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MacBook 12” 2015 vs. MacBook Air 13” 2017: Full specs comparison

We have comprehensively compared the specifications for the MacBook 12” 2015 and MacBook Air 13” 2017 models. The report includes detailed information regarding both models' CPU, memory, storage, battery life, display quality, and other features.

Compare With Please enter device name or part of it MacBook 12” 2015 See at Amazon	Compare With Please enter device name or part of it MacBook Air 13” 2017 See at Amazon

MacBook 12” 2015 Pros

Reasons that MacBook 12” 2015 is better than MacBook Air 13” 2017.

MacBook 12” 2015 weighed 2.03 pounds, 32% lighter than the 2.96 pounds MacBook Air 13” 2017.

Weight	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
Pound	2.03 lbs.	2.96 lbs.
Kilogram	0.92 kg	1.34 kg

MacBook Air 13” 2017 Pros

Reasons that MacBook Air 13” 2017 is better than MacBook 12” 2015.

2017 vs. 2015

Intel Core i7-5650U inside MacBook Air 13” 2017 has a 35% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core M-5Y71 (1.3 GHz) inside MacBook 12” 2015.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score

MacBook Air 13” 2017 - Intel Core i7-5650U

1,538

MacBook Air 13” 2017 - Intel Core i5-5350U

1,350

MacBook 12” 2015 - Intel Core M-5Y71 (1.3 GHz)

1,139

MacBook 12” 2015 - Intel Core M-5Y51 (1.2 GHz)

1,109

MacBook 12” 2015 - Intel Core M-5Y31 (1.1 GHz)

1,034

MacBook Air 13” 2017 has a 13.3-inch screen size 10% larger than the 12-inch MacBook 12” 2015.

Display size

MacBook Air 13” 2017

13.3-inch

MacBook 12” 2015

12-inch

Key Similars

Similar characteristics share between MacBook 12” 2015 and MacBook Air 13” 2017.

Both laptops supports up to 8GB of system memory.

Max system memory size

MacBook 12” 2015

8 GB

MacBook Air 13” 2017

8 GB

Both laptops supports the same 1600MHz LPDDR3 RAM.

Memory type and speed

MacBook 12” 2015 - LPDDR3

1,600 MHz

MacBook Air 13” 2017 - LPDDR3

1,600 MHz

Prices

Here are the latest price updates and offers for both devices.

MacBook 12” 2015 Price
	Apple Macbook Retina Display 12in Laptop (2015) - 256GB SSD, 8 GB Memory, Silver (Renewed) By Apple $339.99	See at Amazon
	Apple Macbook Retina Display 12 Inch Core M-5Y31 1.1GHz 8GB RAM 256GB SSD (Renewed) By Apple $330.99	See at Amazon
	Apple MacBook MF855LL/A 12-Inch Laptop with Retina Display Silver, 256 GB (Renewed) By Apple $269.95	See at Amazon
MacBook Air 13” 2017 Price
	Apple 13in MacBook Air (2017 Newest Version) 1.8GHz Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD (Renewed) By Apple $228.99 $249.00 8% OFF	See at Amazon
	2017 Apple Macbook Air with 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD Storage) (QWERTY English) Silver (Renewed) By Apple $223.73 $249.00 10% OFF	See at Amazon
	Mid 2017 Apple MacBook Air with 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Silver (Renewed) By Apple $244.95 $279.00 12% OFF	See at Amazon

Availability	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
Released	2015	2017
Release Date	Announced on March 9, 2015 Available on March 10, 2015	Available on June 6, 2017
Pricing	$1,299 Intel Core M-5Y31 \| 8GB RAM \| 256GB SSD $1,599 Intel Core M-5Y51 \| 8GB RAM \| 512GB SSD	$999 Intel Core i5 5350U \| 8GB RAM \| 128GB SSD $1,199 Intel Core i5 5350U \| 8GB RAM \| 256GB SSD
Generations	-	2022 M2 MacBook Air 2020 M1 MacBook Air 2020 Intel MacBook Air MacBook Air 13” 2019 MacBook Air 13” 2018 MacBook Air 13” 2017 MacBook Air 13” 2015 MacBook Air 13” 2014 MacBook Air 13” 2013

Exterior	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
Size Comparison	MacBook 12” 2015MacBook Air 13” 2017
Dimensions	11.04” x 7.74” x 0.14 - 0.52” (280.5 mm x 196.5 mm x 3.5 - 13.1 mm)	12.8” x 8.94” x 0.11 - 0.68” (325 mm x 227 mm x 3 - 17 mm)
Weight	Starting at 2.03 pounds (920 g)	Starting at 2.96 pounds (1.35 kg)
Colors	Silver Space Gray Gold	Silver
Keyboard and Trackpad	Full-size backlit keyboard with: 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) individual LED backlit keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys with 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	Full-size backlit keyboard with: 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement) with ambient light sensor Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities

Display	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
Size	12 Inches	13.3 Inches
Info	Retina display 12-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology 2304-by-1440 resolution at 226 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors 16:10 aspect ratio Supported scaled resolutions: 1440 by 900 1280 by 800 1024 by 640	Widescreen display 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors Supported resolutions: 1440 by 900 (native), 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, and 1024 by 640 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio and 1024 by 768 and 800 by 600 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio

Ports	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
One USB Type-C port with support for: Charging USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps) Native DisplayPort 1.2 video output VGA output using USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter (sold separately) HDMI video output using USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (sold separately)	1 x Thunderbolt 2 port Supports data transfers up to 20 Gbps. 2 x USB 3.0 ports Supports data transfers up to 5 Gbps. 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack 1 x SDXC card reader 1 x MagSafe 2 power port

Internal Specs	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
Processor	5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y31 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.10 → 2.40 GHz, 4MB Cache, 6W 5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y51 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.20 → 2.60 GHz, 4MB Cache, 6W 5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y71 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.30 → 2.90 GHz, 4MB Cache, 6W	5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5350U 2 cores, 4 threads, 1.80 → 2.90 GHz, 3MB Cache, 15W 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5350U 2 cores, 4 threads, 2.20 → 3.10 GHz, 4MB Cache, 15W
Integrated Graphics	5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y31 Intel® HD Graphics 5300 24 Execution Units, 300 → 850 MHz 5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y51 Intel® HD Graphics 5300 24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz 5th Gen Intel® Core™ M-5Y71 Intel® HD Graphics 5300 24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz	5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5350U Intel® HD Graphics 6000 48 Execution Units, 300 → 1000 MHz 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5350U Intel® HD Graphics 6000 48 Execution Units, 300 → 1000 MHz
Memory	8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory	4GB 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage	256GB 512GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage.	128GB 256GB Configurable to 512GB flash storage.

Connectivity	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
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
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology	Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology

Battery	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
Size	39.5 Wh lithium‑polymer battery	54 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life	Up to 9 hours of wireless web Up to 10 hours of iTunes movie playback Up to 30 days of standby time	Up to 12 hours wireless web Up to 12 hours of iTunes movie playback Up to 30 days standby time
Power Supply	29W USB-C Power Adapter	45W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port.

Software	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
OS	Shipped with OS X Yosemite	Shipped with macOS Mojave
Built-in Apps	Photos iMovie GarageBand Pages Numbers Keynote Safari Mail Messages FaceTime Calendar Notes App Store iTunes iBooks Maps Contacts Reminders	Photos iMovie GarageBand Pages Numbers Keynote Siri Safari Mail FaceTime Messages Maps News Stocks Home Voice Memos Notes Calendar Contacts Reminders Photo Booth Preview iTunes Books App Store Time Machine

Camera & Audio	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
Camera	480p FaceTime HD camera	720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio	Stereo speakers Dual microphones 3.5 mm headphone jack Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone	Stereo speakers Dual microphones Headphone port Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone

Misc	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
In the box	MacBook 29W USB-C Power Adapter USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)	MacBook Air 13″ Power adapter AC wall plug Power cord
Warranty	Limited Warranty and ServiceYour MacBook comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan to extend your service and support to three years from your computer’s purchase date. Only the AppleCare Protection Plan provides you with direct telephone support from Apple technical experts and the assurance that repairs will be handled by Apple-authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. For more information, visit Apple Support or call 800-823-2275.	Limited Warranty and ServiceYour MacBook Air comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan to extend your service and support to three years from your computer’s purchase date. Only the AppleCare Protection Plan provides you with direct telephone support from Apple technical experts and the assurance that repairs will be handled by Apple-authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. For more information, visit Apple Support or call 800-823-2775.
More	Video Support Intel HD Graphics 5300 Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors	Video Support Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz on an external display, both at millions of colors Thunderbolt digital video output Native Mini DisplayPort output VGA, HDMI, DVI, and dual-link DVI output using adapters (sold separately)

Key Features	MacBook 12” 2015	MacBook Air 13” 2017
At Glance	Released in Early 2015 16:10 QHD 12” 1440p 60Hz Weight 2.03 lb 0.92 kg Up to Intel Core M-5Y71 (1.3 GHz) 2C/4T, 1.30 → 2.90 GHz Geekbench 5 598 Single Core Geekbench 5 1,139 Multi-Core With integrated Intel® HD Graphics 5300 24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz 8GB 1600 MHz LPDDR3	Released in Mid 2017 16:10 WXGA+ 13.3” 900p 60Hz Weight 2.96 lb 1.34 kg Up to Intel Core i7-5650U 2C/4T, 2.20 → 3.10 GHz Geekbench 5 737 Single Core Geekbench 5 1,538 Multi-Core With integrated Intel® HD Graphics 6000 48 Execution Units, 300 → 1000 MHz Up to 8GB 1600 MHz LPDDR3