MacBook Air 11” 2014 vs. MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015) - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the MacBook Air 11” 2014 and MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015), including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

MacBook Air 11” 2014 vs. MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)

The MacBook Air 11” 2014 features the 15W 4th Generation Intel Haswell dual-core Intel Core i5-4260U up to dual-core Intel Core i7-4650U with the boost speed up to 3.30 GHz. While the MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015) features the 47W 4th Generation Intel Crystal Well quad-core Intel Core i7-4770HQ up to quad-core Intel Core i7-4980HQ with the boost speed up to 4.00 GHz.

If you are in the market looking for a laptop and don't know what's the difference between the 11.6″ MacBook Air 11” 2014 and the 15.4″ MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015) , we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

MacBook Air 11” 2014 vs. MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015): Specs Comparison

MacBook Air 11” 2014 image

MacBook Air 11” 2014

MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015) image

MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)

Availability
Released20142015
Release Info
  • Available on April 30, 2014
  • Announced on March 9th, 2015
  • Available on March 9th, 2015
Pricing
  • $899
    Intel Core i5 4260U | 4GB RAM | 128GB SSD
  • $1,099
    Intel Core i5 4260U | 4GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,999
    Intel Core i7 4770HQ| 16GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $2,499
    Intel Core i7 4870HQ | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD
DisplayMacBook Air 11” 2014MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)
Size11.6 Inches15.4 Inches
Info
  • 11.6-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
  • Supported resolutions: 1366 by 768 (native), 1344 by 756, and 1280 by 720 pixels at 16:9 aspect ratio; 1152 by 720 and 1024 by 640 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768 and 800 by 600 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio
Retina display
  • 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2880-by-1800 native resolution at 220 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
  • Supported scaled resolutions:
    • 1920 by 1200
    • 1680 by 1050
    • 1280 by 800
    • 1024 by 640
  • 300 nits brightness
  • Standard color gamut (sRGB)
  • 900:1 contrast ratio
ExteriorMacBook Air 11” 2014MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)
Size Comparison
Dimensions11.8” x 7.56” x 0.11 - 0.68” (300 mm x 192 mm x 3 - 17 mm)14.13” x 9.73” x 0.71” (358.9 mm x 247.1 mm x 18 mm)
WeightStarting at 2.38 pounds (1.08 kg)Starting at 4.49 lb (2.04 kg)
Colors
Silver
Silver
Keyboard and TrackpadFull-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
  • Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
  • 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
  • 1 x Thunderbolt port 
    Supports data transfers up to 10 Gbps.
  • 2 x USB 3.0 ports
    Supports data transfers up to 5 Gbps.
  • 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack
  • 1 x MagSafe 2 power port
  • 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 SpecsMacBook Air 11” 2014MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)
Processor
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4260U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.40 → 2.70 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.70 → 3.30 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 15W
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4770HQ
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.20 → 3.40 GHz, 5 MB Cache, 47W
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4870HQ
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.50 → 3.70 GHz, 6 MB Cache, 47W
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4980HQ
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.80 → 4.00 GHz, 6 MB Cache, 47W
Integrated Graphics
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4260U
    Intel® HD Graphics 5000
    40 Execution Units, 200 → 1000 MHz
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U
    Intel® HD Graphics 5000
    40 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4770HQ
    Intel® Iris® Pro Graphics 5200
    40 Execution Units, 200 → 1200 MHz
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4870HQ
    Intel® Iris® Pro Graphics 5200
    40 Execution Units, 200 → 1200 MHz
  • 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4980HQ
    Intel® Iris® Pro Graphics 5200
    40 Execution Units, 200 → 1300 MHz
Discrete GraphicsAMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2GB of GDDR5 memory
Memory
4GB
Configurable to 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
16GB
1600 MHz DDR3L onboard memory
Storage
128GB256GB
Configurable to 512GB flash storage.
256GB512GB
configurable to 1TB SSD
ConnectivityMacBook Air 11” 2014MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)
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
BluetoothBluetooth 4.0 wireless technologyBluetooth 4.2 wireless technology
BatteryMacBook Air 11” 2014MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)
Size38 Wh lithium‑polymer battery99.4 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 9 hours of wireless web
  • Up to 9 hours iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
  • Up to 9 hours of wireless web
  • Up to 9 hours of iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply45W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port.
85W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port.
SoftwareMacBook Air 11” 2014MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)
OSShipped with OSX MavericksShipped with OS X Yosemite
Built-in Apps
iPhotoiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteMapsiBooksSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesCalendarContactsRemindersTime MachinePhoto BoothiTunesGame CenterPreviewNotesMac App Store
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewiTunesiBooksApp StoreTime Machine
Camera & AudioMacBook Air 11” 2014MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • Stereo speakers
  • Dual microphones
  • Headphone port
  • 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)
MiscMacBook Air 11” 2014MacBook Pro 15” Retina (2015)
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
In the box
  • MacBook Air 11″
  • Power adapter
  • AC wall plug
  • Power cord
  • 15‑inch MacBook Pro
  • MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
  • Power cord
  • AC wall plug
WarrantyLimited Warranty and ServiceYour MacBook Air 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.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.
MoreVideo Support
  • Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
  • Thunderbolt digital video output
    • Native Mini DisplayPort output
    • DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (sold separately)
    • VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (sold separately)
    • Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (sold separately)
    • HDMI audio and video output using third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (sold separately)
Video Support
  • 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

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