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Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" vs Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID / Intel Core i5 256GB

In the world of laptops, Apple's MacBook Pro consistently sets a high standard. When deciding on the best fit for your needs, it can be useful to compare two popular models - the MacBook Pro (2015) 13" and the MacBook Pro (2017) 13", which come with unique features such as the Touch Bar and Touch ID.

In design, the 2015 model maintains a classic aesthetic with function keys and no Touch Bar. In contrast, the 2017 version features a sleeker build that includes both a Touch Bar and Touch ID for added security. The 2015 version is equipped with dual-core Intel processors suitable for daily tasks and light creative work. For more demanding applications, the 2017 variant offers faster dual-core Intel processors and enhanced graphics.

Feature-wise, the 2015 model provides traditional USB ports and HDMI output while the 2017 version steps into modernity with only USB-C ports which may necessitate adapters for older peripherals. Both laptops offer similar battery life although slight efficiency enhancements give the 2017 model a minor edge.

If you're a creative professional seeking superior performance with cutting-edge features, then you might find yourself drawn towards the speed and advanced functionalities offered by the 2017 model. However, if your preference leans towards broader connectivity choices without needing adapters or if you're working within tighter budget constraints, then don't discount the reliable option presented by the 2015 model.

Performance

System and application performance

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
37
Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID Intel Core i5 256GB
43
Gaming

Performance in popular 3D games

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
37
Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID Intel Core i5 256GB
43
Display

Viewing angle, color accuracy...

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
64
Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID Intel Core i5 256GB
45
Connectivity

Ports, webcam and other interfaces

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
59
Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID Intel Core i5 256GB
31
Battery Life

Potential battery life

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
78
Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID Intel Core i5 256GB
10
Design

Materials, durability and portability

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"
60
Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID Intel Core i5 256GB
64

Design Comparison

Size Comparison

Comparing the design elements of the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" and the Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID reveals significant features that impact user experience.

Design Elements Enhancing User Experience:

Weight and Portability:

  • In terms of weight, the 2017 MacBook Pro weighs less at 3 pounds than its 2015 predecessor, which was 3.5 pounds, making it more portable while maintaining screen size and performance.

Dimensions:

  • The 2017 model is more compact and easier to carry around without compromising screen real estate or performance due to slight reductions in width, height, and thickness.

Materials and Build Quality:

  • Both laptops feature Apple's characteristic high-quality build with a durable aluminum unibody design that offers a sleek and premium look, catering to the needs of students and professionals alike.

Ergonomics:

  • The Touch Bar introduced in the 2017 model enhances user interaction by dynamically adapting to various applications, boosting workflow efficiency for professionals requiring quick access to tools and shortcuts.

Touch ID and Fingerprint Scanner:

  • Touch ID on the 2017 model provides convenient and secure authentication for users who value data security while maintaining ease of use.

Connectivity Options:

  • The shift to USB Type-C ports on the 2017 model simplifies connections and ensures the laptop is ready for upcoming standards. However, it may require dongles or adapters for older devices.

Influence on Practical Usability and Aesthetic Appeal for Various Users:

  • Students: The 2017 MacBook Pro is a great option for students looking for a powerful and portable device for lectures, research, or creative projects due to its lightweight design and compact size.
  • Professionals: The 2017 model now includes the Touch Bar, Touch ID, and enhanced portability, offering professionals improved productivity tools in a sleek design that aligns with their workflow needs.

Impact on Overall Experience and Value:

  • The design evolution from the 2015 to the 2017 MacBook Pro models reflects Apple's commitment to refining user experience through thoughtful enhancements such as weight reduction, dimension optimization, innovative input methods like Touch Bar, improved security with Touch ID, all while maintaining premium materials and build quality.

In conclusion:

The Apple MacBook Pro (2017) excels in offering a more refined design that prioritizes portability, innovative interaction methods through Touch Bar, enhanced security via Touch ID while maintaining Apple's renowned build quality. For users valuing these design aspects alongside performance capabilities when choosing a laptop for academic pursuits or professional endeavors, the newer model provides a compelling option that justifies its value proposition over its predecessor.

Screen Comparison

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID Intel Core i5 256GB
ResolutionQHDQHD
Screen Size13.3"13"

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" vs. Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar Comparison

Comparing the screen features of the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" and the Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar reveals similarities and differences that can significantly impact your experience, particularly in activities such as gaming or professional graphic design.

Screen Size: Both laptops feature a 13.3-inch screen size, offering a perfect blend of portability and viewing experience. This size ensures immersive visuals while maintaining ease of transport.

Resolution: Both models have a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, providing clear and detailed image quality. This sharp resolution is ideal for watching high-definition videos and viewing images with precision.

Pixel Density: Both laptops offer crisp visuals at 227 pixels per inch (ppi), enhancing the viewing experience by providing sharp graphics and text for improved detail visibility.

Display Technology: Both laptops are equipped with an IPS LCD display featuring LED-backlit technology, delivering vivid colors, wide viewing angles, and energy-efficient operation. Additionally, anti-glare coating on the screens minimizes reflections and glare, improving visibility across different lighting environments.

Practical Examples:

  • Gaming: The high resolution and pixel density of these screens contribute to detailed graphics in games. The IPS display technology ensures accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles, crucial for immersive gaming experiences where color accuracy matters.
  • Professional Graphic Design: Graphic designers can rely on the consistent resolution and pixel density of both models to create precise designs. The color accuracy of the IPS panel is crucial for tasks such as photo editing or digital illustration that require true-to-life colors.

In summary, comparing the screen features of these two MacBook Pro models reveals a consistent visual performance in resolution, pixel density, display technology, and anti-glare properties. Whether for gaming or professional graphic design, these laptops offer a reliable platform for visually intensive tasks.

Hardware Comparison

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID Intel Core i5 256GB
RAM8GB8GB
Storage Size1000GB256GB

Comparing Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" with Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" Featuring Touch Bar and Touch ID

CPU:

  • Apple MacBook Pro from 2015: Equipped with a 2 GHz Intel Core i5 processor featuring 4 threads.
  • Apple MacBook Pro (2017): Features an enhanced 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, offering 4 threads for increased performance.

Performance Impact: The 2017 MacBook Pro offers faster processing speeds, ideal for multitasking, running demanding software, and managing heavier workloads than its predecessor.

RAM:

  • Apple MacBook Pro (2015): Comes with 8GB of RAM running at 1866 MHz.
  • Apple MacBook Pro (2017): Additionally provides 8GB of RAM at a faster speed of 2133 MHz.

Performance Impact: The enhanced RAM speed of the MacBook Pro (2017) can improve performance, especially when multitasking or handling memory-heavy tasks such as video editing and graphic design.

Storage:

  • Apple MacBook Pro (2015): Offers a spacious 1000GB flash storage capacity.
  • Apple MacBook Pro (2017): Provides a compact 256GB internal storage capacity with efficient flash storage technology.

Performance Impact: While the older model offers more storage space, the newer model's flash storage can result in quicker boot times, faster file transfers, and overall snappier system responsiveness for everyday use.

Practical Applications

Multimedia Tasks:

  • Photo Editing: The MacBook Pro (2017) boosts photo editing software performance with its increased processing power and faster RAM speed, minimizing delays when applying filters or editing high-resolution images.
  • Video Editing: The enhanced CPU in the latest model facilitates smoother video editing, resulting in faster rendering times and seamless playback for intricate video projects.

Heavy Software Operation:

  • Graphic Design: Both laptops are capable of handling graphic design applications; however, the MacBook Pro (2017) is better equipped with enhanced processing power, making it ideal for running resource-intensive design software such as Adobe Creative Suite seamlessly.
  • Programming: The increased RAM speed in the newer model aids in handling multiple programming environments simultaneously without sacrificing performance or causing delays during code compilation.

In conclusion, if you prioritize performance improvements in CPU speed, RAM efficiency, and overall system responsiveness for demanding tasks like multimedia editing or heavy software operation, the Apple MacBook Pro (2017) with Touch Bar and Touch ID is the recommended choice. However, if you require higher internal storage capacity for extensive file storage needs, the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) might be a more suitable option despite slightly slower hardware specifications.

Battery Comparison

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID Intel Core i5 256GB
Battery Life12 hours10 hours

Comparing the battery life between the Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13" and the Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID, both equipped with an Intel Core i5 3.1GHz processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB storage capacity reveals significant differences.

Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13":

  • Battery Life: This model boasts an impressive 12-hour battery life, allowing for prolonged use without the hassle of frequent charging.
  • Sleep And Charge USB Ports: This feature allows you to charge your devices while your laptop is in sleep mode, making connectivity and usability more convenient.
  • Magsafe Power Adapter: With the Magsafe power adapter, you can enjoy added convenience and safety. It easily disconnects if the cord is pulled, preventing accidental damage.

Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID:

  • Battery Life: This model offers a battery life of up to 10 hours, slightly less than the MacBook Pro (2015) version. Though it provides decent usage time, it doesn't reach the extended duration of its predecessor.

In summary, both laptops provide reliable performance and portability. The MacBook Pro (2015) excels in battery life, lasting up to 12 hours. It offers user-friendly features such as Sleep And Charge USB Ports and a Magsafe Power Adapter for added convenience and safety. In contrast, the MacBook Pro (2017) with Touch Bar and Touch ID delivers strong performance but with a slightly shorter battery life of up to 10 hours.

Users who value extended battery life and extra convenience options, such as Sleep And Charge USB Ports and a Magsafe Power Adapter, may prefer the Apple MacBook Pro (2015). On the other hand, those interested in cutting-edge features like Touch Bar and Touch ID might favor the stylish design and enhanced components of the Apple MacBook Pro (2017).

Verdict

Why Apple MacBook Pro (2015) 13"?

  • Longer battery life of up to 12 hours.
  • Traditional USB ports and HDMI output for more connectivity options without adapters.
  • Sleep And Charge USB Ports and Magsafe Power Adapter for added convenience and safety.

Why ?

  • Enhanced performance with faster processor and improved graphics.
  • Modern features like Touch Bar and Touch ID for added convenience and security.
  • Compact and lightweight design for improved portability without compromising on performance.
  • Effortless connectivity with USB-C ports, ready for future standards.