If you are in the market for a Mac notebook, there are actually two options: the 15 inch MacBook Pro, which offers a variety of options to satisfy the most requirement of users, and anything else. Apple offers no less than four MacBooks with 12 or 13.3 "screens, and a decision between them can be sufficient to give up and buy the Dell XPS 13.
We're here to help. Whether you are shopping for yourself or someone else, we have considered every angle, color, specification, and exit to help you cut the confusion and make sure you make the right choice.
MacBook Pro vs MacBook Pro
Apple Matrix pricing for its smallest MacBooks is not much help when choosing which one to buy. While the $ 300 separate entry level MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air is a 2017 model. Then there is a cluster of three laptops with similar prices.
MacBook Air (2017): $ 999
MacBook Air (2018): $ 1,199
MacBook: $ 1,299
MacBook Pro (without touch bar): $ 1,299
If you want the Touch Bar MacBook Pro, you will need to spend at least $ 1,799, a significant increase over all the prices here. But, you also get a lot more PC, with dual storage as Pro-touch output, an eighth-gen processor, True Tone display, and four USB-C ports. But by comparison, we will compare the model with no contact with the other models here.
MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Screen
Jason Cross / IDGThe MacBook is the smallest notebook here, with a 12-inch screen instead of 13.3 inches. However, it has the same resolution as the large retina models:
MacBook Air (2017): 13.3 inches, 1440×900, 128 ppi
MacBook Air (2018): 13.3 inches, 2560×1600, 227 ppi
MacBook: 12 inches, 2304×1440, 226 ppi
From Peru: 13.3 inches, 13.3 inches, 2560×1600, 227 ppi
The Air 2017 is just a MacBook with a non-Retina display, and the difference is palpable. It's only 128 pixels per inch so images and text will definitely appear aliased. It also uses distorted distortion (TN) display, which suffers from poor viewing angles and lower overall quality compared to IPS displays on other MacBooks. One more delicacy: Touch bar 13-inch version The MacBook Pro has a wide color (DCI) -P3) True Tone display while non-touch bar model does not.
MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Size
If you buy one of these laptops, size is undoubtedly a very important factor in your decision. Not surprisingly, the four models are very similar in appearance, with only a tenth of an inch separating three models:
MacBook Air (2017): 12.8 x 8.94 x 0.11-0.68 inches & # 39;
MacBook Air (2018): 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.16-0.61 inches & # 39;
MacBook: 11.04 x 7.74 x 0.14-0.52 inches & # 39;
From Peru: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.59
As you can see, the MacBook is the smallest of the three, but not much. Just 0.83 x 0.62 inches separate from this MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, which is less than a tenth of an inch. Thinner than MacBook Air. At the thickest stage, the new MacBook Air is actually thicker than the MacBook Pro, but since the latter does not have a wedge design, the profession will feel a bit thicker when carrying it. Defying the last name, the 2017 MacBook Air is thick and big in a bunch, clocking in almost five inches wider than the MacBook even though it has the same screen size.
MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Design
Jason Cross / IDGMacBook Pro, MacBook, and the MacBook Air 2018 have a very similar aesthetics: dark black colors flank the screen and a giant mouse pad centered underneath the black keys. As the MacBook is the smallest model, the keys abut the sides of the enclosure and the speakers are above the keyboard, while the 2018 MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro have enough space next to the keys for a pair of stereo speakers. All are immediately identified as modern Apple notebooks, even if they no longer have a glowing Apple logo.
The MacBook Air 2017, however, is the last remaining Apple laptop in this Doing There is a logo that lights up, though comes with a much older design. The frame around the screen are much bigger money than the other MacBooks, and the trackpad is significantly smaller, leaving quite a bit of room dead under the keyboard. It is a nice design but feels a little dated.
MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Colors
You can get all these MacBooks in money as well as some other colors:
MacBook Air (2017): Of money
MacBook Air (2018): Silver, space gray, gold
MacBook: Silver, space gray, gold
From Peru: Silver, gray space
It basically boils down to a matter of preference, but if you have set your heart on gold, the MacBook Pro is out.
MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Weight
All of Apple's notebooks are easy enough to throw in a bag without adding too much weight, but the MacBook is still much lighter than the others:
MacBook Air (2017): 2.96 kg
MacBook Air (2018): 2.75 kg
MacBook: 2.03 kg
From Peru: 3.02 kg
There was a time when the 2017 MacBook Air was Apple's lightest laptop. But now, compared to its modern brothers, it's quite heavy and weighs almost like a MacBook Pro beefier. The 2018 MacBook Air sheds about a quarter of a pound, but it's still much heavier than the MacBook Air. It's just confusing.
MacBook Air vs MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Processor
Goren Ives (CC0)As with any computer, processor speed is where MacBooks really set themselves apart from each other. First let's check out the base processor for each model:
MacBook Air (2017): 1.8GHz Dual Core Core V Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost Up to 2.9GHz
MacBook Air (2018): 1.6GHz dual-core 8th Intel Core i5, Turbo boost up to 3.6GHz
MacBook: 1.2GHz Dual Core Intel Core M3 Core, Turbo Boost Up to 3.0GHz
From Peru: 2.3GHz dual-core 7 Intel Core i5, Turbo boost up to 3.6GHz
To the untrained eye, the old MacBook Air may look faster than the new one. This is not the case. The 2017 Air uses a fifth-generation Core i5 chip dusty while the new model uses the current eighth gen. So it's pretty fast. The MacBook Pro, meanwhile, uses the i5 of the seventh with a much higher clock speed, so it's the fastest of the pitch, as it should be.
The MacBook uses the Intel Core M3 processor, so it is slower than the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, but a bit faster than in 2017. However, you can beat it up to 1.3GHz dual-core Intel VII generation Core i5 processor if you want an extra $ 300. Pro can also be seriously padded, with options up to a 2.4GHz quad-core processor and a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor in a touch-bar model and rising from there.
MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Graphics
With integrated graphics, none of the MacBooks here are going to bring you very far if you are looking to make high-end games or serious graphics labor intensive. Still, everyone offers slightly different GPUs, with Pro leading the package again:
MacBook Air (2017): Intel HD Graphics
MacBook Air (2018): Intel UHD Graphics
MacBook: Graphics of Intel HD 615
From Peru: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
Although there is a higher number, the MacBook Air 2017 raises the back as always, with the old, slow GPU. The others are much more capable, with Iris Plus on the MacBook Pro and out the UHD unit in the air. And if you up to touch the touch bar, you get a little better Intel iris plus 655 graphics with 128GB of eDRAM (compared to the 64GB on the touchless bar model).
MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: RAM
Michael Deagonia / IDGThe new 13-in. The MacBook Pro sits at the top of the MacBook Air, showing the footprint of the new model's new model.
All models start at 8GB of RAM and offer up to 16GB, but there is a small difference in speeds between them:
MacBook Air (2017): 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 memory
MacBook Air (2018): 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
MacBook: 8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 memory
Memory Pack
RAM speed will not make a significant difference in performance (even jumping from 1600MHz in 2017 air to 2133MHz model 2018), but if you can afford it, more RAM is always better. On all these models (except 2017 air), you can double the RAM to 16GB for an extra $ 200. It's a steep price for 8GB of RAM, but since you can not upgrade it after the fact, it's something to consider, no matter what model you buy.
Compared to the MacBook compared to the 13 inch MacBook Pro: Storage
All of the Apple laptops offer SSD storage, so no matter which model you choose, you are going to have a very fast drive. The only difference is the ability at the entry level:
MacBook Air (2017): 128GB
MacBook Air (2018): 128GB
MacBook: 256GB
From Peru: 128GB
Like RAM, you want to get the most you can afford when you purchase. Apple offers a wide range of upgrade options for MacBook Air and Pro, a discount coating at 1.5TB, and we definitely recommend upgrading from the 128GB offered in the base models. As a rule, Apple charges $ 200 per extra 128GB, but strangely, there are no BTO SSD options on the MacBook. If you want additional storage, you will need to buy the i5 Core model with 512GB of storage for $ 300 more.
MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: ports
Jason Cross / IDGHere's what separates the machines from the toys. On a MacBook you only get a USB-C port and a headphone jack when you get some connectivity options on the Pro:
MacBook Air (2017): Two USB 3, one Thunderbolt 2, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack
MacBook Air (2018): Two Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C, 3.5 mm headphone jack
MacBook: One USB-C (not thunderbolt), a 3.5mm headphone jack
From Peru: Two Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Again, the MacBook Air 2017 shows its age here, with the USB-A ports and the former Thunderbolt port, and author of the book Old Charging School Charging. The MacBook is also frustratingly weak with I / O, with only one non-Thunderbolt USB-C port to handle charging and peripheral connections. Then dock and dongles are more or less mandatory if you are going to do something similar to work.
The new Air adds another USB-C Thunderbolt port, allowing you to do two things at the same time, but it's still a good idea to continue collecting a hub to add additional functionality. Also, you'll get a pair of USB-C ports with the Pro entry level, but the gold standard is a touch-bar model, with four USB-C ports, enough to plug a charger, display, and two peripheral devices.
Compared to a MacBook 13 inch MacBook Pro: Keyboard / Trackpad
While all keyboards here are full size with ambient light sensors for backlighting, the MacBook Air 2017 is the only model that does not use a much polished butterfly keyboard. 2018 MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar use a newer version of the third generation than protects against dust and dirt and harms the noise of little keys, but it still boils down to a matter of preference. The MacBook Air also uses Apple's old mouse pad, which supports gesture but not Force Touch commands.
Macbook Air vs MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Touch ID, Touch Bar, Security
IDGThe MacBook, MacBook Air, and entry-level MacBook Pro have a host of function keys at the top of the keyboard. If you select the 13-inch Intel Core i5 MacBook Pro, you'll get the Touch Bar, which replaces the key row of the function with a narrow screen of keys that changes depending on the app you're using.
The MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and the new MacBook Air come equipped with a fingerprint recognition ID sensor at the left end of the keyboard's top row. Like the iPhone and iPad, it can be used to open the Mac, verify secure applications such as password managers, and make purchases. MacBook and 2017 MacBook Air does not have a fingerprint sensor.
Along with the Touch ID, the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air 2018 also include the Apple T2 security chip, which "enables a new level of security by combining a secure enclave processor that provides the foundation for new encrypted storage and secure boot capabilities." Storing and encrypting your fingerprint biometrics, protecting your MacBook's microphone against potential hackers.
MacBook vs MacBook Pro: Battery
All Apple laptops will accept you for a full day of work, let or take some tasks:
MacBook Air (2017): 54-watt-hour battery, up to 12 hours running iTunes movie
MacBook Air (2018): 50.3 watt hour battery, up to 13 hours running iTunes movie
MacBook: Battery 41.4-watt-hour, up to 12 hours running iTunes movie
From Peru: 54.5 watt hour battery, up to 10 hours running iTunes movie
The battery life of Apple's MacBook depends largely on the power and efficiency of the processor, so the MacBook Pro, which has the largest battery of the group, is rated for the shortest amount of use. Please note that if you increase the Touch Bar model, you will receive a 58 watt battery, but it is still rated for the same 10 hours of iTunes playback.
MacBook vs MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Buying Tip
Now that you know what's different about Apple's smallest laptops, which one do you need to buy? The choice is not as difficult as you might think.
MacBook Air (2017): Buying Advice
IDGUnless you have exactly a thousand dollars to spend (plus tax) and you are definitely
Should be a MacBook, there is no reason to buy the 2017 MacBook Air. (And even them we would recommend getting a refurbished MacBook.) Even with the lowest entry price among Apple notebooks, it's still overpriced, and the only things that goes for it are superficial: a butterfly keyboard, a glowing Apple logo, and Magnes magnetic connector. The list of things does not have much more: USB-C, Retina Screen, Touch ID, Power Touchpad, Respected Processor. And its design greatly feels like it's eight years.
recommendation: Just buy it if you can get it for $ 700 or less.
MacBook Air (2018): Buying Advice
Jason Cross / IDGApple new laptops are usually a safe purchase, and the MacBook Air 2018 is not
Outstanding. While this does not necessarily bring something revolutionary on the table, this fantastic upgrade on the previous generation is worth the $ 1,199 price tag. It has a great design, comes in three excellent colors, and is the only touch-free MacBook bar to include sensor touch detection and T2 chip.
Unfortunately you can not upgrade the processor, but the second-generation core 8GHz Intel Core i5 should be a lot of power for anyone considering the machine. The battery, storage and retina display are all good, even if you can swing it, additional 128GB storage will go a long way.
recommendation: If you want the best laptop 13 inch Mac is not a pro, that's it.
MacBook: Buying Advice
Roman LoyolaUnless an inch and three quarters of a pound tells you so much, we can not see
Any reason to recommend paying $ 100 more to get the MacBook on a new MacBook Air. The highest-end MacBook has 256 gigabytes of storage compared to 128 gigabytes on the MacBook Air, making the $ 100 trip easier to swallow, but otherwise you get a slow processor More, a smaller screen, one less USB-C port (and not one Thunderbolt) and a smaller battery. It does not have a contact ID.
recommendation: Buy the MacBook if you definitely need the smallest and lightest MacBook.
MacBook Pro: Buying Tip
AppleThe difference between the MacBook Pro and the other MacBooks comes to
Versatility. The $ 1,299 touch-free model has a better processor than the MacBook Air, but not too much, and has the same storage base, RAM, ports, and screen. The air is lighter, feels thinner due to its wedge design, and has a better battery life. And the sensor's touch of air is just a bonus that is not available at the MacBook Pro entry level.
But Pro offers huge upgrade options. Like the air, you can double the RAM and add terabyte of storage, and you can also upgrade the processor, something you can not do on air. And, of course, there is no touch option on the air as well.
recommendation: At the right price, the MacBook Pro can be the ultimate 13 inch Mac, but if you only have a budget of $ 1,300, we would get Air with 256GB of storage for only $ 100 more.
MacBook vs MacBook vs 13 inch MacBook Pro: Our overall choice
For $ 1,199, the MacBook Air 2018 is hard to pass. It's $ 100 cheaper than MacBook and MacBook Pro, giving you room to upgrade your storage without breaking your budget, and has a fantastic design, touch sensor ID, and T2 chip. The only other model we recommend is the 13 inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, which starts at $ 1,799. However, you get a lot more for your money, including Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Iris Plus 655 processor, 256GB of storage, True Tone display, four USB ports and C-Thunderbolt. Unless you can get a crazy deal on a MacBook or a MacBook Air 2017, these are basically just two of your options.
