RAM, Ghz, dual-core, Retina. Are you looking into MacBooks because you are going to buy a new one? Then the difficult terms are flying around your ears. What exactly should you pay attention to when choosing one? We explain the most important specifications for you.
A lightweight Air? Or a Pro for pro performance? A new MacBook is a big investment. It is more expensive than a Windows computer, but an Apple laptop never crashes, will probably last years longer, is much more hack- and virus-proof and you can be seen with it. And if you opt for a refurbished MacBook , you won't spend that much money at all.
There are two types of MacBooks. A MacBook Air is more affordable and extremely portable and light, but has less powerful specifications. A MacBook Pro costs a bit more, but then you have a powerful laptop for ultimate performance. We guide you through the most important specifications.
How Leapp can help you choose the right MacBook
At leapp, we understand that choosing the right MacBook is a big decision. That’s why we want to help you every step of the way. Here are a few ways we do that:
- Overview of models and specifications: We provide a clear and detailed overview of the different MacBook models and their specifications. This will help you understand the differences between the models and determine which specifications are important to you.
- Customized advice: Our team of experts is ready to advise you based on your needs and budget. We listen to what you need and give you advice that fits.
- Refurbished MacBooks: If you’re looking for a good deal, consider a refurbished MacBook. These have been fully checked and refurbished, and are often much cheaper than new models.
- Warranty and customer service: We stand behind our products and offer a warranty on all of our MacBooks. If you experience any issues, our customer service team is here to help.
Difference Air and Pro
The MacBook Pro and MacBook Pro Touchbar are very well-known models. The latter contains the Touchbar, a touch-sensitive strip. This strip replaces the row of function keys on the MacBook Pro. Different functions are displayed, depending on the app you are using at that moment. The touchbar even contains a fingerprint scanner, with which you can log in to accounts or make payments without a password.
As of fall 2021, Apple has stopped producing the MacBook Pro Touchbar models. If you would still like this feature, a refurbished product that is made for this is certainly ideal!
The Touchbar isn't the only difference between the two MacBook Pro models , though. Instead of a dual-core processor, the Touchbar edition features a quad-core processor. With four cores, your processor will be able to split more tasks between its cores, ultimately making your MacBook run faster. Additionally, the MacBook Pro Touchbar has better graphics and two extra Thunderbolt 3 ports, which are basically faster USB-C ports.
The MacBook Pro Touchbar comes in 13, 15 and 16 inch models, so there is something to choose from in terms of size for different preferences. If you prefer not to work with a Touchbar and want to stick to the normal function keys, a MacBook Pro is also a good option. This model is also cheaper than the Touchbar edition, so if you want to spend a little less on a good MacBook, the Pro is definitely recommended.
If you want more detailed information about the differences between the Pro and Air, read our blog on this topic.
MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Pro Touch Bar
The MacBook Pro and MacBook Pro Touchbar are very well-known models. The latter contains the Touchbar, a touch-sensitive strip. This strip replaces the row of function keys on the MacBook Pro. Different functions are displayed, depending on the app you are using at that moment. The touchbar even contains a fingerprint scanner, with which you can log in to accounts or make payments without a password.
As of fall 2021, Apple has stopped producing the MacBook Pro Touchbar models. If you would still like this feature, a refurbished product that is made for this is certainly ideal!
The Touchbar isn’t the only difference between the two MacBook Pro models, though. Instead of a dual-core processor, the Touchbar edition features a quad-core processor. With four cores, your processor will be able to split more tasks between its cores, ultimately making your MacBook run faster. Additionally, the MacBook Pro Touchbar has better graphics and two extra Thunderbolt 3 ports, which are essentially faster USB-C ports.
The MacBook Pro Touchbar comes in 13, 15 and 16 inch models, so there is something to choose from in terms of size for different preferences. If you prefer not to work with a Touchbar and want to stick to the normal function keys, a MacBook Pro is also a good option. This model is also cheaper than the Touchbar edition, so if you want to spend a little less on a good MacBook, the Pro is definitely recommended.
MacBook Air
Besides the regular MacBook Pro and its Touchbar edition, the MacBook Air is also a well-known model. This is a light laptop with, for example, 13-inch editions that you can easily take with you, intended for daily work. The MacBook Air has been on the market since 2008, with many improvements that have been made since its first appearance.
There are also some differences within the MacBook Air models. An example of this is the processor that is in it. Some models contain an Intel Core i5 or i7 chip, while others have an M1 chip . These M1 chips are produced by Apple itself and have several advantages. For example, they work faster thanks to the 8-core integrated graphics processor, they have a better screen quality and the MacBooks with this chip have a longer battery life. The latest even have M2 chips.
In this post we compare the pros for you.
The specifications
The processor
The processor is the 'brain' of your MacBook and therefore determines how fast your MacBook is. This processor consists of various components, all of which contribute to this speed. When comparing processors, the numbers and terms fly around your ears. Quite complicated. Below you can read what the most important specifications mean for the speed of the processor.
- Processor Type : What type of processor you have. Your MacBook has an Intel Core i5, i7 or i9 processor. A higher number means a faster processor.
- Cores (also called cores) : The number of cores determines how well your processor can perform different tasks simultaneously. The more cores, the faster heavy programs can run. The various MacBooks have 2 to 8 cores.
- Clock Speed : A higher clock speed, measured in GHz, makes for a faster processor. The clock speeds of the different models range from 1.4 GHz to 2.8 GHz.
- Turbo speed : With heavy programs your processor gives it some extra gas, so to speak. The higher the turbo speed, the harder your processor can give gas. The turbo speed varies from 2.9 GHz to 5.0 GHz.
- Working memory (also called RAM) : The memory where data is temporarily stored, so that your processor can quickly find the data that you often use. If you have more working memory, you can tax the processor more. The slowest processor in MacBook has 4GB, while the fastest has a whopping 64GB of working memory.
- SSD : The memory used to store data for permanent storage. MacBooks come standard with an SSD, which is usually a lot faster than a traditional hard drive. With a larger memory the data transfer speed is much higher and your MacBook will work faster. SSD storage ranges from 128GB to 8TB(!). Read here more about SSD.
At the end of 2020, Apple introduced the M1 chip. Models with this processor work even faster than before, because this chip is better connected to the operating system of a MacBook. Read here more about the new M1 chip.
Has your beloved MacBook really become too slow and is it beyond saving? Then take a look at our wide range refurbished MacBooks for a durable and affordable newer copy.
Hard Drive : How Much Can You Store?
Your MacBook's hard drive stores your operating system, programs, and files. Older MacBooks often have a 128 or 256 GB hard drive, while newer laptops often have 1 or 2 TB. MacBook Pros come standard with hard drives with more storage space.
Our advice is: Go for the largest possible hard drive that your budget allows. Your storage space can go up quite quickly. For example, you need 12.5 GB free for the latest version of theMacOS operating system, a film can take up 4 GB and a game can quickly take up 20 GB. Upgrading is very difficult, so choose a hard drive with sufficient storage space right away!
Working memory: temporary storage capacity
The working memory (also called internal memory or RAM) temporarily stores data and is needed to run the operating system and programs smoothly. Common is 4 or 8 GB, increasing to 16 GB for newer MacBook Pros. With 4 GB RAM you can easily manage for daily tasks such as e-mailing, surfing and word processing. If you also run somewhat heavier applications such as Photoshop or games, then (at least) 8 GB is recommended.
Display: Size and Retina
Most MacBooks have a 13-inch screen. That's small but nice, because it's nice and compact and light. If you use the laptop for image editing, choose at least 15 inches or buy an external monitor. You often see the term Retina when it comes to MacBook screens. With that, Apple means high-resolution screens where the pixel density is so high that your eye can no longer distinguish individual pixels. In the past, only MacBook Pros had Retina, but newer MacBook Airs now have it too.
Do you need your MacBook for heavy graphic work, such as editing photos or videos? Then you may not be satisfied with the integrated video card, but want one with a dedicated video card with its own working memory. Of course, this is a lot more expensive.
Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, Thunderbolt and USB
MacBooks are always well equipped with connectivity. For example, they come standard with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB ports . Do you use a lot of peripherals? Then it is good to look at the number of USB ports - especially if you are considering a MacBook Air. Since 2011, MacBooks have Thunderbolt connections for data transfer (and, with Thunderbolt 3, also charging) of other devices.
Which refurbished MacBook do you choose?
Roughly speaking, a refurbished MacBook Air is mainly suitable for people who need a laptop for daily tasks such as surfing the internet, creating documents and sending emails. Choose a MacBook Pro if you are a bit more demanding and have to perform tasks that require a lot of processing power and storage space. A nice bonus with (newer) MacBook Pros is the Touch Bar, a super handy touch-sensitive light strip whose buttons change per application. Still not sure about your choice? Then it might be best to make these considerations . If you are mainly interested in budget options, you can best take a look here .
How can Leapp help you further?
At leapp we want to help you make the best choice for your next MacBook. Whether you want a new or refurbished model, we have a wide range of options to meet your needs. We provide a clear overview of the different models and their specifications, and we give you advice on which model suits you best.
We also offer quality refurbished models with warranty, so you can save money without compromising on quality. No matter which model you choose, you can be confident that you will get a reliable, powerful laptop that will last a long time. That way, we all benefit from the value refurbished .
So what are you waiting for? Visit our website at leapp.nl and discover the perfect MacBook for you today!
