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Touch Bar MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published December 11, 2020
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What are all the differences between the Intel-based 13-Inch (2020) and 16-Inch (2019) MacBook Pro models? Which is best suited for my needs?
The 13-Inch "2 TB 3 2020" MacBook Pro models have been discontinued. The 13-Inch "4 TB 3 2020" MacBook Pro models and 16" MacBook Pro models still are sold as new.
There are two standard 13-Inch "2020" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 1.4 13" 2020 2 TB 3 and MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.0 13" 2020 4 TB 3 -- as well as two standard 16-Inch "2019" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 16" 2019 (Scissor) and MacBook Pro "Core i9" 2.3 16" 2019 (Scissor).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (2020 Retina MacBook Pro 13")
With even a quick glance at the 13-Inch "2020" and 16-Inch "2019" MacBook Pro models, it is obvious that the 16-Inch models are physically larger and have larger displays, but there are internal differences that are not obvious and yet are particularly important.
External Differences
The 13-Inch "2020" and 16-Inch "2019" MacBook Pro models use similarly styled "sealed" aluminum and glass case designs in either silver or a darker "Space Gray" color. As you would expect, the 16-Inch models are larger and are more than a pound heavier (4.3 pounds compared to 3.1 pounds for the smaller notebooks).
Both lines have high-resolution LED-backlit, True Tone, P3 color gamut, widescreen "Retina" displays -- 13.3" (2560x1600) and 16.0" (3072x1920), respectively, -- a 720p FaceTime HD webcam, and large "Force Touch" trackpads.
The keyboards in both lines also use a "redesigned scissor mechanism and 1mm travel" "including 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement" as well as a customized "Touch Bar" with a separate esc key and a separate "Touch ID" sensor.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Redesigned Touch Bar Keyboard - Closeup)
However, audio capabilities are better in the larger 16-Inch models. The 13-Inch models have integrated stereo speakers and three microphones whereas the 16-Inch models have high-quality six speaker audio system and a "studio‑quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming" for recording.
Connectivity Differences
All of these "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro models have a "traditional" 3.5 mm headphone jack that does not support optical audio as well as 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0.
However, the entry-level 13-Inch "2020" MacBook Pro models (3456) only have two full-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports (size compatible with USB-C) whereas all other models have four:
MacBook Pro |
Release Date |
TB 3 Ports |
EMC |
16-Inch (2019) |
Nov 2019 |
4 |
|
13-Inch (2020, 2 TB 3) |
May 2020 |
2 |
|
13-Inch (2020, 4 TB 3) |
May 2020 |
4 |
These MacBook Pro models otherwise have identical connectivity.
Identification Differences
Of course, when they are side-by-side, it is easy to differentiate between the 13-Inch "2020" and 16-Inch "2019" MacBook Pro models visually.
However, because the 13-Inch models look nearly identical to earlier models -- some even share Model Numbers and Model Identifiers -- the aforementioned EMC Numbers on the bottom of each notebook are better for long-term identification.
Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com diligently has hand documented these details from the hardware itself for your convenience:
MacBook Pro |
EMC |
16-Inch (2019) |
|
13-Inch (2020, 2 TB 3) |
|
13-Inch (2020, 4 TB 3) |
In this case, the 16-Inch models are the only notebooks that use the A2141 Model Number and MacBookPro16,1 Model Identifier, so these identifiers can be used conveniently, too.
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify each one of the Touch Bar MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers, which are listed in software as well as on the bottom of the system.
Internal Differences
The entry-level 13-Inch "2020" MacBook Pro models with two Thunderbolt 3 ports use a vintage even at time of release 8th Generation Intel "Coffee Lake" architecture, whereas the higher-end 13-Inch models with four Thunderbolt 3 ports and all 16-Inch "2019" models use a newer 10th Generation "Ice Lake" architecture.
Although the higher-end 13-Inch models actually use faster RAM than the 16-Inch models (3733 MHz LPDDR4X compared to 2666 MHz DDR4 SDRAM), the 16-Inch models have processors with more cores and dedicated graphics processors that deliver crushingly better multicore and graphics performance than their smaller counterparts as well as even better external display support.
Regardless of year, all of these models have soldered RAM and storage that cannot be upgraded after the initial system purchase.
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the 13-Inch "2020" and 16-Inch "2019" MacBook Pro models are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details:
 13" 2020 |
 16" 2019 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Display Size: | 13.3" | 16.0" |
| Resolution: | 2560x1600 | 3072x1920 |
| Architecture: | Coffee/Ice Lake | Ice Lake |
| Generation: | 8th Gen/10th Gen | 10th Gen |
| Clockspeed: | 1.4 GHz/2.0 GHz | 2.6 GHz/2.3 GHz |
| Processor Cores: | 4 | 6-8 |
| Standard RAM: | 8 GB/16 GB | 16 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 16 GB/32 GB† | 64 GB† |
| RAM Speed: | 2133 MHz/3733 MHz | 2666 MHz |
| RAM Type: | LPDDR3/LPDDR4X | DDR4 |
| Standard Storage: | 256 GB, 512 GB 512 GB, 1 TB |
512 GB, 1 TB |
| Graphics Processor(s): | Iris Plus 645/Plus | Radeon Pro 5300M Radeon Pro 5500M |
| GDDR6 VRAM: | None | 4 GB |
| Ext. Display Support: | 5120x2880 (5K) 6016x3384 (6K) |
6016x3384 (6K) x2 |
| Speakers: | Stereo | Six Speakers |
| Microphone: | Three | Three Mic-Array |
| Battery W Hrs: | 58.2 W Hr 58.0 W Hr |
100 W Hr |
| Battery Life: | 10 Hours | 11 Hours |
| Thunderbolt: | 2/4 (3.0) | 4 (3.0) |
| Height (In): | 0.61 | 0.64 |
| Width (In): | 11.97 | 14.09 |
| Depth (In): | 8.36 | 9.68 |
| Weight: | 3.1 lbs | 4.3 lbs |
| Model Number: | A2289/A2251 | A2141 |
| EMC Number: | 3456/3348 | 3347 |
| Model Identifier: | MacBookPro16,3 MacBookPro16,2 |
MacBookPro16,1 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1299, US$1499 US$1799, US$1999 |
US$2399, US$2799 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £1299, £1499 £1799, £1999 |
£2399, £2799 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$1699, C$1949 C$2399, C$2649 |
C$2999, C$3499 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$1999, A$2299 A$2999, A$3299 |
A$3799, A$4399 |
† 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.
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, which is best for my needs?
Ultimately, when they were first released, the 16-Inch "2019" MacBook Pro models were the best new notebooks that Apple makes. They provide a big, beautiful display and the fastest possible performance and graphics performance. In fact, when it was first introduced, it was the only option with dedicated graphics. It was quite expensive, though.
Although the value proposition may have changed somewhat on the used market, in general, EveryMac.com would not recommend buying the entry-level 13-Inch "2020" MacBook Pro models with the older architecture. They are cheaper, but with slower performance, half the RAM, half the storage, and fewer ports, they were not a particularly good value for the money compared to their higher-end brethren when released.
However, if you find the 16-Inch MacBook Pro models too large or too expensive, the higher-end 13-Inch "2020" MacBook Pro models are a solid compromise. Because they have processors with fewer cores and integrated graphics, they are not as fast in multicore tasks or graphics performance as their larger contemporaries, but they still deliver respectable performance at a more modest price.
Site sponsor Adorama has new MacBook Pro Touch Bar models of all sizes with free shipping across the United States.
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