Differences Between MacBook Air/MacBook Pro 2020: EveryMac.com

Touch Bar MacBook Pro Q&A

Update Published December 11, 2020

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What are the major differences between the Intel MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models? Which is best for my needs?

Please note that the 13" Intel-based MacBook Air and 15" MacBook Pro have been discontinued. The 4 TB 3 13" MacBook Pro and 16" MacBook Pro remain current.

There are a number of Intel-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, but for the purpose of this EveryMac.com Q&A, it covers the 13-Inch "Retina" MacBook Air as well as the 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 16-Inch "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro models collectively.

These models look quite similar, but there are a number of differences -- some subtle, even -- that make a detailed comparison worthwhile to help you decide which is the best overall choice for you.

Retina MacBook Air Gold
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Retina MacBook Air -- Gold)

There are three Intel-based MacBook Air models, which EveryMac.com refers to as the "Retina" MacBook Air (first introduced in 2018). This model has a display that is higher resolution than the display in any earlier MacBook Air notebooks.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Touch Bar MacBook Pro - Space Gray)

EveryMac.com collectively refers to the last Intel-based MacBook Pro lines as the "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro models because many have a small second display that replaces the traditional function keys at the top of the keyboard with macOS and application-specific functionality.

These models formally consist of the discontinued "Late 2016," "Mid-2017", "Mid-2018", "2019" and "2020" MacBook Pro models and still current 16-Inch "2019" MacBook Pro models. Although entry-level 13-Inch "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" do not have a Touch Bar, the majority of models do have one and for the sake of simplicity, this Q&A focuses on these models that do have a Touch Bar.

External Differences

All of these MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models use essentially sealed and disposable aluminum and glass case designs of a similar style, but the Retina MacBook Air is available in a "gold" color option in addition to silver and a dark "Space Gray" like the "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro models.

The Retina MacBook Air also is tapered to be thinner toward the front whereas the MacBook Pro models are of uniform thickness, although width and depth are identical for the 13-Inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air models weigh around 2.75 pounds (1.25 kg) whereas the 13-Inch MacBook Pro models weigh around 3.02 pounds (1.37 kg), which isn't a major difference. However, because the MacBook Air is tapered, it does feel a bit smaller. Naturally, the 15-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pro models are bigger and weigh more.

All of these models have high quality "Retina" displays. The 13-Inch Retina MacBook Air and 13-Inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro both have a 13.3" 2560x1600 (227 ppi, 500 nits) display, but later MacBook Air models -- the "2019" and "2020" lines -- and later MacBook Pro models -- the "Mid-2018", "2019" and "2020" lines -- have an even higher quality "True Tone" display with more accurate color. The 15-Inch and 16-Inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro models have larger 15.4" 2880x1800 (220 ppi, 500 nits) and 16.0" 3072x1920 (226 pp, 500 nits) displays, respectively.

Input Differences

The keyboard is another significant point of differentiation between these MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

All of these models have keyboards with keys that have limited "travel" so typing takes some getting used to compared to earlier keyboards. However, the discontinued "Late 2016" MacBook Pro models are particularly flat, whereas later models use keyboards that don't move further, but the movement has been refined to feel a bit better and newer models have a sealed rubber membrane to make typing quieter and reduce the risk of damage from debris.

The "2019" MacBook Air and "2019" 13-Inch MacBook Pro models use a "revised third-generation [butterfly] keyboard" with material and possibly structural changes to yet again attempt to improve reliability. The last Intel-based "2020" MacBook Air, 16-Inch "2019" MacBook Pro, and 13-Inch "2020" MacBook Pro models use a better keyboard design, with a "scissor mechanism and 1mm travel."

All of these models also have a large "Force Touch" trackpad that doesn't physically "click."

Applicable 13-Inch MacBook Pro and all 15-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pro models also have an integrated "Touch Bar" that replaces the traditional function keys with a touch-sensitive display that presents customized controls for the macOS and different applications. This "Touch Bar" often provides Touch ID and Apple Pay support, too. The "Retina" MacBook Air does not have a Touch Bar, but it does support Touch ID.

Connectivity Differences

Connectivity is a notable difference between these MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

All have a headphone jack, but the 13-Inch Retina MacBook Air and entry-level 13-Inch "2019, 2 TB 3" and "2020, 2 TB 3" MacBook Pro models have two Thunderbolt 3 ports. All other Touch Bar MacBook Pro models have four Thunderbolt 3 ports.

All of these models support 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Earlier 13-Inch Retina MacBook Air and earlier MacBook Pro models support Bluetooth 4.2, but later "2020" MacBook Air and "2019" and "2020" MacBook Pro models support the newer Bluetooth 5.0 standard.

Identification Differences

Different Retina MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models often share the same Model Number. Accordingly, the EMC Number, externally located on the bottom of each notebook near the hinge, is better for greater precision.

For example, a "2019" 15-Inch MacBook Pro model can be identified by the 3359 EMC Number, a "2019" 16-Inch MacBook Pro model can be identified by the 3347 EMC Number, and a "2020" Retina MacBook Air can be identified by the 3302 EMC Number.

Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify each one of these notebooks by their serial numbers, which are listed in software as well as on the bottom of the system.

Internal Differences

There are significant internal differences between models in each line, but in general, the MacBook Pro models are more powerful than the MacBook Air. The 15-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pro models, in particular, commonly have processors with more cores and dedicated graphics processors that outrun the other models and that are capable of supporting higher resolution and a larger number of external displays.

The processors and RAM are soldered in place on all Retina MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models equipped with a Touch Bar. All of these models also have a battery that is glued in place and that cannot be easily replaced by an end user, although more recent models have better designs that are more replaceable than earlier ones. Some Retina MacBook Air models actually have longer battery life than the MacBook Pro, too.

Comparison Chart

The major differences between these MacBook and MacBook Pro models are summarized below:

	MBA	13" MBP	15" MBP	16" MBP
Current:	No	No	No	Yes
Proc Cores:	2-4	2-4	4-8	6-8
Std RAM:	8 GB	8 GB	16 GB	16 GB
Max RAM:	16 GB†	16-32 GB†	16-32 GB†	64 GB†
Std. Storage:	128 GB 256 GB 512 GB	128 GB 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB	256 GB 512 GB	512 GB 1 TB
Interface:	Soldered	Soldered	Soldered	Soldered
Graphics:	Integrated	Integrated	Dedicated	Dedicated
Ports:	2 (TB 3)	2, 4 (TB 3)*	4 (TB 3)	4 (TB 3)
Display:	13.3"	13.3"	15.4"	16.0"
Resolution:	2560x1600	2560x1600	2880x1800	3072x1920
True Tone:	Yes (2019+)	Yes (2018+)	Yes (2018+)	Yes
Ext. Displays:	2	2	2-4	2-4
Keyboard:	Butterfly/Scissor	Butterfly/Scissor	Butterfly	Scissor
Touch Bar:	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Touch ID:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Esc Key:	Yes	No	No	Yes
Colors:	Gold Silver Gray	Silver Gray	Silver Gray	Silver Gray
Dimensions:	0.16-0.61/63 11.97 8.36	0.59-0.61 11.97 8.36	0.61 13.75 9.48	0.64 14.09 9.68
Weight:	~2.75 lbs (1.25 kg)	3.02-3.1 lbs (1.37-1.4 kg)	4.02 lbs (1.83 kg)	4.3 lbs (2.0 kg)
Battery Life:	11-13 Hours	10 Hours	10 Hours	11 Hours
Current Price:	Used Only	US$1799, US$1999**	Used Only	US$2399, US$2799

† RAM upgrades only were possible at the time of system purchase. RAM is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase.

* With the exception of the 13-Inch "2 TB 3" models introduced in 2019 and 2020, all 13-Inch MacBook Pro models with a Touch Bar have four Thunderbolt 3 ports, but the capability varies depending on series.

** Apple still sells the "4 TB 3 2020" 13-Inch MacBook Pro models as new.

So, which is best for my needs?

Ignoring subsequently introduced models and only comparing these notebooks, for most users, either the Retina MacBook Air or a 16-Inch MacBook Pro "Touch Bar" are the best choice.

If you want the fastest, most powerful Mac notebook with the biggest display you can buy among these Intel-based notebooks, the 16-Inch MacBook Pro is the way to go. Among these models, the Retina MacBook Air -- on the other hand -- is cheapest, lightest, has the best battery life, and often can hold its own with the 13-Inch MacBook Pro in terms of performance. It's also available in a gold color, should that matter to you.

Compared to the MacBook Air, the 13-Inch MacBook Pro "Touch Bar" models often are a bit faster overall (but can be much faster in multicore tasks), often have a bit better graphics performance, four Thunderbolt 3 ports instead of just two (for most models), and the "Touch Bar" functionality, but these are pretty modest improvements over the MacBook Air for the extra money. Most users are better off picking up a MacBook Air.

Of course, for those on a tight budget, any number of used MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are well worth considering, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro and MacBook Air 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 Mac notebooks 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 and MacBook Air models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

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