What are the key differences between Macbook Air and Macbook Pro M1 base models? I really need the function keys you see. Any ideas on whats different?
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What are the key differences between Macbook Air and Macbook Pro M1 base models?
- Thread starter SylvesterJo
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He's probably not talking about the 14" Pro, but the Macbook Pro 13,3" with M1.
Here are the differences, the Macbook Pro costs like 250-300 bucks more, and gives you (somewhat ranked from big to insignificant~):
- 18%~ larger battery, so it lasts longer. Let's say 20 hours instead or 15-16 hours. Around such a percentual difference.
- 500 nits instead of 400 nits. Extra brightness, if you might need it
- TouchBar. Love it or hate it. Or don't care about it. Be aware: There probably won't be any other Touchbar Device in the future, so might as well not get used to it.
- Fan. Under longer full Load, the Fan will turn on, and keep the temperatures in check and not letting the M1 chip throttle. Stuff like Benchmarks, renders, etc. In everyday usage, it will NEVER turn on.
Or in short: Under full Load, it will not throttle by 15-20%, but in this case, the Fan can be audible.
__________
Those are the "main" differences, that are worth considering. Now the less significant:
- slightly larger Trackpad
- it doesn't get thinner towards your end. The Air is slightly angled, might be better for typing.
- slightly better microphones and speakers (both are so good, you can ignore that)
- ???? maybe something i forgot.
If you absolutely NEED/WANT every extra bit of battery life, even if it's in spheres that won't matter (20 hours instead of 15, both won't give you any issues usually), you need the highest brightness you can have, or maybe you're a touchbar lover, you might go for the Pro.
That fan thing... I think,if you're constantly at max load, you do something that requires power and probably Ram. It's unusual, that someone does heavy load stuff alot when opting for the 256/8gb base model.
If you spec it up to 512/16, you might as well add a few 100 bucks and get the 14" Base model, which isn't just faster, but also more ports, much better Display etc.
Short version:
I personally (as a 512/16gb Macbook Pro 13,3" M1 user) would recommend you the Air, since you get pretty much the same everyday-experience.
Get the air and save money. Or get the Air with 16gb Ram for the Price of the8gb Pro.
If you need more performance than the Air can give you, save up for the 14".
Here are the differences, the Macbook Pro costs like 250-300 bucks more, and gives you (somewhat ranked from big to insignificant~):
- 18%~ larger battery, so it lasts longer. Let's say 20 hours instead or 15-16 hours. Around such a percentual difference.
- 500 nits instead of 400 nits. Extra brightness, if you might need it
- TouchBar. Love it or hate it. Or don't care about it. Be aware: There probably won't be any other Touchbar Device in the future, so might as well not get used to it.
- Fan. Under longer full Load, the Fan will turn on, and keep the temperatures in check and not letting the M1 chip throttle. Stuff like Benchmarks, renders, etc. In everyday usage, it will NEVER turn on.
Or in short: Under full Load, it will not throttle by 15-20%, but in this case, the Fan can be audible.
__________
Those are the "main" differences, that are worth considering. Now the less significant:
- slightly larger Trackpad
- it doesn't get thinner towards your end. The Air is slightly angled, might be better for typing.
- slightly better microphones and speakers (both are so good, you can ignore that)
- ???? maybe something i forgot.
If you absolutely NEED/WANT every extra bit of battery life, even if it's in spheres that won't matter (20 hours instead of 15, both won't give you any issues usually), you need the highest brightness you can have, or maybe you're a touchbar lover, you might go for the Pro.
That fan thing... I think,if you're constantly at max load, you do something that requires power and probably Ram. It's unusual, that someone does heavy load stuff alot when opting for the 256/8gb base model.
If you spec it up to 512/16, you might as well add a few 100 bucks and get the 14" Base model, which isn't just faster, but also more ports, much better Display etc.
Short version:
I personally (as a 512/16gb Macbook Pro 13,3" M1 user) would recommend you the Air, since you get pretty much the same everyday-experience.
Get the air and save money. Or get the Air with 16gb Ram for the Price of the8gb Pro.
If you need more performance than the Air can give you, save up for the 14".
Excellent summary.... Well done and spot on. I have the Air and the only things I miss that the 13 has is the brightness, better speakers and extra battery. Fortunately, I've been a Touch Bar hater... so I'm good with the Air.