Apple‘s new MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro powered by the company‘s custom M1 chip deliver game-changing performance and battery life. As someone considering upgrading to one of these incredibly impressive laptops, you likely have questions around the differences and which model best fits your needs and budget.
That‘s why I put together this comprehensive comparison guide examining all the details – from processing specs, portability metrics, display quality, pricing and real-world usage across various workloads. My goal is to provide insightful analysis on the latest MacBook Air vs Pro to help you decide which one to buy.
Overview of Apple Silicon M1 Chip in MacBook Air and Pro
The key common component enabling the lightweight notebooks to reach new performance heights is Apple‘s M1 system-on-a-chip (SoC). This 5nm Arm-based chip packs an 8-core central processing unit (CPU), up to an 8-core graphics processing unit (GPU), a 16-core Neural Engine, and unified memory architecture – all on one die.
What does this translate to? Huge real-world speed and efficiency gains. The M1 CPU delivers up to 3.5x faster computing performance while using way less power, allowing for thinner designs and longer lasting batteries. The M1 GPU clocks speeds up to 5x faster than previous integrated graphics.
The MacBook Air M1 and 13-inch Pro M1 represent the first of Apple‘s Mac lineup to transition from Intel chips to their own custom silicon. As software and hardware further optimize for the M1 and future iterations like M2, these Arm laptops will only get faster.
Detailed Specs Comparison: M1 Chip, Memory and More
While both the MacBook Air and Pro share the same M1 chip foundations, there are some variances when it comes to memory, storage, display and ports. Let‘s examine some key hardware specs:
| Specification | MacBook Air M1 | 13" MacBook Pro M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M1 (8 CPU cores: 4 performance, 4 efficiency) |
Same M1 chip |
| GPU Cores | 7-core / 8-core | 8-core / 8-core |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | 16-core |
| Memory | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR4X | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR4X |
| Memory Bandwidth | 68.25GB/s | 68.25GB/s |
| SSD Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB |
| Battery Capacity | 49.9 watt-hours | 58.2 watt-hours |
| Display | 13.3" 2560×1600 Retina | 13.3" 2560×1600 Retina |
| Display Brightness | 400 nits | 500 nits |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches | 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches |
| Weight | 2.8 pounds | 3.0 pounds |
You can see many specs like the M1 system-on-a-chip are identical between both models. The differentiators are the Pro‘s slightly brighter 500 nit display, larger battery capacity, and increased weight from its internal fan.
Both notebooks support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity. The Pro model offers more physical ports with 2x Thunderbolt 3, an HDMI output, SD card reader and a headphone jack. The MacBook Air has 2x Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack.
Benchmarks Showcase Powerful Performance
Thanks to the incredible efficiency of the 5nm SoC, both the MacBook Air M1 and Pro M1 deliver excellent productivity and workload performance given their fanless and ultra-slim profiles.
According to Max Tech‘s exhaustive video benchmarks, the M1 MacBook Air put up impressive numbers surpassing Intel-based counterparts:
- Export an 8-minute 4K video in Adobe Premiere Pro: 3 minutes 20 seconds (3x faster than equivalent Intel MacBook)
- Apply complex edits and filters in Adobe Lightroom on 50 RAW images: 2 minutes (2x faster than Intel MacBook)
- Export a 5 minute 4K project from Final Cut Pro: 3 minutes 2 seconds
The M1 MacBook Pro performed roughly on par with the Air in tests like video editing and Lightroom. But its active cooling system gives it an edge in sustained performance for intensive creative workloads.
AnandTech saw superior sustained clock speeds around 3.2Ghz for the longer term in the Pro vs 2.7Ghz in the Air before thermal throttling crept in. So hardcore users doing jobs like code compilation, 3D rendering or processing giant spreadsheets will benefit from those speed advantages.
Comparing Display, Keyboard, Speakers and More
Beyond pure computing metrics, elements like the screen, inputs and audio contribute enormously to productivity and enjoyment when using a laptop every day.
Display
While both the 13.3” Retina displays on the Air and Pro offer the same 2560×1600 resolution with True Tone support, 500 nits max brightness on the Pro makes images and videos show punchier contrast and vibrance. The Air tops out at 400 nits, but still renders colors very accurately. Their screens both support the wider P3 color gamut.
Keyboard and Trackpad
No complaints here – both models use Apple‘s excellent Magic Keyboard and industry-leading Force Touch trackpad. The scissor switch keys feel bouncy and responsive when typing. And the massive Force Touch surface tracks super precise while supporting various multi-touch gestures.
Audio
The MacBook Pro‘s trio of speakers including dual force-cancelling woofers outputs fuller, louder sound than the Air‘s. But both deliver decent clarity at higher volumes. Audiophiles would still prefer headphones or external speakers.
When it comes to build quality, design, premium feel and connectivity – the latest MacBook Air M1 and Pro M1 are similarly well-appointed. Unless you need sustained turbo speeds for taxing creative workflows or crave slightly better screen and audio – it‘s hard to go wrong either way.
Thermal Management: Fan Allows Pro to Maintain Speeds
The fanless enclosure packed into the MacBook Air‘s thin 0.63-inch aluminum chassis is an engineering marvel. It absorbs heat from the M1 chip and dissipates it through the effective heat spreader to the exterior case hidden out of sight. Indeed, the laptop felt cool to the touch running benchmarks that tortured previous models.
But passively cooled systems can only shed so much heat. After minutes of pummeling the components, thermal limits kick in and the Air had to throttle performance to keep temperatures in check.
That led to CPU frequencies dropping from 3.2Ghz to around 2.7Ghz in tests like video exports or 3D scene rendering. For short bursts, speeds stay fast and consistent. Complex creative projects running for a half hour or more is where the performance toll sneaks in.
The MacBook Pro uses a single fan and enlarged heat pipes to sustain higher clock rates for longer. Because of this superior cooling design, video editors, 3D animators and programmers don‘t experience slow downs even working for hours at a time.
So if you want maximum performance maintenance when tackling intensive workflows, the Pro justifies its premium. But for most people, the Air delivers amazing speed never breaking a sweat.
Battery Life: Both Provide All-Day Endurance
The game-changing power efficiency of the M1 chip coupled with battery capacity optimizations by Apple allows both laptops to deliver incredible marathon runtimes.
In a continuous video playback test with brightness fixed at 75%, PCMag saw outstanding results:
- MacBook Air M1: lasted 14 hours 41 minutes
- MacBook Pro 13 M1: went 14 hours 8 minutes
So real-world battery life is evenly matched at close to 15 hours for the pair under light usage. Under heavier loads, the Air saw roughly 30 more minutes longevity likely due to no energy consumption from the Pro‘s fan. But both notebooks are perfectly capable of lasting an entire work or school day away from an outlet.
When they eventually need refueling, the MacBook Air M1 and Pro M1 charge rapidly thanks to USB-C Power Delivery (USB-PD 3.1) support. Using Apple‘s bundled 30W USB-C power adapter, the battery replenishes:
- Air M1 – from 0% to ~60% in 30 minutes, or to 100% in 2 hours 23 minutes
- Pro M1 – from 0% to ~58% in 30 minutes, or 100% in 2 hours 45 minutes
So despite their slim profiles housing large batteries – the pair top up rather quickly. The Air nudges past the Pro when it comes to charging times by a few minutes.
Pricing: MacBook Air vs Pro M1 Value Comparison
As an exceptionally well-built device with Apple‘s latest silicon that runs faster than many pricier Windows laptops, the MacBook Air M1 starts at an attractive $999. Even bumping up storage to 512GB costs just $1,249 – delivering superb value.
The MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 by comparison asks for a starting investment of $1,299. You‘re paying around a $300 premium over the equivalent base Air model for that second fan, slightly better sustained speeds, brighter screen and extra ports.
Here‘s how pricing shakes out if you max out the specifications:
| Configuration | MacBook Air Price | 13" Pro Price | Dollar Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD | $999 | $1,299 | $300 |
| 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD | $1,249 | $1,499 | $250 |
| 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD | $1,499 | $1,799 | $300 |
| 16GB RAM / 2TB SSD | $1,849 | $2,199 | $350 |
Going all out with memory and spacious storage sees the Pro command an extra $350 over the Air. Considering many shoppers stick to base or lower-tier configs, the MacBook Air M1 delivers outstanding bang for buck.
Use Case Recommendations: Air vs Pro
With speedy performance capable of handling everyday tasks for most people, great build quality and slim&light portability – both the M1 MacBook Air and 13-inch Pro earn strong recommendations.
But depending on your workflow, the areas where they differ may make one model better suited:
| For use cases like: | Prefer MacBook Air | Prefer MacBook Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Students, basic work | ✅ | |
| Mobile profession, travel | ✅ | |
| Office, productivity, admin tasks | ✅ | |
| Light photo editing, casual gaming | ✅ | |
| Video editing, music production | ✅ | |
| Programming, software dev | ✅ | |
| 3D, CGI rendering | ✅ | |
| Heavy multitasking under time constraints | ✅ |
If you identified with the left column above, gravitate towards the MacBook Air for the best blend of performance, sublime battery life and value. Wi-Fi 6 lets you stay connected from anywhere to access documents on the go.
Power users constantly running intensive workloads like compiling code, manipulating complex data sets, editing high-res multi-cam video benefit more from the Pro‘s sustained speeds thanks to its fan allowing indefinite turbo boost. Also consider upgrading from the base 8GB RAM.
Creative pros should think about investing in 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro models with additional graphics cores or the supreme power of M1 Pro / M1 Max chipsets. But dollar for dollar in its category – the 13-inch MacBook Pro M1 offers plenty for most buyers.
Hopefully demystifying some key questions around the latest MacBook Air vs Pro choice clarifies the better option depending on your needs. Let me know if any other specifics would help!
