I’m not sure whether the MacBook Pro 17" for $50 (without a battery and a PSU) worth it. I wanted to play with the hardware, but I’m not sure whether it’s worth it to jump into this rabbit hole. Not even ‘this time’, but in general.

The battery is $31 + the PSU is about $15 at lest. It’s another 45, and some deliveries here and there, it’s a $100 + some time wasted on making it work. Good Retina MacBooks start from $200, or even lower. Artsiom

According to power consumption, the Retina 15 is a much better laptop.

I asked ChatGPT:

Compare power efficiency of MacBook Pro 17 Early 2011 to MacBook Pro 15 Mid 2015.

The answer:

Let’s compare the power efficiency of the MacBook Pro 17-inch Early 2011 to the MacBook Pro 15-inch Mid 2015:

MacBook Pro 17-inch Early 2011

Release Date:

  • February 2011

Processor:

  • 2.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Sandy Bridge)
  • 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)

Graphics:

  • AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory
  • Intel HD Graphics 3000

RAM:

  • 4GB or 8GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 memory

Storage:

  • 750GB 5400 RPM hard drive (default)
  • Optional 500GB 7200 RPM hard drive or 128GB/256GB/512GB SSD

Display:

  • 17-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels

Battery:

  • Built-in 95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 7 hours of wireless web usage

Power Consumption:

  • The power consumption of the Early 2011 MacBook Pro is relatively high due to the quad-core processor and dedicated graphics card. The large 17-inch display also contributes to higher power usage.

MacBook Pro 15-inch Mid 2015

Release Date:

  • May 2015

Processor:

  • 2.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Haswell)
  • 2.5 GHz or 2.8 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrades)

Graphics:

  • Intel Iris Pro Graphics
  • AMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2GB of GDDR5 memory (available on higher-end models)

RAM:

  • 16GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L memory

Storage:

  • 256GB PCIe-based flash storage (default)
  • Optional 512GB or 1TB PCIe-based flash storage

Display:

  • 15.4-inch Retina display with IPS technology
  • Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels

Battery:

  • Built-in 99.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 9 hours of wireless web usage

Power Consumption:

  • The Mid 2015 MacBook Pro 15-inch is more power-efficient due to the more advanced Haswell architecture and the use of integrated Intel Iris Pro Graphics in the base model. The Retina display, despite its higher resolution, benefits from energy-efficient LED technology. The SSD storage also contributes to lower power consumption compared to traditional HDDs.

Key Differences in Power Efficiency

  1. Processor Efficiency:

    • The Haswell processors in the Mid 2015 model are more power-efficient than the Sandy Bridge processors in the Early 2011 model. Haswell chips are known for their improved performance-per-watt.

  2. Graphics:

    • The Mid 2015 model’s Intel Iris Pro Graphics is more power-efficient than the AMD Radeon HD 6750M in the Early 2011 model. Even the discrete AMD Radeon R9 M370X in the 2015 model is designed to be more power-efficient compared to the older graphics solutions.

  3. Display Technology:

    • The Retina display in the Mid 2015 model uses more advanced LED technology, which is more power-efficient than the LED technology in the Early 2011 model.

  4. Storage:

    • The PCIe-based flash storage in the Mid 2015 model is significantly more power-efficient than the traditional HDDs available in the Early 2011 model.

  5. Battery Life:

    • The Mid 2015 model offers up to 9 hours of wireless web usage compared to the 7 hours in the Early 2011 model, indicating better overall power efficiency.

Conclusion

The MacBook Pro 15-inch Mid 2015 is considerably more power-efficient than the MacBook Pro 17-inch Early 2011. This is due to advancements in processor and graphics technology, more efficient display and storage solutions, and overall improvements in system design and battery technology. As a result, the 2015 model offers longer battery life and better performance-per-watt.

Compare MacBook Pro 15" line from 2012 to 2015.

Here’s a detailed comparison of the MacBook Pro 15-inch models from 2012 to 2015:

MacBook Pro 15-inch (Mid 2012 Non-Retina)

Release Date:

  • June 2012

Processor:

  • 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Ivy Bridge)
  • 2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)
  • 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)

Graphics:

  • Intel HD Graphics 4000
  • NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512MB or 1GB of GDDR5 memory (depending on configuration)

RAM:

  • 4GB or 8GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 memory (upgradeable to 16GB)

Storage:

  • 500GB 5400 RPM hard drive (default)
  • Optional 750GB 7200 RPM hard drive or 128GB/256GB/512GB SSD

Display:

  • 15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
  • Resolution: 1440 x 900 pixels (optional upgrade to 1680 x 1050 pixels)

Battery:

  • Built-in 77.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 7 hours of wireless web usage

Ports:

  • Two USB 3.0 ports
  • One FireWire 800 port
  • One Thunderbolt port
  • One SDXC card slot
  • One Gigabit Ethernet port
  • One audio line in
  • One audio line out

MacBook Pro 15-inch (Mid 2012 Retina)

Release Date:

  • June 2012

Processor:

  • 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Ivy Bridge)
  • 2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)
  • 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)

Graphics:

  • Intel HD Graphics 4000
  • NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory

RAM:

  • 8GB or 16GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 memory (non-upgradable)

Storage:

  • 256GB or 512GB PCIe-based flash storage (default)
  • Optional 768GB PCIe-based flash storage

Display:

  • 15.4-inch Retina display with IPS technology
  • Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels

Battery:

  • Built-in 95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 7 hours of wireless web usage

Ports:

  • Two USB 3.0 ports
  • Two Thunderbolt ports
  • One HDMI port
  • One SDXC card slot
  • One audio line out

MacBook Pro 15-inch (Early 2013 Retina)

Release Date:

  • February 2013

Processor:

  • 2.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Ivy Bridge)
  • 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)
  • 2.8 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)

Graphics:

  • Intel HD Graphics 4000
  • NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory

RAM:

  • 8GB or 16GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 memory (non-upgradable)

Storage:

  • 256GB or 512GB PCIe-based flash storage (default)
  • Optional 768GB PCIe-based flash storage

Display:

  • 15.4-inch Retina display with IPS technology
  • Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels

Battery:

  • Built-in 95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 7 hours of wireless web usage

Ports:

  • Two USB 3.0 ports
  • Two Thunderbolt ports
  • One HDMI port
  • One SDXC card slot
  • One audio line out

MacBook Pro 15-inch (Late 2013 Retina)

Release Date:

  • October 2013

Processor:

  • 2.0 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Haswell)
  • 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)
  • 2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)

Graphics:

  • Intel Iris Pro Graphics
  • NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 memory (optional)

RAM:

  • 8GB or 16GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 memory (non-upgradable)

Storage:

  • 256GB or 512GB PCIe-based flash storage (default)
  • Optional 1TB PCIe-based flash storage

Display:

  • 15.4-inch Retina display with IPS technology
  • Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels

Battery:

  • Built-in 95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 8 hours of wireless web usage

Ports:

  • Two USB 3.0 ports
  • Two Thunderbolt 2 ports
  • One HDMI port
  • One SDXC card slot
  • One audio line out

MacBook Pro 15-inch (Mid 2014 Retina)

Release Date:

  • July 2014

Processor:

  • 2.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Haswell)
  • 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)
  • 2.8 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)

Graphics:

  • Intel Iris Pro Graphics
  • NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 memory (optional)

RAM:

  • 16GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 memory (non-upgradable)

Storage:

  • 256GB or 512GB PCIe-based flash storage (default)
  • Optional 1TB PCIe-based flash storage

Display:

  • 15.4-inch Retina display with IPS technology
  • Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels

Battery:

  • Built-in 95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 8 hours of wireless web usage

Ports:

  • Two USB 3.0 ports
  • Two Thunderbolt 2 ports
  • One HDMI port
  • One SDXC card slot
  • One audio line out

MacBook Pro 15-inch (Mid 2015 Retina)

Release Date:

  • May 2015

Processor:

  • 2.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Haswell)
  • 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)
  • 2.8 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (optional upgrade)

Graphics:

  • Intel Iris Pro Graphics
  • AMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2GB of GDDR5 memory (optional)

RAM:

  • 16GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 memory (non-upgradable)

Storage:

  • 256GB or 512GB PCIe-based flash storage (default)
  • Optional 1TB PCIe-based flash storage

Display:

  • 15.4-inch Retina display with IPS technology
  • Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels

Battery:

  • Built-in 99.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 9 hours of wireless web usage

Ports:

  • Two USB 3.0 ports
  • Two Thunderbolt 2 ports
  • One HDMI port
  • One SDXC card slot
  • One audio line out

Key Differences Over the Years

  1. Processor Evolution:

    • The processor architecture evolved from Ivy Bridge in 2012 to Haswell in 2013, providing better performance and power efficiency.

  2. Graphics:

    • The 2012 models had NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, while the 2013 and 2014 models used Intel Iris Pro Graphics and optional NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M.
    • The 2015 model featured Intel Iris Pro Graphics and optional AMD Radeon R9 M370X for better graphics performance.

  3. RAM:

    • RAM increased from 4GB/8GB in 2012 to 16GB standard from 2013 onwards.

  4. Storage:

    • Transitioned from HDD and SATA SSD in 2012 to faster PCIe-based flash storage in later models.

  5. Display:

    • The introduction of Retina displays in mid-2012 significantly improved screen resolution and quality.
    • The resolution remained consistent at 2880 x 1800 pixels from mid-2012 onwards.

  6. Battery:

    • The battery life improved from 7 hours in early models to 9 hours in the 2015 model.

  7. Ports:

    • Introduction of Thunderbolt 2 in late 2013.
    • Consistent inclusion of HDMI and SDXC card slots in Retina models.

  8. Weight and Dimensions:

    • The Retina models are generally thinner and lighter than the non-Retina 2012 model, enhancing portability.

Each successive model brought improvements in processing power, graphics capability, storage speed, display quality, and battery life, with the 2015 model being the most advanced in terms of overall performance and efficiency.

Question:

Which of 15" Retina MacBooks from 2012 to 2015 have one integrated GPU and no discrete GPU?

A:

Here is a breakdown of which 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro models from 2012 to 2015 have only an integrated GPU and no discrete GPU:

MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (Mid 2012)

  • GPU Options:
    • Integrated: Intel HD Graphics 4000
    • Discrete: NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory (included in all configurations)

This model does not have a configuration with only an integrated GPU.

MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (Early 2013)

  • GPU Options:
    • Integrated: Intel HD Graphics 4000
    • Discrete: NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory (included in all configurations)

This model does not have a configuration with only an integrated GPU.

MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (Late 2013)

  • GPU Options:
    • Integrated: Intel Iris Pro Graphics (base model)
    • Discrete: NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 memory (optional, higher-end model)

The base model of the Late 2013 MacBook Pro 15-inch has only the integrated Intel Iris Pro Graphics and no discrete GPU.

MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (Mid 2014)

  • GPU Options:
    • Integrated: Intel Iris Pro Graphics (base model)
    • Discrete: NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 memory (optional, higher-end model)

The base model of the Mid 2014 MacBook Pro 15-inch has only the integrated Intel Iris Pro Graphics and no discrete GPU.

MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (Mid 2015)

  • GPU Options:
    • Integrated: Intel Iris Pro Graphics (base model)
    • Discrete: AMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2GB of GDDR5 memory (optional, higher-end model)

The base model of the Mid 2015 MacBook Pro 15-inch has only the integrated Intel Iris Pro Graphics and no discrete GPU.

Summary

The following 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro models have only an integrated GPU (Intel Iris Pro Graphics) and no discrete GPU:

  1. MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (Late 2013) - Base model
  2. MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (Mid 2014) - Base model
  3. MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (Mid 2015) - Base model

These models do not have a discrete GPU, relying solely on the integrated Intel Iris Pro Graphics.

Looks like, I want either only a very cheap base model, so I would benefit from power savings. Or a more expensive, but top-of-the-line 2015 model.