MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air: differences in specifications in the latest revisions

Apple today simplifies its range of laptops by removing some models. The 12-inch MacBook and pre-2018 MacBook Air are no longer commercially available through the Apple Store. Now it's just MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. More simple, right?

In appearance, Apple seems to have made the decision between these two models of laptops even easier. The price of MacBook Air dropped by $ 100 to $ 1,099 ($ ​​999 for students and teachers). At this price, it's $ 200 less than the new basic configuration of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.

And $ 200 is enough to make the difference in price so that you feel leaning towards the new MacBook Air. But there are several reasons why spending that extra $ 200 on a MacBook Pro could be worth it in the long run.

Keep in mind that we have not examined any of these machines yet. It is therefore less a recommendation, but rather a highlighting of the main differences in case you want to take the step now.

The main differences are subtle

The MacBook Air now comes with a True Tone screen, which allows it to automatically adjust its color temperature to make it more enjoyable for the eyes. It also has the "new hardware" keyboard, which aims to reduce the problems generated by Apple's butterfly keyboard. Both of these changes are excellent and allow to align more closely the Apple laptop, now the cheapest, with the MacBook Pro.

However, if you're an experienced user or just want to get the most out of your money, the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro updates will probably catch your eye. The new basic Pro version also includes a True Tone display, touch bar (your mileage may vary depending on this feature) and a more powerful quad-core Intel Core i5 processor. This latest specification is a big step forward for the entry-level model and Apple currently does not offer any quad-core processor option for the MacBook Air. The Pro's screen is also brighter than the MacBook Air's, even though they share the same size and resolution.

Picture of Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air usually reflect each other with respect to specifications. But for all that you get by paying a premium of $ 200, the MacBook Pro might prove to be a better choice for you. You may be wondering if it is better to spend $ 200 for a faster processor and a better Pro screen, or for an equivalent amount of 16GB of RAM on the MacBook Air. It's a hard call to make and it will depend a lot on your own needs and computer habits.

We will test both models in the near future to find a definitive solution, which is the best MacBook for most users, so stay tuned for that.

Here is an overview of the differences in specifications:

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