Apple has just announced its new MacBook, a computer that may prove to be one of the most gorgeous laptops we have ever seen. It’s small, super thin, sleek and comes in a variety of colors. Is it the laptop for you, though?
The laptop starts at $1299, which places it at a very weird position. This is the same price as the base 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display. Which of these two laptop should you get? Let’s give you a run-down of their characteristics.
Spec Comparison
| Macbook (2015) | 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display | |
| OS | OS X | OS X |
| CPU | Intel Core M | Inte Core i5 or i7 |
| Screen | 12.1″ 2304 x 1440 pixels | 13.3″ 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| RAM/Storage | 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage | 8 GB RAM, 128/256/512 GB storage |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 5300 | Intel Iris Graphics 6100 |
| WiFi | 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible | 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible |
| Connectivity | 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps) which also provides HDMI & Digital AV Multiport by adapters; Native DisplayPort 1.2 video output | 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x Thunderbolt 2 ports, HDMI port, SDXC slot, 3.5 mm headset jack |
| Features | Keyboard backlit with each key housing individual LEDs | Full-size backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor |
| Weight | 2.03 pounds | 3.48 pounds |
| Size | 11.04 x 7.74 x 0.14-0.52 | 12.35 x 8.62 x 0.71 inches |
| Battery | 39.7 watt hour | 74.9 watt hour |
Retina Display
We have been begging Apple to give us a MacBook Air with a Retina Display, and they kind of just did that. The new MacBook’s screen measures in at just 12 inches and is thinner than the thinnest MacBook Air around. So it may not have the “Air” moniker, but the New MacBook is pretty much another version of that line-up.
But we are not talking about the MacBook Air right now, so let’s circle back to the MacBook Pro. Both of these laptops come with a Retina Display, but the MacBook Pro happens to have an even higher resolution. .
Performance
So, this is the tricky part. And it’s what has us believing that the new MacBook is extremely over-priced. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display is actually leaps and bounds ahead of the new MacBook, at least in terms of performance.
That 1.1 (or 1.2) GHz dual-core Inte Core M processor is not even close to the Intel Core i5 (or i7). The GPU on the MacBook Pro is also superior, and they happen to have the same amount of RAM memory.
You know you won’t be opting for the Intel Core M MacBook if you care about performance. Truth is the MacBook Pro is way ahead. And at the same price, even Apple fanboys should be wondering why Apple is even making this new laptop.
Design
So if it’s not performance you need, and both laptops have an equally amazing display, what is dragging you towards cashing out $1299 (and upwards) to get yourself a new MacBook? It just has to be design.
Aesthetics are huge in this market, as much as we may not want to accept it. It also happens to be one of the factors that make Apple devices so enticing. These product are sleek and beautiful. And this is especially true with the new MacBook.
Apple has taken some design elements from the new iPads and iPhones, making the body sleeker while offering gold, grey and silver colors. I can’t deny I am loving the way that grey MacBook is looking. The keyboard also seems like a beauty to work with, and the laptop is only 13.1 mm thick!
Other features
You may also like some of the new things the MacBook is introducing. This includes that new USB-C port, which allows for charging, video out, and data transfer.
There’s also that really cool new Force Touch trackpad, which allows the laptop to know how much pressure you are putting on it. This would give you the ability to perform “smart” clicks of sorts. For example, you can set your computer to look for a Wikipedia page when you Force click a word online. Or you can Force click an address to pull up a map.
This is pretty awesome, but it’s important to note this feature has also been added to the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display.
Battery life is also a huge difference here. Well… not really, but kind of. The MacBook Pro nearly doubles the new MacBook in battery capacity, but they advertise nearly the same battery life. This is because Core M is extremely good at handling energy.
At the end of the day, you will get about the same battery life. The main difference her is that you will probably be able to charge the new MacBook much faster. That and your electricity bill will probably be slightly lower.
So which one wins?
For all intents and purposes, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display is a better computer. It’s more powerful, will perform better and still manages to look great. With this in mind, we had some trouble finding out if anyone at all would be buying the new MacBook.
After some hard thinking, we came to the conclusion that the laptop does have a market. There are people out there who really love Mac OS X and would like a Retina Display (or higher). If you are one of those users, these two laptops are your cheapest options.
Moving on, you may also not need the extra power that the MacBook Pro offers, so you may as well go with the “prettier” new MacBook. We don’t think many of you would let go of the extra capabilities the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display offers, but boy does that new MacBook look good!
As for me, I would go for the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display any day. Which one would you pick?
