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Touch Bar MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published June 2, 2019
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What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?
Please note that the "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently, is up-to-date, and is quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these notebooks on the used market.
There are three standard configurations of the "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro line -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.3 13" Touch Bar, "Core i7" 2.2 15" Touch Bar, and "Core i7" 2.6 15" Touch Bar.
There also are two custom processor configurations -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 13" Touch Bar and "Core i9" 2.9 15" Touch Bar -- which EveryMac.com has documented as independent models for your convenience.
Unlike earlier models, all "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro notebooks have "Touch Bar" support and external differences largely are obvious, there are internal differences that may be of critical importance to you. Accordingly, an in-depth comparison can be useful to help you decide which MacBook Pro is right for you.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mid-2018 MacBook Pro Models)
External Differences
The 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro systems use similar "sealed" thin aluminum and glass cases that are uniformly thick from front to back.
The 13-Inch notebooks are 0.59 of an inch thick and weigh 3.02 pounds (1.37 kg) whereas the 15-Inch models are 0.61 of an inch thick and weigh 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg). Each size is offered in either a silver colored aluminum or a darker "Space Gray" colored aluminum housing. These MacBook Pro models are not available in gold, rose gold, or any other colors.
Both sizes have a high-resolution LED-backlit, wide color (P3), widescreen "Retina" display with "True Tone" technology that adjusts its color temperature based on ambient light for an improved experience. The 13-Inch notebooks have a 13.3" widescreen 2560x1600 (227 ppi, 500 nits) display and the 15-Inch models have a 15.4" widescreen 2880x1800 (220 ppi, 500 nits) display.
All "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro models have a 720p FaceTime HD webcam, integrated stereo speakers, three integrated microphones, and large "Force Touch" trackpads. They also all have a "third generation" butterfly mechanism keyboard design with a rubber membrane advertised to provide quieter typing and keep debris from entering the keyboard, as well. As mentioned previously, all of these models also have an integrated "Touch Bar" that replaces the traditional function keys (and the escape key) and adapts for different applications. The Touch Bar provides Touch ID login and Apple Pay support, too.
Connectivity Differences (or Lack Thereof)
All "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro models have the same limited connectivity.
Specifically, each of these MacBook Pro models have four full-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports (size compatible with USB-C), a "traditional" 3.5 mm headphone jack that does not support optical audio, Bluetooth 5.0, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.
Identification Differences
The "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro models were introduced with unique Model Numbers. The 13-Inch models are A1989 and the 15-Inch models are A1990.
However, these model numbers are shared with subsequent systems and even Model Identifiers are shared in software, as well. Accordingly, EMC Numbers, externally, are the best for unique identification.
Just as the site has done for more than two decades, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these details for your convenience:
"Mid-2018" MacBook Pro |
Model ID |
EMC |
13-Inch (Touch Bar) |
||
15-Inch (Touch Bar) |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature additionally can uniquely identify each MacBook Pro model by their serial numbers, which are listed in software as well as on the bottom of the system.
Internal Differences
The "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro models essentially are designed to be sealed and disposable, so there are no internal differences relevant to upgrades. However, the 15-Inch models have faster processors with more cores and faster and dedicated graphics, and the option of more RAM and storage:
"Mid-2018" MacBook Pro |
13" Touch Bar |
15" Touch Bar |
Processor Cores |
4 |
6 |
Graphics Processors |
Integrated |
Integrated & Dedicated |
Ext. Display Support |
5120x2880 |
5120x2880 x2 |
Soldered RAM |
2133 MHz LPDDR3 |
2400 MHz DDR4 |
SSD Storage |
Soldered |
Soldered |
Battery Watt Hours |
58 W h |
83.6 W h |
Battery Design |
Glued |
Glued |
All models have soldered RAM and SSDs and use a "tiered" battery design that is glued in place and that essentially cannot be replaced by an individual.
Comparison Chart
The differences between the "Mid-2018" Touch Bar MacBook Pro models -- processors, storage, memory, video processors, displays, battery life, features, identifiers, and original prices -- are summarized below:
 13" Mid-2018 Touch Bar |
 15" Mid-2018 Touch Bar |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processors: | I5-8259U I7-8559U |
I7-8750H I7-8850H I9-8950HK |
| Cores: | 4 | 6 |
| Speed: | 2.3 GHz 2.7 GHz |
2.2 GHz 2.6 GHz 2.9 GHz |
| Turbo Boost: | 3.8 GHz 4.5 GHz |
4.1 GHz 4.3 GHz 4.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache: | 6 MB, 8 MB | 9 MB, 12 MB |
| Std. Storage: | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Storage Upgrade: | Soldered | Soldered |
| Std. RAM: | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Max RAM: | 16 GB† | 32 GB† |
| RAM Type: | 2133 MHz DDR3L | 2400 MHz DDR4 |
| Video Card(s): | Iris Plus 655 | UHD Graphics 630 Radeon Pro 555X/560X* |
| GDDR5: | Integrated Only | 4 GB |
| Display: | 13.3" | 15.4" |
| Std. Resolution: | 2560x1600 (227 ppi) | 2880x1800 (220 ppi) |
| Battery Life: | 10 Hours | 10 Hours |
| Battery Design: | Glued | Glued |
| Touch Bar: | Yes | Yes |
| Touch ID: | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt 3: | 4 | 4 |
| Height (In): | 0.59 | 0.61 |
| Width (In): | 11.97 | 13.75 |
| Depth (In): | 8.36 | 9.48 |
| Weight: | 3.02 lbs | 4.02 lbs |
| Order No (US): | MR9Q2LL/A |
MR932LL/A |
| Model No: | A1989 | A1990 |
| EMC No: | 3214 | 3215 |
| Model ID: | MacBookPro15,2 | MacBookPro15,1 MacBookPro15,3 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1799, US$1999 | US$2399, US$2799 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1749, £1949 | £2349, £2699 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$2399, C$2649 | C$3199, C$3699 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$2699, A$2999 | A$3499, A$4099 |
† All "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro models could have the RAM upgraded at the time of initial purchase. RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase in any of these models.
* The 15-Inch "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro models all have dual graphics. By default, they were sold with an AMD Radeon Pro 550X or 560X with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 SDRAM and an Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics processor that shares system memory. On November 14, 2018, for the higher-end MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15" Touch/Mid-2018 (MR942LL/A), Apple added the option to upgrade the stock graphics to a Radeon Pro Vega 16 or Radeon Pro Vega 20, either with 4 GB of HBM2 memory, for an additional US$250 or US$350, respectively.
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.
So, which is best for me?
Just compared to one another, and not to earlier or later models, EveryMac.com considers the entry-level 15-Inch MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" Touch Bar -- to hit the sweet spot in terms of price and performance. It would be the best option for most users.
This entry-level 15-Inch model is nearly 30% faster in multicore tasks than the stock 13-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.3 13" Touch Bar -- and yet almost the same speed -- as the more expensive, higher-end stock 15-Inch MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15" Touch Bar. The entry-level 15-Inch model is around 3% slower in single core and less than 1% slower in multicore tasks, which is unlikely to be noticeable in day-to-day use.
The higher-end 15-Inch model also has slightly faster graphics -- and the option of much faster Vega graphics by custom configuration -- and twice the storage, but you could custom configure the entry-level 15-Inch model with the same amount of storage at the time of purchase and nearly all users would come out ahead.
For those who want solid performance in a physically smaller and lighter package, the 13-Inch models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.3 13" Touch Bar or custom configured MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 13" Touch Bar -- are worth considering.
Finally, for someone who wants the fastest Mac notebook available, the custom configured 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i9" 2.9 15" Touch Bar -- is the way to go.
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.
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