Apple MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017) vs Apple MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)

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MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017) compared with MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)

	AppleMacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)	AppleMacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
Overview
Released
Released	June 2017	April 2015
Display
Screen size
Screen size	12″	12″
Resolution
Resolution	2304 × 1440	2304 × 1440
Panel
Panel	IPS LCD	IPS LCD
Touchscreen
Touchscreen	No	No
Display type
Display type	Retina display; LED-backlit IPS; 16:10 aspect ratio; millions of colours	Retina display; LED-backlit IPS; 16:10 aspect ratio; millions of colours
Pixel density
Pixel density	226 ppi	226 ppi
Display features
Display features	Supported scaled resolutions of 1440 × 900, 1280 × 800 or 1024 × 640	Supported scaled resolutions of 1440 × 900, 1280 × 800 or 1024 × 640
Performance
Processor
Processor	Intel Core m3-7Y32, Intel Core i5-7Y54 or Intel Core i7-7Y75	Intel Core M-5Y31, Intel Core M-5Y51 or Intel Core M-5Y71
CPU cores
CPU cores	2	2
CPU threads
CPU threads	4	4
Graphics
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 615	Intel HD Graphics 5300
Memory
Memory	8 GB or 16 GB (better)	8 GB
Storage
Storage	256 GB to 512 GB	256 GB to 512 GB
CPU
CPU	Dual-core seventh-generation Intel Core m3 at Apple's specified 1.2 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.0 GHz, Core i5 at 1.3 GHz with up to 3.2 GHz, or Core i7 at 1.4 GHz with up to 3.6 GHz; all with 4 MB shared L3 cache. Exact m3-7Y32, i5-7Y54 and i7-7Y75 identifiers confirmed by TechRadar. Apple's configured clocks differ from Intel's nominal base frequencies of 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 GHz respectively.	Dual-core Intel Core M at Apple's specified 1.1 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.4 GHz, 1.2 GHz with up to 2.6 GHz, or 1.3 GHz with up to 2.9 GHz; all with 4 MB shared L3 cache. Exact M-5Y31, M-5Y51 and M-5Y71 identifiers confirmed by Macworld. Apple's configured clocks differ from Intel's nominal base frequencies; the M-5Y31 supports a configurable TDP-up frequency of 1.1 GHz.
GPU
GPU	Intel HD Graphics 615	Intel HD Graphics 5300
Memory type
Memory type	8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory; configurable to 16 GB	8 GB of 1600 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage type
Storage type	PCIe-based onboard SSD; 256 GB with the 1.2 GHz Core m3 base or 512 GB with the 1.3 GHz Core i5 base. The 256 GB base can be configured with Core i5 or i7; the 512 GB base can be configured with Core i7.	PCIe-based onboard flash storage; 256 GB with the 1.1 GHz base or 512 GB with the 1.2 GHz base; either can be ordered with the 1.3 GHz processor
Cooling
Cooling	Fanless design (TechRadar)	Fanless design with no moving parts or vents
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 12 hours	Up to 10 hours
Battery capacity
Battery capacity	41.4 Wh (better)	39.7 Wh
Weight
Weight	0.92 kg	0.92 kg
Thickness
Thickness	13.1 mm	13.1 mm
Width × depth
Width × depth	280.5 × 196.5 mm	280.5 × 196.5 mm
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Lithium-polymer battery; up to 10 hours wireless web, 12 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby. Apple's tests used the 1.3 GHz Core i5, 8 GB memory and 512 GB storage. Chassis tapers from 3.5 to 13.1 mm; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.	Terraced lithium-polymer battery; up to 9 hours wireless web, 10 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby. Apple's web and video tests used the 1.2 GHz Core M, 8 GB memory and 512 GB storage. Chassis tapers from 3.5 to 13.1 mm; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
Charger
Charger	30 W USB-C Power Adapter, as listed in Apple's current technical specifications	29 W USB-C Power Adapter
Materials
Materials	Aluminium enclosure	Precision-milled aluminium unibody; polished stainless steel Apple logo
Colours
Colours	Silver, Gold, Space Grey, Rose Gold	Silver, Gold, Space Grey
Connections
Ports
Ports	USB-C, headphone jack	USB-C, headphone jack
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 5	Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	4.2	4.0
Webcam
Webcam	480p FaceTime	480p FaceTime
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Port detail
Port detail	One USB-C port supporting charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 up to 5 Gb/s and native DisplayPort 1.2; VGA and HDMI through separate USB-C multiport adaptors. 3.5 mm headphone jack.	One USB-C port supporting charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 up to 5 Gb/s and native DisplayPort 1.2; VGA and HDMI through separate USB-C multiport adaptors. 3.5 mm headphone jack supports iPhone headsets with remote and microphone. USB-C does not support Thunderbolt (Macworld).
External displays
External displays	One external display up to 4096 × 2304 at 60 Hz alongside the built-in screen, at millions of colours	One external display up to 3840 × 2160 alongside the built-in screen, at millions of colours
Keyboard
Keyboard	Second-generation butterfly switches (TechRadar); full-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, individual LED backlighting, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and ambient light sensor	First-generation butterfly mechanism; full-size keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, individual LED backlighting, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and ambient light sensor
Trackpad
Trackpad	Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing, Force clicks and Multi-Touch gestures	Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing, Force clicks and Multi-Touch gestures
Speakers
Speakers	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
Microphones
Microphones	Dual microphones	Dual microphones
In the box
In the box	MacBook; 30 W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C Charge Cable (2 m), as listed in Apple's current technical specifications	MacBook; 29 W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)