Author: David Phineas
The buying decision between MacBook Air and MacBook Pro is more complex than before, and you may require expert assistance before you make a decision.
However, this guide is created to assist you in making an informed choice. We will help you determine which laptop model is worth your investment by comparing features, price, battery life, performance, and other essential factors.
Let’s get started.
Which MacBook is Best?
It’s an excellent time to buy a MacBook since Apple has finalized its transformation from Intel CPUs to custom Apple Silicon chips. All three MacBook Pro models and MacBook Air now include M-series processors crafted in Cupertino. Up to this point, they have delivered a stunning performance and record-breaking standby time. The M1 chip in the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air series provides unrivaled performance.
They support iPadOS and iOS apps, and the MacBook Air doesn’t require a fan to stay cool. On the other hand, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro are equipped with an M1 Max chip or M1 Pro. The M1 Pro chip has a great GPU and CPU performance which is 70 percent faster and up to 2x quicker GPU speed. Apple officially unveiled the 2022 MacBook Air, which will feature the company’s current M2 chip. This also promises significant performance and energy efficiency. We absolutely can’t wait to try it but meanwhile, read on to see which MacBook best suits your preferences.
MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Specifications
| Most Popular | Most Speed for $ | For power users | For power users who require a large display. | |
| MacBook Air | MacBook Pro 13 (Entry Level) | MacBook Pro 14-inch | MacBook Pro 16-inch | |
| CPU | M1 | M1 | M1 Pro or M1 Max | M1 Pro or M1 Max |
| Price | Costs roughly $999 | Starts at $1,299 | Starts at $1,999 | $2,499 |
| Display | 13.3 inches (2560 x 1600) | 13.3 inches (2560 x 1600) | 14.2 inches (3024 x 1964), 120Hz | 16.2 inches (3456 x 2234), 120Hz |
| RAM | Up to 16GB | up to 16GB | Up to 64GB | up to 64GB |
| Graphics | M1 | M1 | M1 Pro or M1 Max | M1 Pro or M1 Max |
| Ports | 2 Thunderbolt Advertisements
3, headphone |
2 Thunderbolt
3, headphone |
3 Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC card, headphone | 4 Thunderbolt 3, headphone |
| Battery Life | 14:41 (tested) | 16:32 (tested) | 14:08 (tested) | 21 hours (rated) |
| Storage | up to 2TB | up to 2TB | Up to 8TB | up to 8TB |
| Size | 12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches | 12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches | 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches | 14 x 9.8 x 0.66 inches |
| Security | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID |
| Weight | 2.8 pounds | 3.1 pounds | 3.5 pounds | 4.7 pounds |
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Pros
The new MacBook Air provides nearly everything you could need in an Apple laptop. Its M1 chip allows record-breaking performance and battery capacity. MacBook battery can last 14 hours, adding it to the list of longer-lasting laptops battery on the market.
The MacBook Air comes with a magic keyboard that is more pleasant and efficient than the preceding butterfly keyboard. The new version was unanimously chosen because of its bouncy keys and enhanced layout when the two keyboards were tested.
The screen is also sharp, with a 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution. The recent version of the Air supports the P3 color palette for more vibrant tones and True Tone, which also adapts the color temperature on the screen based on ambient light levels.
Touch ID is yet another feature that makes it simple to activate the system, make safe payments, and change passwords. The 720p webcam on the new MacBook Air has also received a minor update kudos to the M1 chip. The system presently supports iOS and iPadOS applications, but few are streamlined for laptops.
At 12 x 8.4 x 0.6″ and 2.8 lbs., the MacBook Air is wider than the Dell XPS 13 (11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6″, 2.8 lbs.), but smaller than the 13.5-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 3. (12.1 x 8.8 x 0.6″, 2.9 lbs.).
Cons
Most people will require a dongle because two USB-C terminals are insufficient. In addition, the MacBook Air isn’t always the smallest or lightest 13-inch PC, and the screen bezels are too large for 2021. The PC also lacks an IR camera (for face recognition signup) and USB Type-A ports, necessitating the use of an adapter for some devices.
MacBook Pro (13-inch): Ideal for power users on a budget.
Pros
With its innovative M1 chip, the 13-inch MacBook Pro crams a lot of energy into a lightweight (3-pound) with an excellent keyboard. The 13-inch MacBook Pro uses the same M1 chip as MacBook but has a cooling fan inside it. This powerful device can operate demanding tasks for way too long.
In numbers, the MacBook Pro scored 5,882 in a test outperforming the 4,215 for some top-quality laptops.
The XPS 13 went close to matching the MacBook, whereas the Asus ZenBook and HP specter x360 13 were far behind. This device is significantly heavier than the MacBook Air but comes with the same M1 CPU and lower power consumption.
Apple added the Touch Bar and a Touch ID sensor to the MacBook Pro. The 13-inch MacBook Pro also has a better 720p webcam, a lightning-fast SSD, and a modern look. What else could you possibly want?
Cons
Sadly, the base version MacBook Pro has only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, compared to four ports on the more expensive MacBook Pro 13-inch. Oh, and Apple needs to get rid of those unappealing display bezels.
MacBook Pro (14-inch): Ideal for Creative Professionals who Requires portability
Pros
If you are ready to spend $1,999, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is a nearly perfect choice, if not the most fantastic laptop in the industry.
Apple’s M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs seem like the speediest, most energy-efficient chips ever created for PCs. We can verify the M1 Pro fits that category.
The MacBook’s other performance specifications are equally impressive, with up to 32GB of RAM and an 8TB SSD. The battery life was tested and found to be 14 hrs.
The laptop features a 14.2-inch, 3024 x 1964-pixel Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz. This panel is among the brightest laptop screens ever (with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits) and the most vibrant outside of OLED panels. Despite its power, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is still portable, measuring 12.3 inches by 8.7 inches by 0.6 inches and weighing 3.5 pounds. A1080p webcam, Touch ID, a six-speaker setup, and a keyboard without a Touch Bar are also some features of the system.
Cons
One of the setbacks of this device is that it has a notch. Like the iPhone 13, MacBook Pro has a cutout in the top position of the display. However, because of the larger panel size, it’s not too distracting. Furthermore, there is no Face ID. Another undeniable disadvantage of the 14-inch MacBook Pro is its $1,999 starting price, which excludes a USB-A port. Ouch…
MacBook Pro 16-inch: Ideal for power users who require a large display.
Pros
Everything we like about the 14-inch MacBook Pro, but on a larger 16-inch screen, features the same M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, up to 64GB of RAM, and an 8TB SSD. This model’s battery performance, on the other hand, is rated at an impressive 21 hours.
Cons
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is identical to the Pro in every way except for the larger screen. That implies you can get the smaller model for a lot less money without compromising anything other than display size. If you require a larger display, go with the 16-inch MacBook Pro. If you don’t, the price difference is probably not worth it.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is also significantly more significant than the 14-inch prototype, measuring 14 x 9.8 x 0.66 inches and weighing 4.7 pounds.
Conclusion
We hope this review helps you make an informed decision about which model to buy. Is there any other model you would like us to review? Tell us in the comment section.