One of the biggest announcements from Apple to come out of WWDC was that the 13-inch aluminium MacBook was leaving its amateur status behind and joining the Pro family. That left just the plastic, white 13-inch notebook to fly the MacBook flag. But is there really that much between the two notebooks? Read on to find out…
Body work
Apple has ditched the 13-inch aluminium MacBook, leaving just the cheaper, plasticky, toilet white version. Compare that to the 13-inch Pro and it’s a world apart. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is made from a solid, sturdy, seamless enclosure carved from a single piece of aluminium. Sexy thy name is Pro.
Battery
One of the 13-inch MacBook Pro’s big benefits that Apple was flagging up at WWDC was the longer-life battery, which now lasts up to seven hours – that’s two whole hours more than the basic 13-inch MacBook. That stamina will stay as well, as Apple says the 13-inch MacBook Pro’s capacity will only drop 20% after 1,000 charges! Impressive.
Inner beauty
It’s the inside of the MacBook Pro that really earns its stripes. You’ve got a choice between 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD, or 2.53GHz, 4 gigs of RAM and a 250GB HDD. Compare that to the 13-inch MacBook’s innards (2.13GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive) and it’s no contest. We won’t mention the fact that you an also boost the 13-inch MacBook Pro up to 8GB of RAM (Running 64-bit Snow Leopard) and a 500GB HDD or speedy 256GB SSD. Oh, we just did.
Green machines
The MacBook was already pretty green with its “highly recyclable polycarbonate enclosure” and “42% smaller packaging”, but the MacBook Pro can feel pretty smug with its arsenic-free display (what was it doing in there in the first place!), mercury-free LED-backlit display, highly recyclable aluminium and glass enclosure and reduced packaging.
Money, money, money
The 13-inch MacBook Pro starts from £899, with prices rising well over £2k for the fully specced version. If times are tight (and they are), then the 13-inch MacBook may seem more reasonable with prices kicking off at £749.
Out Now | From £899 (MacBook Pro)/From £749 (MacBook) | Apple
I have one of the newer aluminium Macbooks, so what’s the difference between my 13in aluminium Macbook and the new 13in aluminium Macbook Pro?
IIRC, differences are: longer lasting, non replaceable battery, Firewire and display with 60% better gamut…
The new 13in also has an SD slot and is $100 cheaper
I also have the aluminum model of the macbook.
The macbook pro just has more luxury features.
including the longer lasting battery and key-lit keyboard.