Title: A Comprehensive Performance Comparison: MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) vs. MacBook Air (Early-2025)
In the ever-evolving world of technology, Apple’s MacBook lineup has consistently been at the forefront of innovation and performance. In this long-form report, we will delve into a detailed comparison between two distinct MacBook models: the MacBook Pro 15-inch (Mid-2015) and the MacBook Air 15-inch (Early-2025). By examining various performance metrics, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these devices stack up against each other and cater to different user needs.
Performance Difference
The MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) is equipped with a 2.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. On the other hand, the MacBook Air (Early-2025) boasts the latest M4 chip, 24 GB of unified memory, and a 512 GB SSD. The performance difference between these two computers is substantial, primarily due to the advancements in Apple’s silicon technology.
The M4 chip, built on a 3-nanometer process, offers significant improvements in both performance and power efficiency compared to the Intel-based MacBook Pro. According to Apple’s claims, the M4 chip delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance and up to 70% faster GPU performance than the previous generation M3 chip. This suggests a considerable leap in performance when compared to the 2015 MacBook Pro.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor for many users, especially those who rely on their laptops for work on the go. The MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) offers up to 9 hours of web browsing and up to 10 hours of iTunes movie playback. In contrast, the MacBook Air (Early-2025) is expected to provide up to 18 hours of web browsing and up to 20 hours of video playback, thanks to the power-efficient M4 chip and optimized macOS.
Graphics Performance
The MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) features Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200, which was considered high-end at the time of its release. However, the MacBook Air (Early-2025) comes with the integrated GPU of the M4 chip, which is designed to offer significantly better graphics performance and efficiency. According to Apple’s benchmarks, the M4’s GPU can deliver up to 2x the performance of the M2’s GPU in certain graphics-intensive tasks.
Instructions per Second
Estimating the number of instructions per second (IPS) for these two computers is challenging due to the different architectures. However, we can look at benchmark results to gauge their relative performance. The MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) achieves around 6,000 points in the Geekbench 5 single-core test and 16,000 points in the multi-core test. In comparison, the MacBook Air (Early-2025) is expected to score around 20,000 points in the single-core test and 80,000 points in the multi-core test, showcasing the significant performance advantage of the M4 chip.
Main Memory Transfer Speed
The MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) uses 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM, which has a peak transfer rate of 12.8 GB/s. On the other hand, the MacBook Air (Early-2025) employs unified memory with the M4 chip, which offers much higher bandwidth. According to Apple’s specifications, the M4 chip’s memory bandwidth is up to 300 GB/s, providing a substantial improvement in memory transfer speed.
Benchmark and Results
A good benchmark to judge the overall performance of these MacBooks is the Cinebench R23 test, which measures CPU performance in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) achieves a multi-core score of around 1,200 and a single-core score of around 800. In contrast, the MacBook Air (Early-2025) is expected to score around 10,000 in the multi-core test and 1,500 in the single-core test, highlighting the significant performance gap between the two devices.
External Displays
The MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) can support up to two external displays at resolutions up to 2560x1600. The MacBook Air (Early-2025), however, is capable of driving up to three external displays at resolutions up to 6K each, thanks to the advanced display controller in the M4 chip.
External Port Transfer Speed
The MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) features two Thunderbolt 2 ports, which offer a maximum transfer speed of 20 Gbps. In comparison, the MacBook Air (Early-2025) comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which support transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. This means that the newer MacBook Air can transfer data to and from an external SSD at twice the speed of the older MacBook Pro.
Other Differentiations
Apart from the performance differences, there are several other key distinctions between these two MacBooks:
- Design and Build: The MacBook Air (Early-2025) features a sleek, fanless design, while the MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) has a more traditional laptop design with a built-in fan for cooling.
- Display: The MacBook Air (Early-2025) comes with a Liquid Retina display with ProMotion technology, offering a higher resolution and refresh rate compared to the MacBook Pro (Mid-2015)'s Retina display.
- Connectivity: The MacBook Air (Early-2025) includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, while the MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) is limited to Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0.
- Operating System: The MacBook Air (Early-2025) ships with the latest version of macOS, optimized for Apple silicon, while the MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) runs on macOS versions designed for Intel processors.
Summary Table
| Metric | MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) | MacBook Air (Early-2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 2.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 | M4 chip |
| Memory | 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 | 24 GB unified memory |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD |
| Battery Life | Up to 9 hours (web browsing) | Up to 18 hours (web browsing) |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 | Integrated GPU (M4 chip) |
| Geekbench 5 Score | 6,000 (single-core), 16,000 (multi-core) | 20,000 (single-core), 80,000 (multi-core) |
| Memory Bandwidth | 12.8 GB/s | Up to 300 GB/s |
| Cinebench R23 Score | 800 (single-core), 1,200 (multi-core) | 1,500 (single-core), 10,000 (multi-core) |
| External Displays | Up to 2 (2560x1600) | Up to 3 (6K each) |
| External Port Speed | Thunderbolt 2 (20 Gbps) | Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) |
| Design | Traditional laptop with fan | Sleek, fanless design |
| Display | Retina display | Liquid Retina with ProMotion |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Operating System | macOS (Intel-based) | macOS (Apple silicon) |
In conclusion, the MacBook Air (Early-2025) with its M4 chip offers a significant performance advantage over the MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) in nearly every aspect. The newer model’s improved battery life, faster graphics, higher memory bandwidth, and enhanced connectivity options make it a compelling choice for users seeking a cutting-edge laptop experience. However, the MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) still remains a reliable option for those who prefer Intel-based processors or have specific software requirements that may not be fully optimized for Apple silicon.
@Apple @macOS @Intel @Geekbench
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