When looking for a Mac, one of the toughest decisions you will find yourself making is whether to choose the MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro. Many people find themselves contemplating the same exact thing, so you are not alone. It can be a tricky and tough decision because both options are excellent laptops but they each have their own set of areas where they rank supreme. In this article, we will compare and contract Air and Pro to help you determine which one is best for your situation.
At NYC Laptop Repair we offer repair solutions for both laptop choices. Should you ever find yourself in need of MacBook Pro or MacBook Air repair in NYC, we are here to help!
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro Overview
The MacBook Air is considered to be one of the most portable and lightest Apple laptops available. The Air comes in a total of model options including the M1, M2 13-inch, and M2 15-inch. The price of an Air ranges from approximately $999 to around $1,299.
The MacBook Pro is a leveled up version and designed to offer a pro experience, hence the name. This laptop comes with either an M2 or M3 chip. The price range for an M2 14-inch hovers somewhere around $1,999 while the price for an M2 16-inch is roughly $2,499. The latest edition, the M3, starts at about $1,599 and goes up from there depending on size and options you want.
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Design
Both the Air and Pro have an aluminum shell that encases the device and are offered in either gray or silver. Both have a small lip at the front of the base that allow for you to easily open and close the laptop lid.
The biggest differences in design include that the new Pros have eliminated the touch bar and feature a newer slim bezel. The newest Airs have been designed very similarly to the 2021 version of the Pro. You can say goodbye to their previously tapered design.
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Weight
If portability is what you are looking for, the MacBook Air is going to be the lightest of the two laptops.
The weight of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are as follows:
- MacBook Air 2022 is 2.7 pounds
- MacBook Air 15-inch is 3.3 pounds
- MacBook Pro 14-inch is 3.5 pounds
- MacBook Pro 16-inch is 4.8 pounds
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Display
When thinking about which laptop to choose, it will come down to several factors and one of those is the display. Both the Air and Pro have sharp displays that truly set them apart from other brands.
Display is a necessity to be able to properly see and the winner in this category, should you like brightness, is going to be the Pro. The Air M1 has a maximum brightness of around 365.8 nits while the Pro M1 has a maximum brightness of around 434.8 nits. With that said, color output ranks about the same for both and there is not a large noticeable difference between the Air and the Pro.
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Performance
Performance is another factor that you want to consider and definitely not something you want to skimp on or overlook. Both the Air and the Pro offer you fast processing speeds and will each allow you to complete your work, browse the internet, and watch videos without any hiccups.
When scoring the CPUs of the Air and the Pro, the M1 Air scored 5,962 in performance and the M1 Pro 5,925.
While both are fast, the Pro has a better video transcoding time while the Air has a better SSD.
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Battery Life
Battery is another area where you do not want to wish you had chosen something different. Battery life matters and it matters more than you may think it does at first glance.
The M1 Air has a battery life of around 14 hours and 41 minutes when tested. The M1 Pro lasted longer than this coming in at around 16 hours and 30 minutes. That is great battery life for BOTH of the laptops. The M2s and higher last just as long if not longer for both the Air and the Pro laptops.
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Which Should I Buy?
The answer to this question is up to you and what you are looking for. Both the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro are excellent choices, and each excels in different areas. If you want a laptop that offers you Pro features and enhanced brightness, the Pro is the better option. However, if you want a laptop that is a beast on its own and will allow you to complete all of your tasks while not breaking the bank, the Air is the best choice.
No matter which MacBook you choose, the team at NYC Laptop Repair is here to help you should you ever run into any issues with your device. Our experienced Apple technicians provide affordable MacBook Pro and MacBook Air repair in NYC. If you are still unsure of which laptop option to choose, our team can help you – give us a call today!