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Apple has three choices when it comes to MacBooks:
Jul 04, 2020. Jun 23, 2020.
- MacBook Air 13-inch
- MacBook Pro 13-inch
- MacBook Pro 16-inch
But when I consider a variety of options for CPU, RAM, and disk storage, the number of choices increases exponentially.
So, how do you choose?
How do you make sure that you will not regret your decision in a month or two?
Today I will help you to make the best decision you can do based on your unique needs and resources. In case if you don’t want to read all this stuff, feel free to scroll all the way down to the quiz section.
We will consider three approaches to MacBook selection:
- Functional
- Budget driven
- Want based
But let’s first familiarize ourselves with the differences between Apple laptops.
If you prefer video check out my YouTube channel on the same topic:
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro 13-inch
Here is a table of differences between all MacBooks:
| Characteristic | MacBook Air | MacBook Pro 13-inch | MacBook Pro 16-inch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $999 | $1299 | $2399 |
| Display | 13.3 in | 13.3in | 16in |
| Mac Storage | 2TB SSD | 4TB SSD | 8TB SSD |
| CPU choice | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Max RAM | 16GB | 32GB | 64GB |
| Weight, lb | 2.8 | 3.1 | 4.3 |
| Size, inches | 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.16-0.63 | 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.61 | 14.09 x 9.68 x 0.64 |
| Battery time | 12 hours | 10 hours | 11 hours |
| Touch ID | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touch Bar | No | Yes | Yes |
As you can see from the table, the main differences between MacBook Air (MBA) and MacBook Pro (MBP) are:
- Choice of processors. MBA has only three CPU options, while MBP offers four to choose from.
- Starting Price. Entry-level MBA is $300 less than entry-level MBP.
- Storage options. With MBP, you can get up to 4TB.
- Battery time. MBA lasts for 2 hours longer under the same load as MBP.
- Touch Bar. MBA does not have a Touch Bar, only Touch ID.
- Weight. MBA is slightly lighter than MBP.
MBP 13-inch vs. MBP 16-inch
MacBook Pro 16-inch is bigger than 13-inch cousin in all regards: weight, size, storage, RAM, CPU, and of course, price.
There is no point in comparing them. The question is rather – do you need such a best or not? In some cases, you do.
Functional Approach
With this approach you need to answer the following questions:
- Why do you need a MacBook?
- Will you use MacBook for work, school, or home?
- Why MacBook and not a PC laptop, such as Surface?
To help you answer these questions, let’s consider several use cases.
MacBook for data science student
Yap X. reached out to me with the following question:
“Hi, I’m a data scientist and freelance web developer. For data science stuff i can use google colab in a browser. For develop a web, i just need a text editor. Currently, I’m considering picking a MBA or MBP.”
First, I steered him to my article on choosing a MacBook for a college student, which covers this topic in-depth.
Then, the question was whether he needs more space or RAM. I know that data science projects need a lot of memory, but web developers benefit from more storage (for code, assets).
In the end, he went with MBP, 128GB with 2TB external drive.
MacBook for a law student
Hassan H. asked me “I am a law student in UK. I have come across your article of macbook storage size. I want to buy macbook (latest) but i am not sure which one would be better for me..! Either macbook air or macbook pro.”
Hassan didn’t need a lot of power. He needed a light laptop that can hold as much battery as possible. So, he chose the MacBook Air.
MacBook for a programmer
I had the same approach for the last two MacBooks I ordered at work. They both 15-inch (now it would be 16-inch) MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and at least 512GB storage.
I opted for the least powerful processor available because, for coding, it is more important to have more on-board storage and RAM than CPU. Besides, even the least powerful CPU in the big MBP is way better than the one in 13-inch Pro.
Also, I wanted to have a bigger display so I could work at home without an external monitor.
So, what does it mean for you?
If you know exactly how are you planning to use the laptop, then the decision is simple.
Go for MacBook Pro 16-inch if you need a bigger display and for more CPU, RAM, and disk.
Go for MacBook Air if you value battery time, and you travel a lot. Also, the MBA makes sense if you don’t expect to do anything other than working with documents, send emails, and browse the internet.
When in doubt, go for MacBook 13-inch. It’s a perfect balance of power and usability.
Budget Driven Approach
In the perfect world, we would just buy the biggest, the baddest and not worry. However, all of us have budgets. And often, our budgets don’t align with our needs and wants.
If you are short on money, here are my observations and/or suggestions.
MacBook Air is a good laptop
In most cases, the MBA would be enough for most people. Even for web developers. If you are just starting studying web design or software development, it will take a while until you outgrow MBA resources.
When you become a professional, you most likely be able to afford a more powerful machine.
Consider used or refurbished
If you really need a 15″ or 16″ inch MBP, but can’t afford it, then consider used or refurbished options.
I wrote a whole article on how to choose a used MacBook and which Apple laptop is the best in terms of price to performance ratio.
Don’t pay retail
I never buy Apple products in the Apple store. I always shop online, and I always save at least $100. You can do it too with some tips from me.
Also, don’t forget that you can get credit to pay for the device, which makes it easier.
Want Based Approach
Three months ago, Daniel S. sent me the email:
“I can’t decide what to buy for my girlfriend as a gift. MBP 128 gb or MBA 256 gb. They come at the same price. MBP wins on all parameters except memory. Although my girlfriend needs nothing but a browser, easy photo editing, office work and movie watching. I want my computer to last longer and given the trends in application development, it may be more profitable to take on more power, as the power consumption of applications increases every year.”
After some back and forth, we finally figured that his girlfriend already made up her mind. She liked the TouchBar option, and she was Ok with smaller disk as she didn’t plan to store a lot of photos, documents, or videos.
Best Macbook To Buy 2019
Bottom line: if you can’t choose between the two, go with what you like. Whether it’s a look, a color, or TouchBar.
New MacBook Pro 13″
If you already decided to go with a MacBook Pro 13″ check my post about selecting right options for a new laptop:
It’s a super detailed post where I tried to go over all options, including CPU, RAM and storage.
Final Tips
Now, when you decide on a type of MacBook, the next step is to know whether it is worth to spend on additional storage and memory, or faster CPU. Over time, I’ve built a bunch of resources to help you with upgrade questions.
Is extra storage worth it? My post “Is 128GB Enough for MacBook Pro/Air? Storage Guide” will help you to understand your options when it comes to disk space.
Similarly, this link will guide you through RAM questions.
This post will help to decide which CPU do you need for MacBook Pro. If you remember, Apple has 8 CPUs to choose from for MBPs.
When To Buy Macbook Air
Since Apple introduced 3 CPU choices (i3, i5, i7 ) choosing the right one got tougher. I touched on this topic here.
And finally, you will have to make a decision on the warranty. My post about AppleCare+ for Mac lists the pros and cons of AppleCare.
Best Macbooks To Buy
Quiz
Places To Buy Macbook
As promised, here is a short quiz which can help you decide which MacBook should you buy.