You could also spend another 150150 on a 1.2GHz quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz). Your fully specced MacBook Air would then cost a comparable 1,6491,649.

Within those two categories there are two version of the MacBook Air, four 13in MacBook Pro models, and two 16in MacBook Pro.

There are also a number of build-to-order options that you can add such as extra RAM, more storage, or a faster processor.

One factor is how recently Apple updated the Mac laptop and whether it is likely to be updating it again soon.

And you may have other things that are important like portability and power.

Apple made a big announcement at WWDC in June 2020: it will be transitioning all its Macs from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon processors (aka ARM) over the next two years.

If you want to know more about what this means read our guide to Apple Silicon, and our comparison of Apple Silicon vs Intel, and if you want to know if this means that buying a new Intel Mac now is a bad idea read this: Should I buy an Intel Mac.

So well start off by comparing them: by comparing those two 1,2991,299 models we can demonstrate the differences between the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

That should give you a good indication of which kind of Mac laptop is best for you.

As of March 2020 for the Air, and May 2020 for the MacBook Pro, both Apple laptops now offer the improved Magic Keyboard - the keyboard in models sold since 2017 have been plagued by issues.

You also get the Touch Bar - something that the Air doesnt offer.

Following the May 2020 update this MacBook Pro now has 256GB storage (prior to the update it only offered 128GB).

However, its still half the storage offered by the Air - and this Pro is still hampered in comparison to the Air by its 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory and the 8th generation processor.

The only thing it has going for it that the Air doesnt is the Touch Bar, which we think it more of a gimmick than an essential feature.

The processor might look faster, but its an 8th generation processor and there will be benefits associated with that.

It also has faster RAM: 8GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory rather than 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory, and there is a 512GB SSD rather than a paltry 128GB SSD.

We talk about this here: Why you shouldnt buy the entry-level MacBook Pro.

We think an update will be released later this year or potentially these entry-level MacBook Pro models could be discontinued with a new MacBook model taking their place.

Given that the Air costs 200200 less than this Pro, and also has 512GB storage, if storage is what matters most to you its going to be a no-brainer: save your money.

But they start at 1,7991,799, which is 500500 more than the 1,2991,299 Air.

The faster processor will be a boost - the Air features a 1.1GHz Quad-Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost to 3.5GHz), but it is disappointing that the processor doesnt look as impressive as the previous generation did: prior to the May 2020 update youd have got a 2.4GHz Quad-Core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 Processor with Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz.

Prior to the update the RAM was inferior: 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory.

Now you will find 16GB 16GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory as standard in these two mid-range models.

The extra RAM is certainly a good reason to buy these MacBook Pros.

You could also spend another 150150 on a 1.2GHz quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz).

Your fully specced MacBook Air would then cost a comparable 1,6491,649.

Which Mac Laptop Is Best For Business