MacBook Guides

Avg Price: $282

Apple shifted back to a mid-year release with the 2019 model MacBook Air, this time arriving in July 2019. This model shared many of the same specs as the 2018 model, however, Apple did upgrade the display with True Tone. The display size remained unchanged at 13.3-inches and the resolution was 2560 x 1600. The 2019 MacBook Air was powered by a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor and had Intel UHD Graphics 617, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. The 2019 MacBook Air was running macOS 10.14 Mojave at launch. Other hardware specs included the butterfly style keyboard, Apple T2 security chip, a 720p FaceTime HD camera, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. This 2019 model also kept the 4379 mAh battery and 2.75-pound weight that was found on the 2018 model Air.

Avg Price: $404

The updated fourth-generation MacBook Pro 13-inch was released in July 2018 with updated Intel Coffee Lake quad-core processors, Iris 655 graphics, and more. A new True Tone display adjusts color temp based on ambient lighting, and newer third-generation butterfly keyboards have been tweaked to prevent dust and debris from causing malfunctions over time. Other hardware specs include Bluetooth 5.0, the T2 Chip, Hey Siri functionality, Retina display, large Force Touch trackpad, 4 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, and high quality speakers. This was also the year that Apple officially dropped the entry-level non-Touch Bar models from the MacBook Pro lineup, so all models now officially feature the OLED Touch Bar.

Avg Price: $415

Apple refreshed the fourth-generation MacBook Pro in July 2018 with an update that brought faster processors, updated graphics chips, and new keyboards. Performance was given a substantial boost, thanks to the new eighth-generation Intel Core i7 (Coffee Lake) hexacore processor and faster AMD Radeon Pro 555X or Radeon Pro 560X discrete graphics chips. This generation also received an update to the butterfly keyboard, aimed at preventing dust and debris from causing key failure over time. Finally, the 2018 MacBook Pro received yet another update in November 2018, giving power users the option to upgrade to the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 and Radeon Pro Vega 20 graphics processors for graphics-intensive tasks.

Avg Price: $303

The 2018 MacBook Air release was a late-year release and took place in October. Apple kept the MacBook Air available in one size, the 13-inch model, however, the 2018 Air marked the start of the third-generation. This jump in generation meant a few changes such as a higher-resolution display and the introduction of the Apple T2 security chip. The display was 13.3-inches with a max resolution of 2560 x 1600. This release of the MacBook Air included a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of SSD storage, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, a 720p FaceTime HD camera, a Butterfly style keyboard and was running macOS 10.14 Mojave. Other hardware specs for this model year included Intel UHD Graphics 617, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, 4379 mAh battery, and 2.75-pound weight.

Avg Price: $287

The MacBook Pro 13-inch (2017) was released in June and was a modest upgrade from the previous year’s model. Hardware upgrades include newer Intel Kaby Lake Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors, more powerful Iris Plus 640/650 graphics cards, and faster SSD storage. Apple also added a more affordable 128GB base storage option. Other specs include a Retina display, butterfly keyboard, large Force Touch trackpad, Touch Bar with Touch ID, four USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, and high quality speakers. Model numbers for the higher-end models with Touch Bar carry an A1706 model number.

Avg Price: $350

Apple released the 2017 MacBook Retina in June 2017, and this served as the final model-year update for this MacBook. The 2017 MacBook Retina kept the same 12-inch Retina display at 2304 x 1440 but brought updated processor options along with faster storage and memory and a second-generation Butterfly style keyboard. The base model 2017 MacBook Retina included an Intel Core m3 Kaby Lake processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. Upgrade options included an Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. This model arrived running macOS 10.12 Sierra and with features to include USB-C, a 3.5mm headphone jack, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, and Intel HD Graphics 615.

Avg Price: $304

The MacBook Pro 13-inch (2017) was released in June and was a modest upgrade from the previous year’s model. Hardware upgrades include newer Intel Kaby Lake Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors, more powerful Iris Plus 640/650 graphics cards, and faster SSD storage. Apple also added a more affordable 128GB base storage option. Other specs include a Retina display, butterfly keyboard, large Force Touch trackpad, optional Touch Bar with Touch ID, up to 4 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, and high quality speakers. Model numbers for the entry level MacBook Pro 13-inch (no Touch Bar) can be found as A1708, while the higher-end models with the Touch Bar will have an A1706 model number.

Avg Price: $171

The 2017 MacBook Air shifted to a mid-year release that happened in June, and this time around Apple offered just one size -- a 13-inch model. The display remained the same as previous years, with the 13.3-inch measurement and 1440 x 900 resolution. Base model specs for the 2017 MacBook Air included a 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Intel HD Graphics 6000, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of SSD storage, and macOS 10.12 Sierra. Other specs for this model year included WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 ports, one Thunderbolt 2 port, MagSafe, 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, and a 54-watt hour battery. The 2017 MacBook Air weighed in at 2.96 pounds.

Avg Price: $296

Apple updated its fourth-generation MacBook Pro in June 2017 with a minor refresh primarily consisting of faster processors and expanded storage options. This update improves CPU performance with a seventh-generation Intel Core i7 (Kaby Lake) processor, and boosts graphics with either an AMD Radeon Pro 555 or Radeon Pro 560 discrete GPU. Like the outgoing model, the 2017 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar offers a 15.4-inch 2880x1800 (220ppi) display, a large Force Touch trackpad, Touch ID authentication, a butterfly keyboard, and four Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Avg Price: $?

The 2016 MacBook Retina was released in April 2016, and this release brought several improvements over the 2015 model. Highlights for the 2016 MacBook Retina included updated processor options, along with longer battery life, faster storage and memory, and a new exterior color. Apple offered the 2016 MacBook Retina in Space Gray, Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold. The base model included an Intel Core m3 Skylake processor, with 256GB of storage, 8GB of RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 515. Upgrade options included an Intel Core M5 Skylake or Intel Core M7 Skylake processor, and 512GB of SSD storage. Other features of the 2016 MacBook Retina included a 12-inch Retina display at 2304 x 1440, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C, and a Butterfly style keyboard with macOS 10.11 El Capitan.