MacBook Pro 2016 vs MacBook Pro 2015: which one should you buy?

Apple thinks that they re-invented the laptop again, with the new 2016 MacBook Pro. Is a strip of touchscreen ripped straight from the world of smartphones, along with a few more standard upgrades, enough to justify the notebook’s staggering sticker price?

Let’s take a deeper look, as we line up the version of the new 2016 MacBook Pro with its 2015 MacBook Pro model.

DESIGN:

Both versions of the laptop feature an aluminium enclosure, LED-backlit display, and come in 13-inch and 15-inch model sizes as well as silver or space grey colour options. However, the MacBook Pro 2016 model exclusively features a touch bar with an integrated touch ID sensor. It’s an OLED strip that sits at the top of the keyboard, where the standard function keys normally go.

MacBook Pro 2016 vs MacBook Pro 2015:

2016: The MacBook Pro 13-inch model weighs 1.37kg and measures 14.9 x 304.1 x 212.4mm, while 15-inch model weighs 1.83kg and measures 15.5 x 349.3 x 240.7mm.

2015: The MacBook Pro 13-inch model weighs 1.58kg and measures 18 x 314 x 219mm, while the 15-inch model weighs 2.04kg and measures 18 x 358.9 x 247.1mm.

DISPLAY:

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch models of the 2015 MacBook Pro come with what Apple calls Retina displays. That means on the 13-inch option you’ll get a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution LED-backlit display with IPS technology, making for a pixel-per-inch density of 227. On the 15-inch model, you’ll get a 2880 x 1,800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch.

In terms of resolution, the 13-inch models come with the same 2,560 x 1,600 offering, while the 15-inch variant comes with an impressive 2,880 x 1,800 resolution. We’ll have a better idea of the jump in quality once we’ve tested out the new Pros.

SOFTWARE:

Both the 2015 and 2016 MacBook comes with the latest Mac OS Sierra. The operating system introduces a range of upgrades over the previous OS X El Capitan, with neater iCloud integration – particularly the universal clipboard and desktop iCloud sync – as well as siri integration, which means you’ll now be able to use the virtual assistant on your desktop.

For some new features, you’ll need to have an iOS device, which doesn’t make either the 2015 or 2016 MacBook Pro as useful for those who use an Android handset.

MacBook Pro 2016 vs MacBook Pro 2015: HARDWARE AND POWER

2016: The MacBook Pro 13-inch base model with touch Bar offers a 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 256GB SSD, 8GB of RAM, Intel iris graphics 550, and built-in 49.2Wh battery hours, while the MacBook Pro 15-inch base model with touch bar offers a 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, 256GB SSD, 16GB RAM, Radeon Pro 450 with 2GB of GDD55 memory and Intel HD Graphics 530, and built-in 76.0Wh battery.

2015: The MacBook Pro 13-inch base model offers a 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 128GB SSD, 8GB, Intel iris graphics 6100, and built-in 73.9Wh battery while the MacBook Pro 15-inch base model offers a 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, 256GB SSD, 16GB RAM, Intel Iris Pro Graphics, and built-in 99.5Wh battery.

PRICE:

2016: The MacBook Pro 13-inch model with touch bar starts at $1,799 (£1,749), while the MacBook Pro (2016) 15-inch model with touch bar starts at $2,399 (£2,349).

2015: The MacBook Pro 13-inch model starts at $1,299 (£1,249), while the 15-inch model starts at $1,999 (£1,899).

It’s obvious that the newer MacBook Pro costs more money, but it also features the touch bar and improved graphics.

OVERALL VIEW:

With the latest MacBook Pro 13-inch, Apple has created the most visually appealing unit in the entire MacBook Pro line up. The new device is sleeker and lighter than previous MacBook Pros, namely because of the all-aluminium build. The touch bar appears to be a very handy tool, too, which will grant users greater flexibility when using a variety of apps. The addition of touch ID was inevitable, and we’re glad it has finally arrived to shore up the login process and enhance security overall.

Our video on “Can you game on a Macbook Pro 2015” is also coming soon!

Upgrade if your Mac if it is already showing signs of old age. If it’s still going strong, then stick with what you have. The MacBook Pro 13 is a solid upgrade, but no key feature sticks out as a must-have.

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Aditya Nath Jha

Aditya Nath Jha is an Engineer from New Delhi, India. His areas of interest include Gadgets, WordPress, speed optimization & latest technology. When he is not busy blogging he loves to write poetry, compose his own songs and has a taste for music! Find him on Facebook, Twitter, Linked in, Instagram. And watch his videos on YouTube.

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