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Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016) vs Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)AppleMacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2016June 2017
Display
Screen size15.4″15.4″
Resolution2880 × 18002880 × 1800
PanelIPS LCDIPS LCD
Brightness500 nits500 nits
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeRetina display; LED-backlit IPS; millions of coloursRetina display; LED-backlit IPS; millions of colours
Pixel density220 ppi220 ppi
Colour rangeWide colour (P3)Wide colour (P3)
Display featuresScaled resolutions of 1920 × 1200, 1680 × 1050, 1280 × 800 or 1024 × 640Scaled resolutions of 1920 × 1200, 1680 × 1050, 1280 × 800 or 1024 × 640
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core i7-6700HQ, Intel Core i7-6820HQ or Intel Core i7-6920HQIntel Core i7-7700HQ, Intel Core i7-7820HQ or Intel Core i7-7920HQ
CPU cores44
CPU threads88
GraphicsAMD Radeon Pro 450, AMD Radeon Pro 460 or AMD Radeon Pro 455AMD Radeon Pro 555 or AMD Radeon Pro 560
Memory16 GB16 GB
Storage256 GB to 2 TB256 GB to 2 TB
CPUQuad-core Intel Core i7 at 2.6 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz and 6 MB shared L3 cache, or at 2.7 GHz with up to 3.6 GHz and 8 MB cache; both configurable to 2.9 GHz with up to 3.8 GHz and 8 MB cache. Ars confirms the i7-6700HQ, i7-6820HQ and i7-6920HQ identifiers.Quad-core Intel Core i7 at 2.8 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.8 GHz and 6 MB L3 cache, or at 2.9 GHz with up to 3.9 GHz and 8 MB L3 cache; both configurable to 3.1 GHz with up to 4.1 GHz and 8 MB L3 cache. Notebookcheck confirms the base i7-7700HQ; Les Numériques confirms i7-7820HQ; AppleInsider.ru identifies the optional i7-7920HQ, cross-checked against Intel's specifications.
GPUIntel HD Graphics 530 with automatic switching to discrete Radeon graphics. The 2.6 GHz base has Radeon Pro 450 with 2 GB GDDR5; the 2.7 GHz base has Radeon Pro 455 with 2 GB GDDR5; each is configurable to Radeon Pro 460 with 4 GB GDDR5.Intel HD Graphics 630 with automatic switching to discrete Radeon graphics. The 2.8 GHz base has Radeon Pro 555 with 2 GB GDDR5, configurable to 560 with 4 GB GDDR5; the 2.9 GHz base has Radeon Pro 560 with 4 GB GDDR5.
Memory type16 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory. Apple publishes this system speed; Intel lists LPDDR3-1866 in its generic processor specifications.16 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage typePCIe-based onboard SSD; 256 GB base with 2.6 GHz processor configurable to 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB; 512 GB base with 2.7 GHz processor configurable to 1 TB or 2 TB. The optional 2.9 GHz processor retains its base configuration's graphics and storage choices.PCIe-based onboard SSD; 256 GB base with 2.8 GHz processor configurable to 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB; 512 GB base with 2.9 GHz processor configurable to 1 TB or 2 TB. The optional 3.1 GHz processor retains its base configuration's graphics and storage choices.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Battery capacity76 Wh76 Wh
Weight1.83 kg1.83 kg
Thickness15.5 mm15.5 mm
Width × depth349.3 × 240.7 mm349.3 × 240.7 mm
Battery life detailLithium-polymer battery; up to 10 hours wireless web or iTunes movie playback and 30 days standby. Apple's October 2016 tests used the 2.6 GHz Core i7, 16 GB memory and 256 GB SSD. Weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.Lithium-polymer battery; up to 10 hours wireless web or iTunes movie playback and 30 days standby. Apple's May 2017 tests used the 2.8 GHz Core i7, 16 GB memory and 256 GB SSD. Weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
Charger87 W USB-C Power Adapter87 W USB-C Power Adapter
MaterialsAluminium enclosureAluminium enclosure
ColoursSilver; Space GreySilver; Space Grey
Connections
Ports4 × Thunderbolt 3, headphone jack4 × Thunderbolt 3, headphone jack
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth4.24.2
Webcam720p FaceTime HD720p FaceTime HD
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailFour Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports support charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt up to 40 Gb/s and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; 3.5 mm headphone jack. VGA, HDMI and Thunderbolt 2 output require separate adaptors.Four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports support charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt up to 40 Gb/s and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; 3.5 mm headphone jack. VGA, HDMI and Thunderbolt 2 output require separate adaptors.
External displaysBuilt-in screen plus two 5120 × 2880 displays at 60 Hz with over a billion colours, or four 4096 × 2304 displays at 60 Hz with over a billion coloursBuilt-in screen plus two 5120 × 2880 displays at 60 Hz with over a billion colours, four 4096 × 2304 displays at 60 Hz with millions of colours, or four 3840 × 2160 displays at 60 Hz with over a billion colours
KeyboardFull-size backlit keyboard with 64 US or 65 ISO keys, four arrow keys, Touch Bar and ambient light sensor; second-generation butterfly mechanismFull-size backlit keyboard with 64 US or 65 ISO keys, four arrow keys, Touch Bar and ambient light sensor
TrackpadForce Touch trackpad with pressure sensing, Force clicks and Multi-Touch gesturesForce Touch trackpad with pressure sensing, Force clicks and Multi-Touch gestures
SpeakersStereo speakers with high dynamic rangeStereo speakers with high dynamic range
MicrophonesThree microphonesThree microphones
BiometricsTouch ID fingerprint sensor; Apple T1 chipTouch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the Touch Bar
In the box15-inch MacBook Pro; 87 W USB-C Power Adapter; 2 m USB-C Charge Cable15-inch MacBook Pro; 87 W USB-C Power Adapter; 2 m USB-C Charge Cable

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