Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID / Intel Core i5 256GB vs Apple MacBook Pro (2020) 13" Intel Core i5 1.4GHz 8GB RAM 512GB SSD

Comparing Design: Apple MacBook Pro 13" (2017) vs. Apple MacBook Pro 13" (2020)

When comparing the design of the Apple MacBook Pro 13" models from 2017 and 2020, distinct features emerge that influence user experience in various situations.

Ergonomics and Build Quality:

• Both models have similar measurements for width, height, and thickness to provide a consistent user experience in terms of portability and handling.
• The weight of the 2020 model is 3.1 pounds, slightly heavier than the 3-pound 2017 version, which may impact users looking for lighter devices for travel or daily use.
• The 2020 model now includes a third microphone to improve audio quality for video calls and recordings, meeting the needs of professionals who depend on crisp sound.

Materials and Portability:

• Both laptops have a stylish aluminum body that offers a premium appearance and durability for extended use.
• Both models come equipped with USB Type-C and Thunderbolt ports, providing users with various connectivity options for peripherals and external displays.
• The 2020 version now includes Sleep and Charge USB ports, providing users with added convenience to charge devices while the laptop is in sleep mode.

Unique Design Features:

• A notable design feature present in both models is the backlit keyboard, enhancing usability in low-light environments for students working late nights or professionals on-the-go.
• The Touch Bar with Touch ID on the 2017 model provides quick access to functions and secure login capabilities, ideal for users who prioritize efficiency and data security.
• The upgraded Bluetooth version to 5 in the 2020 model ensures faster wireless connectivity and improved device pairing, benefiting users who frequently use Bluetooth peripherals.

Practical Usability and Aesthetic Appeal:

• The presence of stereo speakers, a fingerprint scanner, voice commands, and front camera across both models caters to various user needs such as multimedia consumption, biometric security, hands-free operation, and video conferencing.
• While both laptops maintain a minimalist design language synonymous with Apple's aesthetic appeal, subtle improvements like additional microphones in the newer model enhance functionality without compromising visual appeal.

In conclusion, when choosing between these models based on design aspects alone, users seeking a more lightweight device with enhanced audio capabilities may lean towards the Apple MacBook Pro (2020). Alternatively, those valuing integrated Touch Bar functionality and slightly lighter weight might find the Apple MacBook Pro (2017) more suitable.

Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" vs. Apple MacBook Pro (2020) 13": Screen Comparison

When evaluating the screens of the Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" and the Apple MacBook Pro (2020) 13", we consider screen resolution, size, display technology, brightness, and anti-glare coating.

Screen Resolution

• Both laptops have a high resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, ensuring clear images and text.
• This high resolution is perfect for tasks that demand accuracy, such as graphic design work or video editing.

Screen Size

• Both models feature a 13.3-inch screen size, striking a balance between portability and comfortable viewing.
• Their compact size makes them ideal for professionals who require portability without compromising screen space.

Display Technology

• Both laptops feature IPS LCD panels with LED-backlit technology.
• IPS panels provide broad viewing angles and precise color reproduction, ideal for content creation activities like photo editing or design work.

Brightness and Anti-Reflection Coating

• The Apple MacBook Pro (2020) has a brighter display at 500 nits, surpassing its previous model.The new model features an anti-reflection coating that reduces glare in bright environments, enhancing visibility and reducing eye strain with prolonged usage.

Practical Implications:

• Gaming: Both laptops feature high-resolution screens that offer an immersive gaming experience with sharp details. The newer model's enhanced brightness and anti-reflection coating improve visibility during gameplay in different lighting conditions.

Professional Graphic Design: Color accuracy is essential for graphic designers, and IPS displays play a crucial role in achieving this. Both laptops excel in color reproduction, providing the precision required for editing tasks. Additionally, the Apple MacBook Pro (2020) stands out with its enhanced visual clarity, thanks to increased brightness and an anti-reflection coating that benefits working on detailed design projects.

In conclusion, both laptops provide excellent screen resolutions and display technologies ideal for graphic design and gaming tasks. However, the Apple MacBook Pro (2020) excels with its superior brightness levels and anti-glare coating, offering an enhanced viewing experience in diverse lighting scenarios. Select according to your unique requirements to enhance visual comfort and productivity.

Actionable Insight:

For users prioritizing screen visibility in diverse environments or requiring enhanced color accuracy for design work, the Apple MacBook Pro (2020) with its higher brightness levels and anti-reflection coating offers a superior display experience compared to the Apple MacBook Pro (2017).

Comparing the hardware specifications of the Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID, featuring an Intel Core i5 3.1GHz processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB internal flash storage, to the Apple MacBook Pro (2020) 13" with an Intel Core i5 1.4GHz CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a larger 512GB SSD storage capacity reveals several important differences.

CPU:

• 2017 MacBook Pro: Intel Core i5 3.1GHz
• 2020 MacBook Pro: Featuring an Intel Core i5 processor running at 1.4GHz.

Performance Impact: The 2020 model of the Intel Core i5 processor boasts a lower base clock speed yet a higher turbo clock speed than its 2017 predecessor. Consequently, the 2020 MacBook Pro may offer a slight edge in scenarios demanding short bursts of processing power or single-threaded tasks.

GPU:

Both models feature integrated graphics within the CPU.

RAM:

• Both Models: 8GB RAM with a speed of 2133 MHz

Performance Influence: Both laptops have the same RAM capacity. This means they are likely to deliver comparable performance for multitasking and running common applications like web browsing or word processing.

Storage:

• 2017 Model: Internal Storage: 256GB Flash Storage
• 2020 Model: Internal Storage: 512GB SSD

Performance Impact: The increased storage capacity in the 2020 model provides more space for storing files and applications compared to the older model. Additionally, an SSD generally offers faster read/write speeds than traditional flash storage found in the 2017 model.

Additional Details:

• Both models support a semiconductor size of 14nm and are equipped to handle 64-bit operations effectively.
• The number of CPU threads is not explicitly provided for the models but typically aligns with the number of physical cores present in these CPUs.
• The Turbo Clock Speed for both models allows them to boost performance when needed.

In practical terms, while the newer MacBook Pro (2020) boasts better storage capacity with faster SSD technology and marginally improved processing speeds under heavy workloads due to its higher turbo clock speed, the older MacBook Pro (2017) still holds its own for everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, and multimedia consumption. Heavy software operation might benefit slightly from the upgraded components in the newer model.

Conclusion:

If you prioritize storage space and slightly improved processing speeds for demanding tasks like video editing or graphic design software, then opting for the Apple MacBook Pro (2020) with its Intel Core i5 chip and larger SSD might be worth considering. However, if your needs are more modest and you're looking for a reliable workhorse that can handle day-to-day activities efficiently, the Apple MacBook Pro (2017) remains a solid choice at potentially better value.

Both the Apple MacBook Pro (2017) 13" with Touch Bar and Touch ID / Intel Core i5 3.1GHz / 8GB / 256GB and the Apple MacBook Pro (2020) 13" Intel Core i5 1.4GHz / 8GB RAM / 512GB SSD boast a battery life of up to 10 hours. This feature ensures users can work continuously without the hassle of frequent charging, enhancing productivity on the move.

Both laptops are equipped with Sleep and Charge USB ports, enabling users to charge their devices while the laptop is in sleep mode.

Users can rely on both models for consistent and reliable battery performance, ideal for those needing long-lasting battery life for work, study, or entertainment.