MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Which Apple laptop to buy
When it comes to buying a new laptop, Apple is a popular choice for consumers who value sleek design, high-quality display, and powerful hardware. However, choosing between a MacBook Air and a MacBook Pro can be a challenging decision to make.
In this blog post, we will provide a factual and unbiased comparison of both devices to help you make an informed decision.
Design
The MacBook Air is the slimmer and lighter option, weighing only 2.8 pounds and measuring 0.63 inches thick at its thickest point. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro weighs 3.0 pounds and is 0.61 inches thick.
Both devices feature Apple's signature aluminum unibody design and come in space grey, silver, and gold colors. However, the MacBook Pro has a Touch Bar, which replaces the traditional function keys with a touch-enabled strip that displays context-sensitive shortcuts.
The Touch Bar is a nice addition for creative professionals who use video and photo-editing software. But if you prefer physical function keys, then the MacBook Air is the better option.
Display
The MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels, which is sharp and bright enough for most tasks. However, the MacBook Pro has a better display with a higher resolution of 3072x1920 pixels, as well as a wider color gamut and True Tone technology.
The MacBook Pro's display is ideal for graphic designers, photographers, and videographers who need a more accurate and vibrant display. However, the MacBook Air's display is still a great option for everyday tasks.
Performance
The MacBook Air is powered by an Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and a 7-core GPU. This configuration can handle most tasks such as web browsing, email, and word processing with ease. However, it may struggle with more demanding tasks such as video editing or gaming.
The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, can be configured with either an M1 chip or up to a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor with an 8-core CPU and an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M GPU with 8GB of GDDR6 memory. This setup is ideal for power users who need to run multiple applications simultaneously or perform heavy-duty tasks such as 3D rendering or video editing.
Battery Life
Both devices have excellent battery life, with the MacBook Air lasting up to 15 hours for web browsing and up to 18 hours for video playback. The MacBook Pro can last up to 10 hours for web browsing and up to 12 hours for video playback.
The MacBook Air has a better battery life due to its more energy-efficient M1 chip, while the MacBook Pro's battery life is impacted by its more powerful hardware.
Price
The MacBook Air is the cheaper option, starting at $999 for the base model, which includes an M1 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, starts at $1,299 for the base model with an M1 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.
If you need more storage, you can upgrade both models to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage, which entails an additional cost.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro depends on your specific needs and budget. If you mostly use your laptop for everyday tasks such as web browsing, email, and word processing, then the MacBook Air is a perfect option.
If you are a creative professional who uses video editing or photo editing software, or if you need a more powerful laptop for demanding tasks such as rendering or compiling code, then the MacBook Pro is a better choice.
Both Apple laptops offer excellent design, high-quality displays, good battery life, and the latest hardware. The decision comes down to what you are willing to spend and how you intend to use your laptop.