Apple has been on quite a tear lately, introducing Intel Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt I/O ports across (almost) all of its computers, including the newly refreshed 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air models introduced last week. But is it the computer of your dreams? We examined the specs against the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro to find out.
Apple’s new MacBook Air models are certainly a tempting choice for on-the-go users who don’t mind sacrificing a little power, speed and storage capacity for the convenience. But with a more full-featured 13-inch MacBook Pro starting at $1199, are potential MacBook Air buyers better off going Pro? Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between the two and how they might affect your buying decision.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available in two flavors: 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 or 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i7. Either one of those trumps the underpowered 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 used in the 11-inch MacBook Air, or even the 1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 in the 13-inch model (both Airs are also upgradeable to a 1.8GHz Intel Core i7 on Apple’s website, which only further increases the price while failing to match the speedier MacBook Pro).
The bottom line: If you need to stay portable but have the most raw processing power available, the 13-inch MacBook Pro base model is the clear winner here.
4GB of RAM comes standard with either 13-inch MacBook Pro configuration, and that amount can be doubled to 8GB in the future should the need arise. By comparison, a base model 11-inch MacBook Air comes stock with only 2GB of RAM (barely enough for modest needs), with the more expensive model kicking things up to 4GB, also standard in the 13-inch model -- but you’d better decide before buying, because there’s no easy way to upgrade the MacBook Air memory later on.
There’s also no contest when it comes to storage. The 13-inch MacBook Pro comes with either 320GB or 500GB of hard disk, with solid state drives available as a build-to-order option starting at 128GB for $200 more and hitting the ceiling at a wallet-busting $1200 for 512GB. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air maxes out at 256GB (only available as a build-to-order option on the 11-inch model), and it’s strictly a flash storage only party going on in Air Land.
One last tidbit in favor of the MacBook Air’s flash storage is the near instant-on performance, a key advantage when compared to hard drive-based computers that take longer to boot up and resume from sleep mode.
While the MacBook Air has taken a bit of a beating in our first two categories, things are about to look much better for the little guy when it comes to actually lugging it around and using it. With the 13-inch model weighing a mere 2.96 pounds compared to the same-sized MacBook Pro at 4.5 pounds, there is simply no comparison -- you’ll notice the difference while it’s slung over your shoulder, that’s for sure.
Otherwise, the 13-inch models are more evenly matched on dimensions, with the 13-inch MacBook Pro measuring 12.78 inches wide and 0.95 inches deep compared to the same-sized MacBook Air at 12.8 inches wide and 0.68 inches deep when closed. The MacBook Air gains an additional nod in this category for having an even lighter 11-inch model, making it practically the size of a first-generation iPad when closed.
With the key specs out of the way, let’s get down to what’s most important: Sitting at the computer of your choice and working with it. Both notebook lines feature the same LED-backlit glossy widescreen displays in numerous supported resolutions, and even share the same Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics engine within.
That means, for all intents and purposes, the displays are pretty evenly matched between the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air models, using 384MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with the main memory for both (256MB on the base 11-inch Air). Both systems also feature dual display and video mirroring capability capable of driving an external display up to 2560 by 1600 pixels through the combo Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort I/O port.
Both models of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are otherwise similarly equipped -- they include a pair of USB 2.0 ports (one on each side for the Air), a combo headphone/audio in jack, SD card slot (13-inch models only) and each claims up to seven hours of “wireless web” battery power (the 11-inch Air reduces that to only five hours).
Now that the MacBook Air line has reclaimed the backlit keyboard, what’s left to get excited about on the 13-inch MacBook Pro if you’re not a power user? How about an 8x SuperDrive, which will set you back a cool $79 for a similar external model on the MacBook Air models. What’s that, you say? Steve Jobs plans to kill off optical disc drives the same way he did the floppy drive? Well, never mind, then.
As with most things in life, it all comes down to what you can afford. At the high end, a stock 13-inch MacBook Air will cost $1599 (and much more if you max it out with build-to-order options), while an equivalent 13-inch MacBook Pro can be had for $100 less. Same screen size, same graphics, but the Pro gets you double the storage and a faster processor at the expense of added weight.
On the low-end front, the 11-inch MacBook Air starts at the wallet-friendly price of $999, while the base model 13-inch MacBook Pro looks downright expensive at $200 more (now that Apple has killed off the older-generation white MacBook). However, if you can get by with the smaller display, the $1199 11-inch Air makes a more suitable rival for the stock 13-inch MacBook Pro.
While the 13-inch MacBook Pro will likely keep its competitive edge for the foreseeable future when it comes to processing power, storage and memory, the gap between it and the MacBook Air should close by next year, when Apple will likely eliminate the SuperDrive from its notebook line altogether -- and Intel’s future mobile processors are likely to be more evenly matched as well.
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JDF5
September 16, 2011 at 9:22pm
Quote: "That means, for all intents and purposes, the displays are pretty evenly matched between the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air models"
The MBPro 13 has a native/max resolution of 1280x800 and a super-glossy almost mirrored glass screen. The MBAir 13 is 1440x900 (the same res as a regular MBP15) AND the MBAir screens do NOT have the glass screen overlay. The Air is still "glossy" but noticeably less reflective than a Pro screen. The DPI is significantly tighter on the Air, making the menu bar and fonts a little smaller, but you get the same screen real estate as a Pro 15".
Yes, the video chip is the same, but the displays are not the same "for all intents and purposes."
Avenged110
July 31, 2011 at 2:14pm
Doesn't the MBP have better audio though? It definitely has much larger speakers...
brandonwalkermedia
July 26, 2011 at 9:16pm
you forgot to mention that the MBA is the ONLY Mac with 1366x768 resolution!
