MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Which should you buy in 2022?

MacBook Air and Pro Hardware Comparison

##The 2020 MacBook Air and Pro machines are equipped with powerful and efficient M1 chip, equipped with 4 high-efficiency cores and 4 high-performance cores for CPU. But interestingly, it's actually a 7-core GPU on the base MacBook Air model, rather than the 8-core found on the higher-end Air configurations and all MacBook Pro models.

In addition to the slight GPU differences, you also get active cooling with the MacBook Pro. This is noteworthy because it allows the laptop to maintain high performance for longer under sustained load.

With the 14-inch MacBook Pro, you get the M1 Pro or M1 Max chip, with the option of more CPU and GPU cores, more RAM, a Full HD 1080p FaceTime camera, and more.

M1 – 8 coresM1 – 8 coresM1 Pro or M1 Max – 8 or 10 coresUp to 2TBUp to 2TBUp to 8TB##MemoryGraphics Neural Engine##FaceTime camera720p1080pSpeakersHas High Dynamic Range Stereo Speakers6 Speakers High FidelityMicrophones Studio-quality 3-microphone arrayStudio-quality 3-microphone arrayThermal ManagementActive cooling with fanActive cooling with fan

They may look smaller overall, but both MacBook Pro models have high dynamic range and stereo speakers, and the microphones are "studio quality."

Good to see Wi-Fi 6 supported on all models. However, it's only the 720p FaceTime camera on the 2020 MacBook. Apple says it improves image quality through an image signal processor. But to get the Full HD 1080p FaceTime camera, you'll need to buy the new 14-inch MacBook Pro.

You'll see great performance from all three in day-to-day computing, but if you're leaning toward a heavier workflow, the new MacBook Pro will be the winner.

If your workflow is light to medium, the MacBook Air is a great choice for portability and more price-conscious users.

MacBook Air vs Pro Display Comparison

#If screen brightness is important to you, the MacBook Pro has a brightness of 500-1600 nits, while the MacBook Air The brightness is 400 nits.

The new MacBook Pro's up to 1,000 nits of sustained brightness (1,600 nits peak) may only be available for HDR content, but with ProMotion, mini-LED backlighting, and thinner bezels, you still get up to 120Hz refresh rate.

	13-inch MacBook Air (2020)	13-inch MacBook Pro (2020)	14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
Processor
Storage
8 or 16GB	8 or 16GB	16 to 64GB
7 cores	8 cores	Up to 32 cores
16 core	16 core	16 core
720p
Wide-sounding stereo speakers
3 Microphone Array
Fanless

13.3"13.3"14.2"2560 x 16002560 x 16003024 x 1964##Aspect RatioProducer Price Index##nit500 Sustained up to 1000, peaked up to 1600##Retina display–Liquid Retina XDR Display## True Sound##

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro display has a notch in the top center of the display for the 1080p FaceTime camera. But unlike the iPhone, the new MacBook Pro laptops don't include Face ID hardware/support.

MacBook Air vs Pro I/O Comparison

2020 Air vs Pro vs Above The difference between the rest of the I/O not covered is the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro and the row of dedicated function keys on the MacBook Air (the new function keys are also used for dictation, spotlight, etc.).

One drawback of the 2020 MacBook is that it only supports 1 external monitor, up to 6K at 60Hz.

In comparison, the 14-inch MacBook Pro offers more I/O, including 3 USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, SDXC slot, MagSafe, and support for up to 3 external monitors.

	##13-inch MacBook Air (2020)	13-inch MacBook Pro (2020)	14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
Actual screen size
Resolution
16:10	16:10	16:10 Gap
227	227	254
(Brightness)400
			##ProMotion (up to 120Hz)
			##Mini LED Backlight
P3 Guangse

#Touch Control ID## Touch Bar ##USB-C/Thunderbolt Port##MagSafe Charging1 external monitor with resolution up to 6K at 60Hz1 Up to 2 external monitors with resolutions up to 6K at 60HzUp to 2 external monitors with resolutions up to 6K at 60Hz (M1 Pro) or up to 3 external monitors with resolutions up to 6K and 1 monitor with resolutions up to 60Hz External display at 4K (M1 Max)

	##13-inch MacBook Air (2020)	13-inch MacBook Pro (2020)	14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
MagicControlKeyboard
22	3		##HDMI
			##SDXC Card Reader
Bluetooth	5.0	5.0	5.0
Wireless Internet	Wireless Network 6 (802.11.ax)	Wireless Network 6 (802.11.ax)	Wireless Network 6 (802.11.ax)
##External monitor supports

#Size, weight and finish comparison

As you might expect, the MacBook Air is the lightest Machines, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is slightly heavier, and the 14-inch is naturally the heaviest.

The MacBook Air is also Apple's thinnest laptop, with a tapered design. If gold is appealing, keep that in mind It only works with MacBook Air.

##13-inch MacBook Air (2020)13-inch MacBook Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro WeightThicknessWidth DepthDisplay sizeFinish

Battery Life Comparison

Real-world usage of the Apple Silicon MacBook shows tremendous battery life compared to older Intel models. However, keep in mind that you may not be able to accurately see Apple ratings of up to 15-20 hours without compromises like lowering the display brightness.

But no matter what, the power efficiency and battery life improvements of Apple Silicon are huge!

		(2020)	(2021)
2.8 lb. (1.29 kg)	3 lb. (1.4 kg)	3.5 lb. (1.6 kg)
0.16-0.63 inches (0.41-1.61 cm)	0.61 inches (1.56 cm)	0.61 inches (1.55 cm)
11.97 inches (30.41 cm)	11.97 inches (30.31 cm)	12.31 inches (31.26 cm)
8.36 inches (21.24 cm)	8.36 inches (21.24 cm)	8.71 inches (22.12 cm)
13.3 inches (33.78 cm)	13.3 inches	14.2 inches
Silver, Space Gray and Gold	Silver or Space Gray	Silver or Space Gray

Price Comparison

There is a $300 to $1,000 difference between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro in different configurations.

Stock models are 13-inch Air and Pro in 256GB/8GB RAM and 512GB/8GB RAM configurations. The 16GB RAM models of the 2020 Air and Pro are custom orders.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999 for the base model, with the M1 Pro chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

	13-inch MacBook Air (2020)	13-inch MacBook Pro (2020)	14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
Wireless Network Battery	15 hours	17 hours	11 hours
Video Playback	18 hours	20 hours	17 hours
Included power adapter	30W USB-C	61W USB-C	67W or 96W USB-C MagSafe
Battery Capacity	49.9Wh	58.2Wh	70Wh
##Quick Charging

##256 / 16GB$1,199$1,499–512 / 16GB$1,399$1,6991,999 USD1TB / 16GB$1,599$1,899$2,4991TB/32GB––$2,899Custom BuildUp to $2,049 USDUp to $2,299Up to $5,899

Model/Price	13-inch MacBook Air (2020)	13-inch MacBook Pro (2020)	14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
256 / 8GB	$999	$1,299	–
512 / 8GB	$1,249	$1,499	–

MacBook Air vs. Pro Summary

Hope you Now it's clear which MacBook is right for you. If you value maximum power, active cooling for long periods of heavy workloads, a brighter screen, and more ports, the MacBook Pro is the way to go.

Meanwhile, if you have light-to-medium performance needs and prefer the lightest machine with long battery life, the MacBook Air is your choice, starting at a very reasonable $999.

But don’t forget about the possibility of a MacBook Air refresh in the coming months. If you know you want an Air but don't need it right away, it's worth waiting to see if a new model arrives this summer or fall.

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