Apple's most recently released 16-inch MacBook Pro has just been released, and we've been excited about it for months now. But now that it's finally here, what exactly is new about it, and should you get it over the 13-inch MacBook Pro released just last July?
We're going to be comparing the 13-inch MacBook Pro vs the 16-inch MacBook Pro to see which one is best for which kind of user.
The Hardware
To begin, let's start with an overview of the spec-sheet for both. How you use your MacBook determines which one you actually need. While professionals who use their MacBook for video-editing might need a more powerful processor and more ram, the average user may enjoy the portability the lightweight 13-inch MacBook Pro offers.
13-inch MacBook Pro with Touchbar 2019 | 16-inch MacBook Pro with Touchbar 2019 | |
Starting Price | $1,299 to $1,999 | $2,399 to $2,799 |
Touch Bar | Touch Bar with integrated Touch ID sensor | Touch Bar with integrated Touch ID sensor |
Display | 13.3-inch Retina Display with True Tone Technology | 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone Technology |
Resolution | 2560x1600 Native Resolution, 227 PPI, 500 Nits Brightness | 3072x1920 Native Resolution, 226 PPI, 500 nits brightness |
Processor | 1.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 up to 1.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 | 2.6GHz 6‑core Intel Core i7 up to 2.4GHz 8‑core Intel Core i9 |
Storage | 128 GB SSD up to 2TB SSD | 512 GB SSD up to 8TB SSD |
Memory | 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 up to 16GB | 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 up to 64GB |
Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 | AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory up to AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 8GB of GDDR6 memory |
Ports | Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports | Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports |
Keyboard | Butterfly Mechanism | Magic Keyboard with Scissor Mechanism |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours, 58.2 Wh LiPo | Up to 11 hours, 100 Wh LiPo |
Dimensions | 11.97 in (30.41 cm) wide × 8.36 in (21.24 cm) deep × 0.59 in (1.49 cm) high (13") | 14.09 in (35.79 cm) wide x 9.68 in (24.59 cm) deep x 0.64 in (1.62 cm) high |
Weight | 3.02lbs (1.37 kg) | 4.3 pounds (2.0 kg) |
Via Apple Website for 13-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro
Now let's break that down in parts and see which one matters most to you.
The Design
The 13-inch MacBook Pro unveiled last May and refreshed last July belong to the fourth-generation of MacBook Pro models, while the 16-inch MacBook Pro revealed earlier this week belongs to the fifth-generation of MacBook Pro models. Both models ultimately share the same design theme all modern MacBook Pros tend to have.
The Display
The latest 16-inch model has the largest display available for a MacBook right now while keeping the same form-factor as the 15-inch model by having smaller bezels. The 13-inch model has a smaller display allowing for greater portability, making it easier to bring on the go. Both models feature the same True Tone Technology and similar pixel density despite the 16-inch having a much higher resolution. The 16-inch model's display supports custom refresh rates from 47.95 to 60 Hz, while the 13-inch only supports a fixed 60 Hz.
Storage and Memory
The 13-inch model starts at 128 GB and tops out at a respectable 2 TB SSD, while the 16-inch model starts at 512 GB and tops out at a whopping 8 TBs of memory. While the 13-inch model uses 8 to 16gb DDR3 ram, the 16-inch model can be configured with 16 to 64gb ddr4 ram. While most users won't actually notice the difference in the quantity of ram, the newer generation of ram that the 16-inch model helps provide snappier multitasking support.
Graphics
The inclusion of new AMD graphics cards in the 16-inch model will allow professionals who do video editing and other intensive work to use their laptop as their primary work device on the go. The stronger graphics option, as well as configurability for up to an i9 (9th Gen Coffee Lake) processor with a turbo of up to 5 GHz, allowing for professional work to be done on the go. While the 13-inch model allows for external graphics for professionals. The Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 is also plenty for day-to-day browsing and YouTube streaming for non-professionals.
Keyboard
The 16-inch model uses the new "Magic Keyboard" with the long-rumored scissor mechanism. The Magic Keyboard was inspired by Bluetooth keyboard of the same name sold alongside the iMac Pro. The 13-inch model uses the refreshed Butterfly keyboard that solved the issues that were known to plague older Butterfly keyboard models.
Battery Life
Despite the much larger 100 Wh battery, the 16-inch model has the same approximate battery life as the 58.2 Wh 13-inch model. This is primarily due to the stronger processor and larger display of the 16-inch model. The 16-inch model ships with a 96W USB-C power adapter while the 13-inch model ships with a 61W USB-C power adapter and have similar charging speeds.
Verdict
The newer 16-inch MacBook is an amazing upgrade to the 13-inch model but with a steeper price. The 16-inch model offers improvements in every aspect and allows for professional work the 13-inch is incapable of. These benefits, however, are more suited to professionals who perform video-editing, rendering, and other computer-intensive tasks.
Another large benefit of the 16-inch model is the largely improved Magic Keyboard, which gives are far more pleasurable typing experience. Ultimately, however, casual users who have no need for the more powerful processor, stronger graphics, and larger ram capacity may choose to get the lighter, more portable 13-inch model instead.
