Apple has now announced its latest MacBook Air for those in the market for a new laptop. This new addition, along with the existing MacBook Pro options, provides Apple buyers with a more varied laptop choice. Arguably, more importantly, a greater choice on price.
Previous to the 2020 model, the most recent MacBook Air only came through last year and so consumers should not be expecting too many changes overall, and especially in terms of the general design. For example, the 2020 model looks just like the 2019 model and comes with an almost identical spec list. It is almost the same laptop in most respects, although the few changes that have been included are ones that will be welcomed by consumers and improve the experience.
When Apple announced the new MacBook Air it focused on a few specific areas that are worth knowing about. The first is the upgrades in the chip department with the company citing “two times faster CPU performance and up to 80 percent faster graphics performance.” In addition to this, the newer version also comes with double the amount of base storage with the entry-level 2020 MacBook Air now boasting 256GB. However, what is likely to be the main selling point for many buyers is the inclusion of what the company refers to as its “Magic Keyboard.” This is the same keyboard included with the current 16 inch MacBook Pro, and one that many will consider a marked improvement over the version on offer with the previous MacBook Air. Along with the new MacBook Air, Apple also unveiled a new version of its iPad Pro tablet which comes with a number of its own upgrades, including an extra camera and LiDAR support.
Should You MacBook Air or MacBook Pro?
The question of which is better, or which you should buy, between the Air and Pro lines now mostly comes down to whether you’re talking about the 13 inch or the 16 inch MacBook Pro. For example, the 16 inch MacBook Pro is certainly the better machine and in every respect. After all, it’s a “Pro” model. The downside is that also means a significant increase in price, with the 16 inch Pro starting at around $2,400, compared to the $999 Apple is asking for the MacBook Air. If you can afford the larger MacBook Pro, and want the best experience, then that’s definitely the one to go for. However, if you can’t afford the 16 MacBook Pro, then the MacBook Air is going to be your better option.
Unlike the 16-inch Pro, the MacBook Air and the 13 inch MacBook Pro are much easier to compare against each other due to how similar they are. For example, the 13 inch Pro’s price is more in line with the MacBook Air, although the Pro will still cost you more. Likewise, you can expect the same size and type of display, and the same RAM and storage. Where the MacBook Air looks to offer more than the 13 inch Pro is in the newer CPU, and the battery department – 11 hours vs 10 hours. What’s more, the MacBook Air also comes with that newer keyboard while the 13 inch Pro does not. The Magic Keyboard on its own is probably going to be enough to sway most buyers in the direction of Apple’s new MacBook Air.
