MacBook Pro 15” (2017) vs. MacBook Pro 15” (2018): Which is better?

Here is a side by side comparison between MacBook Pro 15” (2017) and MacBook Pro 15” (2018) specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

MacBook Pro 15” (2017) Pros

We couldn't find any advantages of MacBook Pro 15” (2017) over MacBook Pro 15” (2018).

MacBook Pro 15” (2018) Pros

Reasons that MacBook Pro 15” (2018) is better than MacBook Pro 15” (2017).

Significantly faster CPU performance

Intel Core i9-8950HK inside MacBook Pro 15” (2018) has a 40% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i7-7920HQ inside MacBook Pro 15” (2017).

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
MacBook Pro 15” (2018) - Intel Core i9-8950HK
4,806
MacBook Pro 15” (2018) - Intel Core i7-8850H
4,497
MacBook Pro 15” (2018) - Intel Core i7-8750H
4,470
MacBook Pro 15” (2017) - Intel Core i7-7820HQ
3,573
MacBook Pro 15” (2017) - Intel Core i7-7920HQ
3,410
MacBook Pro 15” (2017) - Intel Core i7-7700HQ
3,208
Supports larger memory

MacBook Pro 15” (2018) supports a larger memory capacity than the MacBook Pro 15” (2017). It supports up to 32GB versus 16GB of system memory on the MacBook Pro 15” (2017).

Max system memory size
MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
32 GB
MacBook Pro 15” (2017)
16 GB
Supports faster memory

MacBook Pro 15” (2018) supports a faster memory speed than the MacBook Pro 15” (2017). It supports up to 2400MHz versus 2133MHz of system memory on the MacBook Pro 15” (2017).

Memory type and speed
MacBook Pro 15” (2018) - DDR4
2,400 MHz
MacBook Pro 15” (2017) - LPDDR3
2,133 MHz

Prices

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

MacBook Pro 15” (2017) Price
Mid 2017 Apple MacBook Pro with 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 (15.4 inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
Mid 2017 Apple MacBook Pro with 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 (15.4 inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
By Apple
$418.69
$484.49 14% OFF
2017 Apple MacBook Pro with 2.9GHz Intel Core i7 (15-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) Silver (Renewed)
2017 Apple MacBook Pro with 2.9GHz Intel Core i7 (15-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) Silver (Renewed)
By Apple
$441.00
$500.85 12% OFF
2017 Apple MacBook Pro with 3.1GHz Intel Core i7 (15-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage) Space Gray (Renewed)
2017 Apple MacBook Pro with 3.1GHz Intel Core i7 (15-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage) Space Gray (Renewed)
By Apple
$499.95
MacBook Pro 15” (2018) Price
2018 Apple MacBook Pro with 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 (15-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Silver (Renewed)
2018 Apple MacBook Pro with 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 (15-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Silver (Renewed)
By Apple
$485.30
$529.00 8% OFF
Apple 15.4in MacBook Pro Laptop (Retina, Touch Bar, 2.2GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Space Gray (MR932LL/A) (2018 Model) (Renewed)
Apple 15.4in MacBook Pro Laptop (Retina, Touch Bar, 2.2GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Space Gray (MR932LL/A) (2018 Model) (Renewed)
By Apple
$509.00
Apple 15in MacBook Pro, Retina, Touch Bar, 2.9GHz Intel Core i7 Quad Core, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Space Gray, MPTT2LL/A (Renewed)
Apple 15in MacBook Pro, Retina, Touch Bar, 2.9GHz Intel Core i7 Quad Core, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Space Gray, MPTT2LL/A (Renewed)
By Apple
$469.95
$547.39 14% OFF

Availability

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
Released20172018
Release DateAnnounced on June 5th, 2018Announced on July 13, 2018
Pricing
  • $2,399
    Intel Core i7 7700HQ | 16GB RAM | 256GB SSD | Radeon Pro 555
  • $2,799
    Intel Core i7 7820HQ | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD | Radeon Pro 560
  • $2,399 - Intel Core i7 | 16GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $2,799 - Intel Core i7 | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD
Generations

Exterior

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
Dimensions13.75” x 9.48” x 0.61” (349.3 mm x 240.7 mm x 155 mm)13.75” x 9.48” x 0.61” (349.3 mm x 240.7 mm x 155 mm)
WeightStarting at 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg)Starting at 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg)
Colors
Space Gray Silver
Space Gray Silver
Keyboard and TrackpadBacklit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 64 (U.S.) or 65 (ISO) keys including 4 arrow keys
  • Touch Bar with integrated 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
Backlit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 64 (U.S.) or 65 (ISO) keys including 4 arrow keys
  • Touch Bar with integrated 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 Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
Size15.4 Inches15.4 Inches
InfoRetina display
  • 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2880-by-1800 native resolution at 220 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
  • Supported scaled resolutions:
    • 1920 by 1200
    • 1680 by 1050
    • 1280 by 800
    • 1024 by 640
  • 500 nits brightness
  • Wide color (P3)
Retina display
  • 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2880-by-1800 native resolution at 220 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
  • Supported scaled resolutions:
    • 1920 by 1200
    • 1680 by 1050
    • 1280 by 800
    • 1024 by 640
  • 500 nits brightness
  • Wide color (P3)
  • True Tone technology

Ports

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
Left (2)
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 3
    40 Gpbs, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Charging, Displayport
Right (3)
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 3
    40 Gpbs, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Charging, Displayport
Left (2)
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 3
    40 Gpbs, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Charging, Displayport
Right (3)
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 3
    40 Gpbs, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), Charging, Displayport

Internal Specs

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
Processor
  1. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.80 → 3.80 GHz, 6MB Cache, 45W
  2. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7820HQ
    4 cores, 8 threads, 2.90 → 3.90 GHz, 8 MB Cache, 45W
  3. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7920HQ
    4 cores, 8 threads, 3.10 → 4.10 GHz, 8 MB Cache, 45W
  1. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8750H
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.20 → 4.10 GHz, 9MB SmartCache, 45W
  2. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8850H
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.60 → 4.30 GHz, 9MB SmartCache, 45W
  3. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-8950HK
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.90 → 4.80 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 45W
Integrated Graphics
  1. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ
    Intel® HD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1100 MHz
  2. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7820HQ
    Intel® HD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1100 MHz
  3. 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7920HQ
    Intel® HD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1100 MHz
  1. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8750H
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1100 MHz
  2. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8850H
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1150 MHz
  3. 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-8950HK
    Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    24 Execution Units, 350 → 1200 MHz
Memory
16GB
of 2133MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
16GB
configurable to 32GB of 2400MHz DDR4 onboard memory
Discrete Graphics
  • AMD Radeon Pro 555 with 2GB of GDDR5 memory
  • AMD Radeon Pro 560 with 4GB of GDDR5 memory
  • AMD Radeon Pro 555X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory
  • AMD Radeon Pro 560X with 4GB of GDDR6 memory
  • AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 with 4GB of HBM2 memory
  • AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 with 4GB of HBM2 memory
Storage
256GB 512GB
configurable to 1TB or 2TB SSD
256GB 512GB
configurable to 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB SSD

Connectivity

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
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 4.2 wireless technologyBluetooth 5.0 wireless technology

Battery

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
Size76 Wh lithium‑polymer battery83.6 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 10 hours wireless web
  • Up to 10 hours Apple TV app movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
  • Up to 10 hours wireless web
  • Up to 10 hours Apple TV app movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply87W USB‑C Power Adapter87W USB‑C Power Adapter

Software

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
OSShipped with macOS SierraShipped with macOS Catalina
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 Music Podcasts TV Books App Store Time Machine Find My QuickTime Player
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 Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • Stereo speakers with high dynamic range
  • Three microphones
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Stereo speakers with high dynamic range
  • Three microphones
  • 3.5mm headphone jack

Misc

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
Sensors
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Touch ID sensor
Security
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T1 Chip
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T2 Chip
In the box
  • 15‑inch MacBook Pro
  • 87W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
  • 15‑inch MacBook Pro
  • 87W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
WarrantyYour 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.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.
More
Video Support
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
  • Up to two displays with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
  • Up to four displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors
  • Up to four displays with 3840-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
  • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
  • VGA, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)
Video Support
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
  • Up to two displays with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
  • Up to four displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
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 Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)
At Glance
Released in Mid
2017
16:10 Retina
15.4”
1800p 60Hz
Weight
4.02 lb
1.82 kg
Up to
Intel Core i7-7920HQ
4C/8T, 3.10 → 4.10 GHz
Geekbench 5
894
Single Core
Geekbench 5
3,410
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® HD Graphics 630
24 Execution Units, 350 → 1100 MHz
16GB
2133 MHz LPDDR3
AMD
Radeon Pro 560
4GB GDDR5
Released in Mid
2018
16:10 Retina
15.4”
1800p 60Hz
Weight
4.02 lb
1.82 kg
Up to
Intel Core i9-8950HK
6C/12T, 2.90 → 4.80 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,066
Single Core
Geekbench 5
4,806
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® UHD Graphics 630
24 Execution Units, 350 → 1200 MHz
Configurable up to
32GB
2400 MHz DDR4
AMD
Radeon Pro Vega 20
4GB HBM2

Comparison Summary

MacBook Pro 15” (2017) vs. MacBook Pro 15” (2018)

Apple has released the MacBook Pro 15” , a 15.4-inch machine, in mid-2017. It is powered by up to a quad-core Intel Core i7-7920HQ with a boost clock speed up to 4.10 GHz. The laptop has a dedicated GPU option up to AMD Radeon Pro 560 with 4GB GDDR5.

On the other hand, we have the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 15” was introduced by Apple about a year later in mid-2018. It comes with up to a hexa-core Intel Core i9-8950HK with a boost clock speed up to 4.80 GHz. It has a dedicated GPU option up to AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 with 4GB HBM2.

Geekbench 5 Single Core

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)1
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ85279.92%
2
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7820HQ95889.87%
3
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7920HQ89483.86%
MacBook Pro 15” (2018)1
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8750H97591.46%
2
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8850H1,00694.37%
3
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-8950HK1,066100.00%
01,066

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)1
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ3,20866.75%
2
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7820HQ3,57374.34%
3
7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-7920HQ3,41070.95%
MacBook Pro 15” (2018)1
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8750H4,47093.01%
2
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8850H4,49793.57%
3
8th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-8950HK4,806100.00%
04,806

Both MacBook Pro 15” (2017) and MacBook Pro 15” (2018) have the same 15.4-inch display size. In addition, they both have the same weight at 4.02 lbs. Moreover, measured at 13.75” x 9.48” x 0.61”, the MacBook Pro 15” (2017) share the same chassis as the MacBook Pro 15” (2018).

MacBook Pro 15” (2017)MacBook Pro 15” (2018)

There are only three Thunderbolt 3 ports, a headphone jack available on MacBook Pro 15” (2017). With that said, it has the same number of ports and slots as the MacBook Pro 15” (2018) including only four Thunderbolt 3 ports, a headphone jack.

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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