If you’re in the market for a new laptop as back-to-school season approaches, Apple has five MacBook computers to choose from. The new MacBook Air, for example, is available, but Apple also sells the older 2020 MacBook Air. Then there are three MacBook Pro models to choose from.
Your choice will be determined by how you use your laptop and your budget. Here’s everything you need to know about each MacBook and how to choose the best one for you.
$999 (KES 100k) for the 2020 MacBook Air with M1
The 2020 MacBook Air is Apple’s cheapest MacBook, priced at $999 (KES 100K), but it’s still a fantastic computer. It is powered by an M1 chip and is powerful enough to handle most tasks, but it is slower for tasks like video editing.
The 2020 MacBook Air, like the 2022 MacBook Air, has an 18-hour battery life.
You are missing out on a few features in this year’s upgrade, which we will discuss next. However, if you “just need a computer,” this should be your first port of call.
$1,199 (KES 120K) for the 2022 MacBook Air with M2
Apple’s newest MacBook Air, which starts at $1,199 (KES 120K), is completely redesigned and thinner than ever.
MagSafe charging is available on the most recent MacBook Air. That’s the small magnetic charging cable that attaches to the side and easily detaches. As a result, if you trip over the cord, the entire MacBook will not fall off your desk. The laptop can also be charged via one of two Thunderbolt USB C ports. If you buy Apple’s 67-watt charger for $59, you can charge it up to 50% in 30 minutes (KES 6k).
This MacBook is the lightest, weighing only 2.7 pounds. The weight of the 2020 Air is 2.8 pounds. The screen is slightly larger, measuring 13.6 inches.
The sound quality and webcam were also improved. The M2 MacBook Air has two more speakers, for a total of four, which makes movies and music sound more immersive. Its webcam has been upgraded from 720p to full 1080p HD resolution.
You get faster charging, a better webcam, better speakers, and a newer design if you spend an extra $200 (KES 20K) on the latest MacBook Air. This model also has a processing speed that is more than adequate for the average user.
$1,299 (KES 130K) for the MacBook Pro 13-inch with M2
The new MacBook Pro is a little difficult to understand. It’s an improvement over the MacBook Air. It does, however, have the most recent M2 processor, which isn’t as powerful as the older M1 Pro or M1 Max processors found in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros.
The 2022 model is powered by the M2 chip, has a 20-hour battery life, and is the only MacBook with a Touch Bar, a small strip above the keyboard that can be used to scroll through photos, skip or pause/play media, and more. The Pro also has better speakers and a higher-quality display than the MacBook Air, and can handle more demanding tasks such as advanced video editing
The Pro weighs slightly more, at 3 pounds, and has a slightly smaller screen, measuring 13.3 inches. Overall, if you’re using a high-powered function like video editing or photo editing, the processor and graphic performance on the 2022 MacBook Pro are noticeably different.
$1,999 (KES 200K) for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro or M1 Max
If you need the most power from your MacBook, get one of these.
Last year, Apple released the $1,999 (KES 200K) 14-inch and $2,499 (KES 250K) 16-inch MacBook Pro models, reintroducing features such as an SD card reader, a full HDMI port for adding another display, and more.
They have the best screens available in a MacBook, with high refresh rates, so when you’re scrolling through a website, for example, everything looks smooth. They can support up to two additional monitors, as opposed to just one on the MacBook Air models. Most importantly, they can be configured with M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, which are more powerful than the M2 chip found in Apple’s other computers — at least until we learn more about Apple’s M2 Pro or Max plans.
So, if you do a lot of video editing or just like big screens and lots of ports, these are for you. Expect to pay more.
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