Planning to buy one of those MacBook computers from Apple? Having trouble deciding between the almost equally priced 13-inch MacBook Pro and 12-inch MacBook? What is the difference between the MacBook Pro and the plain 12-inch MacBook? Which one is better?
MacBook Pro vs. MacBook: Why you should by the 13-inch MacBook Pro instead
1. Better hardware specs: The base model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro is equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB LPDDR3 memory, Intel Iris Graphics 640, and 128GB SSD storage. The top-tier model runs under a better Intel Core i5 processor, a 256GB SSD storage, and an Intel Iris Graphics 650.
The processor found in the base model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro is better than the Intel Core m3 processor found in the base model of the 12-inch MacBook. Its dedicated graphic card also provides better graphic processing power.
Nonetheless, the MacBook Pro has more processing advantages than the 12-inch MacBook. It is a capable computer that can easily run office productivity, photo editing and graphic design, and audio and video editing applications. Hence, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is geared toward power users such as business and creative professionals.
2. More connectivity ports: The base and mid-tier models of the 13-inch MacBook Pro each has two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports while the top-tier model has four. On the other hand, the 12-inch MacBook only has a single USB-C port that also doubles as a charging port.
Between the two devices, the MacBook Pro has an advantage over the 12-inch MacBook because if native support for Thunderbolt 3 that allows up to 40 Gbps of data transfer. Furthermore, the addition of an extra port means more room for connectivity and less hassle from carrying and attaching expansion peripherals.
3. Better user experience: The fact that the 13-inch MacBook Pro provides a better user experience than the 12-inch MacBook because of its larger Retina display, a traditional mechanical keyboard, and a better-sounding speaker.
Using the MacBook Pro to write provides a more familiar experience due to its traditional mechanical keyboard that gives a more tactile feedback as compared to the butterfly mechanism keyboard of the 12-inch MacBook.
Larger display and better speakers mean that web browsing and consumption of multimedia contents such as audio and movies are far superior on a MacBook Pro than its smaller counterpart.
It is also worth mentioning that the MacBook Pro has a 720p HD web camera while the 12-inch MacBook only has a 480p SD web camera. Between the two computers, the former is better suited for work-related video calling and web conferencing.
4. Relatively affordable: Another factor to consider in the MacBook Pro vs. 12-inch MacBook debate is pricing. Both the base models of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and 12-inch MacBook retail at USD 1299.00. The mid-tier 13-inch MacBook Pro is priced at USD 1499.00 and the top-tier variant is at USD 1799.00.
Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line 12-inch MacBook Pro model sells at USD 1599.00. This model has a lesser powerful Intel Core i5 processor and graphic card albeit a higher 512GB SSD storage than the base 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Considering the superiority of its hardware specifications, especially the processing advantages of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, it is relatively affordable and thereby, a better option than the 12-inch MacBook.
5. Similar battery life: Both the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the 12-inch MacBook have a published battery life of 10 hours under average web browsing usage. In real world applications, this battery life runs around 8 hours under average day-to-day productivity usage.
Nonetheless, the fact hat the Pro is on par with its smaller and lighter counterpart in terms of battery capacity means that it has more advantage, especially in taking into consideration its hardware performance and relative affordability. Of course, it is important to take note of the ways in taking care of MacBook batteries.
13-inch MacBook Pro vs. 12-inch MacBook: Conclusion
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is relatively bigger but more powerful. Its advantages over its smaller MacBook counterpart revolve around better technical specifications and relative affordability. These facts make it a clear winner in the MacBook Pro vs. MacBook debate. Hence, a business or creative professional, or any other power user is better off buying the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
On the other hand, the 12-inch MacBook is a sleek device that easily outclasses both the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air in terms of portability. Hence, only advantage of the 12-inch MacBook over the 13-inch MacBook is its thinner and lighter profile that makes it a suitable device to carry around.
If the expensive price tag is not a problem, the 12-inch MacBook is still a decent computer suitable for entry-level and average users who are after mobility without compromising general usages such as web browsing, multimedia consumption, and document processing.