With technology ever-evolving and new products being released on what seems to be an almost constant basis, entering the world of upgrading your technology or purchasing a new piece of equipment can be a minefield to say the least.
When it comes to laptops, and specifically Apple MacBook’s, many customers will ask the same
three questions.
What is the difference between a MacBook Air, MacBook or MacBook Pro?
Which is better – Apple or Windows? Should I buy a new or refurbished Apple MacBook?
Although there are many questions to be asked, luckily, the answers are simple. Whether you are looking for a laptop to surf the web or catch up on the latest shows on Netflix. Maybe it’s to
help with those Zoom calls whilst working from home or catching up with friends. Or maybe you’re an up and coming music producer looking to release your next demo! We’ve got a one-stop guide to help you along your way and navigate the maze. We’ll answer the questions above, share the fundamentals of each device, and give an unbiased opinion on which models best serve which use.
MacBook Air Vs MacBook Vs MacBook Pro
MacBook’s have been around for nearly 14 years – first released in 2006 and in that time many models have come and gone. We identify the different models as ‘MacBook Air’, ‘MacBook’ and ‘MacBook Pro’.
MacBook Air
The ‘MacBook Air’ is the least expensive way into the Apple notebook market. First introduced in 2010, it was Apple’s way of bridging the divide between functionality and portability, providing
a device that could not only handle the majority of daily tasks, but also being light enough and portable enough to travel with. Although the design remained unchanged for several years, until 2018 where Apple redesigned the MacBook Air, the internal specifications did improve over time.
If you’re looking for a laptop that is mainly for surfing the internet, processing word documents and handling video calls but not necessarily the heaviest of tasks (such as video editing, for instance) then the MacBook Air series is well worth considering.
Their processors start at 1.3GHz-2.0Ghz Intel Core i5, with a minimum 4GB-8GB Ram and 128GB-256GB SSD and also come in 2 screen sizes, either 11” or 13” versions. With this power, you’ll be able to rely on the laptop to handle several tasks at the same time without those annoying delays, but rather with simplicity and fluidity instead.
Our recommended model is;
MacBook Air 13” 2015 – 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 – 4GB Ram – 128GB SSD – Intel HD Graphics –
A1466
Price Range – £400-£480
MacBook
The ‘MacBook’, also referred to as the New MacBook or the Retina 12” MacBook is widely considered the most stylistic MacBook available, due to its smaller screen, lighter body and
availability in a range of colours. Whether you have a Space Grey iPhone that you’d like to match, or have an affinity towards Rose Gold, there are several colours to choose from.
Typically the ‘MacBook’ series does have slightly lower processing power, usually containing either, an Intel Core M, or Intel Core i5 processor. We can safely say that although not as
powerful as the MacBook Pro series, the MacBook is certainly no slouch; with a minimum 8GB Ram built-in as standard along with a 256GB SSD to store all of those important files and images.
You’ll most likely find this series with a 12” LED backlit display, including Intel HD Graphics as a minimum for a crisp, clean display. Much like the MacBook Air, if you’re looking for a MacBook that is ultra-portable but designed for the fashion conscious then we would without a doubt recommend the ‘MacBook’ series.
Our recommended model is;
MacBook Retina 12” 2016 – 1.2Ghz Intel Core M5 – 8GB Ram – 512GB SSD – Intel HD Graphics
515 – A1534
Price Range – £550-£600
MacBook Pro
Last, but certainly by no means least is the ‘MacBook Pro’. Widely considered the most popular and certainly the most powerful series. Available in 13”,15” and 16” models most recently, Apple certainly didn’t hold back when it came to building powerful specifications into these MacBook’s.
Following their redesign in 2012 to a thinner, lighter design the MacBook Pro is the most evolved over time. In 2014 Apple introduced High-Resolution Retina models, in 2016 Apple
began introducing the unique Touch Bar models along with Touch ID for added security and most recently they have combined this with a larger screen size if desired.
The MacBook Pro comes in a range of specifications, starting with a 1.4Ghz Intel Core i5 all the way up to a 3.5GHz Intel Core i7. You’ll most likely find 8GB Ram built in but these can reach as much as 16GB on certain models with storage space peaking at 1TB. You’ll often find a MacBook Pro on the desk of most students and working professionals due to their insane processing power and speeds. They boast the ability to run multiple, demanding tasks simultaneously with ease, whilst not losing their sleek design and lightweight approach.
The MacBook Pro is most renowned for creative capabilities, including music and video editing, due to the Apple app store holding the exclusive rights for many of today’s best performing
Applications.
Our recommended model is;
MacBook Pro TouchBar 13” 2016 – 2.9Ghz Intel Core i5 – 8GB Ram – 256GB SSD – Intel Iris
Graphics 550 – A1706
Price Range – £800-£860
So there we have it, an overview of the various MacBook devices that you can get your hands on right now. The amount of use and longevity of MacBook’s is simply outstanding. They can
last several years or more with no dip in performance, and all models post 2014 are still supported with Apple’s Mac OS updates, including the recently released Big Sur update. So
whether you already have a MacBook or are simply looking to enter the market for the first time, we’re sure whichever model you choose you won’t be disappointed. If you are in the market for a MacBook make sure you take a look at The iOutlet’s refurbished MacBooks to get a new laptop at the best price and a 12 month warranty.
