The New MacBook vs MacBook Pro – Quick Buying Guide

Rafia Shaikh

Apple launched a new MacBook last week along with its long awaited Apple Watch. This latest 12-inch MacBook is being termed as the lightest and the "most compact" MacBook as yet. However, because the new MacBook has the same price tag as the 13-inch MacBook Pro, interested buyers might get a little troubled on which one to choose. Here is a quick buying guide with one simple question to ask yourself to help you decide what to pick from this new MacBook vs MacBook Pro confusing game.

MacBook vs MacBook Pro:

The new MacBook carries a strong MacBook Air feel coming as a lighter machine weighing only two pounds with a mere 13.1mm thickness. This is even thinner than the 11-inch MacBook Air helping the MacBook get the most compact MacBook title. Here are some of the MacBook specs to give you a quick glance:

  • 12-inch Retina display with 2304 x 1440 resolution -first ultra-thin MacBook to sport Retina
  • 2lb weight, 13.1mm thin
  • 1.1GHz Intel Core M processor
  • 8GB of RAM
  • Force Touch trackpad
  • Silent machine with no fan installed whatsoever
  • Up to 9 hrs battery life
  • Price starts from $1299

The 13-inch MacBook Pro also starts with the same price tag creating curiosity in interested buyers about which way to go and why. Here are some of specs of the MacBook Pro too:

  • 13-inch Retina display
  • Weighs around 3.5lb
  • 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 processor
  • 8GB of RAM
  • Force Touch track pad
  • Up to 10 hours of battery life
  • Price starts from $1299

What bothers you more: a little more weight or a little less power?

If you look at the specs, almost everything is similar except the weight and the processing chip. 13-inch MacBook Pro will certainly take the cherry when it comes to speed and performance because of its highly powerful processor. However, the device is a pound and a half heavier than the new MacBook which could be a deciding factor for some buyers.

If you are a frequent traveler and don't need much power out of your MacBook, you should certainly go forward with the new lighter and quieter MacBook. However, if you want a little more power, 3.5lb is not too heavy anyway. You might feel some tangible difference if you hold these too at the same point otherwise you can be happy with the Pro and its powerful performance too.

Simple solution: go with the lighter machine if you don't need/want extra power and are looking for something very extremely portable; extra weight wouldn't bother you if you need a little more power too. It's a win win situation anyway as both these machines are pretty beautiful in their own ways. Happy MacBooking!

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