MacBook Air 2020 vs MacBook Pro 2020: Which One is Worth Buying?

If you are thinking of acquiring a Mac soon, either to renew your old Apple equipment or to introduce yourself for the first time in the world of the apple, you may be interested in knowing the similarities and differences between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, in the most recent models of 2020. Next we will do a more exhaustive analysis of it.

MacBook Air 2020 vs MacBook Pro 2020

MacBook Air 2020 and MacBook Pro 2020 Specifications

The fundamental thing you should know before buying a computer is its characteristics, beyond the fact that later these benefits may be better or worse than what is reflected on paper. In both cases we find the following specifications:

characteristics MacBook Air (2020) MacBook Pro 13 “(2020)
Colors Space gray, silver and gold. Space gray and silver.
Dimensions Height: 1.61 cm
Width: 30.41 cm
Depth: 21.24 cm
Height: 1.56 cm
Width: 30.41 cm
Depth: 21.24 cm
Weight 1.29 kg 1.4 kg
screen 13.3-inch LED-backlit Retina IPS 13.3-inch LED-backlit Retina IPS
Resolution 2,560 x 1,600 with 400 nit brightness 2,560 x 1,600 with 500 nit brightness
Graphics Intel Iris Plus Graphics Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645
Processor 10th Gen Intel Core i3 10th Gen
Intel Core i5 10th Gen
Intel Core i7
8th Generation Intel Core i5 8th Generation
Intel Core i7
10th Generation
Intel Core i5 10th Generation Intel Core i7
RAM 8 GB LPDDR4X
16 GB LPPDR4X
8 GB LPPDR3
16 GB LPPDR3
16 GB LPPDR4X
32 GB LPPDR4X
Internal storage 256 GB
SSD 512 GB
SSD 1 TB
SSD 2 TB
256 GB
SSD 512 GB
SSD 1 TB
SSD 2 TB
SSD 4 TB
Sound 2 Dolby Atmos compatible stereo speakers
3 microphones
1 3.5mm headphone jack
2 stereo speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos
3 microphones with directional beamforming technology
1 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity WiFi 802.11ac
Bluetooth 5.0
WiFi 802.11ac
Bluetooth 5.0
Base operating system macOS 10.15 Catalina macOS 10.15 Catalina
Release date March 2020 May 2020
Price From 1,199 euros From 1,499 euros

How much do they increase in price?MacBook Air 2020

Luckily it is possible to configure a MacBook completely to our liking, so you can increase its benefits until you reach a point that you think will be optimal for you. Of course, in both cases you have to know that the price also increases. Below we show you what the possibilities are with both teams.

MacBook Air 2020 from 1,199 euros

  • Two Thunderbolt 3 ports:  does not change the price.
  • Processor:
    • 10th Gen 1.1 GHz Dual Core Intel Core i3 Processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz) –  Price does not change
    • Tenth generation 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz):  + 50 euros.
    • Tenth generation 1.2 GHz Intel Core i7 dual-core processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.8 GHz):  + 130 euros.
  • RAM:
    • 8 GB of LPDDR4X memory at 3,733 MHz:  does not change the price.
    • 16 GB of LPDDR4X memory at 3,733 MHz:  + 250 euros.
  • Internal memory:
    • 256 GB SSD:  does not change the price.
    • 512 GB SSD: + 250 euros.
    • 1 TB SSD:  + 500 euros.
    • 2 TB SSD:  + 1,000 euros.

MacBook Air 2020 from 1,499 euros

  • Two Thunderbolt 3 ports:  does not change the price.
  • Processor:
    • 10th Gen 1.1 GHz Dual Core Intel Core i5 Processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz):  No change in price.
    • Tenth generation 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.8 GHz):  + 80 euros.
  • RAM:
    • 8 GB of LPDDR4X memory at 3,733 MHz:  does not change the price.
    • 16 GB of LPDDR4X memory at 3,733 MHz:  + 250 euros.
  • Internal memory:
    • 512 GB SSD: does not change the price.
    • 1 TB SSD:  + 250 euros.
    • 2 TB SSD:  + 750 euros.

MacBook Pro 2020

MacBook Pro 2020 from 1,499 euros

  • Two Thunderbolt 3 ports:  does not change the price.
  • Processor:
    • 8th Generation 1.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 Processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz) – No change in price.
    • 8th generation 1.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz): + 375 euros .
  • RAM:
    • 8 GB of 2,133 MHz LPDDR3 memory:  does not change the price.
    • 16 GB of 2,133 MHz LPDDR3 memory:  + 125 euros.
  • Internal memory:
    • 256 GB SSD:  does not change the price.
    • 512 GB SSD: + 250 euros.
    • 1 TB SSD:  + 500 euros.
    • 2 TB SSD:  + 1,000 euros.
  • Pre-installed software:
    • Final Cut Pro X:  + 329.99 euros.
    • Logic Pro X:  + 229 euros.

MacBook Pro 2020 from 1,749 euros

  • Two Thunderbolt 3 ports:  does not change the price.
  •  Processor:
    • 8th Generation 1.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 Processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz) – No change in price.
    • 8th generation 1.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz): + 375 euros .
  • RAM:
    • 8 GB of 2,133 MHz LPDDR3 memory:  does not change the price.
    • 16 GB of 2,133 MHz LPDDR3 memory:  + 125 euros.
  • Internal memory:
    • 512 GB SSD: does not change the price.
    • 1 TB SSD:  +250 euros.
    • 2 TB SSD:  + 500 euros.
  • Pre-installed software:
    • Final Cut Pro X:  + 329.99 euros.
    • Logic Pro X:  + 229 euros.

MacBook Pro 2020 from 2,129 euros

  • Four Thunderbolt 3 ports –  Price unchanged.
  • Processor:
    • 10th Gen 2GHz Quad Core Intel Core i5 Processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz) – No change in price.
    • Tenth generation 2 GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz): + 250 euros .
  • RAM:
    • 16 GB of 3,733 MHz LPDDR4X memory:  does not change the price.
    • 32 GB of LPDDR4X memory at 3,733 MHz:  + 500 euros.
  • Internal memory:
    • 512 GB SSD: does not change the price.
    • 1 TB SSD:  +250 euros.
    • 2 TB SSD:  + 750 euros.
    • 4 TB SSD: + 1,500 euros.
  • Pre-installed software:
    • Final Cut Pro X:  + 329.99 euros.
    • Logic Pro X:  + 229 euros.

MacBook Pro 2020 from 2,379 euros

  • Four Thunderbolt 3 ports –  Price unchanged.
  •  Processor:
    • 10th Gen 2GHz Quad Core Intel Core i5 Processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz) – No change in price.
    • Tenth generation 2 GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz): + 250 euros .
  • RAM:
    • 16 GB of 3,733 MHz LPDDR4X memory:  does not change the price.
    • 32 GB of LPDDR4X memory at 3,733 MHz:  + 500 euros.
  • Internal memory:
    • 1TB SSD:  does not change the price.
    • 2 TB SSD:  + 500 euros.
    • 4 TB SSD: + 1,250 euros.
  • Pre-installed software:
    • Final Cut Pro X:  + 329.99 euros.
    • Logic Pro X:  + 229 euros.

In a case study that serves as an example to illustrate these cases, we would find that both MacBooks with identical features would have a substantial difference. If we put both a tenth generation i5, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of capacity, we would have 1,749 euros and 2,129 euros respectively, with the ‘Pro’ being the most expensive model. Therefore we can intuit that  the price does not change only for the benefits , but that other non-configurable aspects such as cooling or graphics tip the balance in favor of the most expensive model.

The approach of every MacBook

It is clear that if the MacBook Pro bears that nickname it is because it is focused on a professional audience, but to what extent can it be considered a basic use in the case of ‘Air’? The answer is really complicated if we consider that each person is a world. You must value yourself the use you want to make of the equipment.

If you want a competent computer with which to perform office tasks, casual editing of photos and even sporadically video, a MacBook Air could be more than enough, and may even add some features to make it even faster in its execution. However, things change when we talk about intensive processes on a more regular basis, such as video editing. The ‘Air’ would be able to support these processes, but not with the same efficiency as the ‘Pro’, in addition to the fact that its temperature would rise considerably to the point of being able to damage the board of the device.

Also the weight of both devices can be essential. In both cases they are 13.3-inch computers, but the body is different. The ‘Air’ is lighter due to its base that tapers as you get closer to the trackpad, making it a tremendously comfortable computer to take away from home or to use on the knees in public transport or when you are sitting or lying on a sofa. It is not that the ‘Pro’ weighs much more, but if enough to lose that touch of lightness that characterizes its little brother.

What if you are not interested in either?

We have been analyzing different approaches to the use of an Apple laptop and in fact your doubt was in them before falling in this article, but perhaps they are not the best options in your case. The Apple iMac  range  also allows different configurations, which also increase or decrease their price. The main drawback is that they are desktop computers and therefore it loses the portability that a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro gives you, although it may compensate you.

Because of their size,  iMacs better dissipate heat and are better suited for intensive tasks such as frequent video editing, virtualizing Windows, and many other tasks. Obviously this must be accompanied by a good combination of processor and RAM, but it could compensate you considering that in the end not even the best MacBook Pro will support these tasks so well.

You also have other equipment such as the Mac mini or the iMac Pro and Mac Pro, but while the former may come up short, the latter two rise too much in price and focus more on professionals in the audiovisual sector and other areas.

conclusion

Both are very capable teams and if you add tenth generation processors it will be even more so, but as we said in previous sections, it is your decision at the end. We understand that the MacBook Pro is a device that is generally better than the MacBook Air, but that does not mean that it is always worth buying it with its respective price difference.

If your use is basic and not very intensive in terms of tasks, the ‘Air’ can serve you more than enough. In any case, our best recommendation is that you continue to investigate the network, visit forums with opinions, ask acquaintances on social networks who have any of these teams and that you finally tip the scales for one of them.