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Retina MacBook Q&A
Update Published July 6, 2017
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What are all the differences between the "Early 2016" 12-Inch Retina Display MacBook models? Which is the best choice for me?
Please note that the "Early 2016" Retina MacBook has been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently and can be quite useful for anyone considering one of these models on the used market.
There are two stock "Early 2016" 12-Inch Retina MacBook models -- the MacBook "Core m3" 1.1 12-Inch and "Core m5" 1.2 12-Inch -- in addition to the custom processor option, which EveryMac.com crosslists as the MacBook "Core m7" 1.3 12-Inch.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Early 2016 Retina MacBook)
The "Early 2016" Retina MacBook lineup is the same except for processors, standard storage, order number, and price. However, these differences are important and the similarities between the models are important to understand, too.
External Similarities
The "Early 2016" Retina MacBook models use an extremely thin aluminum case that tapers from 0.14 of an inch to 0.52 of an inch (0.35 cm to 1.31 cm) and weighs just a bit over two pounds. These models are offered in silver, a dark "Space Gray," gold, and a pink-hued "Rose Gold" color.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Early 2016 Retina MacBook Colors)
All models have a lovely 12" TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "Retina" display (2304x1440 native resolution at 226 ppi, which displays as a scaled resolution of 1280x800 by default), a pathetic 480p FaceTime webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard with a thin "butterfly mechanism" keyboard design, and a haptic-capable "Force Touch" trackpad.
Wired connectivity consists only of a lone USB-C port and a headphone jack. They have 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, as well, though.
Identification Similarities
The "Early 2016" Retina MacBook models share the A1534 Model Number with earlier Retina Display MacBook models, but as diligently hand documented by EveryMac.com, as always, can be uniquely identified by the 2991 EMC Number, and the MacBook9,1 Model Identifier.
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can uniquely identify each one of the Retina Display MacBook models by their serial numbers.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Similarities
All Retina MacBook models, including the "Early 2016" line, essentially are sealed and disposable.
The Intel "Core m3" or "Core m5" processor can be upgraded at the time of purchase, but not subsequently. All other internal components -- the integrated Intel HD Graphics 515 video processor, 8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM, and PCIe 3.0 SSD storage -- are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be replaced or upgraded at the time of purchase or later. The battery is glued in place, also. Each notebook provides an estimated ten to eleven hours of runtime.
Model Differences - Comparison Chart
As mentioned previously, the three "Early 2016" Retina MacBook models differ only by processor, standard storage, order number and price. These differences include:
| Processor Speed: | 1.1 GHz | 1.2 GHz | 1.3 GHz |
| Processor Type: | M3-6Y30 | M5-6Y54 | M7-6Y75 |
| Standard SSD: | 256 GB | 512 GB | 256 GB 512 GB |
| Order No. (US): | MLHA2LL/A (Silver) MLH72LL/A (Space Gray) MLHE2LL/A (Gold) MMGL2LL/A (Rose Gold) |
MLHC2LL/A (Silver) MLH82LL/A (Space Gray) MLHF2LL/A (Gold) MMGM2LL/A (Rose Gold) |
BTO/CTO |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1299 | US$1599 | US$1549 US$1749 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1549 | C$1899 | C$1849 C$2079 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1049 | £1299 | £1249 £1419 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1999 | A$2499 | A$2399 A$2689 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1,788 | S$2,288 | S$2,138 S$2,498 |
So, which "Early 2016" MacBook model is best for me?
If you've decided that a "Early 2016" MacBook is for you -- that is you are most interested in a beautiful display in the smallest package possible and you are willing to sacrifice performance, battery life, connectivity, and price to get it -- then deciding between the models likely is a fairly easy choice.
At the time the "Early 2016" MacBook shipped, the majority of users would have been best suited with a MacBook Air -- if price, connectivity, and battery life were important (but display quality was less so) -- or a Retina MacBook Pro if performance and value as well as a beautiful display were important (but physical size was less so).
On the used market, the relative value of each particular system may have changed a bit, but of these three models, EveryMac.com would suggest that the standard high-end MacBook "Core m5" 1.2 12-Inch is the best choice as it provides twice the storage and around 15% more performance for about 25% more money. Internal storage cannot be upgraded later, so only buy the entry-level MacBook "Core m3" 1.1 12-Inch if you are sure you can tolerate 256 GB of storage for the life of the notebook.
The custom processor MacBook "Core m7" 1.3 12-Inch model also is not a bad option for those interested in getting as much performance as possible out of one of these small notebooks. At the time it was released, it provided around 19%-30% more speed for 19% more money than the entry-level model and 4%-12% more speed for 9% more money than the standard high-end model, representing a decent value.
In the US, site sponsors Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurb MacBook models at bargain prices with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr buy Retina MacBook models and many other Mac notebooks with an instant online quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a good selection of used and refurbished MacBook models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used MacBook models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
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