Owing to the fact that I have an iPhone and an iPad, I wanted to get into the Apple Ecosystem and decided to opt for a Macbook. Little did I know, I was left with a nerve wracking question, “Which Apple Laptop should I buy?” With a sleek aluminum finish, lightweight with a premium feel, Apple laptops have been on my wish list for a while now and it’s finally that time where I go ahead and purchase one.
Though there aren’t many models in the market, it’s still difficult to choose the right Macbook. They have basically two primary models of Macbooks which come with a range of variants designed to target users with different intentions.
Let’s get into the available Macbook Air and Macbook Pro ranges that are currently on sale and I’ll let you in on how I decided which MacBook was best suited for me.
Best Apple Laptop 2020
Apple has 3 models of the Macbook available at their Apple Stores and on their website. These are the Macbook Air, Macbook Pro 13” and the Macbook Pro 16”. These are the latest and most powerful notebooks from Apple and come with the coolest keyboard in the world, the Magic Keyboard.
The ultimate answer to my question, Which Apple laptop should i buy? are:
Which Apple laptop should I buy? Macbook Air
Starting at $929 , the Macbook Air 2020 runs on the latest i3 10th Gen Intel processor with a 256GB SSD and 16GB RAM. It is always going to be the best Mac to get if you’re on a budget or just starting off.
The 2020 model of the Macbook Air has a larger display than the model from last year. The Macbook Air 13” comes with the new Magic keyboard, an updated track-pad, two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports.
Display
The Macbook Air has a jaw-dropping Retina display that has a resolution of 2560*1600 and over 4 million pixels delivering razor sharp clarity. The 13.3” display uses true tone technology to modulate the white points of the display and blend in with the colour temperature of its surroundings.
- 13.3” LED Retina display with IPS tech.
- 2560*1600 resolution at 227px per inch.
- Supports True Tone Technology
Performance
The Apple Macbook Air is a lightweight, heavy-duty notebook that weighs a measly 1.29Kg. Equipped with the latest processor, the Air has been drastically improved in terms of CPU and GPU performance.
In terms of power, the battery on the Macbook Air can last for hours together on a single charge making sure all your data is saved and secured. A built-in 49.9W lithium-polymer battery that requires a USB-C charger in order to be recharged is what powers the Macbook Air.
The Macbook Air can be configured as per your liking and there are two available variants in the market for better performance.
| Specs | Apple Macbook Air i3 | Apple Macbook Air i5 |
| Processor (configurable) | 1.1GHz dual-core 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor | 1.1GHz quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics |
| RAM (configurable) | 8GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory | 8GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory |
| Storage (configurable) | 256GB SSD | 521GB SSD |
Features
The Apple Macbook Air features:
- Three colour variants : The Macbook Air is available in three unique colour options, Gold, Space Grey and Silver.
- Touch ID Sensor : It’s now easier to unlock the Macbook Air now that it comes equipped with Touch ID.
- The camera on the Macbook Air is capable of recording videos in HD 720P.
- The Macbook Air houses stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and Wide stereo sound.
- A backlit Magic keyboard with an Ambient light sensor and a new and improved track-pad for precision cursor control.
- The Thunderbolt 3 Ports can be used to charge the laptop, used as a display port and can transfer data up to 40 Gbps.
Which Apple laptop should I buy? Macbook Pro 13”
At a slightly higher price range, the Macbook Pro 13” starts at $1244 and comes in a few variants based on the type of processor or storage you choose. This notebook is ideal for designers or those looking to run hardcore applications or games.
Though it weighs more than the Macbook Air, the Pro 13” is still nice and sleek with a dusted finish to the body. Considered Apple’s Middle child, the Macbook Pro 13” is something to ponder about if you’re not too tight on shelling a few extra bucks.
Display
Much like it’s younger sibling, the Macbook Pro 13” also houses a 13.3” Retina display with IPS technology that is capable of delivering 2560*1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch of the display.
The 13.3” display uses true tone technology to modulate the white points of the display and blend in with the colour temperature of its surroundings.
- 13.3” LED Retina display with IPS tech.
- 2560*1600 resolution at 227px per inch.
- Supports True Tone Technology
Performance
Weighing slightly heavier, the Macbook Pro 13” stands at 1.4Kg and is extremely portable with a width of 0.61 inches. Powering the Macbook Air 13” is an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor which can be swapped out for either the i5 or the i7 processors for greater performance.
Running on a built-in 58.2W Li-polymer battery, the Pro 13” can last for up to 10 hours on a single charge or a maximum of 30 days on standby.
Each Macbook Air 13” comes with multiple variants and this can be opted for while purchasing the device, each one is an upgrade from the last and would be priced differently.
| Specs | Apple Macbook Pro i5 256GB | Apple Macbook Pro i5 512GB | Apple Macbook Pro i5 512 GB |
| Processor (configurable) | 1.4GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor | 1.4GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor | 2.0GHz quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 | Intel Iris Plus Graphics |
| RAM (configurable) | 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory | 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory | 16GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory |
| Storage (configurable) | 256GB SSD | 521GB SSD | 521GB SSD |
Features
The Apple Macbook Pro 13” features:
- Two colour variants : The Macbook Pro is available in two unique colour options, Space Grey and Silver.
- Touch ID Sensor and Touch Bar : It’s now easier to unlock the Macbook Air now that it comes equipped with Touch ID. The Touch bar can be configured with various shortcuts for a more productive experience.
- The camera on the Macbook Air is capable of recording videos in HD 720P.
- The Macbook Air houses stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and Wide stereo sound.
- A full sized backlit Magic keyboard with an Ambient light sensor and a new and improved force touch track-pad for precision cursor control.
- The 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports can be used to charge the laptop, used as a display port and can transfer data up to 40 Gbps.
Which Apple laptop should I buy? Macbook Pro 16”
The final on the list of Which Apple laptop should I buy? is By far the most powerful Macbook, the Pro 16” is designed for those who need to push their notebook to the limit. The most expensive Macbook, retailed at $2000+, the Macbook Air 16” is notably the most epic Macbook to own.
Display
Featuring the largest Retina display on a Macbook, the Pro 16” brings colours to life with crisp images while delivering brighter white spots and darker blacks.
The display is a 16 inch LED Retina display with IPS technology and has a resolution of 3072*1920 at 226 pixels per inch. Much like its counterparts, the Macbook Pro uses true tone technology to modulate the white points of the display and blend in with the colour temperature of its surroundings.
- 16” LED Retina display with IPS tech.
- 3072*1920resolution at 226px per inch.
- Supports True Tone Technology.
- Features 500 nits brightness and wide colour.
Performance
The heaviest Macbook in the market, the Pro 16” weighs in at a whopping 2 Kg and is still super slim making it easier to be carried around places. The base processor on the Pro 16” is a 2.6GHz i7 Intel processor with turbo boost and this can be upgraded or configured if you’re looking for a faster processor.
Each Macbook Pro 16” is powered by a built-in 100W Li-polymer battery that can last for up to 11 hours on a single charge. This battery can be charged with a 96W USB-C charger that comes with the device.
The processors, storage and RAM can be swapped out and customized while placing the order online. The variants for the Macbook Pro 16” are
| Specs | Apple Macbook Pro 16” i7 | Apple Macbook Pro i9 |
| Processor (configurable) | 2.6GHz 6-core 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor | 2.3GHz 8-core 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory | AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory |
| RAM | 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory | 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory |
| Storage (configurable) | 512GB SSD | 1TB SSD |
Features
The Apple Macbook Pro 16” features:
- Two colour variants : The Macbook Pro 16” is available in two unique colour options, Space Grey and Silver.
- Touch ID Sensor and Touch Bar : It’s now easier to unlock the Macbook Air now that it comes equipped with Touch ID. The Touch bar can be configured with various shortcuts for a more productive experience.
- The camera on the Macbook Air is capable of recording videos in HD 720P.
- The Macbook Air houses 6 speakers with force cancelling woofers that support Dolby Atmos and Wide stereo surround sound.
- A full sized backlit Magic keyboard with an Ambient light sensor and a new and improved force touch track-pad for precision cursor control and also includes multi-touch gestures.
- Equipped with 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports that can be used to charge the laptop, as a display port and can transfer data up to 40 Gbps.
Verdict
While on the hunt I managed to get my answer to which Apple laptop should I buy? These three models are currently available in 2020 and have some of the best configurations and features than most other brands.
I ended up picking the Macbook Air as it was ideal for my line of work. I needed something that was lightweight and could easily be carried around. The Macbook Air is an entry level super-notebook that is easy to handle, powerful enough to multi-task and get the job done without any lag.
For those who are into programming and graphic designing or are Pro fans, then the 16” Macbook Pro is the beast designed just for you. Slightly pricey but oh what a monster to own.
Are Macs worth the money?
Simply put, Yes. Macbooks have been around for a while now and have been nothing but brilliant in terms of functionality and power. The reason I say they are worth the high price is due to the fact that they deliver, each and every time the notebook is powered on you’re bound to have the most fluid and flawless experience.
Is it better to buy Mac or Windows?
It entirely depends on whether you’re looking for something affordable with easy upgrade options or for something that will provide you with a streamlined experience and high performance.
Why are Macs so expensive?
It’s simple, the Macbook is not a low-end notebook. The prices of Macbooks are higher than other traditional brands because of the quality of the parts used in the manufacture of the Macbooks. These are high-end machines and while compared to other brands with similar specs, the Macbooks are not far off and are quite similarly priced.
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