On Wednesday, Apple formally released the new 16-inch MacBook Pro. We’ve already in contrast it in detail to the 15-inch MacBook Pro it replaces, however what concerning the 13-inch MacBook? Learn on as we examine the specs, worth, and extra of the 13-inch vs 16-inch MacBook Professional.
13-inch vs 16-inch MacBook Professional: Design
The designs of the 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional are very comparable, apart from the apparent distinction in display screen measurement. The unibody aluminum design will likely be acquainted to anybody who has used a contemporary MacBook Professional.
Alongside the keyboard, you’ll discover a spacious trackpad and the controversial Contact Bar. We’ll have extra on that in a bit, however the Contact Bar is right here to remain – simply with some minor adjustments.
When it comes to measurement, the 16-inch MacBook Professional is noticeably bigger and heavier. Along with the general improve in footprint to accommodate the bigger show, the 16-inch mannequin can be round 1-pound heavier. You’ll discover barely smaller bezels on the 16-inch mannequin in comparison with the 13-inch. Listed here are all the particulars:
Each the 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional can be found in silver and area grey.
Show
The most important distinction between the 2 MacBook Professional fashions bought by Apple is the show. The 16-inch MacBook Professional encompasses a decision of 3072×1920, which equates to a density of 226 pixels-per-inch (PPI).
The 13-inch MacBook Professional encompasses a decision of 2560×1600, which equates to a density of 227 pixels-per-inch (PPI). Each shows function issues like Apple’s True Tone show know-how for adaptable coloration temperature, a P3 coloration gamut, and extra.
Listed here are the technical particulars in contrast, word that the 16-inch MacBook Professional consists of customized refresh fee help.
Efficiency
For those who’re selecting the MacBook Professional over the MacBook Air, chances are high you’re searching for an honest quantity of energy. Right here’s how the 13-inch vs 16-inch MacBook Professional comparability stacks up by way of efficiency.
The bottom configuration 16-inch MacBook Professional encompasses a 2.6GHz (Turbo Increase as much as 4.5GHz) 6‑core Ninth-generation Intel Core i7 processor. You additionally get 16GB of 2666MHz RAM, in addition to a AMD Radeon Professional 5300M graphics card with 4GB of GDDR6 reminiscence. When it comes to storage, the bottom configuration 16-inch MacBook Professional features a 512GB SSD.
In the meantime, the bottom configuration 13-inch MacBook Professional packs a 1.4GHz quad-core Eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Increase as much as 3.9GHz. You get Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645, in addition to 8GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 reminiscence and a 128GB SSD.
In evaluating the bottom configuration 13-inch MacBook Professional agains the bottom configuration 16-inch MacBook Professional, there’s a vital delta by way of energy. Listed here are the 2 tiers of the 13-inch MacBook Professional:
$1,299 13-inch MacBook Professional:
- 1.4GHz quad-core Eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor
- Turbo Increase as much as 3.9GHz
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645
- 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 reminiscence
- 128GB SSD storage (+$200 for 256GB)
- Contact Bar and Contact ID
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
$1,799 13-inch MacBook Professional:
- 2.4GHz quad-core Eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor
- Turbo Increase as much as 4.1GHz
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
- 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 reminiscence
- 256GB SSD storage (+$200 for 512GB)
- Contact Bar and Contact ID
- 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports
And the 2 tiers of the 16-inch MacBook Professional:
$2,399 16-inch MacBook Professional:
- 2.6GHz 6-core Ninth-generation Intel Core i7 processor
- Turbo Increase as much as 4.5GHz
- AMD Radeon Professional 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 reminiscence
- 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 reminiscence
- 512GB SSD storage
- Contact Bar and Contact ID
- 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports
$2,799 16-inch MacBook Professional:
- 2.3GHz 8-core Ninth-generation Intel Core i9 processor
- Turbo Increase as much as 4.8GHz
- AMD Radeon Professional 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 reminiscence
- 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 reminiscence
- 1TB SSD storage
- Contact Bar and Contact ID
- 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports
Along with every commonplace configuration, you too can do customized build-to-order configs of the 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional.
Prime of the road 13-inch MacBook Professional, $3,099:
- 2.8GHz quad‑core Eighth‑technology Intel Core i7 processor
- Turbo Increase as much as 4.7GHz
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
- 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 reminiscence
- 2TB SSD storage
Prime of the road 16-inch MacBook Professional, $6,099:
- 2.4GHz 8‑core Ninth‑technology Intel Core i9 processor
- Turbo Increase as much as 5.0GHz
- AMD Radeon Professional 5500M with 8GB of GDDR6 reminiscence
- 64GB 2666MHz DDR4 reminiscence
- 8TB SSD storage
As you possibly can see, the 16-inch MacBook Professional can get fairly a bit extra highly effective than the 13-inch mannequin, however that comes at an added price by way of worth and measurement. For those who’re searching for sheer storage quantity, the 16-inch MacBook Professional is the only option for you. Apple says that it’s the first laptop computer in the marketplace to function 8TB of SSD storage – although that may come at a price.
Keyboard
Apart from the distinction in display screen measurement, the keyboard is the most important differentiator between the 13-inch MacBook Professional and the 16-inch MacBook Professional.
The 13-inch MacBook Professional makes use of Apple’s controversial butterfly keyboard, which has been confirmed to have reliability points and low key journey. In the meantime, the 16-inch MacBook Professional makes use of an all-new Magic Keyboard that ideally solves these issues.
Apple says the brand new keyboard options an Apple-designed rubber dome, with 1mm of journey and a extra steady really feel in comparison with the butterfly keyboard. You additionally get a bodily escape key, in addition to an inverted T arrow key association.
Though the 13-inch MacBook Professional makes use of Apple’s third-generation butterfly keyboard, it’s nonetheless removed from good. Whereas some folks have grown used to the lower-profile design, reliability points persist. Apple is working a keyboard repair program for this reason, however the only option is likely to be to attend till the Magic Keyboard design spreads to the remainder of the MacBook lineup.
Audio system and Microphones
Apple has additionally made helpful upgrades to the speaker and microphone setup on the 16-inch MacBook Professional. The corporate says the machine encompasses a “studio‑high quality” three-mic array with excessive signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming. For speaker high quality, you possibly can anticipate six high-fidelity audio system with Dolby Atmos help.
In the meantime, Apple merely says that the 13-inch MacBook Professional options stereo audio system with excessive dynamic vary and a 3 microphone setup.
Battery life
The 16-inch MacBook Professional encompasses a large built-in 100-watt-hour battery, which Apple says will get you as much as 11 hours of wi-fi internet help. Listed here are how the 2 machines examine:
Value
For those who’re trying to get a MacBook Professional on the lowest worth doable, the 13-inch mannequin is the way in which to go. You may get the bottom configuration with two Thunderbolt ports and Contact Bar for just $1,299. Remember the fact that whereas this feature is branded as a MacBook Professional, it gained’t pack practically as a lot energy because the higher-end configurations.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,399 – and even that base configuration is loads highly effective for many individuals. What it’s a must to think about is what kind of energy you want, and the way a lot you’re prepared to spend to get it.
13-inch vs 16-inch MacBook Professional: Which do you have to purchase?
Apple’s MacBook Professional lineup has gotten quite a bit stronger this yr due to improved SSD pricing, wider adoption of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3, and extra. The brand new 16-inch MacBook Professional takes issues a step additional with the brand new Magic Keyboard, 8TB of SSD storage, and the marginally bigger show.
With that being stated, in case you’re searching for a MacBook, it’s laborious to recommend anything other than the 16-inch mannequin for one key cause: the keyboard. As defined earlier, the 16-inch MacBook Professional makes use of an all-new Magic Keyboard design with extra key journey, improved reliability, and extra.
Rumors counsel that Apple will carry that new Magic Keyboard design to the rest of the MacBook lineup next year. If you would like the brand new Magic Keyboard, however desire the 13-inch kind issue, we’d extremely advocate ready till 2020 to see what else Apple has in retailer.
For those who want as a lot energy as doable, and don’t thoughts a barely bigger kind issue, the 16-inch MacBook Professional is a superb selection. Hopefully, the 16-inch MacBook Professional is an indication of issues to come back, and the remainder of the MacBook line follows swimsuit in 2020.
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