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By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Cybersecurity Mobile Policy Privacy Scooters. Phones Laptops Headphones Cameras. Tablets Smartwatches Speakers Drones. Accessories Buying Guides How-tos Deals. Health Energy Environment. YouTube Instagram Adobe. Kickstarter Tumblr Art Club. The MacBook laptop lineup has long been considered the epitome of style and performance for many, thanks largely to that classic Apple design and the macOS operating system.
But there are multiple MacBook models out there, so it can be difficult to find the exact model that's right for your needs. You can tweak the specs to better meet your needs. For example, you may want to get a more powerful processor or more storage. There are also two sizes for the MacBook Pro: 13 and 16 inches.
At first glance, the base model of the MacBook Air and Pro may look more or less the same, but it's important to note that a quad-core processor will offer significantly more performance than a dual-core one — and a 6-core chip at that will be even more powerful.
That, however, doesn't necessarily mean that the MacBook Air is weak — it'll still offer plenty of performance for most tasks you throw at it from surfing the web and responding to emails to streaming video and doing light photo editing. Another main difference between the two is the screen size options. You can only get a inch Air, but the Pro comes in and inch sizes. You can get the MacBook Pro with a discrete graphics card , much more RAM, more storage, and a slightly better and larger screen.
With the more powerful processors, the MacBook Pro is clearly a better option for those who need a laptop that can keep up with heavier multitasking and things like audio editing, video editing, or graphic design. You'll immediately recognize a MacBook when you see one. It's hard to look past that metallic design and iconic Apple logo on the lid. On paper, it may look like the MacBook Air is thicker than the Pro, but the Air has a tapered design, so it feels a lot thinner in the hand.
The Air is also a quarter pound to a full pound lighter than the Pro models depending on which screen size you choose , making it much more portable. Another major difference is that the MacBook Pro has Apple's Touch Bar, which is essentially a long and thin touchscreen that replaces the row of function keys and allows you to control different features depending on the app that's open. Some people love the Touch Bar, but most won't need it.
Generally speaking, the MacBook Air , as the name suggests, is a little more portable and lightweight, while the MacBook Pro is a bit heavier and more focused on performance. Both computers run on Apple's macOS operating system, which is well-designed and relatively easy to use.
While Apple's keyboards have gotten a bad reputation over the past few years, we actually don't mind them. The keyboard experience on the MacBook Air and Pro is relatively similar: Both offer a low level of travel. That said, you'll get used to typing on the keyboard, and eventually, you might even like it — that's what happened to me on my MacBook Air. It is important to note that some MacBook keyboards have become unresponsive or broken in recent years, so it is something to keep an eye on.
Apple has a service program that was built to address keyboard problems, so if you do have a problem, they may fix it for you. Other details represent minor differences. The MacBook Air and Pro both offer a p webcam, along with decent speakers. The speakers on the MacBook Pro are slightly better than the MacBook Air, but not by a lot — and for most, the quality of the MacBook Air will be more than good enough.
If you want ultimate portability and don't need a ton of performance, then the MacBook Air is the way to go. If you want a blend of portability and performance, then the inch MacBook Pro is probably your best bet. For those of you who need absolute performance, then we recommend the new inch MacBook Pro. Apple's premium laptop comes in and inch screen sizes.
Each model includes USB-C ports for charging, accessories, and data transfer. Higher-end models also include the Touch Bar. A collection of tutorials, tips, and tricks from the 9to5Mac team helping you fix and get the most out of your favorite gear. Michael is an editor for 9to5Mac. Since joining in he has written more than 3, articles including breaking news, reviews, and detailed comparisons and tutorials.
November 1. Michael Potuck - Nov. MacBook Air vs Pro display comparison If screen brightness is important to you, chalk up another point for the MacBook Pro with its nits brightness vs nits on the MacBook Air.
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