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Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published June 30, 2022
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What are all the differences between the "2020 M1" 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro and the also "2020" 13" MacBook Pro it replaced? Is there any reason to still buy an older model?
The Intel-based "2020" 13" MacBook Pro and Apple Silicon-based "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro both have been discontinued. This Q&A is up-to-date and can be helpful to anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.
As organized by EveryMac.com, there is a single "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M1" 8-Core 3.2 (2020) 13" -- which replaced the stock entry-level "2020" 13" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 1.4 13" 2020 2 TB 3. Even after introducing the new "2020 M1" MacBook Pro, Apple continued to sell one higher-end "2020" 13" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.0 13" 2020 4 TB 3 -- as new.
This Q&A compares the "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro to both of the "2020" 13" MacBook Pro models.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon MacBook Pro 2020 M1)
With even a detailed evaluation, these models look practically identical. There is one obvious difference for one model, but not the other two. There are major internal differences that are not obvious and yet are important to understand, though. Accordingly, an in-depth, objective comparison can be quite useful.
External Differences
The "2020" and "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro models use nearly identical "sealed" aluminum and glass case designs. All share the same dimensions and are offered in either a silver color or a darker "Space Gray" option. There only is one external difference.
All three models have 13.3" widescreen LED-backlit displays (2560x1600 native resolution at 227 ppi, which displays as a scaled resolution of 1440x900 by default) with 500 nits brightness and "True Tone" technology that automatically adjusts the color temperature of the display.
The three notebooks also each have an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam, "Scissor Switch" keyboard, large "Force Touch" trackpad, "Touch Bar" input capability, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, stereo speakers with HDR, and Bluetooth 5.0. However, the entry-level "2020" and "2020 M1" MacBook Pro models only have two Thunderbolt 3-capable ports (USB-C connector) ports whereas the higher-end "2020" model has four Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Both "2020" MacBook Pro models have 802.11ac and a "three-mic array with directional beamforming" whereas the "2020 M1" MacBook Pro has faster 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and a better "studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming."
Identification Differences
The "2020" 13" MacBook Pro and "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro models each have different Model Numbers.
However, because they are more unique, the EMC Number on the bottom of the case or the Model Identifiers in software are better for long-term identification.
Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these details from the hardware itself for your convenience:
| 13" MBP | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| 2020 2 TB 3 | A2289 | 3456 | MacBookPro16,3 |
| 2020 4 TB 3 | A2251 | 3348 | MacBookPro16,2 |
| 2020 M1 | A2338 | 3578 | MacBookPro17,1 |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify each one of these MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers, which are listed in software as well as on the bottom of the system.
Internal Differences
The two different "2020" 13" MacBook Pro models and the "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro all use different architectures and are quite different internally.
The entry-level "2020" model with two Thunderbolt 3 ports uses the practically vintage when released 8th Generation Intel "Coffee Lake" architecture with comparatively slow 2133 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM and Iris Plus Graphics 645, the higher-end "2020" model with four Thunderbolt 3 ports uses the 10th Generation "Ice Lake" architecture with faster 3733 MHz LPDDR4X SDRAM and Iris Plus graphics, and the "2020 M1" model uses a completely different -- and much faster -- Apple-designed "M1" architecture with "unified" onboard RAM and 8-core graphics.
The entry-level "2020" MacBook Pro supports an external 5K (5120x2880) display whereas the other two models are more capable and support a larger 6K (6016x3384) external display.
All of these notebooks have soldered RAM and storage that cannot be upgraded after the initial system purchase.
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the two different "2020" 13" MacBook Pro models and the "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details:
 13" 2020 2 TB 3 |
13" 2020 4 TB 3 |
 13" 2020 M1 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture: | Coffee Lake | Ice Lake | Apple M1 |
| Generation: | 8th Gen | 10th Gen | 1st Gen |
| Clockspeed: | 1.4 GHz (i5) | 2.0 GHz (i5) | 3.2 GHz |
| BTO Option: | 1.7 GHz (i7) | 2.3 GHz (i7) | None |
| Cores: | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Std. RAM: | 8 GB | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 16 GB† | 32 GB† | 16 GB† |
| RAM Speed: | 2133 MHz | 3733 MHz | Unified |
| RAM Type: | LPDDR3 | LPDDR4X | Unified |
| Std. Storage: | 256 GB, 512 GB | 512 GB, 1 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Graphics: | Iris Plus 645 | Iris Plus | 8-Core |
| Ext. Display: | 5120x2880 (5K) | 6016x3384 (6K) | 6016x3384 (6K) |
| Battery W Hrs: | 58.2 W Hr | 58.0 W Hr | 58.2 W Hr |
| Battery Life: | 10 Hours | 10 Hours | 17-20 Hours |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (6) |
| Thunderbolt: | 2 (3.0) | 4 (3.0) | 2* |
| TouchBar: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3-Mic Array: | 3 Mics | 3 Mics | "Studio Quality" |
| EMC No: | 3456 | 3348 | 3578 |
| Model ID: | MacBookPro16,3 | MacBookPro16,2 | MacBookPro17,1 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1299 US$1499 |
US$1799 US$1999 |
US$1299 US$1499 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1299 £1499 |
£1799 £1999 |
£1299 £1499 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1699 C$1949 |
C$2399 C$2649 |
C$1699 C$1949 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1999 A$2299 |
A$2999 A$3299 |
A$1999 A$2299 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1899 S$2199 |
S$2699 S$2999 |
S$1849 S$2149 |
† These MacBook Pro models could be upgraded with more RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase in any of these models.
* Apple refers to the Thunderbolt ports on the "2020 M1" MacBook Pro as "Thunderbolt / USB 4" ports. They support Thunderbolt 3-equipped hardware.
For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each Mac as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryMac.com.
So, is there still any reason to buy an older "2020" 13" MacBook Pro? Should I buy the newer "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro?
Although the value proposition may have shifted somewhat on the used market, just compared to one another -- and ignoring other and newer models -- most users should buy the newer "2020 M1" 13" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M1" 8-Core 3.2 (2020) 13" -- because it is so much faster than the other two and provides massively better battery life, as well.
The entry-level "2020" 13" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 1.4 13" 2020 2 TB 3 -- really only is worth considering because (1) it is available at an even lower price on the used market, (2) it is based on a well-tested architecture, and (3) it can boot Windows. If you are on a tight budget, and you need Windows support, it still could make sense for you.
The also higher-end "2020" 13" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.0 13" 2020 4 TB 3 -- does still offer some significant advantages over the newer "2020 M1" model, but when it was still new, it was a bit of a bitter pill being asked to pay more money for a product that is slower and has worse battery life. However, compared to the newer model, it did offer (1) the option of 32 GB of RAM if custom configured, (2) twice as much storage by default, and (3) four Thunderbolt 3 ports instead of just two. Like its lower-end brother, it also (4) is based on a well-tested architecture, and (5) can boot Windows. On the used market, the value proposition also has changed somewhat, but for some users, it still could be the better choice, particularly if you wanted a relatively small notebook with 32 GB of RAM.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used MacBook Pro models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
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