


Both laptops became reasonably - but not uncomfortably - warm after about 20 minutes of gameplay.
#STUDIO MICROPHONE FOR MAC BOOK AIR PRO#
While playing “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” on both laptops, I noticed the MacBook Pro was more responsive and capable of rendering graphics slightly more smoothly compared to the Air. Overall, the M1 MacBook Pro feels a bit more powerful than the Air but is generally the same when it comes to daily tasks. The MacBook Air’s fanless design is a godsend for anyone who’s dealt with noisy, whirring fans that make your laptop sound like a jet engine once it’s under a little bit of stress.But the MacBook Pro’s fan likely means it’s capable of sustaining high performance for longer periods of time since it won’t have to throttle performance to cool off. That should give the base MacBook Pro a bit more of a kick when running games and other graphics-heavy programs.Īnother important characteristic found on the MacBook Pro that the MacBook Air lacks is a cooling fan. One of the only differences when it comes to the processor is that with the MacBook Air, the base model comes with a 7-core graphics processing unit (GPU), while the MacBook Pro has an 8-core GPU in its entry-level configuration. The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air both run on Apple’s M1 system-on-a-chip, which features an 8-core central processing unit (CPU) and a 16-core Neural Engine. Still, for those seeking a general-purpose laptop that’s equipped for browsing the web, writing papers, watching videos, and some photo and video editing, the MacBook Air is the best choice.
But, that’s not enough of a reason on its own to recommend buying the Pro over the Air. Not to mention, the Pro model has Apple’s Touch Bar, which is a thin touch-sensitive strip that replaces the function key row. Now that you can also get the M1-powered MacBook Pro through Apple’s Refurbished Mac Store at a $200 discount, it may be a more compelling option for those in need of more power. The MacBook Pro comes with a few extras that could make it the better choice for professionals with specific needs, such as slightly longer battery life, higher-quality microphones, and most importantly, internal cooling fans. The M1-powered MacBook Air is generally a better value than the Pro since it offers similar features, performance, and configuration options at a starting price that’s $300 lower.īut, that doesn’t necessarily mean the MacBook Air is the right pick for everyone. Updated on 2/24/21 by Lisa Eadicicco: Included new details based on performance test results and a note about the M1 MacBook Pro becoming available in Apple’s Refurbished Mac Store. But, there are a few important differences to keep in mind when deciding between the two, particularly when it comes to battery life and performance. It’s the beginning of what Apple expects to be a two-year transition period during which it will move its entire Mac line over to its own silicon.Ĭhoosing between the new $1,299 MacBook Pro and $999 MacBook Air can be difficult since they both run on Apple’s M1 processor and come in very similar configurations in terms of memory and storage.
#STUDIO MICROPHONE FOR MAC BOOK AIR PORTABLE#
The new chip introduces big gains in performance and battery life to Apple’s most portable laptops, signaling a big step forward for the Mac. It’s never been harder to decide between the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro.īoth laptops run on Apple’s all-new M1 chip, making them the first of the company’s notebooks to do so.
