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Unibody MacBook Pro Q&A
Published April 23, 2010
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What are the differences between the "Mid-2010" 13-Inch MacBook Pro and the also 13-Inch White MacBook and MacBook Air models? Which is best for me?
Please note that all Macs mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and quite useful for anyone considering one of these models on the used market.
Externally, the "Mid-2010" 13-Inch MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13-Inch and "Core 2 Duo" 2.66 13-Inch -- the "Late 2009" MacBook -- the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 13-Inch -- and the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "Core 2 Duo" 1.86 13-Inch and "Core 2 Duo" 2.13 13-Inch -- are easy to differentiate from one another.
The MacBook Pro models have relatively thick aluminum cases with a black frame around the display (just about everything is relatively thick compared to the MacBook Air), the White MacBook has a white polycarbonate case, and the MacBook Air models use a razor thin silver-colored aluminum case.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Clockwise from Top - MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook)
In general, it is safe to say that if price is one's highest priority, the least expensive White MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 13-Inch (or a used MacBook) is the best choice. If size and weight are paramount, then a MacBook Air is likely the best choice, and if relative performance, battery life, and connectivity are tops, then a 13-Inch MacBook Pro is ideal.
Those who want the simplest answer can stop reading now, but those who appreciate an in-depth comparison to fully understand all of the differences also will find the following useful.
Apple refers to all of these systems as using a "Unibody" case design. Given the material differences, however, the "Late 2009" MacBook is molded as a single piece of white polycarbonate -- with a removable aluminum bottom panel coated in a "non-skid" rubber surface -- and the aluminum 13-Inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro systems each are milled from a single piece of aluminum that provides greater strength.
The white MacBook weighs 4.7 pounds, the MacBook Pro weighs 4.5 pounds, and the MacBook Air weighs a mere 3 pounds. The MacBook and MacBook Pro models are roughly an inch thick whereas the MacBook Air is a tiny .16 of an inch at its thinnest point and .76 of an inch at its thickest. One way the MacBook Air shaves weight, however, is that it has an external optical drive rather than an internal one like the MacBook and MacBook Pro.
All models have 13.3" widescreen, LED-backlit displays with a 1280x800 native resolution. Apple notes that the "Late 2009" MacBook has the same "wide angle viewing technology" as the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models, but the MacBook reportedly does not have the same color gamut.
All of these models also essentially have the same "flush against the bed" keyboard design (although the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro have backlit keyboards and the MacBook does not), integrated "iSight" video camera, "catchless" magnetic latch, and "MagSafe" power connector technology.
However, the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air has a comparatively simple "one button, three finger" trackpad, whereas the MacBook and MacBook Pro models all have a glass no button "multi-touch" trackpad that supports a variety of "four finger" gestures. The MacBook Pro supports the same "four finger" gestures as the MacBook in addition to new "inertial" scrolling.
The battery design for all of these models basically is the same as well but batteries are not interchangeable. Each battery is integrated with its respective system and it is not designed to be "swapped" -- or even replaced -- by end users. Apple estimates 5 hours of runtime using a 40 W/Hr battery for the MacBook Air, 7 hours of runtime using a 60 W/Hr battery for the MacBook, and 10 hours of runtime using a 63.5 W/Hr battery for the MacBook Pro while performing "wireless productivity" tasks.
Connectivity is a major point of product differentiation. All models have AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. All three also have a Mini DisplayPort that supports an external display at 2560x1600, but the Mini DisplayPort on the MacBook Pro additionally passes an audio signal. Using the MacBook Pro, it is possible to use a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter without the need for a second USB adapter for audio when connected to a device that supports audio via HDMI (like an HDTV).
Otherwise, the connectivity between models differs substantially. The MacBook Air has a single USB 2.0 port and the MacBook and MacBook Pro have two. The MacBook Air includes an external 10/100Base-T Ethernet adapter but does not support Gigabit Ethernet, whereas the MacBook and MacBook Pro both have Gigabit Ethernet ports. The MacBook Air has an analog audio output/headphone minijack whereas the MacBook and MacBook Pro both have the same "combined optical digital output/headphone out (user-selectable analog audio line in)" port used by the iPhone. The MacBook Pro models also have a Firewire "800" port and an SD card slot and the MacBook and MacBook Air do not.
Internally, there are some similarities between the MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro -- all use Core 2 Duo processors of differing speeds and with differing L2 caches, have the same 1066 MHz frontside bus, and have integrated graphics that share 256 MB of RAM with the system. However, the MacBook and MacBook Air have NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics and the MacBook Pro has faster GeForce 320M graphics.
Beyond graphics, perhaps the most notable internal difference is that the MacBook Air has 2 GB of non-upgradable memory and the MacBook and MacBook Pro have upgradable 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM. Official memory capacity is different -- with a 4 GB maximum for the MacBook and 8 GB for the 13-Inch MacBook Pro models -- but site sponsor OWC has discovered that the MacBook actually supports 8 GB too.
These differences, as well as configuration differences, are summarized below:
 MacBook Late 2009 |
 MacBook Air Mid-2009 |
 MacBook Pro Mid-2010 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor: | P7550 | SL9400, SL9600 | P8600, P8800 |
| Speed: | 2.26 GHz | 1.86, 2.13 GHz | 2.4, 2.66 GHz |
| System Bus: | 1066 MHz | 1066 MHz | 1066 MHz |
| L2 Cache: | 3 MB | 6 MB | 3 MB |
| Std. RAM: | 2 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 8 GB* | 2 GB | 8 GB |
| RAM Type: | PC3-8500 DDR3 | Soldered | PC3-8500 DDR3 |
| Int. Graphics: | GeForce 9400M | GeForce 9400M | GeForce 320M |
| VRAM: | 256 MB** | 256 MB** | 256 MB** |
| Display Size: | 13.3" | 13.3"† | 13.3"† |
| Resolution: | 1280x800 | 1280x800 | 1280x800 |
| Ext. Display: | 2560x1600 | 2560x1600 | 2560x1600 |
| Hard Drive: | 250 GB | 120, 128 GB§ | 250, 320 GB |
| Optical Drive: | 8X DL | 8X DL | 8X DL |
| USB 2.0: | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Firewire 800: | No | No | 1 |
| Ethernet: | Gigabit | 10/100Base-T | Gigabit |
| Audio In: | Analog | USB Only | Analog |
| Audio Out: | Optical/Digital | Analog | Optical/Digital |
| Display Port: | Mini DisplayPort | Mini DisplayPort | Mini DisplayPort†† |
| SD Card Slot: | No | No | Yes |
| Backlit KB: | No | Yes | Yes |
| Trackpad: | 4-Finger | 3-Finger | 4-Finger Inertial |
| Battery Life: | 7 Hours§§ | 5 Hours§§ | 10 Hours§§ |
| Battery W/Hr: | 60 W/Hr | 40 W/Hr | 63.5 W/Hr |
| Dimensions: | 1.08 x 13.00 x 9.12 | .16-.76 x 12.8 x 8.94 | 0.95 x 12.78 x 8.94 |
| Weight: | 4.7 lbs (2.13 kg) | 3.0 lbs (1.36 kg) | 4.5 lbs (2.04 kg) |
| Order No: | MC207LL/A | MC233LL/A MC234LL/A |
MC374LL/A MC375LL/A |
| Original Price: | US$999 | US$1499, US$1799 | US$1199, US$1499 |
* Officially, the White "Polycarbonate Unibody/Late 2009" model supports 4 GB of RAM, but third-parties have confirmed that it actually is capable of supporting 8 GB.
** All of these systems have a graphics processor that shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory.
† The display in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models is higher-quality.
†† The MiniDisplay Port in the MacBook Pro also passes an audio signal.
§ MacBook Air "Core 2 Duo" 2.13 13-Inch has a 128 GB SSD rather than a hard drive.
§§ Battery life as estimated by Apple in a "wireless productivity" test.
Ultimately, when comparing the White MacBook and the MacBook Pro most users will have to decide if the superior aluminum case material, enhanced performance and configuration, additional connectivity, better battery life, and officially supported higher memory capacity are worth the price premium of the MacBook Pro. To some, the US$200 minimum difference is money well spent, whereas others on a tight budget may find that the white polycarbonate MacBook model is quite adequate for their needs.
When comparing the MacBook or MacBook Pro to the MacBook Air, one will have to decide if the Air's pound and a half advantage in weight is worth the disadvantages in price, performance, connectivity, expansion, and battery life. For those who travel frequently, and find the battery life sufficient, the MacBook Air is worth consideration. Others likely would prefer the much less expensive MacBook or the decidedly "premium enough" MacBook Pro.
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.
Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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