Apple MacBook vs. Apple MacBook Pro
While both the 12-inch MacBook and the MacBook Pro are reliable machines in sleek packages, they vary in their capability, features and price.
The now-discontinued MacBook is still available at discounted prices, and the 2018 model has most of the features you would expect from a new laptop, including a crisp display and a USB-C port. Starting at a much higher price point, the MacBook Pro offers more memory and storage with powerful processing capability that handles tasks like video editing or digital painting with ease.
Choosing the right Apple laptop comes down to your budget and what programs and features you will use most often.
The 12-inch MacBook
The 12-inch MacBook, also known as the Retina MacBook for its Retina display, was in production from 2015 to 2019. Though it’s an older model, it remains a viable option for users who are on the go and don’t need a lot of ports or screen real estate. At 2.03 pounds and 0.5 inches thick, it fits easily in a backpack. You can get a 12-inch MacBook at Best Buy in a variety of configurations, including this model with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB hard drive. It’s also available on Amazon. Because this model is no longer in production, prices vary, but it can regularly be found for $640-$1,300.
Ports and available connections on the 12-inch MacBook
The 12-inch MacBook keeps things simple with a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and a multi-use USB-C port which allows for fast charging and data transferring. There are many adapters, cables and even docking stations available to expand this port’s capabilities if you need to plug in accessories such as displays or external drives.
Storage and RAM on 12-inch MacBooks
For such a small size, the 2017 MacBook can still be quite powerful. With 8GB RAM and up to 512GB internal SSD storage, 12-inch MacBooks are reasonably fast and spacious.
The 12-inch MacBook keyboard and trackpad
The 12-inch MacBook has a full-sized keyboard and trackpad, while the “Butterfly” mechanism keyboard allows for a thinner, lower-profile keyboard. The Force Touch trackpad was first introduced on this model and uses vibrations and other feedback to mimic the sensation of clicking without actually moving up and down.
Pros of the 12-inch MacBook
The 12-inch MacBook is lightweight, stylish and has a full-sized keyboard and trackpad while still remaining on the smaller side for portability. It can be configured to match the storage and RAM specs of a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. As it’s an older model, it’s often available at a discount
Cons of the 12-inch MacBook
Since it’s been discontinued and is therefore no longer being updated, you will miss out on more recent Apple features, such as the Touch Bar keyboards or more powerful processor chips. The 12-inch MacBook only has one USB-C port, so if you plug in a lot of devices, it might not be the best match. As it’s no longer offered by Apple, its warranty may be more limited. The butterfly keyboard has received plenty of criticism for its awkward feel.
The MacBook Pro
The 2020 MacBook Pro is a powerful choice for on-the-go audio and video editing and visual effects, as well as anybody else looking for more screen space and a powerful processor. The MacBook Pro comes in a 13-inch model and a 16-inch model. Both models weigh less than 4.5 pounds and are available in silver and space gray and range in price from $1,199-$1,899.
MacBook Pro features
The keyboard uses an updated version of the butterfly system on previous MacBook Pro models, and the new Touch Bar is an OLED strip, which serves to replace the function keys while still allowing access to other features such as Siri, TouchID and the power button. Depending on which apps you’re working in, you can also use it to access various functions within that app, such as playback or menu selections. It also works seamlessly with Apple’s accessibility features. The MacBook Pro has the same Force Touch trackpad as the 12-inch MacBook and the MacBook Air.
Available configurations
The newest MacBook Pro has up to four Thunderbolt 3 ports, which support USB-C and DisplayPort accessories, as well as a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and audio line out. It can be maxed out to 64GB RAM and 8TB internal storage (for the 16-inch model). Models from 2019 and earlier use Intel eight-core i9 processors of up to 5.0GHz, and the 2020 models use either the newer eight-core M1 chip (which combines functions into one chip for maximum efficiency) or the latest 10th generation Intel chip.
The MacBook Pro is a great choice for video editing, photography, graphic design or music production. The Retina display supports the P3 wide color gamut, making its color reproduction the most accurate yet for photo retouching and color correction. The new M1 chip allows for 4K or even 8K video editing and can support up to four external displays depending on the resolution. Both models have a three-microphone array and subwoofers which offer lower, more robust bass than the 12-inch MacBook’s speakers. In addition, the 16-inch model has six speakers. Lastly, the battery life has been improved to last up to 20 hours on the 13-inch model and up to 11 hours on the 16-inch model.
Pros of the MacBook Pro
If you are an artist or regularly edit videos, the MacBook Pro is more than capable for the job. It’s processing power and SSD are likely to keep up with the latest programs for 6 years or longer, and the vibrant screen offers richer colors than the 12-inch MacBook
Cons of the MacBook Pro
Even the base model 13-inch MacBook Pro is a significant investment, and you’ll need to pay even more to max out the available specs.
Apple MacBook vs. MacBook Pro: Which one should you get?
If you want a small, basic laptop for a low price while still enjoying the perks of MacOS and you don’t mind forgoing the latest features you would likely enjoy the 12-inch MacBook. If you’re a creative and you want the functionality of a Mac desktop but in a portable form factor, the MacBook Pro will suit your needs.
For a comfortable midpoint between the two options, the slim MacBook Air is a great laptop that starts at $999 and has many of the features of the MacBook Pro.
Adrian Wengenroth is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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