Request a product

Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) vs Apple MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)AppleMacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012)
Overview
ReleasedApril 2010June 2012
Display
Screen size15.4″15.4″
Resolution1440 × 9002880 × 1800
PanelTN LCDIPS LCD
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeGlossy LED-backlit display; an antiglare option is available. TN technology is named by the exact-model Notebookcheck review. Optional 1680 × 1050 glossy or antiglare display remains in details because its exact panel technology is unverified.Retina LED-backlit IPS display with millions of colours; native 2880 × 1800 and scaled modes of 1920 × 1200, 1680 × 1050, 1280 × 800 and 1024 × 640. Refresh rate and brightness unpublished by Apple.
Pixel density–220 ppi
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core i5 2.4 GHz (MacBook Pro Mid 2010), Intel Core i5 2.53 GHz (MacBook Pro Mid 2010) or Intel Core i7 2.66 GHz (MacBook Pro Mid 2010)Intel Core i7-3615QM, Intel Core i7-3720QM or Intel Core i7-3820QM
CPU cores24
CPU threads–8
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce GT 330M (256 MB GDDR3) + Intel HD Graphics or NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M (512 MB GDDR3) + Intel HD GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce GT 650M (1 GB GDDR5)
Memory4 GB or 8 GB8 GB or 16 GB
Storage128 GB to 512 GB256 GB to 768 GB
CPUDual-core Intel Core i5 at 2.4 or 2.53 GHz with 3 MB shared L3 cache, or Core i7 at 2.66 GHz with 4 MB. Maker-clock records avoid unverified Intel SKU assumptions; unpublished peak clock fields are omitted.Quad-core Intel Core i7-3615QM at 2.3 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.3 GHz and 6 MB shared L3 cache, or Core i7-3720QM at 2.6 GHz with up to 3.6 GHz and 6 MB cache. The upper base can upgrade to Core i7-3820QM at 2.7 GHz with up to 3.7 GHz and 8 MB cache; exact identities documented by Notebookcheck.
GPUAutomatic switching between Intel HD Graphics (256 MB shared system memory) and GeForce GT 330M. Core i5 configurations have 256 MB GDDR3 and Core i7 has 512 MB.Intel HD Graphics 4000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1 GB GDDR5 memory; automatic graphics switching
Memory type4 GB or 8 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM in two SO-DIMM slots.8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L onboard memory, configurable to 16 GB at purchase
Storage typeLower 2.4 GHz base has a 320 GB and upper bases a 500 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA drive. Maker options include 500 GB at 5400 or 7200 rpm, and 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB SSD; upper CPU rows omit an unconfirmed 320 GB drive. 8× SuperDrive with double-layer DVD writing.Flash storage; the 2.3 GHz base has 256 GB without a storage upgrade at launch. The 2.6 GHz base has 512 GB, configurable to 768 GB, and offers the 2.7 GHz processor upgrade. These restrictions are documented by both contemporary reviews alongside Apple's base specifications.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 9 hoursUp to 7 hours
Battery capacity77.5 Wh95 Wh
Weight2.54 kg2.02 kg
Thickness24.1 mm18 mm
Width × depth364 × 249 mm358.9 × 247.1 mm
Battery life detailBuilt-in lithium-polymer battery; Apple claims 8–9 hours of wireless productivity. Reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.Built-in 95 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 7 hours wireless web or 30 days standby under Apple's test conditions. Reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
Charger85 W MagSafe Power Adapter85 W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter with cable management
MaterialsAluminium unibody enclosure and glass trackpadAluminium enclosure
ColoursSilverSilver
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack, MagSafe2 × USB-A, 2 × Thunderbolt, MagSafe 2, headphone jack, SD card slot, HDMI
Wi-FiAirPort Extreme 802.11n; compatible with 802.11a/b/g802.11n; compatible with 802.11a/b/g
Bluetooth2.1 + EDR4.0
WebcamBuilt-in iSight camera720p FaceTime HD
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detail2 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe, Mini DisplayPort, SD card slot, separate combined optical digital audio input/line input and optical digital audio output/headphone output.Two USB 3 ports up to 5 Gb/s, two Thunderbolt ports up to 10 Gb/s with native Mini DisplayPort output, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 2 and headphone jack with audio line output and support for Apple iPhone headset remote and microphone. Ethernet and FireWire require separate Thunderbolt adapters.
External displaysSupports an external display up to 2560 × 1600 pixels alongside the built-in screen. DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI and third-party HDMI adapters are sold separately; HDMI carries audio.Built-in screen plus up to two external displays at 2560 × 1600, with millions of colours; DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI adapters sold separately
KeyboardBacklit keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys and four arrow keys.Full-size backlit keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and ambient light sensor
TrackpadGlass Multi-Touch trackpad with inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate and three/four-finger gestures.Glass Multi-Touch trackpad with inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap and drag
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakers with subwoofersStereo speakers
MicrophonesOmnidirectional microphone under the left speaker grille; supports an iPhone headset microphone.Dual microphones
In the boxMacBook Pro, 85 W MagSafe Power Adapter with AC wall plug and power cord, display cleaning cloth, software DVDs and documentation. Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife; Apple Remote and display adapters sold separately.MacBook Pro with Retina display, MagSafe 2 Power Adapter, AC wall plug and power cord; OS X Lion and iLife apps; eligible for a free upgrade to the then-upcoming OS X Mountain Lion

More comparisons