.10 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W
Integrated Graphics	7th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-7Y32 Intel® HD Graphics 615 24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7Y54 Intel® HD Graphics 615 24 Execution Units, 300 → 950 MHz 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7Y75 Intel® HD Graphics 615 24 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz	6th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-6Y30 Intel® HD Graphics 515 24 Execution Units, 300 → 850 MHz 6th Gen Intel® Core™ m5-6Y54 Intel® HD Graphics 515 24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz 6th Gen Intel® Core™ m7-6Y75 Intel® HD Graphics 515 24 Execution Units, 300 → 1000 MHz
Memory	8GB Configurable to 16GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory	8GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage	256GB512GB PCIe-based onboard SSD.	256GB512GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage.

Connectivity	MacBook 12” 2017	MacBook 12” 2016
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 4.0 wireless technology

Battery	MacBook 12” 2017	MacBook 12” 2016
Size	41.4 Wh lithium‑polymer battery	41.4 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life	Up to 10 hours of wireless web Up to 12 hours of iTunes movie playback Up to 30 days of standby time	Up to 10 hours of wireless web Up to 11 hours of iTunes movie playback Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply	29W USB-C Power Adapter	29W USB-C Power Adapter

Software	MacBook 12” 2017	MacBook 12” 2016
OS	Shipped with macOS High Sierra	Shipped with OS X El Capitan
Built-in Apps	PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewiTunesBooksApp StoreTime Machine	PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSafariMailMessagesFaceTimeCalendarNotesApp StoreiTunesiBooksMapsContactsReminders

Camera & Audio	MacBook 12” 2017	MacBook 12” 2016
Camera	480p FaceTime HD camera	480p FaceTime HD camera
Audio	Stereo speakers Dual microphones 3.5 mm headphone jack	Stereo speakers Dual microphones 3.5 mm headphone jack Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone

Misc	MacBook 12” 2017	MacBook 12” 2016
In the box	MacBook 29W USB-C Power Adapter USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)	MacBook 29W USB-C Power Adapter USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
Warranty	Limited Warranty and Service Your 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.	Limited Warranty and Service Your 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.
More	Video Support Intel HD Graphics 615 Dual display and video mirroring: simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz on an external display, both at millions of colors	Video Support Intel HD Graphics 515 Dual display and video mirroring: simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels at 30Hz on an external display, both at millions of colors