How to see all the useful specs of your Mac
Learn how to check your Mac’s hardware and software details, whether for personal knowledge, verifying a used Mac before buying, or listing accurate details when selling.
Knowing these details confirms that the computer you bought or own is exactly what you ordered. It’s useful when replacing parts or seeking repair. Additionally, the tech specs help determine if your Mac meets the minimum requirements for an app or game and estimate the value of a pre-owned Mac when buying or selling.
Also see: 10+ things to do before selling or giving away your Mac
Check the model name and launch year
Every Mac has a model name and launch year. The launch year, or “year introduced,” indicates when Apple first released that Mac model. Note that the launch year differs from the purchase or manufacture year and stays the same, even if you buy the Mac years later.
- Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen and select About This Mac.
- You’ll see the model name at the top, such as MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro.
- Just under the model name, you’ll see the launch year, which informs if your Mac was introduced in 2025, 2024, 2020, or some other year.
See your Mac’s processor
Apple used Intel processors for several years until it announced its own line of M-series Apple silicon chips in 2020. Currently, all Macs they sell have their in-house Apple silicon chip and no Intel processor.
- Click the Apple icon and choose About This Mac.
- If you see a “Chip” section here, that means your Mac has an Apple silicon chip, which could be Apple M1, M2, M3, M4, or one of their variants having the Pro, Max, or Ultra suffix.
- If you see a “Processor” section here, it means your Mac has an Intel chip, like an Intel Core i7, Core i5, or something.
Check if your Mac supports Apple Intelligence
Every Mac with an Apple silicon chip supports Apple Intelligence. So, you’re all set in this regard, assuming you don’t have an old Mac with an Intel processor.
See the number of CPU and GPU cores
You can learn how many performance and efficiency cores your Mac processor has by going to its System Information page. Apple’s first generation of M1 chips started with 8 CPU cores and 8 GPU cores, while the 2025 Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra chip can have up to 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores. A higher number equates to a more powerful processor.
- Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your Mac’s screen.
- Now, hold the Option key, and About This Mac will change to System Information; click it.
- Make sure the Hardware option is selected and look at the “Total Number of Cores” field to know about the CPU cores.
- Next, click the Graphics/Display option in the sidebar to see the total number of GPU cores.
Note that you can also access System Information by going to System Settings > General > About > System Report.
Check the RAM and RAM type
You can see how much memory (RAM) your Mac has by going to the About This Mac page, System Information, or in System Settings > General > About.
To see the RAM type (like DDR4 or DDR5), go to System Information > Hardware > Memory. You’ll see the total memory size, its type, and even the manufacturer.
Check the storage capacity
Go to System Settings > General > Storage to see the capacity of your Mac’s internal SSD.
Note that, like all companies, Apple advertises their Macs as having 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, etc., internal storage. However, the actual capacity you see in System Settings will always be a few GBs less than advertised. For instance, if the actual capacity you see is 245 GB, that means your Mac’s advertised capacity is 256 GB.
See MacBook’s current battery health
Your Mac’s battery maximum capacity shows how it compares to when it was new. A new MacBook battery starts at 100%, but as you use it, this percentage reduces over time. If it drops significantly, such as to 50%, the battery condition may no longer be normal and may require service.
You can see this information by going to System Settings > Battery and clicking the info button ⓘ next to Battery Health.
Alternatively, head to System Information, select Power, and look at the “Health information” section to see your battery cycle count. Unlike maximum battery capacity, a lower cycle count is better.
See the screen size and resolution
You can see the built-in retina display size and resolution of your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or iMac by going to System Settings > General > About > Displays. A higher resolution number usually means a better display.
You can also see this info, along with the screen type (like LCD), by going to the System Information report and selecting Graphics/Displays.
Check if your MacBook Pro supports 120Hz refresh rate
Like the Pro iPhones and iPads, recent 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models have a ProMotion display that can refresh up to 120Hz for a smooth viewing experience. Go to System Settings > Displays and click the Refresh Rate section if you see it. If your Mac has a 120 Hz display, it will say ProMotion there.
Check the macOS version
To check which version of macOS is installed on your Mac, go to System Settings > General > About > macOS.
Check the warranty status
To see if the Mac still has a remaining warranty or AppleCare+ protection, head to System Settings > General > About and click the Details button next to Limited Warranty or Coverage. You can also see this information in System Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty.
Go through Apple’s official tech specs page for your Mac
Lastly, one of the best spots to see the technical specifications of your Mac is to check Apple’s website.
Go to System Information > Hardware and note the Model Identifier or Model Number. Now, visit these pages on Apple’s website to identify your Mac, and click the “Tech Specs” link to see all technical details.
Next, check out:
- 15 things to do with your old Mac or MacBook
- How to get Education Pricing and Student Discounts on Apple products
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/03/20/how-to-see-mac-specs/
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