With the development of this new Mac-buying device, we aim to help you choose the best choice between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, now that MacBook sales have been canceled by Apple.
We give you the answer to the question of which MacBook should I buy ?, now that the company has updated its entire MacBook Pro range with the latest Intel Core processor and solved the keyboard problem of previous generations.
If you are considering buying a new MacBook laptop, then you will have seen how the decision to buy, among the various options for Mac laptops offered by Apple, is not an easy one. Our shopping guide aims to help you through this difficult task.
Currently, Apple's offering comes in two different options: the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, which can be purchased in 13-inch or 16-inch sizes.
Pro models were the last to get an update, so now all MacBooks Pro's now have a Touch Bar and a new keyboard. Previously, the offer was very different with a big difference.
With the new range of models, all of them (both 13-inch MacBook Air, and 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro) have a retina display with True Tone, as well as a Fingerprint sensor.
Read our full description and comparison of each MacBook computer, and our recommendations on which model is best for your specific consumer type. You can check out yet another article about the 5 best MacBook models.
We also discuss the different settings and screen size of each MacBook, to help you with the purchase decision so you only spend the required amount, not one euro.
If you're not sure if you should buy a MacBook laptop or choose an iMac desktop, you should read our Mac Shopping Guide where we combine both methods.
And if you don't have a big budget, we recommend reading the cheapest Mac: Mac, MacBook Air or Mac mini.
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air continues to be Apple's smallest and easiest profile to buy today, limited to a 13-inch touchscreen configuration. There are also two basic configurations available in gray space, gold, or silver:
MacBook Air 13 inch, Core i3 dual-core 1.1 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1256 GB: € 1,199.00
MacBook Air 13 inch, Core i5 quad-core 1.1 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB: € 1,499.00
You can see the configuration is available after the updates made by Apple to the rest of the configuration, since the values shown here are basic models. After the last update, it all features a 10th-generation Intel Core processor that works well.
Both models come with 8 GB of RAM, something to be updated and expanded to 16 GB if you want to have a laptop for a while. The lowest storage capacity is 256 GB of SSD with up to 2 TB.
Both models come standard with Intel Iris Plus Graphics, with the exception of the more dedicated graphics modifications, as is the case with the MacBook Pro. With Turbo Boost, it is possible to increase the speed to 3.2 GHz for the most basic case.
It is a serious way to be considered by students, travelers and users who use the laptop in their daily lives to discover many aspects. Please note that it is the cheapest Apple laptop trick you can buy (the current iPhone SE 2020).
Communication is something you can play and challenge depending on your point of view. We have two Thunderbolt 3 (USB C) ports, so you should have no trouble connecting to any tool. If you are not, you must select an adapter.
As you know, there was an 11-inch MacBook Air model that was stopped and you can no longer find it in Apple's official stores. However, if you feel a special interest in its small screen and size, you can choose to go shopping online
In the wake of Apple's decision to cancel the sale of the 12-inch MacBook, which is only available by official distributors or at Apple's refurbished equipment division, MacBook Air remains a leader among Apple's MacOS systems.
MacBook Pro 2020
The first thing to keep in mind when looking at the MacBook Pro purchase option is to choose the screen size you will need. The MacBook Pro range is now covered with 13- and 16-inch models.
With the latest update made by Apple, everything is already with the introduction of the Touch Bar (something that sets them apart from the MacBook Air), in addition to having a new generation of Magic Keyboard.
In the past, Apple has been keeping certain entry-level models apart from Touch Bar and Celt Lake usage plans, something that has now changed to offer an eighth-or-tenth-generation processor.
It also claims that as good as the 15-inch MacBook Pro screen, it rewards its powerful and versatile display in 16-inch screen size, featuring Core i7 processors and Core i9 processors.
The touch bar is part of the MacBook Pro keyboard that holds the function keys. Its display changes depending on the work done by the app and the apps. Fully customized and includes a Touch ID where possible to secure access by fingerprint.
From iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad, it's the closest thing to a touch experience you can get when using a Mac. Below, we show you the prices of each of the basic new edits offered by Apple on its MacBook Pro, available in gray or silver. Here there is no gold color.
MacBook Pro 13 inch (2020)
13-inch MacBook Pro (quad-core), 8th gen quad core Core i5 at 1.4 GHz (Turbo Boost at 3.9 GHz), 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage: € 1,499
13-inch MacBook Pro (quad core), 8th gen quad core Core i5 at 1.4 GHz (Turbo Boost 3.9 GHz), 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage: € 1,749
13-inch MacBook Pro (four heads), 8th gen quad core Core i5 at 2 GHz (Turbo Boost 3.8 GHz), 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage: 2,199 €
13-inch MacBook Pro (four heads), 8th gen quad core Core i5 at 2 GHz (Turbo Boost 3.8 GHz), 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage: 2,379 €
MacBook Pro 16 inch
16-inch MacBook Pro (six cores), 9th Gen Core i7 at 2.6 GHz (Turbo Zoom up to 4.5 GHz), 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics: 2,699 €
16-inch MacBook Pro (eight characters), 9th Gen Core i7 at 2.3 GHz (Turbo Increase to 4.8 GHz), 16 GB of RAM too 1TB Storage, Graphics AMD Radeon Pro 5500M: € 3,199
After the latest upgrades, the 13-inch MacBook Pro models can be found with either 8th-gen quad-core processors, or with 10th-gen quad-core processors. All shown here is a Core i5 so if you increase the Core i7 the price goes up by € 250.
They all also have a new magic keyboard, as well as a Power Bar navigation bar. It is assumed that on all MacBook Pro screens there is a Retina with Tone Tone installed with the T2 chip we first saw on the iMac Pro.
Without basic modifications, it is possible to update specifications of the 13-inch models, such as RAM up to 16 GB, and its storage, which can go up to 2 TB.
The important thing is that if your claim on the graphics of the operating system you use is great, you should choose MacBook Pro 16 models, as they allow you to install AMD Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M graphics with 4 or 8 GB of GDDR6 to choose.
Another thing that Apple has finally integrated into the MacBook Pro is these connectors, so you can get them in all the same types through two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports.
In some cases, we would recommend that you choose the previous-generation model for its exciting price when you find it in retail or wholesale stores. However, given the latest updates in both genres (late 2019 and 2020), it's something you should take away.
Keep in mind that the savings will not be that important, which Apple added that it was about to install a new generation of its Magic Keyboard, to kill the problems its laptops had in recent years, installed replacement programs.
Which Mac laptop should I buy and thinking of going with it?
Following the cancellation of the MacBook 12 sale by Apple, the MacBook Air is once again the cheapest laptop for sale.
In previous generations, the MacBook Air was standard in terms of connectivity ports, something you had to be willing to sacrifice in order to enjoy greater mobility and light. This has changed in the current generation, by having 2 Thunderbolt USB-C ports similar to the MacBook Pro.
The MacBook Air name goes on to suggest that it is a team that excels in high-end travel, due to its small screen size, and its redesigned chassis, whose weight sits at 1.29 kg in size between 0.4 and 1.6 mm.
Of course, the screen of the MacBook 12 for sale has been canceled much smaller than the 13.3-inch Air, with a resolution of 2304 x 1440 pixels. However, the new MacBook Air has 2,560 x 1,600 custom resolution at 227 pixels.
If you're on a budget, the cheapest MacBook Air can currently be purchased for € 1,199 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. All models, including the basics, have retina display with True Toney Touch ID.
Which Mac laptop is best if I want greater independence?
The 13-inch MacBook Air's battery life is much higher than any we've tested so far. Apple describes it as a "daily battery" but it means you can get through 12 hours of usage in web browsing mode and use wireless connectivity forgetting about the charger.
As seems obvious, this choice was followed by that provided by the MacBook 12, about 10 hours of offline internet browsing and 12 hours of video. In the case of the current MacBook Pro, the new generation of processors works very well, so you don't get bad times either.
In fact, according to the specific sheet of Apple itself, with the current MacBook Pro battery you can achieve up to 10 hours of autonomy in standard operating conditions. In the standby mode, any MacBook model can last up to 30 days in standby.
What's the best Mac laptop for storage?
If you have big storage requirements, in addition to all the benefits that can bring you cloud services today, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is the only way to go, as it offers the opportunity to get up to 8 TB SSD storage.
The 13-inch models offer a maximum capacity of 4 TB, considering the low pressure requirements. On the MacBook Air side, Apple is listening to customers and can now scale up to 4TB.
There is always a variant of converting to external storage devices and connecting them only when necessary. There are very interrelated and high-quality features, in addition to those that provide an Ethernet network connection to connect to a router or business network.
What's the fastest Mac laptop?
If performance is just what you need in abundance, it seems your choice should be obviously the new 16-inch Mac-Pro. It is true that on a 13-inch MacBook Pro you can get 10th-generation processors, compared to the 16-inch nine.
However, only the 16-inch MacBook Pro guarantees impeccable defects. In addition to carrying dedicated AMD Radeon Pro graphics, memory capacity can reach 64GB, and up to 8TB storage.
In the past, there have been many differences between the dual-core dual-core and the quad-core or six-core processors. For now, the difference is less noticeable. In addition to the MacBook Air, within the MacBook Pro category you will find a wide variety of processors. This makes a real difference to the power required of the processor.
If you are one of those looking for a job or projects that are looking for good performance, you should choose to buy the highest speed machine. Apple's offering offers a choice between the 8-generation models and the 8-core Core i7 and i9 models.
The best laptop for Mac to work with
As you may know, every user who has purchased a new MacBook laptop encounters an app with a series of applications such as iWork that will allow them to be more productive. IWork includes tools like Pages, Numbers and Keynote for Apple (competitors of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
If you expect to work directly from a laptop in a comprehensive way that generates content, you'll probably want to opt for a 16-inch MacBook Pro just for the extra screen and viewing area.
However, if you plan to use the computer in the desktop mode on which you are mounting the external screen, the screen size of your MacBook 13 should not be a deciding factor. In this case you can choose the 13-inch MacBook Pro model.
Even though you can find second-generation MacBook Pro models without the Touch Bar on the market, it's something we do not recommend, now that Apple has already completely abandoned itself and withdrew from the sale.
Also consider the power factor and connection to do your job with USB-C or Thunderbolt connections. And of course, consider whether you would go too far to find the balance between running and running a MacBook Air, now that they are all Retina signs.
Mac's leading laptop for designers
If you want to use your MacBook to perform more powerful tasks related to design and creation, you should set aside your MacBook Air and its specific focus on the MacBook Pro.
If you're a graphic designer, a video editor, or even a photographer, chances are you'll benefit from the big screen and the powerful Mac. There is no longer a 17-inch MacBook Pro option, but the 16-inch MacBook Pro models are much better.
In addition to their large display, they combine the CPU and GPU-enabled graphics capabilities with 4 or 8 GDDR5 memory, to provide great performance on demanding tasks, such as moving 3D titles to Final Cut Pro X.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro models can appeal to a specific area that wants to save money, if you are really editing photos at a time or not using a laptop for professional projects. But keep in mind that it all depends on the composite drawings without choosing the top drawings.
However, we've tried one with the eGPU and were impressed with the functionality it offers, so if that suits you, then don't discount the 13-inch model.
Best gaming laptop for Mac
Mac game offerings are on the rise, especially since the launch of the Apple Arcade, and the announcement of SteamVR compatibility in the WWDC model years ago. Also, the ability to install Windows with Boot Camp on a Mac means that Mac players can run with Windows games.
If you want to buy a MacBook you can play, we recommend a 16-inch, very powerful MacBook Pro. It's expensive, as is the case in the Windows world, but offers AMD Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M graphics. If you want to save money, the input model will suffice.
The Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 chip, available on 13-inch models, should also be able to handle multiple games at a reasonable fps rate. As an extra measure you can bet on Blackmagic in the GPU, which can cost you around € 695, as listed on the Apple App Store.
In fact, the MacBook Air is not powerful enough in today's games, or not enough if you just want to play older titles or games indie from time to time.
Best Mac Mac for students
We think many modern readers have needs similar to those of business users. Therefore, they will want to be able to take their MacBook to courses that require mobility and unless they have high capacity, (unless they are in a higher grade level or are compatible with graphic design or video editing).
If so, we would recommend the 13-inch MacBook Pro as well, but student and parent budgets may find the MacBook Air a cheaper option. Now that the Spirit configuration has been updated, its quality / price ratio is interesting, but it has increased the RAM to 16 GB and don't settle for less. It's something you can thank us for.
You can also look at the option of buying an iPad if it turns out that Apple Pencil usage is your top priority and your new work profile. Take a look at our article on the upcoming iPad 5 of 2019 to see if its performance is adequate.
A cheap laptop for Mac
If money is a deciding factor when buying a MacBook, then the cheapest model is the 256GB MacBook Air with its 13-inch screen, which costs € 1,149.00.
If you want to choose the MacBook Pro model, the less expensive it will cost you 200 euros over the Air's most basic configuration with Touch Bar and Touch ID, not bad. It will have a bit more weight to your journey, but gives you better installation processors.
It is always possible to look at Apple's recycled hardware store, where you can always find MacBook computers at reduced prices. This is what the company calls a setback with its guarantee terms.
You won't find the difference between new and duplicate, with the encouragement that you continue to get a one-year warranty from Apple if you want to switch, from the moment you start shopping.
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