13-inch MacBook Air vs. 13-inch MacBook Pro: Which will you pay for?

13-inch MacBook Air vs. 13-inch MacBook Pro: Which will you pay for? MacBook Air.MacBook Pro. Each, both of these products were significantly distinct from relatives, two a variety of products. That dividing line's been blurring, especially when it comes to the field of 13-inch MacBooks.

TheMacBook Air were in the past an underperforming, expensive laptop with stellar design, protected 13-inch Pro must have been a full-featured, a lot more robust machine. The simple truth is, methods are closer in performance and value than ever.

Related stories2012 Apple MacBook roundupReview: 13-inch MacBook Air (June 2012)Review: 13-inch MacBook Pro (June 2012)

Last year, I think Apple MacBook buyers in 2012 wouldn't suffer the confusions of finding a 13-inch MacBook because I realized there'd be merely one product: a fusion MacBook Air you could of the greatest Pro features incorporated. Alas, there isn't any such chimera. Entry-level 13-inch MacBook Air and Pro laptops now cost the equivalent $1,199, but you'll still must make a decision: maybe you value hard-drive space, or portability? Weight, or ports? Easy upgrades, or faster boot times?

In 2011, I assumed the go-to laptop remained the 13-inch MacBook Pro on the narrowest of margins. Right now, There's no doubt the size has tipped to MacBook Air.

(Credit:Sarah Tew/CNET)

I acknowledge that a Air still lacks sufficient solid-state drive (SSD) storage for any wanting it police taser gun to be their everyday computer for storing photo libraries, music, or other files, and many people still want DVD drives. However, the 13-inch Pro simply hasn't changed over with any killer features to earn it distance using the Air, and doesn't feel worth your buck up to the actual does.

Let's glance at the key differences relating to the 2012 13-inch MacBook Pro and 13-inch MacBook Air.

13-inch MacBook Air (June 2012)13-inch MacBook Pro (June 2012)CPU1.8GHz Intel Core i5 (third-gen)2.5GHz Intel Core i5 (third-gen)RAM4GB (max 8GB)4GB (max 8GB)Storage128GB SSD (max: 512GB)500GB HDD (a lot pepper spray purchase 750GB HDD or 512GB SSD)PortsThunderbolt, 2 USB K95 stun gun 3.0, Sdcard slotThunderbolt, 2 USB 3.0, Sdcard slot, Ethernet, FireWire 800Optical driveNoYesWeight2.96 pounds4.5 poundsScreen resolution1,440x9001,280x800Battery life447 minutes417 minutesPrice$1,199$1,199

Size and weight
The 13-inch MacBook Pro weighs 4.5 pounds. The MacBook Air weighs 2.9 pounds. The Pro feels some kind of pepper spray purchase slab; the actual environment feels a blade. Winner: Air.

(Credit:Sarah Tew/CNET)

Screen
The 13-inch Air has already established a higher-resolution screen as compared to MacBook Pro for quite some time. Odd, but true. The Pro's screen is bright and features great viewing angles, but also exhibits greater glare compared side-by-side because of the Air. The Pro's display feels particularly weak taking into consideration the higher-res antiglare offerings within the 15-inch MacBook Pro and, naturally, the Retina Display Pro. Winner: Air.

Keyboard/touch pad
The Air plus the Pro share a substantial, excellent multitouch clickpad. Both have backlit keyboards. The Pro's keys are taller, a lot easier travel; the Air's are shallower. Nevertheless, both perform police taser gun excellently.Winner: Tie.

Performance
In the entry-level $1,199 configurations I reviewed, the 13-inch Air and Pro performed incredibly closely. It is nearly a wash. The Pro led by seconds your tests, nonetheless Air's boot times are far faster. In higher-end Pro configurations, a quicker Core i7 processor as well SSD upgrade ought to provide greater separation, but those extras will prove to add up...without 13-inch Pro comes close to the offerings inside the 15-inch Pro (quad-core CPU, Nvidia graphics), leaving it sitting awkwardly within the.Winner: Tie.

Ports and extras
The MacBook Pro has more ports: an added FireWire 800 port which has a dedicated Ethernet port, including a slot-loading DVD drive. There you have it, though. Applied for to insure USB-to-Ethernet dongle for a Air can furnish direct line-in Access to the internet, you can also always pay for a USB-connected DVD burner. Yes, the Pro has more features, even though not having a wide margin. Winner: Pro.

Storage space
The MacBook Air rrncludes a new 512GB SSD storage option, but upgrading will pump market price to nearly $2,000. The included 128GB of SSD storage at $1,199 is ok for basic use, however it really won't do for locally storing large libraries of music, movies, or photos. The $1,199 13-inch Pro offers a 500GB hard disc drive that operates in the slower speed, but has plenty of room to spare. Winner: Pro.

Battery life
The 13-inch Air ran for roughly 7 hours and A half hour within your battery test, protected 13-inch Pro ran for under under 7 hours. Both have excellent batteries, but also the Air's slightly more robust. Winner: Air.

Laptop least anticipated to feel obsolete by 50 % years
Well, that may be a loaded question, don't you find it? Regarding a design that'll come back again whilst still being feel relevant (and also have a higher resale value), bet across the MacBook Air. However, when considering future upgradability (more RAM, the standard SSD), the Pro will certainly be a much more flexible. In spite of this, by two years, who definitely are by way of a DVD drive?Winner: Air.

And, alternative quick-hit recommendations:

What so you can get should you want older ports and suppleness: the Pro.

What to put together excellent basic go-to laptop: the Air.

What to buy if you love several storage: the Pro.

What to obtain if you're a student: the particular.

What I'd buy: the actual environment.

Do you agree? Read my report on the 13-inch MacBook Pro and 13-inch MacBook Air.