MacBook Air 11” 2014 vs. 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina: Which is better?

Here is a side by side comparison between MacBook Air 11” 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

MacBook Air 11” 2014 Pros

Reasons that MacBook Air 11” 2014 is better than 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina.

About 32% lighter

MacBook Air 11” 2014 weighed 2.38 pounds, 32% lighter than the 3.48 pounds 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina.

WeightMacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Pound
2.38 lbs.
3.48 lbs.
Kilogram
1.08 kg
1.58 kg

2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina Pros

Reasons that 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina is better than MacBook Air 11” 2014.

Newer manufacturing

2015 vs. 2014

Significantly faster CPU performance

Intel Core i7-5557U inside 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina has a 34% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i7-4650U inside MacBook Air 11” 2014.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina - Intel Core i7-5557U
1,663
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina - Intel Core i5-5287U
1,619
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina - Intel Core i5-5257U
1,542
MacBook Air 11” 2014 - Intel Core i7-4650U
1,236
MacBook Air 11” 2014 - Intel Core i5-4260U
1,183
Supports larger memory

The 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina supports a larger memory capacity than the MacBook Air 11” 2014. It supports up to 16GB versus 8GB of system memory on the MacBook Air 11” 2014.

Max system memory size
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
16 GB
MacBook Air 11” 2014
8 GB
Supports faster memory

The 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina supports a faster memory speed than the MacBook Air 11” 2014. It supports up to 1866MHz versus 1600MHz of system memory on the MacBook Air 11” 2014.

Memory type and speed
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina - LPDDR3
1,866 MHz
MacBook Air 11” 2014 - LPDDR3
1,600 MHz
14% larger display

The 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina has a 13.3-inch screen size 14% larger than the 11.6-inch MacBook Air 11” 2014.

Display size
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
13.3-inch
MacBook Air 11” 2014
11.6-inch

Prices

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

MacBook Air 11” 2014 Price
Apple Macbook Air MJVM2LL/A Intel i5 1.6GHz 8GB 128GB (Renewed)
Apple Macbook Air MJVM2LL/A Intel i5 1.6GHz 8GB 128GB (Renewed)
By Apple
$229.20
Early 2015 Apple MacBook Air with 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 (13.3 inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB) Silver (Renewed)
Early 2015 Apple MacBook Air with 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 (13.3 inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB) Silver (Renewed)
By Apple
$229.82
$285.00 19% OFF
Apple MacBook Air MD711LL/B 11.6in Widescreen LED Backlit HD Laptop, Intel Dual-Core i5 up to 2.7GHz, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, HD Camera, USB 3.0, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, Mac OS X (Renewed)
Apple MacBook Air MD711LL/B 11.6in Widescreen LED Backlit HD Laptop, Intel Dual-Core i5 up to 2.7GHz, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, HD Camera, USB 3.0, 802.11ac, Bluetooth, Mac OS X (Renewed)
By Apple
$204.99
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina Price
Apple MacBook Pro Retina MF843LL/A 13” Laptop, 3.1GHz Intel Core i7, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD, macOS 10.14 Mojave (Renewed)
Apple MacBook Pro Retina MF843LL/A 13” Laptop, 3.1GHz Intel Core i7, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD, macOS 10.14 Mojave (Renewed)
By Apple
$440.00
Apple 60W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter for MacBook Pro with 13-inch Retina Display
Apple 60W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter for MacBook Pro with 13-inch Retina Display
By Apple
$72.00
$79.00 9% OFF
Early 2015 Apple MacBook Pro with 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 (13.3 inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Silver (Renewed)
Early 2015 Apple MacBook Pro with 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 (13.3 inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Silver (Renewed)
By Apple
$272.85
$306.49 11% OFF

Availability

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Released20142015
Release Date
  • Available on April 30, 2014
  • Announced on March 9th, 2015
  • Available on March 9th, 2015
Pricing
  • $899
    Intel Core i5 4260U | 4GB RAM | 128GB SSD
  • $1,099
    Intel Core i5 4260U | 4GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,299
    Intel Core i5 5257U | 8GB RAM | 128GB SSD
  • $1,499
    Intel Core i5 5257U | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,799
    Intel Core i5 5287U | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
Generations-

Exterior

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Dimensions11.8” x 7.56” x 0.11 - 0.68” (300 mm x 192 mm x 3 - 17 mm)12.35” x 8.62” x 0.71” (314 mm x 219 mm x 18 mm)
WeightStarting at 2.38 pounds (1.08 kg)Starting at 3.48 lb (1.58 kg)
Colors
Silver
Silver
Keyboard and TrackpadFull-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
  • 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
  • Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures

Display

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Size11.6 Inches13.3 Inches
Info
  • 11.6-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
  • Supported resolutions: 1366 by 768 (native), 1344 by 756, and 1280 by 720 pixels at 16:9 aspect ratio; 1152 by 720 and 1024 by 640 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768 and 800 by 600 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio
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
  • 300 nits brightness
  • Standard color gamut (sRGB)
  • 900:1 contrast ratio

Ports

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
  • 1 x Thunderbolt port 
    Supports data transfers up to 10 Gbps.
  • 2 x USB 3.0 ports
    Supports data transfers up to 5 Gbps.
  • 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack
  • 1 x MagSafe 2 power port
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina Ports
Image Source: Apple
Left (5)
  • 1 x power port
    MagSafe 2
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 2
    DisplayPort, 20Gbps
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
Right (3)
  • 1 x full-size SD card slot
  • 1 x HDMI
  • 1 x USB-A
    USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)

Internal Specs

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Processor
  1. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4260U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.40 → 2.70 GHz, 3MB SmartCache, 15W
  2. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.70 → 3.30 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 15W
  1. 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5257U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.70 → 3.10 GHz, 3MB Cache, 28W
  2. 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5287U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 2.90 → 3.30 GHz, 3MB Cache, 28W
  3. 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5557U
    2 cores, 4 threads, 3.10 → 3.40 GHz, 4MB Cache, 28W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4260U
    Intel® HD Graphics 5000
    40 Execution Units, 200 → 1000 MHz
  2. 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U
    Intel® HD Graphics 5000
    40 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
  1. 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5257U
    Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100
    48 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz
  2. 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5287U
    Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100
    48 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
  3. 5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5557U
    Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100
    48 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
Memory
4GB
Configurable to 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
8GB
configurable to 16GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage
128GB 256GB
Configurable to 512GB flash storage.
256GB 512GB
configurable to 1TB SSD

Connectivity

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
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
BluetoothBluetooth 4.0 wireless technologyBluetooth 4.2 wireless technology

Battery

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Size38 Wh lithium‑polymer battery74.9 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 9 hours of wireless web
  • Up to 9 hours iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
  • Up to 10 hours wireless web
  • Up to 12 hours of iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply45W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port.
60W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
With cable management system; MagSafe 2 power port.

Software

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
OSShipped with OSX MavericksShipped with OS X Yosemite
Built-in Apps
iPhoto iMovie GarageBand Pages Numbers Keynote Maps iBooks Safari Mail FaceTime Messages Calendar Contacts Reminders Time Machine Photo Booth iTunes Game Center Preview Notes Mac App Store
Photos iMovie GarageBand Pages Numbers Keynote Siri Safari Mail FaceTime Messages Maps Notes Calendar Contacts Reminders Photo Booth Preview iTunes iBooks App Store Time Machine

Camera & Audio

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • Stereo speakers
  • Dual microphones
  • Headphone port
  • Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone
  • Stereo speakers
  • Dual microphones
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
    • Support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone
    • Support for audio line out (digital/analog)

Misc

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
Sensors-
  • Ambient light sensor
In the box
  • MacBook Air 11″
  • Power adapter
  • AC wall plug
  • Power cord
  • 13‑inch MacBook Pro
  • MagSafe 2 Power Adapter
  • Power cord
  • AC wall plug
WarrantyLimited 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.Your MacBook Pro with Retina display 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.
MoreVideo Support
  • Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
  • Thunderbolt digital video output
    • Native Mini DisplayPort output
    • DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (sold separately)
    • VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (sold separately)
    • Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (sold separately)
    • HDMI audio and video output using third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (sold separately)
Video Support
  • Intel Iris Graphics 6100
  • Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels on up to two external displays, both at millions of colors.
  • Thunderbolt digital video output
    • Native Mini DisplayPort output
    • DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI output supported using Mini DisplayPort adapters (sold separately)
  • HDMI video output
    • Support for 1080p resolution at up to 60Hz
    • Support for 3840-by-2160 resolution at 30Hz
    • Support for 4096-by-2160 resolution at 24Hz

Key Features

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina
At Glance
Released in Early
2014
16:10 HD+
11.6”
756p 60Hz
Weight
2.38 lb
1.08 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-4650U
2C/4T, 1.70 → 3.30 GHz
Geekbench 5
632
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,236
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® HD Graphics 5000
40 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz
Up to
8GB
1600 MHz LPDDR3
Released in Early
2015
16:10 WQXGA
13.3”
1600p 60Hz
Weight
3.48 lb
1.58 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-5557U
2C/4T, 3.10 → 3.40 GHz
Geekbench 5
795
Single Core
Geekbench 5
1,663
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100
48 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
Configurable up to
16GB
1866 MHz LPDDR3
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina Ports

Comparison Summary

MacBook Air 11” 2014 vs. 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina

Apple has released the MacBook Air 11” 2014, a 11.6-inch machine, in early-2014. It is powered by up to a dual-core Intel Core i7-4650U with a boost clock speed up to 3.30 GHz. The laptop has an integrated graphics option up to Intel® HD Graphics 5000 (40 Execution Units, 200 → 1100 MHz).

On the other hand, we have the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 13 Retina was introduced by Apple about a year later in early-2015. It comes with up to a dual-core Intel Core i7-5557U with a boost clock speed up to 3.40 GHz. It has an integrated graphics option up to Intel® Iris® Graphics 6100 (48 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz).

Geekbench 5 Single Core

MacBook Air 11” 20141
4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4260U57372.08%
2
4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U63279.50%
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina1
5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5257U71690.06%
2
5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5287U75995.47%
3
5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5557U795100.00%
0795

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

MacBook Air 11” 20141
4th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-4260U1,18371.14%
2
4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4650U1,23674.32%
2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina1
5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5257U1,54292.72%
2
5th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-5287U1,61997.35%
3
5th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-5557U1,663100.00%
01,663

The MacBook Air 11” 2014 has a 11.6-inch display which is slightly smaller than the 13.3-inch 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina. In addition, The MacBook Air 11” 2014 weighs 2.38 lbs. about 46% lighter than the 3.48 lbs. 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina. Moreover, measured at 11.8” x 7.56” x 0.68”, the MacBook Air 11” 2014 is considerably more portable than the 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina at 12.35” x 8.62” x 0.71”.

MacBook Air 11” 20142015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina

Moving over to upgradability, Apple claims that the MacBook Air 11” 2014 supports up to 8GB 1600 MHz LPDDR3 memory.

For 2015 MacBook Pro 13 Retina, it supports up to 16GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 memory. Unlike MacBook Air 11” 2014, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. Luckily, it has a single removable M.2 SSD slot that users can replace or upgrade when needed.

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