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2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) vs. MacBook 12” 2017 - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the 2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) and MacBook 12” 2017, including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

By Conor Banett

January 24, 2024 10:13 am

2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) vs. MacBook 12” 2017

The 2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) features the 15W 8th Generation Intel Coffee Lake quad-core Intel Core i5-8257U up to quad-core Intel Core i7-8557U with the boost speed up to 4.50 GHz. While 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.

If you are in the market looking for a laptop and don't know what's the difference between the 13.3″ 2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) and the 12″ MacBook 12” 2017 , we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3) vs. MacBook 12” 2017: Specs Comparison

	Compare With Please enter device name or part of it 2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	Compare With Please enter device name or part of it MacBook 12” 2017
Key Features
What's new	New Magic Keyboard The updated 13-inch MacBook Pro now features the new Magic Keyboard, first introduced on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and added to MacBook Air in March. Double the Storage The 2020 models now come with double the storage of the previous generation starting at 256GB up to 1TB. It can be also configured to even more storage up to 4TB SSD.
What's missing	No Performance Improvements It's using the same 8th Gen Intel Core processors and LPDDR3 memory that powered the previous 2019 MacBook Pro 13-inch.

Availability	2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	MacBook 12” 2017
Released	2020	2017
Release Info	Announced on May 4th, 2020 Available on May 4th, 2020	Announced on June 5, 2017 Available on June 7, 2017
Pricing	$1,299 - Intel Core i5 \| 8GB RAM \| 256GB SSD $1,499 - Intel Core i5 \| 8GB RAM \| 512GB SSD	$1,299 Intel Core m3-7Y32 \| 8GB RAM \| 256GB SSD $1,599 Intel Core m5-7Y54 \| 8GB RAM \| 512GB SSD

Display	2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	MacBook 12” 2017
Size	13.3 Inches	12 Inches
Info	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 640 500 nits brightness Wide color (P3) True Tone technology	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	2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	MacBook 12” 2017
Size Comparison
Dimensions	Width: 11.97 inches (30.41 cm) Depth: 8.36 inches (21.24 cm) Height: 0.61 inch (1.56 cm)	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 3.1 pounds (1.4 kg)	Starting at 2.03 pounds (920 g)
Colors	Space GraySilver	SilverSpace GrayGoldRose Gold
Keyboard and Trackpad	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	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
Ports	Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) ports with support for: Charging DisplayPort Thunderbolt (up to 40Gb/s) USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)	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	2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	MacBook 12” 2017
Processor	8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8257U 4 cores, 8 threads, 1.40 → 3.90 GHz, 6MB SmartCache, 15W 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8557U 4 cores, 8 threads, 1.70 → 4.50 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 15W	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
Integrated Graphics	8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8257U Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics 645 48 Execution Units with 128 MB eDRAM, 300 → 1050 MHz 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8557U Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics 645 48 Execution Units with 128 MB eDRAM, 300 → 1150 MHz	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
Memory	8GB configurable to 16GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory	8GB Configurable to 16GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage	256GB512GB configurable to 1TB or 2TB SSD	256GB512GB PCIe-based onboard SSD.

Connectivity	2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	MacBook 12” 2017
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 5.0 wireless technology	Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology

Battery	2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	MacBook 12” 2017
Size	58.2 Wh lithium‑polymer battery	41.4 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life	Up to 10 hours wireless web Up to 10 hours Apple TV app movie playback Up to 30 days of standby time	Up to 10 hours of wireless web Up to 12 hours of iTunes movie playback Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply	61W USB‑C Power Adapter	29W USB-C Power Adapter

Software	2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	MacBook 12” 2017
OS	Shipped with macOS Catalina	Shipped with macOS High Sierra
Built-in Apps	PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player	PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewiTunesBooksApp StoreTime Machine

Camera & Audio	2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	MacBook 12” 2017
Camera	720p FaceTime HD camera	480p FaceTime HD camera
Audio	Stereo speakers with high dynamic range Wide stereo sound Support for Dolby Atmos playback Three-mic array with directional beamforming 3.5mm headphone jack	Stereo speakers Dual microphones 3.5 mm headphone jack

Misc	2020 MacBook Pro 13 (2TB3)	MacBook 12” 2017
Sensors	Touch ID sensor
Security	Touch ID sensor
In the box	13‑inch MacBook Pro 61W USB‑C Power Adapter USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)	MacBook 29W USB-C Power Adapter USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
Warranty	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.	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