Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch has the edge: it has more memory, has more storage and has a brighter screen. The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch still is faster, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
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Performance
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch's Apple M1 is quicker: it has the power for photo and video editing, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch's Intel Core i5-1038NG7 stays smooth with lots of apps open.
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Gaming
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch's built-in graphics manages light and older games, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch's built-in graphics isn't made for games.
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Display
Evenly matched
Closely matched screens: 13.3" 2.5K 500 nits against 13.3" 2.5K 400 nits.
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Battery life
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch should last longer: up to 18 hours against up to 10 hours.
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Connectivity
Evenly matched
Much the same ports and wireless on both.
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Portability
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is easier to carry at 1.29 kg, against 1.4 kg.
Other differences
- Memory Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch has 16 GB of memory against 8 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- Storage Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 500 nits.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M1 is the more powerful processor.
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 1.29 kg.
- You have fast broadband: its Wi-Fi 6 gets more out of a modern router.
Full spec comparison
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch leads on performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch has more memory and has more storage, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is faster.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 | Apple M1 (8-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics | Apple M1 7-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X-3733 onboard | unified memory |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is ahead on the screen.
It has a brighter screen, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.3" | 13.3" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 400 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | None | None |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is ahead on battery and weight.
It is a little lighter, and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 10 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 58 Wh | 49.9 Wh |
| Charger | 61 W | 30 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.4 kg | 1.29 kg |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 212.4 x 15.6 mm | 304.1 x 212.4 x 4.1-16.1 mm |
| Materials | recyclable low-carbon aluminium enclosure | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Space Grey | Space Grey |
| Colours available | Silver, Space Grey | Gold, Silver, Space Grey |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch has Wi-Fi 6, and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, up to 40Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 4x Thunderbolt 3 up to 40Gb/s | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 up to 40Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 1 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p FaceTime HD | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 66-key ISO layout; Touch Bar; ambient light sensor | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 79-key ISO layout; 12 function keys; ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | stereo speakers with high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos playback | stereo speakers with wide stereo sound and Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | three-mic array with directional beamforming | three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Touch ID | Touch ID |
Software and model
Both run macOS.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MWP42B/A | MGN63B/A |
| Released | 2020 | 2020 |