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Retina MacBook Q&A
Update Published August 14, 2019
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What are all the differences between the "Mid-2017" 12-Inch Retina Display MacBook models? Which is the one for me?
Please note that the "Mid-2017" MacBook models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful to anyone buying or selling one of these notebooks on the used market.
There are two standard "Mid-2017" Retina MacBook notebooks -- the MacBook "Core m3" 1.2 12" and "Core i5" 1.3 12" -- as well as the custom processor option, which EveryMac.com documents separately as the MacBook "Core i7" 1.4 12".
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mid-2017 Retina MacBook)
The configurations in the "Mid-2017" Retina MacBook series are the same apart from processors, standard storage, order numbers, and price. However, these differences are notable and the similarities between the models are worthwhile to know, as well.
External Similarities
The "Mid-2017" Retina MacBook models use an extremely thin aluminum 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.
Each originally was offered in a pink-hued "Rose Gold," a dark "Space Gray," gold, and silver color. However, on October 30, 2018, Apple discontinued the "Rose Gold" color option entirely and replaced the original Gold option with a warmer (more red, less yellow) shade of Gold.
All models have a stunning 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 rather sad 480p FaceTime webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard with a thin second generation "butterfly mechanism" keyboard design, and a "Force Touch" trackpad.
Wired connectivity consists merely of a single USB-C port and a headphone jack. Wireless connectivity includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2.
Identification Similarities
The "Mid-2017" Retina MacBook models have the same A1534 Model Number as earlier Retina MacBook notebooks.
However, as carefully hand documented by EveryMac.com, as always, these models can be collectively identified by the 3099 EMC Number externally, and the MacBook10,1 Model Identifier in software.
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can uniquely identify each one of the Retina MacBook models by their serial numbers.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Similarities
All Retina MacBook notebooks, including the "Mid-2017" models, essentially are sealed and designed to be disposable.
The Intel "Core m3" or "Core i5" processor and the 8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM can be upgraded at the time of purchase, but not subsequently. All other internal components -- including the integrated Intel HD Graphics 615 video processor and PCIe 3.0 SSD storage -- are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be replaced or upgraded at the time of purchase or later. The battery is glued in place, also. Each notebook provides an estimated ten to twelve hours of runtime.
Model Differences - Comparison Chart
As mentioned earlier, the three "Mid-2017" Retina MacBook models differ only by processor, standard storage, order number and price. These differences follow:
| Processor Speed: | 1.2 GHz | 1.3 GHz | 1.4 GHz |
| Processor Type: | M3-7Y32 | I5-7Y54 | I7-7Y75 |
| Standard SSD: | 256 GB | 512 GB | 256 GB 512 GB |
| Order No. (US): | MNYF2LL/A (Space Gray) MNYK2LL/A (Gold) MNYM2LL/A (Rose Gold) MNYH2LL/A (Silver) |
MNYG2LL/A (Space Gray) MNYL2LL/A (Gold) MNYN2LL/A (Rose Gold) MNYJ2LL/A (Silver) |
BTO/CTO |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1299 | US$1599 | US$1549 US$1749 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1729 | C$1999 | C$2029 C$2179 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1249 | £1549 | £1474 £1684 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1899 | A$2349 | A$2299 A$2589 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1,898 | S$2,348 | S$2,248 S$2,558 |
So, which "Mid-2017" MacBook is the one for me?
The Retina MacBook -- now only available on the used market -- is best for someone who wants a beautiful display in the smallest notebook possible and is less concerned about performance, connectivity, or price.
If the overall limitations of the Retina MacBook are not deal-killers for you, choosing between these configurations probably is a fairly easy choice.
Although the "Mid-2017" Retina MacBook models are higher performance than their predecessors -- and finally eked past the stock non-Retina MacBook Air systems initially released two years earlier -- the older MacBook Air still remained a better choice for those more concerned about price or connectivity (and who did not mind the much lower quality display or the physically larger housing). Compared to newer Retina MacBook Air models, the Retina MacBook really only made sense when new for someone who did not mind paying a premium for a bit smaller notebook and sacrificing just about everything else.
Just comparing the three "Mid-2017" Retina MacBook models, EveryMac.com would suggest the standard high-end MacBook "Core i5" 1.3 12" is the best choice. Although the value proposition may change somewhat on the used market, in terms of performance alone, it is only marginally faster than the entry-level model, but twice as much storage is well worth the extra US$300 for those who need it as internal storage cannot be upgraded later for any price. Only buy the entry-level MacBook "Core m3" 1.2 12" if you are certain that you can survive with only 256 GB of storage for the lifespan of the notebook.
When it was available new, upgrading the RAM to 16 GB at the time of purchase for an extra US$200 also was a worthwhile upgrade because it is inevitable that a notebook with 16 GB of RAM will not only perform better immediately, but also for longer than one with 8 GB. On the used market, it would be worth paying a premium for a Retina MacBook that was upgraded to 16 GB of RAM when new. It is not possible to upgrade the RAM in models that were not upgraded at the time of initial system purchase.
The custom processor MacBook "Core i7" 1.4 12" provides between 11%-17% more performance -- originally for 10%-19% more cost -- so it was a relatively good value for those who wanted the maximum performance possible in the smallest notebook possible. On the used market, this custom processor model likely will be more difficult to find, but could still be worth a premium with the same rationale.
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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