MacBook 12” 2016 vs. MacBook Air 13” 2017: Which is better?
Here is a side by side comparison between MacBook 12” 2016 and MacBook Air 13” 2017 specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.
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MacBook 12” 2016 Pros
Reasons that MacBook 12” 2016 is better than MacBook Air 13” 2017.
MacBook 12” 2016 supports a faster memory speed than the MacBook Air 13” 2017. It supports up to 1866MHz versus 1600MHz of system memory on the MacBook Air 13” 2017.
MacBook 12” 2016 weighed 2.03 pounds, 32% lighter than the 2.96 pounds MacBook Air 13” 2017.
Weight | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
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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” 2016.
2017 vs. 2016
Intel Core i7-5650U inside MacBook Air 13” 2017 has a 10% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core m7-6Y75 inside MacBook 12” 2016.
MacBook Air 13” 2017 has a 13.3-inch screen size 10% larger than the 12-inch MacBook 12” 2016.
Key Similars
Similar characteristics share between MacBook 12” 2016 and MacBook Air 13” 2017.
Both laptops supports up to 8GB of system memory.
Prices
Here are the latest price updates and offers for both devices.
MacBook 12” 2016 Price | ||
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2017 Apple Macbook with 1.2GHz Intel Core m3 (12-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Space Gray (Renewed) By Apple $352.69 | ||
Apple Early 2016 MacBook with 1.3GHz Intel Core m7 (12 inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Space Gray (Renewed) By Apple $375.00 | ||
Apple Macbook Retina Display 12 Inch Core M-5Y31 1.1GHz 8GB RAM 256GB SSD (Renewed) By Apple $319.99 | ||
MacBook Air 13” 2017 Price | ||
Apple 13in MacBook Air (2017 Newest Version) 1.8GHz Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD (Renewed) By Apple $239.00 $255.00 6% OFF | ||
2017 Apple Macbook Air with 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD Storage) (QWERTY English) Silver (Renewed) By Apple $241.92 $289.99 17% OFF | ||
Mid 2017 Apple MacBook Air with 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Silver (Renewed) By Apple $274.74 $290.00 5% OFF |
Availability | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
Released | 2016 | 2017 |
Release Date |
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Pricing |
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Generations | - |
Exterior | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook 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 Rose Gold | Silver |
Keyboard and Trackpad | Full-size backlit keyboard with:
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Display | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
Size | 12 Inches | 13.3 Inches |
Info | Retina display
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Ports | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
One USB Type-C port with support for:
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Internal Specs | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
Processor |
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Integrated Graphics |
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Memory | 8GB 1866 MHz 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” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
Wi-Fi |
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Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology | Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology |
Battery | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
Size | 41.4 Wh lithium‑polymer battery | 54 Wh lithium‑polymer battery |
Battery Life |
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Power Supply | 29W USB-C Power Adapter | 45W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port. |
Software | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
OS | Shipped with OS X El Capitan | 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” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
Camera | 480p FaceTime HD camera | 720p FaceTime HD camera |
Audio |
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Misc | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
In the box |
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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
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Key Features | MacBook 12” 2016 | MacBook Air 13” 2017 |
At Glance |
Comparison Summary
Apple has released the MacBook 12” 2016, a 12-inch machine, in early-2016. It is powered by up to a dual-core Intel Core m7-6Y75 with a boost clock speed up to 3.10 GHz. The laptop has an integrated graphics option up to Intel® HD Graphics 515 (24 Execution Units, 300 → 1000 MHz).
On the other hand, we have the 13.3-inch MacBook Air 13” 2017 was introduced by Apple about a year later in mid-2017. It comes with up to a dual-core Intel Core i7-5650U with a boost clock speed up to 3.10 GHz. It has an integrated graphics option up to Intel® HD Graphics 6000 (48 Execution Units, 300 → 1000 MHz).
Geekbench 5 Single Core
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
The MacBook 12” 2016 has a 12-inch display which is slightly smaller than the 13.3-inch MacBook Air 13” 2017. In addition, The MacBook 12” 2016 weighs 2.03 lbs. about 45% lighter than the 2.96 lbs. MacBook Air 13” 2017. Moreover, measured at 11.04” x 7.74” x 0.52”, the MacBook 12” 2016 is much more portable than the MacBook Air 13” 2017 at 12.8” x 8.94” x 0.68”.
Moving over to upgradability, you can't make any upgrades on both devices. All major components including memory and storage are soldered on to the motherboard. So make sure you get the specs that work best for your current and future workload.
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