Buying a new MacBook: 13-inch or 14-inch?
The 14-inch sounds great. Bigger screen, new chip, more power. But the 13-inch from 2020 does just fine. And costs a lot less. Tough choice. Yet the answer is surprisingly simple: for 90% of users, that expensive new 14-inch is complete overkill . Yes, the M1 Pro chip is faster. Yes, that XDR screen is nicer. But how many 8K videos do you edit per week? The MacBook Pro 13-inch with M1 chip runs Photoshop, Final Cut and even heavy development tools without a hitch. With the money you save, you can get better accessories . Or those AirPods you've been eyeing for months. Because a MacBook without good audio is like a Ferrari without gas. So before you blindly go for the latest model: what are you really going to do with it?
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Design and build quality: more than just size
The 2020 MacBook Pro 13-inch retains the familiar Apple design: a sleek aluminum frame, a thin chassis, and the familiar TouchBar. With only Thunderbolt ports, you'll need dongles for your external devices. This model weighs about 1.4 kilograms and fits easily in any backpack.
The 2021 14-inch changes things up. The screen is larger thanks to ultra-narrow bezels, but the laptop itself remains compact. The camera notch takes some getting used to, but is barely noticeable in practice. At 1.6 kilograms, this model is a bit heavier, but you get a lot in return: an HDMI port, an SD card reader, and the return of MagSafe. You can leave that bag full of adapters at home.
Screen quality: when does it matter?
The 13-inch Retina display is perfect for everyday work. With 2560 x 1600 pixels, you can see everything clearly, and True Tone adjusts the colors to your environment. For word processing, programming, or browsing, this is more than sufficient.
The 14-inch is in a different league with the Liquid Retina XDR display. The resolution jumps to 3024 x 1964 pixels, but the real difference is in the technology. ProMotion delivers buttery-smooth animations at up to 120Hz, perfect for video editing. The contrast is phenomenal: deep blacks alongside bright whites, with peaks of up to 1600 nits of brightness. For photographers and video editors, this is a world of difference. Do you mainly work with Office and web browsers? Then you're paying for luxuries you don't use.
Performance: M1 vs. M1 Pro in practice
Both machines run on Apple Silicon, but that's where the comparison ends. The 13-inch M1 has 8 CPU cores and 8 GPU cores. For 95% of users, this is more than enough. Photoshop runs smoothly, Logic Pro X stutters smoothly, and even light video projects in Final Cut are no problem. The battery easily lasts 17 hours.
The 14-inch M1 Pro is a different story. With up to 10 CPU cores and 32 GPU cores, it's a workhorse for professionals. Rendering 8K video? No problem. Complex 3D models? A piece of cake. RAM goes up to 64GB, while the 13-inch model stops at 16GB. But let's be honest: how often do you render 8K footage?
Connections: finally a choice again
The 13-inch model has two or four Thunderbolt 3 ports, depending on your configuration. Modern and fast, but you'll need an adapter for each external monitor, hard drive, or card reader. In practice, this means a USB-C hub on your desk.
The 14-inch brings back variety. Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.0, an SD card slot, and MagSafe charging. Photographers can plug in their memory cards directly, presentations can be held without an adapter on the projector, and your Thunderbolt ports remain free for fast storage. The magnetic charger prevents your laptop from flying off the table if someone trips over the cable.
Storage and memory: what do you need?
The 13-inch model starts at 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. For most users, 512GB with 16GB of RAM is the sweet spot. This will cost you around €1200 refurbished – an excellent deal for a machine that will last for years.
The 14-inch model starts at 512GB and 16GB of RAM, but can be upgraded to 8TB of storage and 64GB of memory. Sounds impressive, but prices fluctuate accordingly. A fully equipped 14-inch model costs €5,000. For that price, you can buy two 13-inch models plus an external monitor.
Practical use: who is what for?
The 13 inch is perfect for:
- Students and office workers
- Web developers and programmers
- Content writers and bloggers
- Amateur photo and video editing
- Anyone who values mobility over raw power
The 14 inch excels at:
- Professional video editing
- 3D rendering and CAD work
- Machine learning and data science
- Music production with dozens of tracks
- Working with multiple 4K displays
Refurbished: the smart choice
A refurbished 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2020 costs around €999 at Leapp. For that price, you get a machine that's practically indistinguishable from newer models. The M1 chip will remain relevant for years to come, and for everyday use, you won't notice the difference compared to a new one.
The 14-inch model is harder to find refurbished because it's relatively new. When it becomes available, expect prices starting at €1600 – still considerably cheaper than new.
Practical considerations
Also consider the ecosystem. Do you already have an external monitor? Check if it works well with the M1 chip. The 13-inch model supports one external display, the 14-inch model supports multiple. This can be a deciding factor for home workers.
Battery life is excellent on both models, but the 13-inch model lasts a bit longer with light use. The 14-inch model consumes more power during demanding tasks, but charges faster thanks to its more powerful adapter.
Sound is an understated difference. The 14-inch has a redesigned speaker system with spatial audio—almost studio-quality. The 13-inch sounds good, but not spectacular.
The verdict
The choice is simpler than you think. Not sure if you need the extra power? You probably don't. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 is a fantastic all-rounder that will last for years. With the money you save, you can upgrade your entire workspace: external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and even some left over for AirPods.
The 14-inch is brilliant for professionals who push the boundaries. Is that you? Then you already know and won't hesitate. For everyone else: the 13-inch does everything you need, for half the price.
The wise choice
Do you prefer safety or maximum performance? The refurbished MacBook Pro 13-inch is the smartest choice for almost everyone: more than enough power for daily work, years of use, and a price you won't have to swallow. The 14-inch is great, but only useful if your work explicitly requires it. Not sure? Then the 13-inch is your answer. The money you save is better invested in quality accessories that complete your workspace.
