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Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2) ($650) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) ($249) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right pro laptop.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $650 | $249 |
| Weight | 1400g | 1290g |
| Chip | M2 | M1 |
| Display | 13.3" Retina | 13.3" Retina |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt, headphone | 2x Thunderbolt, headphone |
| Cooling | Active fan | Fanless |
| Extras | Touch Bar, Touch ID | — |
| Weight | 1400g (Apple published) | 1290g (Apple published) |
| Battery | — | Up to 18 hours |
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2)
- Active cooling, so it sustains load better than an M2 Air
- Very long battery life
- The only way to get a Touch Bar if you liked it
- Heavier than an M2 Air at 1400g
- Thick bezels and an old design
- No MagSafe, only two ports
- 13.3-inch display is smaller than a 13.6-inch Air
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
- Extraordinary value at this price
- Fanless and silent
- Battery life still excellent
- Fast enough for real work in 2026
- Wedge shape is thicker at the back than modern Airs
- Only two ports and no MagSafe
- 8GB base memory
- 1290g, heavier than an M2 Air
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) is the better value at $249. Both are part of our curated pro laptop index — tap through to check current pricing.
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