Apple MacBook Pro 14-Inch (2021) vs. 16-Inch (2021) vs. 13-Inch (M1, 2020) vs. Air (M1, 2020) – Which One Should You Buy?

As you must have heard by now, Apple has introduced two new MacBook Pro models. The new notebooks are powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, presenting the first iteration of the company’s M1 chip, still available in some computers. With that said, we’ll make it easier for you to decide which MacBook to buy by comparing the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) vs. 16-inch (2021) vs. 13-inch (M1, 2021) vs. Air (M1, 2020). Here's all you need to know.

MacBook Pro 14-Inch (2021) vs. 16-Inch (2021) vs. 13-Inch (2020) vs. Air (2020) - Specs & Features! 

The best way to compare the newly introduced MacBook Pros (powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips) to the last year’s MacBook Pro and MacBook Air is to check their specs, side by side. So, you’ll want to take a very close look at the following table. 

First of All, Should You Buy a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air? 

As you can see from the table above, the 2020 MacBook Air (M1) brings close to identical specs to the 2020 MacBook Pro (M1). They offer the same performance, but the MacBook Air has a lower brightness screen, a slightly different design, somewhat less powerful speakers, and its battery life is "limited" to 18 hours. 

With that said, your first decision should be to think about whether you should get the 2020 MacBook Air or the 2020 MacBook Pro. If you don’t care about a bright display or having the best possible speakers, the 2020 MacBook Air will make you very happy. However, if you can add $300 to your budget, don’t hesitate to get the 2020 MacBook Pro. 

Which MacBook Pro Should You Get in 2021? A 13-, 14-, or 16-Inch Model? 

So, if you’ve decided that perhaps a MacBook Pro is what you want, you have three models to choose from right now. The most affordable option is the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, priced at $1,299. As explained above, that model offers a nice step forward compared to the most affordable MacBook (the 2020 MacBook Air). 

However, if you want to future-proof your purchase and if your budget is flexible, make sure to pay attention to the 2020 MacBook Pro models, which come in two display sizes (14- and 16-inch). Both of those are highly configurable machines. Still, the main difference is in their display size and resolution, as well as their battery life. Everything else can be configured as per your needs. 

To take a deeper dive into whether it’s worth buying the new 2021 MacBook Pros, use the provided link. That’s where you’ll find a more direct comparison between the two Pro models.

So, which MacBook has captured your attention? What do you think about Apple’s current lineup of notebooks? Let us know via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!