Ive bought a MD760 (2014 model) 14 days ago as my first Macbook ever as it was somewhat cheaper than the new MJEV2 (2015 model) and because various reviews concluded that the performance was quite similar. So I choose the 2014 model.
The last 6 month did I several times look at the Macbook Air in various shops and concluded that despite it was not a Retina display, the display was quite good with bright colours. So I thought it was odd that the 2014 model Ive purchased had washed out colours until I found out that it was a LG display. I went back to the various shops where Ive looked at the MBA to find out that all the display models had Samsung displays which in my opinion represents brighter colours. Going through this forum did I also realise that Apple uses various version of SSD and the 2014 model I got was equipped with a Sandisk SSD which should be a slower version.
I was possible for me to return the 2014 model, so I decided to go the shop and also buy a 2015 model as I read I was equipped with both a Samsung display and Samsung SSD. Internet research gave me the impression that Apple so far only produces the new model with Samsung parts.
It gave me the possibility to compare the two versions. I also updated the 2014 version with the LG display colour profile found on this site. I did no do any benchmark tests at all. Just compared them by feelings.
First of all did the 2015 Samsung display to me appear better and represents better and brighter colors. Even thought it was not a huge difference. Exact as all the 2014 display models Ive tested at the shops. And the narrow lines between the cells in Excel was clear and not blurry as with the LG display. Small letters in Safari was perfect clear. On the 2014 model they seemed blurry and not that easy to read. Even when using glasses. The LG version improved by increasing contrast but was still not as good as the Samsung version.
Also everything responded much quicker on the 2015 model. Especially when opening applications like Photoshop, Word or Safari or larger documents. I guess its because of the SSD. For me the two variants felt like night or day and the premium price for the 2015 version to me was worth the extra $. Only based on user feelings. I kept the 2015 version and the 2014 version was reinstalled and returned the next morning.
I simply love my new 2015 MBA and still wonder why a company as Apple will make such differences in quality experience. Especially the Samsung/LG display thing where the display version in the shops has a Samsung display and the model you bring back home has a LG display.