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MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) vs MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)2

Quick look

Quick look: MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) against MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
FigureMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Price£1,2993launch price£1,7494launch price
ChipCore i51.4GHz quad-core 8th-generation IntelCore i53.1GHz dual-core Intel
CPU4-coreCPU2-coreCPU
Memory8GBmemory, base8GBmemory, base
Storage256GBstorage, base256GBstorage, base
Battery lifeUp to10 hrsvideo playback, claimedUp to10 hrsvideo playback, claimed
Released4 May 20205Available 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, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) is £1,299 at launch, per Apple Newsroom (UK); the MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) is £1,749 at launch, per Apple UK Store (archived 23 June 2017).

True to scale

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) · 304.1 × 212.4 mm footprintMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four 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, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Dimensions15.6 x 304.1 x 212.4 mm14.9 x 304.1 x 212.4 mm
Weight1.4 kg1.37 kg
ColoursSilver, Space GraySilver, Space Gray
PortsTwo Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, 3.5 mm headphone jackFour Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Thunderbolt ports24
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
KeyboardBacklit Magic Keyboard with Touch Bar and Touch IDFull-size backlit keyboard with Touch Bar with integrated Touch ID sensor
Touch IDYesYes
Touch BarYesYes

Display

Display: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four 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, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Chip1.4GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i53.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Apple siliconIntel processor, not Apple silicon.9Intel processor, not Apple silicon.10
CPU cores42
GraphicsIntel Iris Plus Graphics 645Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650
Chip options1.4GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 or 1.7GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i73.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz; configurable to 3.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz, or 3.5GHz 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)256GB256GB
Storage (maximum)2TB1TB
Storage options256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB256GB, 512GB or 1TB

Battery and power

Battery and power: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Battery capacity58.2 Wh49.2 Wh
Rated charge cycles1,000 cycles141,000 cycles14
Video playback (claimed)1510 h10 h
Wireless web (claimed)10 h10 h
Included power adapter61 W61 W
Fast chargingNo fast charging.16No fast charging.12

Connectivity

Connectivity: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four 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, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
SpeakersStereo speakers with high dynamic rangeStereo speakers with high dynamic range
MicrophonesThree-mic array with directional beamformingThree microphones

Platform

Platform: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Shipped withmacOS Catalina17Not available18
Newest macOSmacOS Sequoia19macOS Ventura19
Model identifierMacBookPro16,319MacBookPro14,219
Model year20202017

Benchmarks

Benchmarks: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) against Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
SpecificationMacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)1MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)2
Geekbench 7 (CPU, single-core)1,131201,00820
Geekbench 7 (CPU, multi-core)3,600201,99920

Sources

  1. Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications · Default for MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) · Apple’s figure · read 15 Sep 2026

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

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  3. Apple Newsroom (UK) — Apple updates 13-inch MacBook Pro with Magic Keyboard, double the storage, and faster performance · Apple’s figure · read 15 Sep 2026

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  4. Apple UK Store (archived 23 June 2017) — MacBook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar, 3.1GHz dual-core Core i5, 8GB, 256GB, £1,749.00 · third-party figure · read 11 Oct 2026

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  5. Apple Newsroom (UK) — Apple updates 13-inch MacBook Pro with Magic Keyboard, double the storage, and faster performance · Apple’s figure · read 22 Sep 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, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports): No USB-A ports. No MagSafe port. Intel processor, not Apple silicon. Checked: Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications. Read 15 Sep 2026

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

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  11. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports): No HDMI port. No SD card slot. No Ethernet port. Checked: Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications. Read 9 Oct 2026

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  12. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, 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, 2017, Four 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. Two different Apple tests. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports): Apple TV app movie playback. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports): iTunes movie playback.

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  16. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports): No fast charging. Checked: Apple Newsroom (UK) — Apple unveils game-changing MacBook Pro. Read 9 Oct 2026

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  17. Apple Newsroom (UK) — Apple updates 13-inch MacBook Pro with Magic Keyboard, double the storage, and faster performance · Apple’s figure · read 9 Oct 2026

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  18. Not published by Apple. Pages checked: Apple Support (UK) — MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four 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

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

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

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Not published by Apple

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports). Apple doesn’t publish for this Mac: refresh rate, nano-texture option, GPU cores, storage upgradeable by user. 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, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) - Technical Specifications; Apple Newsroom (UK) — Apple updates 13-inch MacBook Pro with Magic Keyboard, double the storage, and faster performance; Apple Support (UK) — Identify your MacBook Pro model, read 9 Oct 2026.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports). Apple doesn’t publish for this Mac: refresh rate, nano-texture option, GPU cores, storage upgradeable by user. 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, Four 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, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)? · Should I upgrade my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four 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.