MacBook Air vs. Macbook Pro: Which Apple Laptop Should You Choose in 2020?
Apple makes three distinct sorts of Mac Laptop, and inside every one of those models, there are differences in the features, performance, and price, so things can get truly messed up.
To get a better perspective, I have created this small guide so you can buy the best Apple Laptop for your needs.
Before I begin, I want to clear this confusion about Apple ditching intel based macs forever. Yes, Apple has made an announcement to transition from Intel-based Mac to their Apple Silicon-based mac(ARM) in a coming couple of years which means by the year 2022 there will be no more macs powered by Intel processors, but Apple has committed to supporting Intel-based Macs long into the future and in my opinion, every new technology whether its ARM will take time to evolve. So there are no issues investing in Intel-based Macbook for the coming 3–4 years.
What is Apple Offering Right now?
Currently (In 2020), Apple offers three types of Macbook Models with different screen sizes. Macbook Air 13 inch, MacBook Pro 13inch, MacBook Pro 16 inch
1.Macbook Air 13 inch
The MacBook Air is the lightest as well as the cheapest of the Apple Macbook Lineup.
MacBook Air was updated in March 2020. It is now equipped with more powerful storage, RAM, Intel 10nm quad-core processor, and an improved keyboard, which makes it a perfect proposition for anyone who is on a budget and wants an Apple Laptop.
It is also a dealbreaker for some who only want gold Macbook since no other MacBook models are available in Gold color.
The MacBook Air is ideal for any individual who regularly needs to have their laptop with them, particularly people on the go or individuals working outdoors.
Because of its portability and Its Retina display with a 2K resolution, it really makes writing or watching content outdoors or indoors a pleasant experience.
The MacBook Air is not the fastest MacBook, yet it relies upon what you will do with it, and what your needs are. If most of what you do on your Mac is regular assignments, for example, sending emails, browsing the web, and utilizing office applications, watching videos.MacBook Air is more than enough to address your requirements.
Indeed, even if you feel the need to edit some content, you can cheerfully utilize the Air for editing videos or photographs taken from your iPhone or camera.
Also, in any event, if you need more speed or capacity(a quicker processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB, or 2TB SSD) is available to customize on Apple Store online.
The MacBook Air offers 10 hours of battery life, which is all that anyone could need to last through your 8hr working day.
The MacBook Air doesn’t have a plethora of ports; it just has two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports and an earphone jack. So if you are the one that frequently connects many external peripherals, you have to buy a thunderbolt dock.
Overall, Macbook Air right now is a great apple laptop for everyday use. It includes the latest components which will last you more than a couple of years for your daily needs.
2.Macbook Pro 13 inch
Apple refreshed the 13in MacBook Pro in May 2020 when Apple improved the advanced models with new Intel 10th Gen processors, 16GB RAM as standard and improved thermals.
Presently 13in MacBook Pro has a base model and advanced model.
The base Model has slow memory and weaker graphics compared to the advanced model.
Base Model
- 1.4GHz 8th Gen Quad-Core Processor, 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645. *
Advanced Model
- 2.0GHz 10th Gen Quad-Core Processor 512GB Storage, 16GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X, Intel Iris Plus Graphics. *
*Models can be customized if you need a better processor, RAM, or capacity, but they will be upgraded on their model paths. In other words, the Macbook Pro base model can’t have the 10th gen processor or faster frequency RAM it will be upgraded on a faster 8th Gen Intel processor and a better capacity RAM.
Although, the new Magic Keyboard, which replaces the hazardous butterfly keyboard on previous MacBook Pro, is available on both base and advanced models.
As the Pro name proposes, this is a more powerful machine than the MacBook Air but slower than Macbook Pro 16 inch 2020. It is in between those models. So if you need most power on the go, Macbook Pro 13inch 2020 is best.
The primary focus points are the high-res screen and ground-breaking processors, and the way that you get all that in a generally light and portable body.
Battery life should do the trick for everyday use. I think the MacBook Pro is ideal for any individual who needs an amazing laptop that they can haul around without cutting down on their creative workflows.
MacBook Pro also highlights on the OLED Touch Bar. This element, one of a kind selling purpose of the Pro line, gives users relevant controls relying upon the creative applications they’re utilizing. In my opinion, it does provides some level of expandability, but most of the time, functional keys in Macbook Air make the most sense.
Both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro use a Touch ID unique fingerprint to unlock your laptop.
Gaming on Macbook Pro 13inch is doable on low to medium resolutions, but if you want better frame rates and more details. You need to hook up an external GPU closure to one of the thunderbolt three ports on Macbook Pro 13 inch.
Overall, The MacBook Pro is an incredible option for professionals who are searching for power and portability. With regards to whether you should purchase the Air or MacBook Pro, that depends upon what you will utilize it for. If lightness and power matter most to you, then the Pro 13inch will suit you. Otherwise, go for the MacBook Air.
3.MacBook Pro 16inch
MacBook Pro 16 inch is actually a big brother of Macbook Pro 13 inch discussed above. Everything from build quality to Magic keyboard is the same. But The main differences lie in the processors, storage, RAM, bigger display, speakers, and graphics chips.
While the base model 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with a 6-core 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, a 512GB SSD, and an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU. The processor in the MacBook Pro 16inch is miles ahead and almost twice as powerful than the processor in Macbook Pro 13inch. Another area where MacBook Pro 16inch shines is its integrated 5300M Graphics chip, which can provide a great boost when doing graphics-intensive workflow.RAM, is also customizable and can be upgraded up to 64GB if you utilize RAM intensive workflows or open tons of tabs in Chrome or Safari.
There is also an advanced model that has a more powerful 8-core 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, a 1TB SSD, and a more powerful GPU.
16in MacBook Pro
Base Model
- 2.6GHz 6-core 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz, AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, 512GB SSD storage.
Advanced Model
- 2.3GHz 8-core 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.8GHz, AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, 1TB SSD storage.
MacBook Pro 16 inches includes the best speakers you’ll discover on a laptop. It has three speakers on each side, including two woofers. The outcome is sound with discernible bass and extraordinary sound separation, which provides immersive experience while watching movies or editing tracks for video or audio production.
Gaming on the Base and Advanced Model is doable on a high resolution with acceptable frame rates. But for the best gaming experience, I will suggest MacBook Pro 16inch with Radeon Pro 5600M graphics, which provides the most power for Graphic Workflows and best for Gaming on Macbook. Check out more on Why Macbook Pro 16inch is the Best Laptop of 2020 story for more information.
Final Thoughts
If I had to summarize the above three models in a one-liner. Here they are
Macbook Air 13 inch-Budget Apple Laptop, Best Apple Laptop, for everyday use.
MacBook Pro 13inch-Portable and Powerful Apple Laptop
MacBook Pro 16 inch- Most Powerful Apple Laptop for handling anything and everything.
