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Retina MacBook Q&A
Update Published April 27, 2016
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What are all the differences between the "Early 2015" 12-Inch Retina Display MacBook models? Which is the best choice for my needs?
Please note that the "Early 2015" Retina MacBook has been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently and can be quite useful for anyone considering one of these models on the used market.
There are two standard "Early 2015" 12-Inch Retina Display MacBook models -- the MacBook "Core M" 1.1 12-Inch and "Core M" 1.2 12-Inch -- as well as the BTO processor option, which EveryMac.com documents as the MacBook "Core M" 1.3 12-Inch.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Retina Display MacBook, Space Gray)
These "Early 2015" Retina Display MacBook models differ only by processor, standard storage, order number, and price. These differences are important, but the similarities are well worth evaluating, too.
External Similarities
The "Early 2015" Retina Display MacBook models -- which are even lighter and thinner than the smallest models from the MacBook Air series -- use a waifishly thin case that tapers from 0.14 of an inch to 0.52 of an inch (0.35 cm to 1.31 cm) and weighs just a bit over two pounds. Unlike earlier aluminum Apple notebooks, which only have been offered in a silver colored aluminum case, these models were sold in silver, gold, or dark "Space Gray" aluminum options.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Retina Display MacBook, Silver, Gold, Space Gray)
Each model packs a beautiful 12" TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "Retina" display (2304x1440 native resolution at 226 ppi, which displays as a scaled resolution of 1280x800 by default), a lowly 480p FaceTime webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard with a new thin "butterfly mechanism" keyboard design, and a clever new haptic-capable "Force Touch" trackpad.
Wired connectivity includes a single USB-C port and a headphone jack (although they have 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 also), which makes these models more resemble an iPad with an attached keyboard than earlier Apple notebooks. However, like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the Retina MacBook models use the OS X operating system rather than the iOS like the iPad.
Identification Similarities
The "Early 2015" Retina Display MacBook models share the A1534 Model Number, the 2746 EMC Number, and the MacBook8,1 Model Identifier.
These models share the A1534 Model Number with subsequently introduced models, but can be uniquely identified by the EMC number externally and by the Model Identifier in software.
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can uniquely identify each one of the Retina Display MacBook models by their serial numbers.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Similarities
The Retina Display MacBook models all effectively are sealed and disposable. The Intel "Core M" processor can be upgraded at the time of purchase, but not later, and the integrated Intel HD Graphics 5300 video, 8 GB of 1600 MHz LPDDR3 RAM, and SSD storage all are soldered to the tiny motherboard and cannot be replaced or upgraded at the time of purchase or later. Similarly, the "tiered" battery design -- which was created to maximize space inside the case -- is glued in place and for all practical purposes cannot be replaced by an individual. Each notebook provides as much as nine to ten hours of battery life depending on use.
Model Differences - Comparison Chart
As noted earlier, these three "Early 2015" Retina MacBook models differ only by processor, standard storage, order number and price. These differences include:
| Processor Speed: | 1.1 GHz | 1.2 GHz | 1.3 GHz |
| Processor Type: | M-5Y31 | M-5Y51 | M-5Y71 |
| Standard SSD: | 256 GB | 512 GB | 256 GB 512 GB |
| Order Number (US): | MF855LL/A (Silver) MK4M2LL/A (Gold) MJY32LL/A (Space Gray) |
MF865LL/A (Silver) MK4N2LL/A (Gold) MJY42LL/A (Space Gray) |
BTO/CTO |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1299 | US$1599 | US$1549 US$1749 |
So, which is best for me?
The bigger question might be whether or not the "Early 2015" Retina MacBook is for you at all. It is small and sleek and packs a beautiful screen in an attractive case, but it also was comparatively expensive and slow compared to other models when it was released. It additionally has a keyboard that takes some getting used to, limited connectivity that essentially requires awkward adapters, and a particularly low quality webcam for a device at its price point.
In general, most users would be better suited with a MacBook Air or a Retina MacBook Pro than a Retina MacBook, but those who want a beautiful display in the smallest notebook possible (and who are not price sensitive), will love it.
On the used market, the value proposition may have changed somewhat, but of the three models, EveryMac.com would suggest that most should buy the standard high-end MacBook "Core M" 1.2 12-Inch model as it originally only cost 23% more but is faster and has twice the storage.
Storage cannot be upgraded later, so only purchase the entry-level MacBook "Core M" 1.1 12-Inch model if you are confident that you can get by with 256 GB of storage for the life of the notebook. The custom configured option -- the MacBook "Core M" 1.3 12-Inch -- also was not a bad value when it was released as it cost 20% more than the entry-level model and 9% more than the standard high-end model but provides between 14%-18% more performance than the entry-level model and 6%-11% more performance than the standard-high-end model.
In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook models at bargain prices with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr buy Retina MacBook models and many other Mac notebooks with an instant online quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a good selection of used and refurbished MacBook models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
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