Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5)
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is the better laptop on paper: it is faster, lasts longer on a charge and has more memory. The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
- Speed Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is quicker. Its Apple M5 has the power for photo and video editing, while the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 in the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch stays smooth with lots of apps and tabs open.
- Battery life Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 should last longer on a charge: it has a 72.4 Wh battery against 58 Wh.
- Memory Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 32 GB of memory against 16 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Storage Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- Sharpness Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14's screen is sharper: 3K against 2.5K.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch if…
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 1.4 kg.
- You type in dim rooms: it has a backlit keyboard.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14 if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M5 is the more powerful processor.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 24 hours).
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 3K screen makes text and images crisper.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Pro 14 leads on performance, battery and weight, the screen and ports and wireless; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on performance.
It is faster, has more memory and has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1038NG7 | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics | Apple M5 10-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X-3733 onboard | Unified memory (153GB/s bandwidth) |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a slightly bigger screen: 14.2" against 13.3". It has a sharper screen, has a brighter screen and has a slightly bigger screen, and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.3" | 14.2" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) | 3K (3024 x 1964) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 3024:1964 (about 1.54:1) |
| Panel | IPS | Mini-LED |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | — | Yes |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3), 1 billion colours |
| HDR | None | XDR: 1,000 nits sustained, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content); Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, HLG playback |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is a little lighter, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 lasts longer on a charge.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 10 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery capacity | 58 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Charger | 61 W | — |
| Charges via | USB-C | MagSafe 3 (or USB-C / Thunderbolt 4) |
| Fast charging | — | Fast-charge capable with a 96W or higher USB PD power source |
| Weight | 1.4 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 212.4 x 15.6 mm | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm |
| Materials | recyclable low-carbon aluminium enclosure | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Space Grey | Space Black |
| Colours available | Silver, Space Grey | Space Black, Silver |
Ports and wireless
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has HDMI and an SD card reader and has Wi-Fi 6E, and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; all support charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x HDMI (version not stated by Apple), 1x SDXC card slot, 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 4x Thunderbolt 3 up to 40Gb/s | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 2 |
| Card reader | None | SDXC |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on extras.
It has a sharper webcam, and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p FaceTime HD | 12MP Center Stage, 1080p video |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 66-key ISO layout; Touch Bar; ambient light sensor | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) / 79 (ISO) keys, 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | Force Touch trackpad (pressure-sensing, Multi-Touch gestures); size not published |
| Speakers | stereo speakers with high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos playback | Six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | three-mic array with directional beamforming | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Touch ID | — |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on software and updates.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is sold new. It is sold new and is newer, and the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MWP42B/A | — |
| Released | 2020 | 2025 |