Ready for a MacBook? Here is how to pick your perfect one.
How hard can it be to pick the right MacBook? We’d say as hard as understanding the type of user you are.
MacBook laptops are currently being offered in five different flavors, each one very different from the others, and catering to very different user types.
11 inch MacBook Air
Natively, This “entry-level” MacBook Air, hits the ground running, with a 1.4GHz Dual Core I7 CPU, upgradable to 1.7GHz. Memory can be upgraded from 4GB to 8GB and flash storage up to 512GB. Intel 5000 HD graphics comes standard, a full notch below Intel Iris, but still providing great visual performance at resolutions up to 1366x768 pixels.
The integrated 38-Watt-hour lithium battery allows this laptop to last up to 9 hours, which surfing the web or iTunes video playback.
Best for: casual productivity tasks, word editing, web browsing and generic office/school applications.
13 inch MacBook Air
The difference from the 11 inch version of the MacBook Air, is more than just screen size. While the CPU options available remain the same, the 13 inch version features a much longer battery life, up to 12 hours, and an SDXC memory card slot.
The larger screen, as well as the increased resolution of 1440x900 pixels, offer a better experience during video playback, or during a FaceTime video chat session.
Best for: higher-end productivity tasks, programming, office/school applications, casual gaming.
13 inch MacBook Pro
Away from the entry-level league of the MacBook air, the MacBook Pro has made a name for itself, by delivering outstanding performance in production-intensive tasks.
In this entry-level version of the MacBook Pro line, the form factor is very similar to the 13 inch MacBook Air, while obviously thicker, it’s powered by a 2.5GHz Dual Core Intel i5 CPU, which can be upgraded to a 2.9GHz i7.
Aside from superior processing power, the 13 inch MacBook Pro features 1TB of storage, delivered by a 5400rpm hard drive, which can be upgraded to a 512GB Solid State Drive.
This model is also the only one that features a Gigabit Ethernet port, which allows data to be transferred at up to 1 Gigabit per second.
Best for: Intensive productivity, database applications, programming, higher-end graphic applications, casual gaming.
13 inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
The base configuration for this model includes a 2.6GHz Intel i5, upgradeable to a 3.0 i7, up to 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of flash storage.
The MacBook Pro Retina display is managed by the Intel Iris graphic hardware, which is a substantial improvement over the Intel 5000 HD, with a massive resolution of 2560x1600 pixels. This version of the MacBook Pro features also an HDMI port, and an outstanding 9 hours of battery life.
Best for: professional applications, video editing and intensive graphic applications, higher-end gaming and media streaming.
15 inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
This model is the ultimate MacBook Pro, featuring a 2.8 Quad-Core Intel i7 processor, 16GB of memory and up to 1TB of flash storage.
The Intel Iris Pro graphic hardware delivers a stunning, crisp visual experience, at a resolution of 2880x1800 pixels, which makes it perfect for professional applications, as well as entertainment.
Best for: intense professional applications, video editing, image processing, programming, intense gaming and media streaming.