MacBook Pro 15” (2017) vs. Intel MacBook Air - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the MacBook Pro 15” (2017) and Intel MacBook Air, including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

MacBook Pro 15” (2017) vs. Intel MacBook Air

The MacBook Pro 15” (2017) features the 45W 7th Generation Intel Kaby Lake quad-core Intel Core i7-7700HQ up to quad-core Intel Core i7-7920HQ with the boost speed up to 4.10 GHz. While the 2020 Intel MacBook Air features the 9W 10th Generation Intel Ice Lake dual-core Intel Core i3-1000NG4 up to quad-core Intel Core i7-1060NG7 with the boost speed up to 3.80 GHz.

If you are in the market looking for a laptop and don't know what's the difference between the 15.4″ MacBook Pro 15” (2017) and the 13.3″ Intel MacBook Air (2020), we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

MacBook Pro 15” (2017) vs. Intel MacBook Air: Specs Comparison

MacBook Pro 15” (2017) image

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)

Intel MacBook Air image

Intel MacBook Air

Key Features
What's new
  • 7th-gen Intel Kaby Lake Core i7 processors up to 3.1 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.1 GHz
  • Up to 16GB of LPDDR3 memory
  • Powerful Radeon Pro discrete graphics with 2GB or 4GB of video memory in every configuration
  • Up to 2TB of SSD storage
  • Apple T1 Chip
  • Touch Bar and Touch ID
New Magic Keyboard
Featuring a new Magic Keyboard with a refined scissor mechanism that delivers 1mm of key travel and a stable key feel, as well as an Apple-designed rubber dome that stores more potential energy for a responsive key press.
Double the Storage
The 2020 models now come with double the storage of the previous generation starting at 256GB up to 512GB. It can be also configured to even more storage up to 2TB SSD.
Better Performance
It now comes with the 10th Gen Intel Ice Lake processors with Turbo Boost speed of up to 3.8GHz. The integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics also gain 80 percent than the previous generation.
More and Faster Memory
The new 2020 models come with 8GB of 3733 LPDDR4X memory and can be configured up to 16GB.
Built-in Security and Privacy
With the Apple T2 Security Chip, Apple’s own custom-designed second-generation silicon, MacBook Air checks that software loaded during the boot process has not been tampered with and provides on-the-fly data encryption for everything stored on the SSD.
More
  • A three-mic array for more clear voice capture for FaceTime calls.
  • The industry-best Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and multi-touch navigation.
  • Thunderbolt 3 ports for data transfer, charging and video output in a single connector.
  • Support for up to a 6K external display, a first for MacBook Air.
  • Advanced stereo speakers for immersive and wide stereo sound.
AvailabilityMacBook Pro 15” (2017)Intel MacBook Air
Released20172020
Release InfoAnnounced on June 5th, 2018
  • Announced on March 18th, 2020
  • Available on March 18th, 2020
Pricing
  • $2,399
    Intel Core i7 7700HQ | 16GB RAM | 256GB SSD | Radeon Pro 555
  • $2,799
    Intel Core i7 7820HQ | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | Radeon Pro 560
  • $999 - Intel Core i3 | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,299 - Intel Core i5 | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
DisplayMacBook Pro 15” (2017)Intel MacBook Air
Size15.4 Inches13.3 Inches
InfoRetina 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
  • 500 nits brightness
  • Wide color (P3)
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
  • True Tone technology
ExteriorMacBook Pro 15” (2017)Intel MacBook Air
Size Comparison
Dimensions13.75” x 9.48” x 0.61” (349.3 mm x 240.7 mm x 155 mm)
  • Width: 11.97 inches (30.41 cm)
  • Depth: 8.36 inches (21.24 cm)
  • Height: 0.16–0.63 inch (0.41–1.61 cm)
WeightStarting at 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg)Starting at 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg)
Colors
Space GraySilver
GoldSpace GraySilver
Keyboard and TrackpadBacklit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 64 (U.S.) or 65 (ISO) keys including 4 arrow keys
  • Touch Bar with integrated 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
Backlit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement
  • 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
PortsFour Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) ports with support for:
  • Charging
  • DisplayPort
  • Thunderbolt (up to 40Gb/s)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
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)
Internal SpecsMacBook Pro 15” (2017)Intel MacBook Air
Processor
  • 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.80 → 3.80 GHz, 6MB Cache, 45W
  • 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7820HQ
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.90 → 3.90 GHz, 8 MB Cache, 45W
  • 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7920HQ
    4 cores, 8 threads, 3.10 → 4.10 GHz, 8 MB Cache, 45W
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1000NG4
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.10 → 3.20 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 9W
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1030NG7
    4 cores, 8 threads, 1.10 → 3.50 GHz, 6MB SmartCache, 10W
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1060NG7
    4 cores, 8 threads, 1.20 → 3.80 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 10W
Integrated Graphics
  • 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ
    Intel® HD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1100 MHz
  • 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7820HQ
    Intel® HD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1100 MHz
  • 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7920HQ
    Intel® HD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1100 MHz
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1000NG4
    Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics
    48 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1030NG7
    Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics
    64 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1060NG7
    Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics
    64 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
Discrete Graphics
  • AMD Radeon Pro 555 with 2GB of GDDR5 memory
  • AMD Radeon Pro 560 with 4GB of GDDR5 memory
Memory
16GB
of 2133MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
8GB
Configurable to 16GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X onboard memory
Storage
256GB512GB
configurable to 1TB or 2TB SSD
256GB512GB
Configurable to 1TB and 2TB SSD
ConnectivityMacBook Pro 15” (2017)Intel MacBook Air
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 4.2 wireless technologyBluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
BatteryMacBook Pro 15” (2017)Intel MacBook Air
Size76 Wh lithium‑polymer battery49.9 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 11 hours wireless web
  • Up to 12 hours Apple TV app movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply87W USB‑C Power Adapter30W USB‑C Power Adapter
SoftwareMacBook Pro 15” (2017)Intel MacBook Air
OSShipped with macOS SierraShipped with macOS Catalina
Built-in Apps
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
Camera & AudioMacBook Pro 15” (2017)Intel MacBook Air
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • Stereo speakers with high dynamic range
  • Three microphones
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Stereo speakers
  • Wide stereo sound
  • Support for Dolby Atmos playback
  • Three-mic array with directional beamforming
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
MiscMacBook Pro 15” (2017)Intel MacBook Air
Sensors
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
Security
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T1 Chip
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T2 Security Chip
In the box
  • 15‑inch MacBook Pro
  • 87W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
  • MacBook Air
  • 30W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
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, 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 Air comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare+ 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
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
  • Up to two displays with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
  • Up to four displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors
  • Up to four displays with 3840-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
  • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
  • VGA, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)
Video Support
  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
    • One external 6K display with 6016-by-3384 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors, or
    • One external 5K display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors, or
    • Up to two external 4K displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors
  • Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
    • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
    • VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)

Suggested Comparisons

Here are the most frequently requested comparisons for MacBook Pro 15” (2017):