MacBook Pro M2 13-Inch vs. MacBook Air M2: Do You Need to Go Pro?

    
    The Touch Bar is a defining feature of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
    Dan Ackerman/CNET
    

    This story is part of WWDC 2022, CNET’s complete coverage from and about Apple’s annual developers conference.
    

    Apple announced its new M2 system-on-chip during its WWDC 2022 keynote?on Monday. While Apple’s developers conference is focused on operating systems, software and services, the company’s homegrown chips are what’s integral to the hardware and software working together. So it wasn’t much of a surprise to see Apple introduce two new laptops running on M2: the MacBook Air M2 and MacBook Pro M2 13-inch.?
    The smallest MacBook Pro has long been what Apple fans picked when they wanted a more powerful laptop than the MacBook Air. However, it may be better for professionals to go with new version of the MacBook Air instead of the MacBook Pro, unless you’re a commercial buyer who needs platform consistency.?
    MacBook Air (13-inch, M2) vs. MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2)
    

	MacBook Air (13-inch, M2)	MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2)
Starting price	$1,199, ￡1,249, AU$1,899	$1,299, ￡1,349, AU$1,999
Display	13.6-inch 2,560×1,664-pixel Liquid Retina (500 nits brightness)	13.3-inch 2,560×1,600-pixel Retina (500 nits brightness)
No. of CPU cores	8	8
No. of GPU cores	Up to 10	Up to 10
Starting / max RAM	8GB / 24GB	8GB / 24GB
Starting/max storage	256GB / 2TB	256GB / 2TB
Wireless	802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0	802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
Connections	Thunderbolt/USB 4 USB-C (x2)	Thunderbolt/USB 4 USB-C (x2)
Webcam	1080p FaceTime HD camera	720p FaceTime HD camera
No. of speakers / mics	4 / 3	4 / 3 (studio-quality)
Battery life	Up to 18 hours	Up to 20 hours
Power adapter	30-watt USB-C (8-core GPU), 35-watt dual USB-C (10-core GPU)	67-watt USB-C
Weight	2.7 pounds (1.24 kg)	3.0 pounds (1.4 kg)

    The fact is, the new 13-inch MacBook Pro is the same as its predecessor but with the new M2 chip replacing the M1. Unlike its 14- and 16-inch line mates, the smallest Pro never received a redesign. Instead of the more blocky, slab-like design of the newer models, it has a more curved base and lid.?
    The 13-inch MacBook Pro is also the last model to have a Touch Bar in place of the function key row. It also has a couple of hours more battery life compared to the Air and it includes Apple’s more powerful 67-watt USB-C charger. But compared to the revamped Air, that’s pretty much where the good times end.?
    The Air has a nicer, larger display but is about the same size and actually weighs less than the Pro. The MacBook Pro also has a lower-resolution webcam and no MagSafe charging option. The MacBook Pro does have an active cooling system, however, aka fans, which might enable the 13-inch Pro to work harder than the fanless M2-based MacBook Air. We won’t know for sure until we test them both.? ?
    

    

     Apple

    

    Apple MacBook Pro M2 13-inch

    

    Out with the old, in with the slightly less old

    

    

    

    The 2022 version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro is identical to its predecessor, with the exception of the new M2 chip. That means it has the same look and older features, such as a 720p webcam and no support for MagSafe charging. For fans of the Touch Bar, this is the last option with the new Apple silicon. It also has a slightly longer battery life and comes with the more powerful 67-watt USB-C charger. Plus, its active cooling might mean better performance than the Air M2. Otherwise, the new M2-based MacBook Air is better?in every way.
     Read our MacBook Pro M2 13-inch first take.

    
    

    $1,299 at Apple
    

    

     Dan Ackerman/CNET

    

    Apple MacBook Air M2

    

    More pro than the Pro

    

    

    

    The new Air with the M2 chip has the same internal components as the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro. However, the Air has a new fanless design, a larger, higher-quality display, a higher-resolution webcam and four-speaker audio. Plus, it weighs less. The lack of an active cooling system could potentially hinder its performance, but we won’t know for sure until we test these new M2 machines in-house. ?
     Read our MacBook Air M2 hands-on.

    
    

    $1,199 at Apple