It's also physically larger, of course. But other than the performance, the larger screen, and the bigger size and weight, the inch MacBook Pro is a lot like the inch version. It still has four Thunderbolt 3 ports, two on each side, and a headphone jack. It also has the exact same low-travel butterfly-switch keyboard, Touch Bar, and Touch ID sensor, and aside from being even larger, using its Force Touch trackpad feels exactly the same as on the Air and the inch Pro. In our testing, a laptop with the Core i9 processor option and the Vega 20 GPU performed between 25 and 60 percent faster than a version with the X.
The Vega 20 MacBook Pro also lasted around an hour longer in our battery test which toggles between the integrated and dedicated graphics chips depending on the Web pages being displayed. And testing from both AppleInsider and YouTuber Max Yuryev indicates that the entire laptop runs a bit cooler with the Vega 20 installed, which can even improve CPU performance a bit by cutting down on heat-related throttling. Hopefully future MacBook Pro models can make Vega GPUs or newer versions with similar performance and efficiency improvements available as standard options rather than pricey upgrades.
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Consider the MacBook only if size and weight are more important to you than anything else; most people should get the Air. People looking for a cheap but good Apple laptop are better served by the MacBook Air, and people who need something faster than the Air should step up to the more up-to-date Touch Bar MacBook Pro. Disclosure: Senior editor Dan Frakes, who contributed to a previous version of this guide, accepted an editorial position at Apple in October Multiple Wirecutter editors reviewed and edited the content of this article to ensure impartiality.
The 1. The Air uses a fifth-generation U-series processor from Intel, while the Air uses a newer low-voltage Y-series processor that consumes less power. Apple MacBook Air The best all-around Mac laptop You get good-enough performance and a full workday of battery life in a thin, light laptop with a fantastic display and two Thunderbolt 3 ports. Upgrade pick.
Also great. Keyboard Killer: The flat style of Apple's 3rd-generation "butterfly switch" keyboards might not be to everyone's liking, but widespread stories of non-responsive keys are worrying. Perhaps the most famous screed on the subject is Casey Johnston's post detailing her keyboard woes for The Outline. Apple now replaces the keyboards for free and has added extra dust guards in the newer models. Apple has detailed instructions on how to clean the keyboard if yours gets flaky, which is a decent first line of defense against busted keys.
Apple also recently extended its keyboard repair program to cover repairs on all Macs that have been purchased within the past four years, regardless of warranty status. Parched for Ports: Then there's the port situation. It's a newer port that might not work with the devices you own.
You'll want to invest in a few adapters like this Aukey adapter if you plan on hooking your computer up to a projector, or want to use things like USB keys or SD cards. Plan to buy some dongles. Unfortunately, the MacBook Air didn't change much until It sports a dowdy-looking non-Retina screen and weak Intel chips that are years old.
The Best MacBooks
It might not require the dongles that a newer MacBook might necessitate, but the newer laptops will undoubtedly feel faster for longer. Don't let its price tag tempt you—there are way better laptops you can nab for that kind of cash. How to spot it: The older Air has a thick silver border bezel around its screen, instead of black glass like the new models. It's still rocking an impossibly old, era Intel chip inside, and despite its appealing array of USB and Thunderbolt 2 ports, this inch model is a poor value for money.
How to spot it: It has standard USB ports and it's much thicker. The new models only have a few USB-C ports. Apple is unlikely to bump any of these again until later this year—possibly well into None of Apple's MacBooks are cheap, and replacement parts are nightmarishly expensive. Since the entire computer is fully integrated into Apple's tightly-designed aluminum chassis, you're one coffee spill away from a shockingly large repair bill. Want more news and reviews you can use? Sign up for our free Gadget Lab newsletter.
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MacBook Air
Generally speaking, the MacBook Air , as the name suggests, is a little more portable and lightweight, while the MacBook Pro is a bit heavier and more focused on performance. Both computers run on Apple's MacOS operating system, which is well-designed and relatively easy to use. While Apple's keyboards have gotten a bad reputation over the past few years, we actually don't mind them.
The keyboard experience on the MacBook Air and Pro is relatively similar: Both offer a low level of travel. That said, you'll get used to typing on the keyboard, and eventually, you might even like it — that's what happened to me on my MacBook Air. It is important to note that some MacBook keyboards have become unresponsive or broken in recent years, so it is something to keep an eye on.
Apple has a service program that was built to address keyboard problems, so if you do have a problem, they may fix it for you.
Customer Review Snapshot
Other details represent minor differences. The MacBook Air and Pro both offer a p webcam, along with decent speakers. The speakers on the MacBook Pro are slightly better than the MacBook Air, but not by a lot — and for most, the quality of the MacBook Air will be more than good enough. If you want ultimate portability and don't need a ton of performance, then the MacBook Air is the way to go. If you want a blend of portability and performance, then the inch MacBook Pro is probably your best bet. For those of you who need absolute performance, then we recommend the inch MacBook Pro.
Best MacBook: Which Mac laptop should you buy? | Macworld
We think the middle-of-the-road inch MacBook Pro is likely the best option for most people. Of course, it's also worth keeping in mind price. If you are a student, you can get Apple's Education Discount , though, and the MacBooks frequently go on sale, so you may be able to get a lower price. Subscribe to our newsletter. Find all the best offers at our Coupons page.