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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Published August 12, 2014
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What are all the differences between the "Mid-2014" Retina Display MacBook Pro models and the "Late 2013" models replaced?
Please note that all models mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.
The "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" Retina Display MacBook Pro models look identical. Even the internal differences are small, and they share some identifiers, so it is quite easy to mistake these models for one another.
Specifically, the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.6 13", "Core i5" 2.8 13", "Core i7" 3.0 13", "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) are "Mid-2014" systems.
The MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.4 13", "Core i5" 2.6 13", "Core i7" 2.8 13" , "Core i7" 2.0 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.3 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.6 15" (IG), "Core i7" 2.3 15" (DG), and "Core i7" 2.6 15" (DG) are "Late 2013" ones.
Because the differences between these lines are subtle, they are particularly important to note. The identifiers that are unique also are critical to reference, and EveryMac.com has documented them by hand, as always.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Retina Display MacBook Pro -- 13" Left, 15" Right)
External Similarities & Differences
All Retina Display MacBook Pro models use similar -- and essentially "sealed" -- aluminum and glass cases that are uniformly thick. All of the 15-Inch models are the same dimensions -- 0.71 of an inch thick, 14.13 inches wide, and 9.73 inches deep -- and weigh 4.46 pounds (2.02 kg).
Earlier 13-Inch models are a bit thicker, but the "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" models are the same dimensions, as well -- 0.71 of an inch thick, 12.35 inches wide, and 8.62 inches deep -- and weigh 3.46 pounds (1.57 kg).
All of these notebooks have a high-resolution LED-backlit widescreen "Retina" display. Specifically, the 13-Inch models all 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, all 13-Inch and 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models run at 1280x800 and 1440x900, respectively, but "pixel doubled" which provides four times the detail of earlier displays.
Additionally, each of these notebooks 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)
The "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models have identical connectivity.
Both lines have two USB 3.0 ports, two "Thunderbolt 2" ports, an HDMI port, an audio out port, an SDXC card slot, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and a "MagSafe 2" power connector port.
Thunderbolt-to-Gigabit Ethernet and Thunderbolt-to-Firewire 800 adapters also are offered at additional cost.
Identification Differences
The "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models share Model Numbers. Specifically, the 13-Inch models from both lines are model number A1502, whereas the 15-Inch models from both lines are model number A1398.
In software, these notebooks share Model Identifiers, too. The 13-Inch models are MacBookPro11,1 and the 15-Inch models are MacBookPro11,2 and MacBookPro11,3, depending on whether they have a single integrated graphics processor or dual graphics processors, respectively.
Consequently, EMC Numbers are better for more unique identification. As always, EveryMac.com has carefully hand documented this info for your convenience:
Retina MacBook Pro |
Subfamily |
EMC Number |
13-Inch |
Late 2013 |
|
15-Inch (Integrated Graphics) |
Late 2013 |
|
15-Inch (Dual Graphics) |
Late 2013 |
|
13-Inch |
Mid-2014 |
|
15-Inch (Integrated Graphics) |
Mid-2014 |
|
15-Inch (Dual Graphics) |
Mid-2014 |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can uniquely identify each one of the Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers.
Internal Differences
Internally, the "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models are very similar. In fact, notebooks of the same display size in each line only differ internally by processors as well as the amount of pre-installed default memory (on some models).
Both lines use the "Haswell" architecture, have 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM memory that is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded after the initial system purchase, a proprietary -- albeit removable -- "blade" SSD running on a PCIe 2.0 x2 interface, and batteries that are unfortunately glued in place.
The 13-Inch models in both lines have dual core processors and a single "integrated" Intel Iris 5100 graphics processor that shares system memory.
The 15-Inch models in both lines all have quad core processors but entry-level models just have a single integrated graphics processor -- the Iris Pro 5200 (which also has 128 MB of "Crystalwell" embedded DRAM on the CPU package to provide more memory bandwidth). The higher-end 15-Inch models have a NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics processor with dedicated GDDR5 memory in addition to the Iris Pro 5200 graphics processor.
EveryMac.com differentiates between 15-Inch low-end models with "IG" for Integrated Graphics and the higher-end models with "DG" for Dual Graphics.
The glued in place batteries in the "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" notebooks both provide the same amount of battery life. 9 hours and 8 hours, for models with 13-Inch and 15-Inch displays, respectively.
Comparison Charts
The major differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" Retina Display MacBook Pro models are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details.
13-Inch "Late 2013" & "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro Differences
The 13-Inch models differ only by processors, standard RAM, some identifiers, and original pricing in some markets:
 13" Late 2013 |
13" Mid-2014 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 2.4, 2.6, 2.8 GHz | 2.6, 2.8, 3.0 GHz |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-4258U) Core i5 (I5-4288U) Core i7 (I7-4558U) |
Core i5 (I5-4278U) Core i5 (I5-4308U) Core i7 (I7-4578U) |
| System Architecture: | Haswell | Haswell |
| Standard RAM: | 4 GB, 8 GB† | 8 GB† |
| Maximum RAM: | 16 GB† | 16 GB† |
| Standard Storage: | 128, 256, 512 GB | 128, 256, 512 GB |
| Integrated Graphics: | Iris 5100 | Iris 5100 |
| VRAM (Shared): | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Display Size: | 13.3" Widescreen | 13.3" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 2560x1600 (227 ppi) | 2560x1600 (227 ppi) |
| Battery Life: | 9 Hours | 9 Hours |
| Dimensions: | 0.71 x 12.35 x 8.62 | 0.71 x 12.35 x 8.62 |
| Weight: | 3.46 lbs (1.57 kg) | 3.46 lbs (1.57 kg) |
| Order Number (US): | ME864LL/A ME865LL/A ME866LL/A |
MGX72LL/A MGX82LL/A MGX92LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 2678 | 2875 |
| Model Identifier: | MacBookPro11,1 | MacBookPro11,1 |
| Original Price (US): | US$1299 US$1499 US$1799 |
US$1299 US$1499 US$1799 |
| Original Price (UK): | £1099 £1249 £1499 |
£999 £1199 £1399 |
| Original Price (CA): | C$1349 C$1549 C$1849 |
C$1399 C$1599 C$1899 |
| Original Price (AU): | A$1599 A$1849 A$2199 |
A$1599 A$1849 A$2199 |
† RAM can be upgraded only at the time of initial purchase. RAM is soldered in place.
15-Inch "Late 2013" & "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro Differences
The 15-Inch models vary only by processor, standard RAM in entry-level configurations, some identifiers, and original pricing:
 15" Late 2013 |
15" Mid-2014 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speeds: | 2.0 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz | 2.2 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 2.8 GHz |
| Processor Type: | Core i7 (I7-4750HQ) Core i7 (I7-4850HQ) Core i7 (I7-4960HQ) |
Core i7 (I7-4770HQ) Core i7 (I7-4870HQ) Core i7 (I7-4980HQ) |
| System Architecture: | Haswell | Haswell |
| Standard RAM: | 8 GB, 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 16 GB† | 16 GB† |
| Standard Storage: | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Graphics Processor(s): | Iris Pro 5200 NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M* |
Iris Pro 5200 NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M* |
| GDDR5 VRAM: | 128 MB/2 GB* | 128 MB/2 GB* |
| Display Size: | 15.4" Widescreen | 15.4" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 2880x1800 (220 ppi) | 2880x1800 (220 ppi) |
| Battery Life: | 8 Hours | 8 Hours |
| Dimensions: | 0.71 x 14.13 x 9.73 | 0.71 x 14.13 x 9.73 |
| Weight: | 4.46 lbs (2.02 kg) | 4.46 lbs (2.02 kg) |
| Order Numbers (US): | ME293LL/A ME294LL/A |
MGXA2LL/A MGXC2LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 2674, 2745 | 2876, 2881 |
| Model Identifier: | MacBookPro11,2 MacBookPro11,3 |
MacBookPro11,2 MacBookPro11,3 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1999 US$2599 |
US$1999 US$2499 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £1699 £2199 |
£1599 £1999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$2049 C$2649 |
C$2099 C$2699 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$2499 A$3199 |
A$2499 A$2999 |
† RAM could be upgraded only at the time of initial purchase. RAM is soldered in place.
* The entry-level "Late 2013" (ME293LL/A) and "Mid-2014" (MGXA2LL/A) configurations only have a single Iris Pro 5200 graphics processor. This graphics processor has 128 MB of "Crystalwell" embedded DRAM on the CPU package, but these systems do not have dedicated GDDR5 VRAM.
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.
Comparison Summary
Ultimately, the "Mid-2014" MacBook Pro models are a very minor improvement compared to their predecessors. They provide a bit faster performance and some configurations offer more default RAM, but that's just about it.
These are welcomed improvements -- one never can be too good looking or have too much RAM -- but the improvements are so minor that the previous "Late 2013" models certainly remained well worth considering after the release of the "Mid-2014" line.
Of course, now that both lines are available at a discount on the used market, each certainly remains well worth considering, too.
MacBook Pro Purchase & Sale Options
There many places to purchase a new or used MacBook Pro. However, purchasing from a quality company 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 also see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook Pro model to any other Mac.
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