MacBook Pro 14” (2021) vs. MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015) - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the MacBook Pro 14” (2021) and MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015), including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

MacBook Pro 14” (2021) vs. MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)

The MacBook Pro 14” (2021) features the Apple M-Series ARM 64-bit 8-core Apple M1 Pro (8C, 14G) up to 10-core Apple M1 Max (10C, 32G) with a clock speed of 0.00 GHz. While the MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015) 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 14.2″ MacBook Pro 14” (2021) and the 13.3″ MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015) , we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

MacBook Pro 14” (2021) vs. MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015): Specs Comparison

MacBook Pro 14” (2021) image

MacBook Pro 14” (2021)

MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015) image

MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)

Key Features
What's new
  • All-New MacBook Pro Design - the new design focus on functionality and performance. It has a larger chassis that provides more room for an advanced thermal system that can move 50 percent more air than the previous generation.
  • New M1 Pro and M1 Max Chip - The new 14” MacBook Pro features the new M1 Pro, and M1 Max applies a system-on-a-chip (SoC) architecture. Both processors feature fast unified memory and increased memory bandwidth up to 400GB/s, 8-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and with best-in-class performance per watt and industry-leading power efficiency.
  • New Liquid Retina XDR with ProMotion Display - featuring mini-LED technology used in iPad Pro, the Liquid Retina XDR display delivers up to 1,000 nits of sustained, full-screen brightness, an incredible 1,600 nits of peak brightness, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
  • Better Battery Life - It delivers up to 17 hours of video playback, which is seven additional hours compared to the previous-generation MacBook Pro.
What's missing
  • No Touchbar
  • One less Thunderbolt ports
AvailabilityMacBook Pro 14” (2021)MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)
Released20212015
Release Info
  • Announced on October 18, 2021.
  • Available on October 26, 2021.
  • Announced on March 9th, 2015
  • Available on March 9th, 2015
Pricing
  • $1,999
    M1 Pro, 8C CPU, 14C GPU, 16GB, 512GB
  • $2,499
    M1 Pro, 10C CPU, 16C GPU, 16GB, 1TB
  • $3,099
    M1 Max, 10C CPU, 24C GPU, 32GB, 1TB
  • $3,299
    M1 Max, 10C CPU, 32C GPU, 32GB, 1TB
  • $3,699
    M1 Max, 10C CPU, 32C GPU, 64GB, 1TB
  • $4,099
    M1 Max, 10C CPU, 32C GPU, 64GB, 2TB
  • $4,699
    M1 Max, 10C CPU, 32C GPU, 64GB, 4TB
  • $5,899
    M1 Max, 10C CPU, 32C GPU, 64GB, 8TB
  • $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
DisplayMacBook Pro 14” (2021)MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)
Size14.2 Inches13.3 Inches
Info
  • Liquid Retina XDR display
    • Size: 14.2-inch
    • Technology: Liquid Retina XDR display
    • Resolution: 3024 x 1964
    • Pixel Density: 254 PPI
  • XDR (Extreme Dynamic Range)
    • Up to 1000 nits sustained (full-screen) brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness
    • 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
    • Color
      1 billion colors Wide color (P3) True Tone technology
  • Refresh rates
    • ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz
    • Fixed refresh rates: 47.95Hz, 48.00Hz, 50.00Hz, 59.94Hz, 60.00Hz
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
ExteriorMacBook Pro 14” (2021)MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)
Size Comparison
Dimensions
  • Height: 0.61 inch (1.55 cm)
  • Width: 12.31 inches (31.26 cm)
  • Depth: 8.71 inches (22.12 cm)
12.35” x 8.62” x 0.71” (314 mm x 219 mm x 18 mm)
Weight3.5 pounds (1.6 kg)Starting at 3.48 lb (1.58 kg)
Colors
Space GraySilver
Silver
Keyboard and TrackpadBacklit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys and 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement
  • Touch ID
  • 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
PortsLeft
  • 2 x Thunderbolt™️ 4
    Supports USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s), DisplayPort, and charging.
  • 1 x MagSafe 3
  • 1 x Headphone jack
Right
  • 1 x Thunderbolt™️ 4
    Supports USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s), DisplayPort, and charging.
  • 1 x SDXC card slot
  • 1 x HDMI 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 Pro 14” (2021)MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)
Processor
  • Apple M1 Pro (8C, 14G)
    8 cores, 8 threads, 0.00 GHz,
  • Apple M1 Pro (10C, 16G)
    10 cores, 10 threads, 0.00 GHz,
  • Apple M1 Max (10C, 24G)
    10 cores, 10 threads, 0.00 GHz,
  • Apple M1 Max (10C, 32G)
    10 cores, 10 threads, 0.00 GHz,
  • 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
  • Apple M1 Pro (8C, 14G)
    Apple M1 Pro iGPU
    14 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores,
  • Apple M1 Pro (10C, 16G)
    Apple M1 Pro iGPU
    16 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores,
  • Apple M1 Max (10C, 24G)
    Apple M1 Max iGPU
    24 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores,
  • Apple M1 Max (10C, 32G)
    Apple M1 Max iGPU
    32 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores,
  • 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
16GB 32GB 64GB
Unified Memory
8GB
configurable to 16GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage
512GB1TB2TB4TB8TB
SSD
256GB512GB
configurable to 1TB SSD
ConnectivityMacBook Pro 14” (2021)MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)
Wi-Fi
  • 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible
  • 802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0 wireless technologyBluetooth 4.2 wireless technology
BatteryMacBook Pro 14” (2021)MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)
Size70 Wh lithium‑polymer battery74.9 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 11 hours wireless web
  • Up to 17 hours of Apple TV app movie playback
  • Up to 10 hours wireless web
  • Up to 12 hours of iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply
  • 67W USB‑C Power Adapter
    M1 Pro with 8-core CPU models
  • 96W USB‑C Power Adapter
    M1 Pro with 10-core CPU or M1 Max models. Supports Fast-Charging.
60W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port.
SoftwareMacBook Pro 14” (2021)MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)
OSShipped with macOS MontereyShipped with OS X Yosemite
Built-in Apps
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewiTunesiBooksApp StoreTime Machine
Camera & AudioMacBook Pro 14” (2021)MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)
Camera1080p FaceTime HD camera 
Advanced image signal processor with computational video.
720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • High-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers
  • Wide stereo sound
  • Support for spatial audio when playing music or video with Dolby Atmos on built-in speakers
  • Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking when using AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max
  • Studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones
  • 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 Pro 14” (2021)MacBook Pro 13” Retina (2015)
SensorsTouch ID sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
Security
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T2 Security Chip
In the box
  • 14‑inch MacBook Pro
  • 67W USB‑C Power Adapter
    M1 Pro with 8-core CPU models.
  • 96W USB‑C Power Adapter
    M1 Pro with 10-core CPU or M1 Max models.
  • USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m)
  • 13‑inch MacBook Pro
  • MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
  • Power cord
  • AC wall plug
WarrantyYour 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 every 12 months, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other repairable damage, plus applicable tax.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
  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:
    • Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Pro) or
    • Up to three external displays with up to 6K resolution and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Max)
  • Thunderbolt 4 digital video output
    • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
    • VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)
  • HDMI digital video output
    • Support for one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz
    • DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter (sold separately)
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

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