Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Pros and Cons: EveryMac.com

Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A

Update Published November 17, 2023

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What are the "pros and cons" of the 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro? Is it for me?

Please note that the 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has been discontinued. This Q&A has been updated subsequently and can be quite helpful for anyone considering one of these notebooks on the used market.

To help you determine whether or not a used 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro is the best Mac notebook for you, an objective, quick-to-read "pros and cons" can be perfect.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon MacBook Pro)

For those who prefer a more detailed evaluation, EveryMac.com also provides in-depth comparisons.

However, for those who want just the highlights, this fast rundown will be ideal:

Pros:

Very fast, a major improvement over previous models.
Incredible 17-20 hour battery life.
Beautiful, bright, high-resolution display.
Sleek, lightweight aluminum case.
Stylish silver and dark "Space Gray" color options.
High quality microphones and speakers.
Clever, versatile "Force Touch" trackpad.
Useful "Touch Bar" and Touch ID authentication.
Likely reliable "Scissor Switch" keyboard.
An internal fan for cooler operation and potentially longer life.

Cons:

Effectively the same speed as the cheaper MacBook Air models introduced at the same time.
Processor cannot be upgraded at all.
RAM and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase which will limit the useful life of the notebook.
Relatively low quality 720p FaceTime HD camera.
Two Thunderbolt ports may be a limitation for some users.
No "MagSafe" power connector.
More expensive than the MacBook Air and many Windows notebooks.

So, is the 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro right for my needs?

Possibly. For those who want the cheapest and lightest -- and equally fast -- Mac notebook, an equivalent -- or later -- Apple Silicon MacBook Air is the best choice. At the time it was introduced, the 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro was a better choice for someone who didn't mind paying a couple hundred dollars or so extra for a notebook with (1) more significant cooling, (2) a modestly brighter display, (3) the potentially useful "Touch Bar" functionality, (4) even longer battery life, and (5) higher quality microphones and speakers.

Of course, on the used market, both the 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro and MacBook Air cost less, so the value proposition may have shifted somewhat, but the general idea remains the same. The Pro generally is priced at a modest premium to Air models introduced around the same time.

Whether you buy a 13" Apple Silicon MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, if you have the budget, EveryMac.com would suggest paying extra for a 16 GB RAM configuration if possible because it cannot be upgraded later. With 16 GB of RAM, it will further improve performance and likely will extend the useful life of either notebook, too.

For someone who wants even faster performance, a bigger display, or more connectivity, and who is not price sensitive, the 14" or 16" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models could be a better choice. For those who are on an even tighter budget, used Intel-powered MacBook Pro models are even cheaper and remain well worth consideration, too.

Site sponsor Adorama has new Apple Silicon MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models with free shipping for all. Site sponsor OWC sells a wide variety of used MacBook Pro models with free shipping and custom configuration options.

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