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Surely these can't be the same processors that my mid-range 2012 MacBook Pro uses?Īlso whats with the small size of HD drives now. On top of that the 12" MacBook that I was thinking of getting uses a 1.1GHz Core m3 processor and 8Gb of RAM. I expected to find that the processors would be completely new now, but was surprised to find the current range of MacBook Pro's using i5 or i7 processors still and the same 8Gb of RAM. The Superdrive no longer works and its doesn't have a Retina screen and I would like something lighter and smaller for work that starts up quicker so wanted to upgrade. I have a 2012 MacBook Pro 13" with a 2.9GHz Core i7 processor running 8Gb 1600MHz DDR3 RAM which from my memory was kind of middle of the range at the time and cost be around AU$2000-2200.
#2017 macbook air vs pro series
Lastly, both the M1 MacBooks feature two Thunderbolt 3-enabled USB 4 ports and a headphone jack for those who still own wired headphones.I am looking to get a new laptop, but I'm a bit confused by the processors of the new series of MacBooks. You can spec either MacBook with up to 2TB of storage and 16GB of RAM. So, make sure you configure it properly on Apple's website. Note that these components are not user-upgradeable since they're soldered onto the logic board.
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If you're really worried about that one extra core, you can still customize the MacBook Air when ordering from Apple to add the 8-core GPU.Īs for storage and RAM, both the M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro pack 256GB SSDs and 8GB of unified memory for their base variants. However, that one extra core won't make a noticeable difference in real-world tests unless you're pushing the graphical horsepower to its limits by playing games or running apps like Final Cut Pro. When it comes to the hardware specifications, the base model M1 MacBook Air has a 7-core GPU, whereas the M1 MacBook Pro features an 8-core GPU. Unfortunately, the MacBook Air's M1 chip can't sustain its peak performance when you're doing these tasks due to the fanless design, and therefore, it has to throttle its clock speeds to keep the temperature in check.
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The internal fan makes the MacBook Pro the better performer when it comes to CPU and GPU-intensive tasks. This minor performance difference is not exactly because of the hardware itself but rather due to the differences in design. As for the rest of the dimensions, they both measure the same, with a width and depth of 11.97 inches and 8.36 inches, respectively.Īlthough both models pack the same Apple M1 chip, they don't perform the same, at least not all the time. That's a 0.2-pound difference, which you won't notice unless you have one in each hand.ĭo note that the weight of these MacBooks may vary slightly depending on the hardware configuration you're going for. The MacBook Air weighs just 2.8 pounds, whereas the MacBook Pro clocks in at 3.0 pounds. In terms of weight, there's not much difference between the two. In comparison, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is 0.61 inches thick, but its thickness stays uniform across the entire frame. But at the thickest point, it measures 0.63 inches, which is actually bigger than the Pro. At its thinnest point, the MacBook Air is just 0.16 inches thick. The MacBook Air is popular for how thin and light it is.
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Since the MacBook Air is intended for lightweight tasks, it has a fanless design for silent operation, whereas the MacBook Pro has an internal fan that starts spinning when you're doing intensive tasks, to keep the temperature down. This design choice should make the MacBook Air easier to type on, although they both have the same keyboard. However, if you look at them closely from the sides, you'll see that the MacBook Air has a tapered design. At first glance, both the models look nearly identical.
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