2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina vs. M1 MacBook Pro 13” - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina and M1 MacBook Pro 13”, including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina vs. M1 MacBook Pro 13”

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. While the 2020 M1 MacBook Pro 13” features the 10W Apple M-Series ARM 64-bit 8-core Apple M1 (8C, 8G) with a clock speed of 3.20 GHz.

If you are in the market looking for a laptop and don't know what's the difference between the 13.3″ 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina and the 13.3″ M1 MacBook Pro 13” (2020), we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina vs. M1 MacBook Pro 13”: Specs Comparison

2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina image

2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina

M1 MacBook Pro 13” image

M1 MacBook Pro 13”

Key Features
What's new
Better Performance
With the new Apple M1 Chip paired with the MacBook Pro's active cooling system, it's 2.8 times faster than the previous generation. The 8-core GPU is up to 5 times faster allowing smooth graphics performance.
Better Battery Life
It's a MacBook Pro with the longest battery life ever made, with up to 20-hours of watching movies and 17 hours of web browsing.
Better FaceTime HD camera
With the latest Apple Image Single Processor (ISP) in the M1 chip, image quality is better in noise reduction, greater dynamic range, and improved auto white balance.
More
  • Supports latest USB 4
  • Supports latest Wi-Fi 6
  • Better security with new Secure Enclave in M1 chip
  • Studio-quality mics for super clear recordings and calls
What's missing
  • Supports only one extended 6K@60Hz display, while the older Intel version supports up to two 4K@60Hz.
  • Not supports for external Thunderbolt-3 enabled graphics processors (eGPUs).
Availability2015 MacBook Pro 13 RetinaM1 MacBook Pro 13”
Released20152020
Release Info
  • Announced on March 9th, 2015
  • Available on March 9th, 2015
Announced on November 10th, 2020
Pricing
  • $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
  • $1,299
    Apple M1 Chip | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,499
    Apple M1 Chip | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
Display2015 MacBook Pro 13 RetinaM1 MacBook Pro 13”
Size13.3 Inches13.3 Inches
InfoRetina 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
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
  • 16:10 aspect ratio
  • 500 nits brightness
  • Supports wide color (P3)
  • True Tone technology
Exterior2015 MacBook Pro 13 RetinaM1 MacBook Pro 13”
Size Comparison
Dimensions12.35” x 8.62” x 0.71” (314 mm x 219 mm x 18 mm)11.97” x 8.36” x 0.61” (304.1 mm x 212.4 mm x 15.6 mm)
WeightStarting at 3.48 lb (1.58 kg)Starting at 3.1 pounds (1.4 kg)
Colors
Silver
Space GraySilver
Keyboard and Trackpad
  • 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
Backlit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 65 (U.S.) or 66 (ISO) keys including 4 arrow keys in an inverted‑T arrangement
  • Touch Bar
  • Touch ID sensor
  • 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
  • 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
Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 (USB‑C) ports with support for:
  • Charging
  • DisplayPort
  • Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
  • Headphone
Internal Specs2015 MacBook Pro 13 RetinaM1 MacBook Pro 13”
Processor
  • 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
  • Apple M1
    8 cores, 8 threads, 3.20 GHz, 10W
Integrated Graphics
  • 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
  • Apple M1
    Apple M1 iGPU
    8 Graphics Cores, 1280 MHz
Memory
8GB
configurable to 16GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
  • 8GB
    4266 MHz LPDDR4X onboard memory
  • Configurable to 16GB
Storage
256GB512GB
configurable to 1TB SSD
  • 256GB512GB
    SSD
  • Configurable to 1TB or 2TB
Connectivity2015 MacBook Pro 13 RetinaM1 MacBook Pro 13”
Wi-Fi
  • 802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
  • 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6 wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2 wireless technologyBluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
Battery2015 MacBook Pro 13 RetinaM1 MacBook Pro 13”
Size74.9 Wh lithium‑polymer battery58.2 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 10 hours wireless web
  • Up to 12 hours of iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
  • Up to 17 hours wireless web
  • Up to 20 hours Apple TV app movie playback
Power Supply60W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port.
61W USB‑C Power Adapter
Software2015 MacBook Pro 13 RetinaM1 MacBook Pro 13”
OSShipped with OS X YosemiteShipped with macOS Big Sur
Built-in Apps
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewiTunesiBooksApp StoreTime Machine
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
Camera & Audio2015 MacBook Pro 13 RetinaM1 MacBook Pro 13”
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • 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)
  • Stereo speakers with high dynamic range
  • Wide stereo sound
  • Support for Dolby Atmos playback
  • Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
Misc2015 MacBook Pro 13 RetinaM1 MacBook Pro 13”
Sensors
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
Security
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T2 Security Chip
In the box
  • 13‑inch MacBook Pro
  • MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
  • Power cord
  • AC wall plug
  • MacBook Pro 13”
  • 61W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
WarrantyYour 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.Your MacBook Pro comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare+ for Mac to extend your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and add up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other repairable damage, plus applicable tax.
More
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
Video Support
  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
    • One external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz
  • Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
    • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
    • VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)
M1 MacBook Pro 13” image

M1 MacBook Pro 13”: Key Features

Better real-world application performance

When compared to the previous generation, the new M1-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro can:

  1. Build code in Xcode up to 2.8x faster.
  2. Render a complex 3D title in Final Cut Pro up to 5.9x faster.
  3. Fluidly design intricate game scenes in Unity Editor up to 3.5x faster.
  4. Perform ML tasks in Create ML up to 11x faster.
  5. Separate out beats, instrumentals, and vocal tracks from a recording in real-time in djay Pro AI, thanks to the amazing performance of the Neural Engine.
  6. Playback full-quality, 8K ProRes video in DaVinci Resolve without dropping a single frame.
  7. Compile four times as much code on a single charge, thanks to the game-changing performance per watt of the M1 chip.

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