As of answering this, the “Mid 201” MacBook Pro versions are no longer manufactured. We updated this Q&A to ensure that the content is helpful to anybody who buys and sells one of these systems in the secondhand or used market. This should be a comprehensive guide.
Apple published a press release about the “Mid 2014” MacBook Pro versions that confidently stated how the said systems feature faster processors even twice the memory in many of their entry-level configurations.
It is claimed that “Mid 2014” MacBook Pro notebooks have faster processors and even more default memory in them, especially the MacBook Pro “Core i5” 2.8 13”, “Core i5” 2.6 13”, “Core i7” 2.5 15” (IG), “Core i7” 2.2 15” (IG), “Core i7” 2.5 15” (DG), “Core i7” 2.8 15” (IG) and “Core i7” 2.8 15” (DG) which are all faster than their other predecessors.
With just a quick scanning and an in-depth comparison, the two models feature similar Haswell architecture and clock speeds that are also the same.
It is not surprising that many would expect a little speed difference between models, most especially for systems that are set up with the same amount of RAM. In order to know how much faster this is though, it would still be necessary to conduct benchmarks and tests.
Retina Display MacBook Pro — 13″ Left, 15″ Right (Photo Credit: https://www.apple.com)
General Performance Overview
Benchmarks suggest that the entry-level “Mid 2014” 15-Inch model, such as the MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.2 15” (IG), could be as twice as fast as an overall entry-level for 13-Inch model by 98% like the MacBook Pro “Core i5” 2.6 13”. The case is not the same, though, with high-end standards including the 15-Inch model, MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.5 15” (DG), which is only 6% faster overall against other entry-level 15-Inch versions ever made available in the market.
Lastly, the MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.8 15” (DG) has a custom processor, all assembled to be 8% faster than the high-end 15-Inch versions out there. Furthermore, it is also 14% faster than the entry-level 15-inch models and as well an enormously 125% faster than the entry-level 13-Inch lines ever introduced to the public.
For a more precise representation, check out this table:
Some tests suggest that the 13-Inch “Early 2014” MacBook Air systems including the MacBook Pro “Core i7” 1.7 13” and the “Core i5” 1.4 13” are 23% faster while the stock 13-Inch “Mid 2014” MacBook Pro versions like the MacBook Pro “Core i5” 2.8 and the “Core i5” 2.6 13” are 13% better.
Considering how the 15-Inch MacBook Pro versions are faster than the 13-Inch lines, it is not much of a surprise how the entry-level of the 15-Inch MacBook Pro such as the “Core i7” 2.2 15” (IG) is way faster by 110% than the fastest custom processor assembled 13-Inch “Early 2014” MacBook Air, the MacBook Air “Core i7” 1.7 13”. This is one difference worth note-taking.
For buyers who prioritize performance over price though, there are choices like the MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.8 15” (IG) and “Core i7” 2.5 15” (IG) that can be useful. Even the entry-level 15-Inch model such as the MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.2 15” (IG) and the MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.8 15” custom processor upgrade of the MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.5 15” (DG) are of decent and acceptable value too. However, they are not the most outstanding options.
Technically, both the integrated graphics models (IG) are of little improvement for they feature 6% to 14% more overall performance for more money while the dual graphics model are lesser with 8% overall performance.
