MacBook 12” 2017 vs. M1 MacBook Pro 13”: Which is better?

Here is a side by side comparison between MacBook 12” 2017 and M1 MacBook Pro 13” specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

MacBook 12” 2017 Pros

Reasons that MacBook 12” 2017 is better than M1 MacBook Pro 13”.

About 35% lighter

MacBook 12” 2017 weighed 2.03 pounds, 35% lighter than the 3.1 pounds M1 MacBook Pro 13”.

WeightMacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
Pound
2.03 lbs.
3.1 lbs.
Kilogram
0.92 kg
1.41 kg

M1 MacBook Pro 13” Pros

Reasons that M1 MacBook Pro 13” is better than MacBook 12” 2017.

Significantly newer manufacturing

2020 vs. 2017

Much faster CPU performance

Apple M1 (8C, 8G) inside M1 MacBook Pro 13” has a 404% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i7-7Y75 inside MacBook 12” 2017.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
M1 MacBook Pro 13” - Apple M1 (8C, 8G)
7,414
MacBook 12” 2017 - Intel Core i7-7Y75
1,470
MacBook 12” 2017 - Intel Core i5-7Y54
1,457
MacBook 12” 2017 - Intel Core m3-7Y32
1,423
10% larger display

M1 MacBook Pro 13” has a 13.3-inch screen size 10% larger than the 12-inch MacBook 12” 2017.

Display size
M1 MacBook Pro 13”
13.3-inch
MacBook 12” 2017
12-inch

Key Similars

Similar characteristics share between MacBook 12” 2017 and M1 MacBook Pro 13”.

Supports the same maximum memory size of up to 16GB

Both laptops supports up to 16GB of system memory.

Max system memory size
MacBook 12” 2017
16 GB
M1 MacBook Pro 13”
16 GB

Prices

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

MacBook 12” 2017 Price
2017 Apple Macbook with 1.2GHz Intel Core m3 (12-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Space Gray (Renewed)
2017 Apple Macbook with 1.2GHz Intel Core m3 (12-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Space Gray (Renewed)
By Apple
$352.69
2017 Apple MacBook Laptop with Intel Core m3, 1.2GHz (MNYH2LL/A, 12in, Retina Display, Dual Core Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB, Intel HD Graphics, Mac OS) - Silver (Renewed)
2017 Apple MacBook Laptop with Intel Core m3, 1.2GHz (MNYH2LL/A, 12in, Retina Display, Dual Core Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB, Intel HD Graphics, Mac OS) - Silver (Renewed)
By Apple
$399.99
Apple MacBook 12in Retina 2017 (Newest Version) 256GB SSD / 8GB RAM - Space Gray (Renewed)
Apple MacBook 12in Retina 2017 (Newest Version) 256GB SSD / 8GB RAM - Space Gray (Renewed)
By Apple
$379.97
M1 MacBook Pro 13” Price
2020 Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Space Gray (Renewed)
2020 Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Space Gray (Renewed)
By Apple
$689.64
$725.51 5% OFF
2020 Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) - Silver (Renewed)
2020 Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) - Silver (Renewed)
By Apple
$684.95
$729.00 6% OFF
Apple 2020 MacBook Air with M1 Chip 13-inch, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD - Space Gray (Renewed)
Apple 2020 MacBook Air with M1 Chip 13-inch, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD - Space Gray (Renewed)
By Apple
$725.18

Availability

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
Released20172020
Release Date
  • Announced on June 5, 2017
  • Available on June 7, 2017
Announced on November 10th, 2020
Pricing
  • $1,299
    Intel Core m3-7Y32 | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,599
    Intel Core m5-7Y54 | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
  • $1,299
    Apple M1 Chip | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,499
    Apple M1 Chip | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
Generations-

Exterior

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
Dimensions11.04” x 7.74” x 0.14 - 0.52” (280.5 mm x 196.5 mm x 3.5 - 13.1 mm)11.97” x 8.36” x 0.61” (304.1 mm x 212.4 mm x 15.6 mm)
WeightStarting at 2.03 pounds (920 g)Starting at 3.1 pounds (1.4 kg)
Colors
Silver Space Gray Gold Rose Gold
Space Gray Silver
Keyboard and TrackpadFull-size backlit keyboard with:
  • 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) individual LED backlit keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys
  • 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
Backlit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 65 (U.S.) or 66 (ISO) keys including 4 arrow keys in an inverted‑T arrangement
  • Touch Bar
  • Touch ID sensor
  • 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

Display

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
Size12 Inches13.3 Inches
InfoRetina 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
Retina display
  • 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
  • Supported scaled resolutions:
    • 1680 by 1050
    • 1440 by 900
    • 1024 by 640
  • 16:10 aspect ratio
  • 500 nits brightness
  • Supports wide color (P3)
  • True Tone technology

Ports

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
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)
M1 MacBook Pro 13” Ports
Image Source: Apple
Left (2)
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 3
    40 Gpbs, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), DisplayPort, Charging
Right (1)
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone

Internal Specs

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
Processor
  1. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-7Y32
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.10 → 3.00 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W
  2. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7Y54
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.20 → 3.20 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W
  3. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7Y75
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.30 → 3.60 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 4.5W
  1. Apple M1
    8 cores, 8 threads, 3.20 GHz, 10W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-7Y32
    Intel® HD Graphics 615
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz
  2. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7Y54
    Intel® HD Graphics 615
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 950 MHz
  3. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7Y75
    Intel® HD Graphics 615
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz
  1. Apple M1
    Apple M1 iGPU
    8 Graphics Cores, 1280 MHz
Memory
8GB
Configurable to 16GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
  • 8GB
    4266 MHz LPDDR4X onboard memory
  • Configurable to 16GB
Storage
256GB 512GB
PCIe-based onboard SSD.
  • 256GB 512GB
    SSD
  • Configurable to 1TB or 2TB

Connectivity

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
Wi-Fi
  • 802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
  • 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6 wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible
BluetoothBluetooth 4.0 wireless technologyBluetooth 5.0 wireless technology

Battery

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
Size41.4 Wh lithium‑polymer battery58.2 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 10 hours of wireless web
  • Up to 12 hours of iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
  • Up to 17 hours wireless web
  • Up to 20 hours Apple TV app movie playback
Power Supply29W USB-C Power Adapter61W USB‑C Power Adapter

Software

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
OSShipped with macOS High SierraShipped with macOS Big Sur
Built-in Apps
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
Photos iMovie GarageBand Pages Numbers Keynote Siri Safari Mail FaceTime Messages Maps News Stocks Home Voice Memos Notes Calendar Contacts Reminders Photo Booth Preview Music Podcasts TV Books App Store Time Machine Find My QuickTime Player

Camera & Audio

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
Camera480p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • Stereo speakers
  • Dual microphones
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
  • Stereo speakers with high dynamic range
  • Wide stereo sound
  • Support for Dolby Atmos playback
  • Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack

Misc

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
Sensors-
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
Security-
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T2 Security Chip
In the box
  • MacBook
  • 29W USB-C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
  • MacBook Pro 13”
  • 61W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
WarrantyLimited 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. Your MacBook Pro comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare+ for Mac to extend your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and add up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other repairable damage, plus applicable tax.
MoreVideo Support
  • Intel HD Graphics 615
  • Dual display and video mirroring: simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz on an external display, both at millions of colors
Video Support
  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
    • One external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz
  • Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
    • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
    • VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)

Key Features

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”
At Glance
Released in Mid
2017
16:10 QHD
12”
1440p 60Hz
Weight
2.03 lb
0.92 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-7Y75
2C/4T, 1.30 → 3.60 GHz
Geekbench 5
714
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,470
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® HD Graphics 615
24 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz
Configurable up to
16GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3
Released in Late
2020
16:10 WQXGA
13.3”
1600p 60Hz
Weight
3.1 lb
1.41 kg
Powered By
Apple M1 (8C, 8G)
8C/8T, 3.20 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,705
Single Core
Geekbench 5
7,414
Multi-Core
With integrated
Apple M1 iGPU
8 Graphics Cores, 1280 MHz
Configurable up to
16GB
Unified Memory
M1 MacBook Pro 13” Ports

Comparison Summary

MacBook 12” 2017 vs. M1 MacBook Pro 13”

Apple has released the MacBook 12” 2017, a 12-inch machine, in mid-2017. It is powered by up to a dual-core Intel Core i7-7Y75 with a boost clock speed up to 3.60 GHz. The laptop has an integrated graphics option up to Intel® HD Graphics 615 (24 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz).

On the other hand, we have the 13.3-inch M1 MacBook Pro 13” was introduced by Apple about three years later in late-2020. It comes with an octa-core Apple M1 (8C, 8G). It has an integrated graphics option up to Apple M1 iGPU (8 Graphics Cores, 1280 MHz).

Geekbench 5 Single Core

MacBook 12” 20171
7th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-7Y3265838.59%
2
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7Y5467139.35%
3
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7Y7571441.88%
M1 MacBook Pro 13”1
Apple M11,705100.00%
01,705

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

MacBook 12” 20171
7th Gen Intel® Core™ m3-7Y321,42319.19%
2
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-7Y541,45719.65%
3
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7Y751,47019.83%
M1 MacBook Pro 13”1
Apple M17,414100.00%
07,414

The MacBook 12” 2017 has a 12-inch display which is slightly smaller than the 13.3-inch M1 MacBook Pro 13”. In addition, The MacBook 12” 2017 weighs 2.03 lbs. about 52% lighter than the 3.1 lbs. M1 MacBook Pro 13”. Moreover, measured at 11.04” x 7.74” x 0.52”, the MacBook 12” 2017 is considerably more portable than the M1 MacBook Pro 13” at 11.97” x 8.36” x 0.61”.

MacBook 12” 2017M1 MacBook Pro 13”

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.

Comments

Ask questions or share your thought and experience about the comparison between MacBook 12” 2017 and M1 MacBook Pro 13”.

Loading Comments...