Differences between the 13-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pro

When it comes to MacBook Pros, there may be a big question among users: to buy a 13-inch or 14-inch model. Beyond the size difference, of course, there are also significant hardware differences. We tell you all the details about it in this comparison.

Differences between the 13-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pro

Specification Comparison

Before going fully into all the differences that you can find between these two MacBook Pro models, we want to put the data on both devices on the table. In this way you will be able to better understand the key points that separate both teams and, above all, you will know more in depth what each one of them is capable of offering individually.

Characteristic MacBook Pro 13″ MacBook Pro 14″
Screen 13.3-inch Retina (IPS) 14.2-inch XDR Display (miniLED)
resolution and brightness 2,560 x 1,600 and brightness up to 500 nits 3-024 x 1,964 (14.2 inches) and brightness up to 1,600 nits
Soft drink Up to 60Hz Up to 120Hz
Dimensions 1.56 x 30.41 x 21.24cm 1.55 x 31.26 x 22.12 cm (14.2 in)
Weight 1.4kg 1.6kg
Processor Apple M1 -Apple M1 Pro
-Apple M1 Max
RAM -8GB
-16 GB
-16 GB
-32GB
-64GB (M1 Max only)
Storage -256GB
-512GB
-1TB
-2TB
-512GB
-1TB
-2TB
-4TB
-8TB
Sound 2 stereo speakers 6 stereo speakers
connectivity -Wi-Fi 802.11ax (6th gen)
-Bluetooth 4.0
-Bluetooth 4.0
-Wi-Fi 802.11ax (6th gen)
-Bluetooth 4.0
ports -2 Thunderbolt ports (USB 4)
-1 3.5mm jack port for audio
-3 Thunderbolt ports (USB 4)
-HDMI port
-SD card slots
-MagSafe
-1 3.5mm jack port for audio
Battery Up to 20 hours of autonomy Up to 17 hours of autonomy
Others -TouchBar
-Touch ID
Touch ID
Launching November 2020 October 2021
Price From 1,449 euros From 2,249 euros

differences in design

The design is a really important point in any type of comparison. In the end, it is what the client is going to be seeing constantly while using the Mac. This means that this fundamental factor must be taken into account. In general, it should be noted that the 14-inch MacBook Pro hit the market with a renewed design compared to the 13-inch one. And all this, we see below classified into two important aspects of design: screen and chassis.

Screen

The 14-inch model adds an inch more size than the 13, as you’d expect. But this is something that has been achieved thanks to a change in the design of the front of the screen. This keeps the overall size of the screen from increasing too much. Exactly, we see the difference in the frames as they are much tighter on the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Likewise, in order to achieve this, there is a notch at the top to house all the cameras and sensors necessary for its operation. This is something that is not integrated into the 13-inch model, since it has much more pronounced and classic frames.

And if we talk about the screen, it should be noted that it has many differences in its technology. Specifically, the larger model has a miniLED screen and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. This offers a big difference when it comes to contrast. This means that the blacks are much purer and the colors will be ultra bright. Without a doubt, it is something ideal for when you spend a lot of time watching movies, since you will have much more realistic colors. Add to that a brightness of 1,000 nits, which far exceeds the 13-inch model, which has a brightness of 500 nits. It is for all this that we are facing the most recommended model for multimedia content or graphic work.

Chassis differences

But beyond the screen, we must also highlight the chassis of the device. Within this word the keyboard and also the body of the device are included. In this case, the most attractive thing is the elimination of the Touch Bar on the keyboard of the 14-inch MacBook Pro, which is maintained in the 13-inch model. This makes it possible to have a larger keyboard taking better advantage of the space you have, making the trackpad also have a considerable size.

pantalla macbook pro 2021

But beyond this, the 14-inch MacBook Pro has a new design. For example, the screen bezels are narrow, but also the feet at the bottom are larger in order to facilitate ventilation. In this case, the keyboard has a completely black background that gives it a great sobriety.

pantalla macbook pro 2020

hardware that includes

Beyond the general design of the computer, we must also highlight its entrails. Many different elements are included here, which are what we know as hardware. In this case we analyze point by point everything you need to know about all these components.

CPU, GPU and RAM performance

The CPU, GPU and RAM are the most important elements of any computer, since they are responsible for running the operating system or an application. In this case, we must remember that Apple has opted in both models to integrate its proprietary Apple Silicon chips, which has all these elements that we have mentioned in a condensed way on a chip. And it is that we are going to see important differences in these aspects, basically because the 14-inch model has an Apple M1 Pro chip with the possibility of improving the M1 Max, while the 13-inch model is limited to the M1 chip.

macbook pro m1

Within these parameters, regarding the CPU, the 13″ model has 8 cores (four high-efficiency and four high-performance). But in the case of 14 inches you can have 8 or 10 cores . This means that there is a great improvement in performance, since in the latter there are more efficiency cores. It will be especially noticeable when using high-performance applications.

In the GPU or graphics, the 13″ MacBook Pro has an 8-core card, while the 14-inch model bets on a 14, 16, 24 or 32-core GPU. This will ultimately depend on the chip you have chosen in your configuration. Depending on the cores, you will notice a significant improvement when it comes to rendering videos or making edits.

macbook pro 2021

MacBook Pro (M1 Pro/M1 Max) (2021)

As we have seen, there are many differences in the hardware sections, and RAM is not far behind . In the case of the 13″ MacBook Pro, the maximum RAM that can be integrated is 16 GB, while in the 14-inch, a maximum of 64 GB is chosen. This is really remarkable, especially when you have to work intensively with many programs simultaneously or with multiple screens.

Storage

Storage is important in this case if you need to store a large amount of information locally. And it is here, too, that many differences can be found. If it is your particular case that you need a lot of stored information, you will have to opt for the 14-inch model, since a customization of up to 8 TB of SSD storage is integrated. But, on the contrary, in the 13-inch model there is a limitation of 2TB on SSD.

connectivity

This is one of the points where there has been more conflict in any Mac. Apple has opted on countless occasions to significantly reduce all the ports that exist to be able to connect a flash drive or a video transmission cable. This is a problem that is present, for example, in the 13-inch MacBook Pro model that only has two USB Type-C ports. This makes it necessary that if you have to connect an external storage unit or an accessory with USB-A, you have to choose to carry different adapters.

dimensiones macbook pro

But this does not happen in the fourteen-inch model, where there is much more successful connectivity. Mainly, it is designed so that professionals do not have to opt for a USB hub. Especially noteworthy is the presence of an HDMI port, SD card and three USB-C ports. It is undoubtedly a great advance, focusing mainly on the comfort of the user when it comes to having a computer that is really portable, as it does not have to carry numerous adapters.

keyboard and trackpad

In every laptop you have to enjoy a good keyboard to be able to carry out the most daily tasks such as writing different texts or interacting with specific applications. In this case, it should be noted that no difference can be found since they have the same mechanism known as “scissors” and called Magic Keyboard. The only difference that we have previously commented on is that the 14-inch model does not have the classic Touch Bar, contributing by expanding the size of the keys.

MacBook Pro cargando

As far as the trackpad is concerned, there is a change in size, although it is minimal. Many people will not be able to appreciate it when it comes to mm. Likewise, it remains in both cases of a considerable size to be able to work comfortably taking full advantage of the size of the chassis.

Autonomy

When talking about a laptop, one of its critical points is always the battery life. That is why we find two autonomy values that are completely different between the two models under load:

  • 14-inch MacBook Pro: Up to 17 hours on.
  • 13-inch MacBook Pro: Up to 20 hours of battery life.

MacBook Pro reacondicionados

Obviously, these are approximate values and that will always depend on the use that is given to the computer on a day-to-day basis. Likewise, there is a fast charge through MagSafe , making it efficient, but also safe, guaranteeing that the slightest pull on the cable does not affect the device.

Likewise, you can clearly see how the 13-inch MacBook Pro has more autonomy. This is logical, since in the most recent one you can find a much more powerful processor and therefore requires a higher energy expenditure.

price differences

You have already seen the cost of these starting computers in the initial table, but they have a very relevant breakdown if you want to configure better features . And it is that the price is increasing based on it, therefore having the following prices:

13-inch MacBook Pro

precios macbook pro 2020

  • M1 chip (8-core CPU and 8-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine)
  • RAM:
    • 8GB
    • 16GB: +230 euros
  • Storage:
    • 256GB
    • 512 GB: +230 euros
    • 1TB: +460 euros
    • 2TB: +920 euros
  • Pre-installed programs:
    • None
    • Logic Pro: +199.99 euros
    • Final Cut Pro: +299.99 euros

14-inch MacBook Pro

In this case, you can find two basic configurations that we will explain below. From here you can add different features to have access to better hardware, for example.

MacBook Pro (2021 – 14 inches) from 2,249 euros

precios macbook pro 2021 14

  • Chip:
    • M1 Pro (8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine)
    • M1 Pro (10-core CPU, 14-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine): +230 euros
    • M1 Pro (10-core CPU, 16-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine): +290 euros
    • M1 Max (10-core CPU, 24-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine): +500 euros
    • M1 Max (10-core CPU, 32-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine): +730 euros
  • RAM:
    • 16GB (M1 Pro only)
    • 32GB: +460 euros
    • 64 GB (only in M1 Max): +920 euros
  • Storage:
    • 512GB
    • 1TB: +230 euros
    • 2TB: +690 euros
    • 4TB: +1,380 euros
    • 8TB: +2,760 euros
  • Power adapter:
    • 67W USB-C
    • 96W USB-C: +20 euros
  • Pre-installed programs:
    • None
    • Logic Pro: +199.99 euros
    • Final Cut Pro: +299.99 euros

MacBook Pro (2021 – 14 inches) from 2,749 euros

  • Chip:
    • M1 Pro (10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine)
    • M1 Max (10-core CPU, 24-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine): +230 euros
    • M1 Max (10-core CPU, 32-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine): +410 euros
  • RAM:
    • 16GB (M1 Pro only)
    • 32GB: +460 euros
    • 64 GB (only in M1 Max): +920 euros
  • Storage:
    • 512GB
    • 1TB: +230 euros
    • 2TB: +690 euros
    • 4TB: +1,380 euros
    • 8TB: +2,760 euros
  • 140W power adapter:
  • Pre-installed programs:
    • None
    • Logic Pro: +199.99 euros
    • Final Cut Pro: +299.99 euros

Our conclusions

In this case, it has been clearly verified that the MacBook Pro with this chip is designed for users who are true professionals. This is something that applies especially when we talk about the 14-inch MacBook Pro that allows a professional configuration in terms of RAM but also in GPU and CPU. This is as a result of having chips that are much more powerful, but obviously it will be used much better by those image or video professionals who will be editing constantly. Otherwise, it will not deserve the financial outlay that it will have since, as we have seen, there is a large price difference between the different models.

It can be concluded in this way that if you already have a MacBook Pro with an M1 chip, it will not be worth making the leap to these models that we have analyzed. But if you do not have any, you will always have to assess the economic aspect to opt for one or the other. It has been possible to detect that they have many differences and that in the end they are completely different teams, especially in performance.