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MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) vs MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2

Quick look

Quick look: MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) against MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
FigureMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Price£1,7493launch price£1,2494launch price
ChipCore i52.3GHz quad-core IntelCore i52.3GHz dual-core Intel
CPU4-coreCPU2-coreCPU
Memory8GBmemory, base8GBmemory, base
Storage256GBstorage, base128GBstorage, base
Battery lifeUp to10 hrsvideo playback, claimedUp to10 hrsvideo playback, claimed
Released12 July 20185Available online; Apple gave no in-store day7 June 20176ReleasedIn Apple Stores; orderable online from 5 June 2017.
Security updatesNot available7Security updates15 September 20258Security updates ended
Price
The MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) is £1,749 at launch, per Apple Newsroom (UK); the MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) is £1,249 at launch, per Apple UK Store (archived 23 June 2017).

True to scale

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) · 304.1 × 212.4 mm footprintMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) · 304.1 × 212.4 mm footprint

Footprints from above, from Apple’s published dimensions, drawn to one scale and superposed. Corner rounding is our drawing convention, not a measurement.

Specifications

Each figure is from the source marked by its Mac’s name unless it carries its own small number, which links to where that figure was read.

Body

Body: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Dimensions14.9 x 304.1 x 212.4 mm14.9 x 304.1 x 212.4 mm
Weight1.37 kg1.37 kg
ColoursSilver, Space GraySilver, Space Gray
PortsFour Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, 3.5 mm headphone jackTwo Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Thunderbolt ports42
Thunderbolt versionThunderbolt 3Thunderbolt 3
USB-A portsNo USB-A ports.9No USB-A ports.10
HDMINo HDMI port.11No HDMI port.12
SD card slotNo SD card slot.11No SD card slot.12
Headphone jackYesYes
MagSafeNo MagSafe port.9No MagSafe port.10
KeyboardFull-size backlit keyboard with Touch Bar and Touch IDFull-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys
Touch IDYesNo Touch ID.12
Touch BarYesNo Touch Bar.12

Display

Display: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Display size13.3 in13.3 in
Resolution2560 x 16002560 x 1600
Pixel density227 ppi227 ppi
Display typeRetina displayRetina display
Brightness500 nits500 nits
Wide colour (P3)YesYes

Chip and memory

Chip and memory: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Chip2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i52.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Apple siliconIntel processor, not Apple silicon.9Intel processor, not Apple silicon.10
CPU cores42
GraphicsIntel Iris Plus Graphics 655Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
Chip options2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i72.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz; configurable to 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 4.0GHz
Memory (base)8GB8GB
Memory (maximum)16GB16GB
Memory options8GB or 16GB8GB or 16GB
Memory upgradeable by userNo, as Apple documents13No, as Apple documents13
Storage (base)256GB128GB
Storage (maximum)2TB1TB
Storage options256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB

Battery and power

Battery and power: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Battery capacity58 Wh54.5 Wh
Rated charge cycles1,000 cycles141,000 cycles14
Video playback (claimed)10 h10 h
Wireless web (claimed)10 h10 h
Included power adapter61 W61 W
Fast chargingNo fast charging.11No fast charging.12

Connectivity

Connectivity: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Wi-Fi802.11ac Wi-Fi802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
Bluetooth5.04.2
EthernetNo Ethernet port.11No Ethernet port.12
External displays (base)22

Camera and audio

Camera and audio: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
SpeakersStereo speakers with high dynamic rangeStereo speakers with high dynamic range
MicrophonesThree microphonesTwo microphones

Platform

Platform: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Newest macOSmacOS Sequoia15macOS Ventura15
Model identifierMacBookPro15,215MacBookPro14,115
Model year20182017

Benchmarks

Benchmarks: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Geekbench 7 (CPU, single-core)1,114161,09816
Geekbench 7 (CPU, multi-core)3,772162,19616

Sources

  1. Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications · Default for MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) · Apple’s figure · read 15 Sep 2026

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  2. Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications · Default for MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) · Apple’s figure · read 15 Sep 2026

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  3. Apple Newsroom (UK) — Apple updates MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros · Apple’s figure · read 15 Sep 2026

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  4. Apple UK Store (archived 23 June 2017) — MacBook Pro 13-inch, 2.3GHz dual-core Core i5, 8GB, 128GB, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, £1,249.00 · third-party figure · read 14 Oct 2026

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  5. Apple Newsroom (UK) — Apple updates MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros · Apple’s figure · read 2 Oct 2026

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  6. Apple Newsroom (UK) — iMac receives major update featuring more powerful graphics, faster processors, Thunderbolt 3 and brighter displays · Apple’s figure · read 15 Sep 2026

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  7. Security updates: no end date published. Checked: endoflife.date. Read 22 Sep 2026

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  8. endoflife.date — Apple macOS · third-party figure · read 2 Oct 2026

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  9. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports): No USB-A ports. No MagSafe port. Intel processor, not Apple silicon. Checked: Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications. Read 15 Sep 2026

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  10. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports): No USB-A ports. No MagSafe port. Intel processor, not Apple silicon. Checked: Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications. Read 15 Sep 2026

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  11. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports): No HDMI port. No SD card slot. No fast charging. No Ethernet port. Checked: Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications. Read 9 Oct 2026

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  12. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports): No HDMI port. No SD card slot. No Touch ID. No Touch Bar. No fast charging. No Ethernet port. Checked: Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications. Read 9 Oct 2026

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  13. Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro: how to remove or install memory · Apple’s figure · read 18 Oct 2026

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  14. Apple Support (UK) — Determine battery cycle count for Mac laptops · Apple’s figure · read 15 Oct 2026

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  15. Apple Support (UK) — Identify your MacBook Pro model · Apple’s figure · read 15 Sep 2026

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  16. Geekbench Browser (Primate Labs) · third-party figure · read 11 Oct 2026

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Not published by Apple

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports). Apple doesn’t publish for this Mac: refresh rate, nano-texture option, GPU cores, storage upgradeable by user, the macOS it shipped with. Geekbench 7 Metal: the Mac chart has no Metal score for this Mac (chart read 10 Oct 2026). Pages checked: Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications; Apple Support (UK) — Identify your MacBook Pro model; Apple Newsroom (UK) — Apple updates MacBook Pro with faster performance and new features for pros, read 9 Oct 2026.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports). Apple doesn’t publish for this Mac: refresh rate, nano-texture option, GPU cores, storage upgradeable by user, the macOS it shipped with. Geekbench 7 Metal: the Mac chart has no Metal score for this Mac (chart read 10 Oct 2026). Pages checked: Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications; Apple Support (UK) — Identify your MacBook Pro model; Apple Newsroom (UK) — iMac receives major update featuring more powerful graphics, faster processors, Thunderbolt 3 and brighter displays, read 9 Oct 2026.

If you own one of them

Whether to move is a different question from which is better. Each Mac has a page on it: what its successor changes (the newest Mac in its line where Apple sells one, otherwise the Mac this site treats as its replacement, which can be in another line), what it fetches and whether it still gets updates. Should I upgrade my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)? · Should I upgrade my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)?

The pairs a buyer of either Mac would also weigh. Any two Macs in the catalogue can be compared from the chooser.