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Updated January 10, 2024·
When considering the MacBook Air (2020) and MacBook Pro 14 (2021), the MacBook Air is lighter and more portable, offers fanless operation for silence, and is less expensive, which makes it suitable for general use. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro provides improved performance for engineering, 3D rendering, and machine learning, has a brighter display with higher contrast, supports a higher refresh rate, and provides more ports, but it is heavier and costs more. Battery life is good on both, but the MacBook Air extends slightly longer. The MacBook Pro has better speaker and webcam quality, which can enhance multimedia and conference calls. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air (2020)
- The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021).
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.6
8.4
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
395.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
479.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
13.5 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good.
The MacBook Pro 14 (2021) offers a more powerful CPU and twice the RAM compared to the MacBook Air (2020), supporting smoother performance in more intensive tasks, and it's equipped with a higher quality Mini LED screen providing a brighter display and better color accuracy which is beneficial for tasks involving visuals. However, the MacBook Air has a slight edge in terms of portability due to its lighter weight and slightly longer battery life, making it a better option for users who prioritize mobility and battery duration over higher performance and screen quality.
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.8
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Apple MacBook Air (2020) are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) offers more modest 3D performance due to its integrated Apple M1 GPU with 7 cores, which is less powerful than the Apple MacBook Pro 14's (2021) Apple M1 Pro GPU with 14 cores, providing better handling of graphically intensive tasks. Additionally, the MacBook Pro 14 offers a higher screen refresh rate of 120 Hz compared to the MacBook Air's 60 Hz, translating into smoother visuals important for 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.3
8.2
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) exceeds the MacBook Air (2020) in engineering and design use mainly due to its more powerful CPU and GPU combination, as well as having double the RAM, which allows for handling more complex tasks and heavier multitasking. While both have high-quality screens, the MacBook Pro offers a higher brightness, which can enhance visual detail for design work; however, the MacBook Air benefits from being lighter and having a fanless design for silent operation.
Content Creation
7.8
8.4
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.7
8.3
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Apple MacBook Air (2020) is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.5
9.2
13.3in
SIZE
14.2in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
395.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
479.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Air for general use, AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the MacBook Pro 14 (2021) offers a brighter and sharper display with higher resolution compared to the MacBook Air (2020), making it superior for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming. With regards to engineering and design, the Pro's display covers a wider range of colors, providing better color accuracy for professional photo editing and graphic design work. However, for 3D tasks which require fast refresh rates, both the MacBook Air and Pro may fall short as they prioritize color and resolution over the high refresh rates favored in 3D rendering and gaming.
Battery
15.0 Hours
13.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Cost
$1,000
$1,905
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) has a price of $1,000 and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) costs $1,905.
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Key similarities
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.2in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
10.0
The Apple MacBook Air (2020) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) both have best in class build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Air (2020) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2020) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,905 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2020 | October 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.63'' | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.8 lbs | 3.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.31" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.36" | 8.71" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M1 | Apple M1 Pro (8C) | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 13.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 49.9 Wh | 69.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 14.2" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 3024 x 1964 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 395 nits | 479 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air (2020)
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NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | July 2022
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | January 2023
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2020) or the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021)
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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Recommendations made
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About the laptop team
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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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