MacBook Specs and Trade In Value

12 inch MacBook Retina Overview

The 12 inch MacBook Retina is Apple’s ultra portable notebook, built for people who want a full macOS laptop in the lightest possible package. At around 2 pounds with a fanless design and a high resolution Retina display, it is made for travel, coffee shops, classrooms, and light everyday work.

Apple produced this model from 2015 through 2017, updating the processors and graphics each year while keeping the same compact 12 inch chassis and single USB C port.

If you are checking specs, comparing generations, or deciding whether it is time to sell or upgrade your MacBook, this page breaks it down for you.

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MacBook at a Glance

Core features of the 12 inch MacBook Retina (all generations):

• 12 inch Retina display (2304 × 1440) with IPS technology

• Ultra light design around 2.03 lbs (0.92 kg)

• Fanless Intel Core M class processors for silent operation

• 8GB onboard memory standard (some 2017 models configurable to 16GB)

• Fast PCIe based SSD storage

• Single USB C port for power, data, and video out

• 3.5 mm headphone jack

• Colors: Silver, Space Gray, Gold, and later Rose Gold (depending on year)

Best for:

• Web browsing, email, and documents

• Spreadsheets and light office work

• Video calls and streaming

• Students, travelers, and anyone who values portability over raw power

If you need more performance for creative work or software development, a MacBook Pro or a newer Apple silicon MacBook may be a better fit, but the 12 inch MacBook is still a great light duty machine or secondary laptop.

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12 inch MacBook Retina Generations and Key Specs

MacBook Retina 12 inch 2015

Apple’s first 12 inch Retina MacBook introduced the ultra thin, fanless design.

• Model year: Early 2015

• Model identifier: MacBook8,1 (A1534)

• Processor options:

  • 1.1 GHz dual core Intel Core M (Turbo Boost up to 2.4 GHz)

  • 1.2 GHz dual core Intel Core M (Turbo Boost up to 2.6 GHz)

  • Optional 1.3 GHz dual core Intel Core M (Turbo Boost up to 2.9 GHz)

• Memory: 8GB 1600 MHz LPDDR3 (soldered)

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB PCIe based flash storage

• Display: 12 inch Retina, 2304 × 1440

• Weight: About 2.03 lbs (0.92 kg)

• Colors: Silver, Space Gray, Gold

What changed:
First appearance of the ultra portable MacBook with USB C, fanless Core M processor, and the new thin keyboard design.

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MacBook Retina 12 inch 2016

The 2016 refresh focused on faster processors, improved graphics, and a slight memory speed bump.

• Model year: Early 2016

• Model identifier: MacBook9,1 (A1534)

• Processor options:

  • 1.1 GHz dual core Intel Core m3

  • 1.2 GHz dual core Intel Core m5

  • 1.3 GHz dual core Intel Core m7

• Memory: 8GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 (soldered)

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB PCIe based SSD

• Display: 12 inch Retina, 2304 × 1440

• Colors: Silver, Space Gray, Gold, Rose Gold

What changed:
Faster Skylake based processors and memory, plus the addition of the Rose Gold finish.

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MacBook Retina 12 inch 2017

The final 12 inch MacBook revision before Apple discontinued the line. It brings another bump in CPU performance and an optional 16GB RAM configuration.

• Model year: 2017

• Model identifier: MacBook10,1 (A1534)

• Processor options:

  • 1.2 GHz dual core Intel Core m3

  • 1.3 GHz dual core Intel Core i5

  • 1.4 GHz dual core Intel Core i7

• Memory:

  • 8GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 standard

  • Optional 16GB on some configurations

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB PCIe based SSD

• Display: 12 inch Retina, 2304 × 1440

• Colors: Silver, Space Gray, Gold, Rose Gold

What changed:
Newer Kaby Lake processors, faster integrated graphics, and optional 16GB RAM make the 2017 models the most capable of the lineup.

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Should You Keep or Upgrade Your 12 inch MacBook?

Because the 12 inch MacBook line was discontinued, every model is now considered an older Intel based Mac.

Reasons to keep using it:

• You love the ultra light, fanless design

• Your workloads are mostly browsing, writing, email, and streaming

• Battery life is still acceptable for your needs

Reasons you might upgrade:

• You need more performance for photo, video, coding, or heavy multitasking

• Limited ports (single USB C) are slowing you down

• You want longer macOS support and Apple silicon performance

• The keyboard or battery is starting to fail

If you decide it is time to move on, your MacBook still has value, especially in good cosmetic and working condition.

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Sell Your MacBook with SellMac

When you are ready to upgrade or cash out, SellMac makes it simple to sell your MacBook online.

1. Get an instant quote

• Go to our MacBook trade in page and enter your model, specs, and condition.

• Our pricing tool uses real market data to calculate a fair offer in seconds.

2. Ship your MacBook for free

• We email you a prepaid, trackable shipping label.

• Pack your MacBook securely, drop it off, and you are done.

3. Get paid fast

• Once your device is inspected and confirmed, you get paid quickly by Zelle, PayPal, bank transfer, or check, depending on what you choose at checkout.

Why people choose SellMac:

• Competitive cash offers for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro

• Free shipping on every trade in

• Secure data wipe and factory reset before resale

• Friendly support and a transparent process from start to finish

Get an instant MacBook quote now

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