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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published June 25, 2015
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What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2014" Retina Display MacBook Pro models?
Please note that the "Mid-2014" Retina Display MacBook Pro models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and is quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these notebooks on the used market.
Naturally, with even a quick glance at the systems, it is readily apparent that the "Mid-2014" 13-Inch MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.6 13", "Core i5" 2.8 13", and "Core i7" 3.0 13" -- have 13-Inch displays whereas the 15-Inch models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.5 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.8 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.5 15" (DG), and "Core i7" 2.8 15" (DG) -- have 15-Inch displays.
However, there are other differences that are not apparent and are at least as notable as display size, if not more so. Consequently, a detailed comparison of each of the "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models is necessary to properly determine which is the ideal choice for your needs.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. ("Late 2013" MacBook Pro -- 13" Left, 15" Right)
External Differences
Each 13-Inch and 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro model uses a similar and essentially "sealed" aluminum and glass design of uniform thickness. The 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2014" notebooks both are 0.71 of an inch thick, but the 13-Inch models are 3.46 pounds (1.57 kg) and the 15-Inch models are 4.46 pounds (2.02 kg).
All "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models all have a high-resolution LED-backlit widescreen "Retina" display, but the size and resolutions are different. The 13-Inch models have a 13.3" widescreen 2560x1600 (227 ppi) display and the 15-Inch models have a 15.4" widescreen 2880x1800 (220 ppi) display. By default, the 13-Inch and 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models run "pixel doubled" at 1280x800 and 1440x900, respectively, but with four times the detail of a "traditional" display.
Each Retina Display MacBook Pro notebook also has a full-size "chiclet-style" backlit keyboard, a glass "no button" trackpad with "inertial scrolling" support, integrated stereo speakers, dual microphones, and an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam.
Connectivity Differences (or Lack Thereof)
Connectivity is the same for the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2014" Retina Display MacBook Pro systems. Both lines pack 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 ports, two "Thunderbolt 2" ports, an HDMI port, an audio out port, an SDXC card slot, and a "MagSafe 2" power connector port.
Thunderbolt-to-Gigabit Ethernet and Thunderbolt-to-Firewire 800 adapters also are available at extra cost.
Identification Differences
The "Mid-2014" Retina Display MacBook Pro models with the same display size share external Model Numbers. Specifically, the 13-Inch models share model number A1502 and the 15-Inch models share model number A1398. Both of these model numbers are shared by other systems.
Model Identifiers, in software, are a bit more precise. Specifically, the 13-Inch models collectively share the MacBookPro11,1 model identifier whereas the 15-Inch models are MacBookPro11,2 or MacBookPro11,3, depending on whether or not they have a single integrated graphics processor or dual graphics processors, respectively.
Model Identifiers are "close enough" for some purposes. However, as these identifiers are shared by the previous "Late 2013" series, like Model Numbers, they are not precise enough to identify the specific year or system.
Externally, EMC Numbers, are better for more unique identification. As always, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these details for your convenience.
The "Mid-2014" 13-Inch models all are EMC number 2875. The 15-Inch models with "Iris Pro" integrated graphics -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.5 15" (IG), and "Core i7" 2.8 15" (IG) -- are EMC number 2876 and the 15-Inch models with dual graphics processors -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.5 15" (DG) and "Core i7" 2.8 15" (DG) -- are EMC number 2881.
Finally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature additionally can uniquely identify each one of the Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers, which are listed in software as well as on the bottom of the system.
Internal Differences
Internally, the "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro notebooks have quite a bit in common. All of these systems use Intel's Fourth Generation "Haswell" architecture and have 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM that is soldered in place, storage modules that use a PCIe 2.0 interface and can be upgraded, and batteries that are glued in place -- but there are notable differences, too.
The 13-Inch models have dual core Intel "Core i5" or "Core i7" processors, 8 GB of onboard RAM that cannot be upgraded after purchase (it could be upgraded to 16 GB of RAM at the time of purchase at additional cost), and an "integrated" Intel Iris 5100 graphics processor that shares system memory.
The 15-Inch models, on the other hand, have significantly faster quad core "Core i7" processors, 16 GB of onboard RAM (that could not be upgraded further at the time of purchase or after purchase at all), and either a single Iris Pro 5200 graphics processor or dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics processor with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory in addition to the Iris Pro 5200 graphics processor.
The SSD storage is not intended to be upgraded after purchase, but both the 13-Inch and 15-Inch models use the same proprietary "blade" type PCIe-based storage and it can be upgraded later.
The internal batteries on these 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models provide an Apple estimated 9 hours and 8 hours of battery life, respectively.
Comparison Chart
The differences between the "Mid-2014" 13-Inch and 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models -- processors, storage, memory, video systems, displays, battery life, identifiers, and original prices -- are summarized below:
 13" Mid-2014 Int. Graphics |
 15" Mid-2014 Int. Graphics |
15" Mid-2014 Dual Graphics |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Processors: | I5-4278U I5-4308U I7-4578U |
I7-4770HQ I7-4870HQ I7-4980HQ |
I7-4870HQ I7-4980HQ |
| Cores: | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Speed: | 2.6 GHz 2.8 GHz 3.0 GHz |
2.2 GHz 2.5 GHz 2.8 GHz |
2.5 GHz 2.8 GHz |
| Turbo Boost: | 3.1 GHz 3.3 GHz 3.5 GHz |
3.4 GHz 3.7 GHz 4.0 GHz |
3.7 GHz 4.0 GHz |
| L3 Cache: | 3 MB, 4 MB | 6 MB | 6 MB |
| Std. Storage: | 128, 256, 512 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage Upgrade: | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Std. RAM: | 8 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Max RAM: | 16 GB† | 16 GB† | 16 GB† |
| Video Card(s): | Iris 5100 |
Iris Pro 5200 |
Iris Pro 5200 GeForce GT 750M |
| GDDR5: | Integrated Only | Integrated/128 MB* | 2 GB |
| Display: | 13.3" | 15.4" | 15.4" |
| Std. Resolution: | 2560x1600 (227 ppi) | 2880x1800 (220 ppi) | 2880x1800 (220 ppi) |
| Battery Life: | 9 Hours | 8 Hours | 8 Hours |
| Battery Design: | Glued | Glued | Glued |
| Height: | 0.71 | 0.71 | 0.71 |
| Width: | 12.35 | 14.13 | 14.13 |
| Depth: | 8.62 | 9.73 | 9.73 |
| Weight: | 3.46 lbs | 4.46 lbs | 4.46 lbs |
| Order No (US): | MGX72LL/A MGX82LL/A MGX92LL/A |
MGXA2LL/A | MGXC2LL/A |
| EMC No: | 2875 | 2876 | 2881 |
| Model ID: | MacBookPro11,1 | MacBookPro11,2 | MacBookPro11,3 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1299 US$1499 US$1799 |
US$1999 | US$2499 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £999 £1199 £1399 |
£1599 | £1999 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1399 C$1599 C$1899 |
C$2099 | C$2699 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1599 A$1849 A$2199 |
A$2099 | A$2999 |
† The "Mid-2014" 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models could be upgraded to 16 GB of RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase.
* The Intel Iris Pro 5200 graphics processor shares 1 GB of memory with the system for graphics function, but also has 128 MB of "Crystalwell" embedded DRAM on the CPU package to provide additional memory bandwidth.
For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each Mac as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryMac.com.
MacBook Pro Purchase & Sale Options
There are many places to purchase a new or used MacBook Pro. However, purchasing from a quality vendor with an extensive track record in the Mac market -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro 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.
Please refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook Pro model to any other Mac.
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