Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. Evergreens

Battle of the MacBooks: MacBook (2015) vs MacBook Pro 13-inch (2015)

By
Add as a preferred source on Google

Apple constantly challenges itself by seemingly competing with its own products, and the introduction of the new MacBook for 2015 is no different. It boasts a completely new design, keyboard and touchpad, and the cutting edge Intel Core M processor. Because of the price point, and the fact that the 13-inch MacBook Pro also saw new features added today, it’s worth comparing the two machines. If you’re in the market for a new Mac laptop, we’ve got the two computers side by side so you know which is a better choice for you.

Apple MacBook – 2015

MacBook2015-table
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch – 2015

MacbookPro13inch-table
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Size 11.04 x 7.74 x .14-.52 in 12.35 x 8.62 x .71 in
Weight 2.03 lbs 3.48 lbs
Screen 12-inch IPS Retina display 13.3-inch IPS Retina display
Resolution 2304×1440 pixels 2560×1600 pixels
OS Mac OS X Yosemite Mac OS X Yosemite
Storage 256, 512 GB SSD 128, 256, 512 GB, 1 TB SSD
SD Card Slot No Yes, SDXC compatible
Processor Intel Core M – 1.1 GHz Intel Core i5 – 2.7 GHz
RAM 8 GB 1600MHz DDR3 8, 16 GB 1866MHz DDR3
Connectivity 802.11ac, a/b/g/n 802.11ac, a/b/g/n
Camera 480p FaceTime camera 720p FaceTime camera
Bluetooth Version 4.0 Version 4.0
Battery 39.7 Wh lithium-polymer 74.9 Wh lithium-polymer
Charger 29W USB-C 60W Magsafe
Starting Price $1299.00 $1299.00
DT Review Hands-on review coming soon! Hands-on review coming soon!
Recommended Videos

Power

When it comes to power and performance the MacBook Pro is the clear winner, but that isn’t as bad as it sounds. The new MacBook is not intended to take on the high speeds and graphical performance of the MacBook Pro line.

The MacBook’s Intel Core M processor has a number of noticeable benefits in the new system. Incredible power efficiency allows the new Macbook to run for the same amount of time as the Pro on a battery with only about half the capacity. It also requires far less cooling than the Core i5 processor, meaning it can operate without a fan at all, for a silent, lightweight machine.

The Intel Core i5 has been a standard processor for laptops and desktops for a few years now, and although it’s been a stable and functional option since then, it’s starting to show its age. In this case though, you’re opting for a performance bonus over the new Core M, at the cost of added fans and cooling, as well as a bit more weight to carry all the battery power you need.

Winner: MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina display

Design

The ultraportable MacBook packs a brand new keyboard, trackpad, and impressively small logic board into a computer that’s only .52 inches thick. The singular port on the new MacBook might be a problem for some users, but it will depend on how Apple decides to handle multiple necessary connections at the same time.

In terms of weight, there’s about a one and a half pound difference between the two laptops. If we weren’t dealing with very low weights already, that wouldn’t make much of a difference at all. In fact, both computers are very competitive for their weight class, especially when you consider the added necessities of a more powerful processor and graphics in the MacBook Pro.

The dimensions on the new MacBook are certainly impressive, coming in at just .52 inches at its thickest, with a stripped-down bezel and almost no space between the keyboard and edges of the machine. The brand new keyboard, which is not only much slimmer, but also more responsive, and with better backlighting, is certainly a factor too. Inside, terraced batteries take advantage of every inch of space inside the tiny chassis, keeping the system especially portable and easy to use.

Winner: MacBook (2015)

Price

Both the new MacBook for 2015 and the updated 13.3-inch MacBook Pro carry the same starting price, so choosing one over the other isn’t as simple as setting a budget and picking the computer that comes in under what you’re looking to spend. However, as you begin to spend more on the system, you start to get a bit more bang for your buck with the MacBook Pro.

The performance options in the new MacBook start to cap out around $1700, anymore than that and you’re just paying for extra software or an external monitor. You can continue to spend almost $3000 on the MacBook Pro, but at that price point you get a 3.1 GHz Intel Core i7, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD, with some space for Final Cut or AppleCare on top. That’s a pretty impressive computer, especially for the size.

Winner: MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina display

Conclusion

While both systems are impressive, the MacBook Pro was already one of our favorite laptops before this round of updates. The new MacBook carries a lot of technological upgrades and design changes that will definitely have your friends in awe of your new laptop. That being said, with both laptops at the same price point, the MacBook Pro with a 13-inch Retina display is almost certainly the better choice. If you think that extra quarter-inch thickness, and 1.5 pounds of weight is going to break your back, the new MacBook is a great looking machine with decent performance, and a silent design.

Winner: MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina display

Brad Bourque
Brad Bourque
Former Staff Writer
Brad Bourque is a native Portlander, devout nerd, and craft beer enthusiast. He studied creative writing at Willamette…
Topics
Doordash is acquiring Instacart. For you, that means one less subscription, eventually.
Doordash and Instacart ona laptop.

DoorDash has announced that it is acquiring grocery giant Instacart at an equity valuation of $17 billion, in a cash-and-stock deal. Subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, the deal is expected to close by the end of 2027 or in the first half of 2028. DoorDash claims that, thanks to the deal, customers will have the flexibility to buy daily essentials from more stores, which also increases their chances of getting bargain deals and faster deliveries.

“The combined company will offer grocers and retailers of every size DoorDash’s delivery network and Instacart’s grocery and fulfillment technology, in both apps and on stores’ own websites, along with the advertising and AI tools each company has built,” the company said in a press statement. For an average customer, there are a couple of tangible benefits emerging from this multi-billion dollar deal.

Read more
AI has come for the psychics’ jobs and they are not happy about it
Human psychics are advertising AI-free readings, while one startup wants them to train their own digital replacements
ai psychics readings human pushback psychic

AI psychic readings are available around the clock, and human practitioners are having to explain why customers should still pay to speak with them.

The Guardian found psychics responding with AI-free promises and arguments that chatbots lack the human connection central to their work.

Read more
Google Chrome can now find what you need in Gmail before you even ask
Soon digging through your Gmail will be a thing of the past.
Google Chrome

Google Chrome's autofill has always been pretty handy for filling in addresses, passwords, and payment information. Now, the feature could be getting ever better thanks to better integration with Gmail. The company will soon allow the browser to dig through your Gmail inbox and pull out information you would otherwise spend several minutes hunting for.

According to Google's official announcement, Chrome's enhanced autofill can now use Gemini with Personal Intelligence to retrieve order numbers, package tracking details, and flight booking information directly from Gmail.

Read more