A Comparison of MacBook Vs MacBook Pro

Written by: Nicholas • Edited by: Rebecca Scudder
Updated May 14, 2010 • Related Guides: Macbook Pro | Macbook | Mac

Trying to decide if you should get a MacBook or MacBook Pro? Here are the specs, along with some other helpful information that will help you choose the one that's best for you. Although both are great laptops, there are still some major differences between the two, which you may or may not need.

About Online Reviews

Mac book or Mac book pro? Both are great notebooks. If you were to check out Mac book vs Mac book pro reviews from any major review site, be it customer review or expert review, you would find one thing. Overall good reviews, across the board. This means, whatever you do eventually decide on, you are getting a quality notebook. Remember that. Everybody has their own opinion on what a good laptop computer is. But, if a laptop (such as the Mac bok or Mac book pro) is getting solid overall reviews, no matter where you look... that's when you know you have a quality laptop.

Here are some reviews from other sites, which should take a lot of the work out of it for you. We realize that you probably want more than one opinion.

Amazon.com

MacBook - 4.5/5 stars

ALL MacBook Pro models - 4.5/5 stars

Cnet.com

MacBook - 4/5 stars (expert rating) 3.5/5 stars (customer rating)

MacBook Pro - 4/5 stars (expert rating) 4.5/5 stars (customer rating)

Laptopmag.com

MacBook - 4/5 stars (expert rating)

MacBook Pro - 4/5 stars (expert rating)

Best Buy.com

MacBook - 4.7/5 stars (customer rating)

ALL MacBook Pro models - 4.8/5 stars (customer rating)

BrightHub.com

MacBook - 4.5/5 stars (expert rating)

ALL MacBookk Pro models - 4.5/5 stars (expert rating)

MacBook vs MacBook Pro - Screen Size

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Let's start off by narrowing down all of the differences between the MacBook and MacBook Pro.

Screen Size

The MacBook is currently only available in one screen size, 13-inch.

The MacBook Pro is currently available in 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch.

Both the MacBook and the MacBook Pro have LED Backlit screens. There is an antiglare option for the MacBook Pro.

Easy way to decide now?... If you want a laptop with a screen size larger than 13-inch, get the MacBook Pro.

MacBook vs MacBook Pro - Build Quality

Build Quality

The MacBook is built from polycarbonate (plastic like) material. The MacBook is all-white in color.

The MacBook Pro is built from aluminum.The MacBook Pro is aluminum in color with a black bezel screen.

Both the MacBook and the MacBook Pro are constructed using similar unibody construction. The aluminum MacBook Pro is obviously going to be slightly stronger. The polycarbonate MacBook is a better material for Wifi signals. You may get better wireless reception with the MacBook.

Easy way to decide now?... If you want the stronger build material, eliminate the MacBook. If you travel often, and use public Wifi spots, you may want to consider the MacBook.

MacBook vs MacBook Pro - Ports and Expansion

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Ports and Expansion

The MacBook has: a MagSafe power adapter port, gigabit ethernet port, mini displayport, two USB slots, audio in/out, and a Kensington lock slot.

The MacBook Pro has everything that the MacBook has plus: firewire 800 port, built-in SD card reader, separate audio in/out jacks. The MacBook Pro also has an illuminated backlit keyboard.

Both the MacBook and MacBook Pro have Superdrive DVD burners.

Easy way to decide now?... Get the MacBook Pro if you frequently use firewire 800 devices or want a built-in SD card reader. If you do a lot of typing in dark or low light areas, the illuminated keyboard of the MacBook Pro can be convenient. Also consider, the screen of the MacBook gives off quite a bit of light. Thus, an illuminated keyboard is more of a luxury than a necessity.

MacBook vs MacBook Pro - Price Comparison

Price Comparison

The MacBook retails for: $999

The MacBook Pro retails for:

13-inch: $1,199 & $1,499

15-inch: $1,799 & $1,999 & $2,199

17-inch: $2,299

Is it worth the extra $200 to get the 13-inch Mac book Pro vs the 13-inch Mac book? You will be gaining a stronger frame, SD card reader, firewire 800 port, and distinct audio in/out jacks.

Easy way to decide now?... Consider your budget. If you can swing the extra 200 bucks, go for the Pro. If you don't need the SD card reader, firewire, aluminum frame, etc... get the MacBook.

**Consider this: you could get a MacBook + an iPod Touch for the price of the lowest MacBook Pro**

**Consider this: you could get a MacBook + a Mac Mini for the price of the lowest 15-inch MacBook Pro**

**Consider this: you could get a MacBook, iPad, iPod Touch, iPod Shuffle, and 250+ iTunes songs for the price of the mid range 15-inch MacBook Pro**

MacBook vs MacBook Pro

Final decision, Mac book or Mac book pro?: It's all your preference. Hopefully, this article helped you make a good decision.

Considering getting a PC? Check out this comparison between the Mac and PC.

Sasha Ashley Sep 8, 2011 4:36 AM

price! price! price!

I believe both are great machine. Just depend on your budget. If you willing to spend more just buy the higher price one. One thing, both macbook pro and macbook are having sux material and get dirty or scratches easily. Always remember to protect it since day one. I get mine solution from iskin.com, gelaskins and skinstyler.com iskin for keyboard protector, gelaskins for top case cover and skinstyler for wrist rest protector

the mac user Jul 10, 2011 3:23 PM

macbook vs macbook pro????

i think if you want a mac that you will use just for browser or some stuffs you need a macbook and if you want a mac that will help you in your work like : buisness or college you defenetly want to have a macbook pro.
the better for you is the macbook it has the same applications of the macbook pro but it doesn t have the thunderbold and also little stufs like the unibody. but the unibody of macbook is solid.
i think that you need to have a macbook beacause it is cheaper i used to have a macbook and macbook pro and when i wans enjoying the macbook i buyed the macbook pro and i sed to my sefl MAN WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY THIS LAPTOP IS THE SAME OF MY OLDER ONE so why wold you buy a macbook pro in sted of the macbook

any ways you have to know that apple s computers are the highest quality and the highest tech laptops ever so i think you should buy a macbook for fun and macbook pro for work ;P

GOOD LUCK !!!!!

Anonymous May 9, 2011 6:37 PM

RE: A Comparison of MacBook Vs MacBook Pro

deffinatly getting the macbookpro!!!!! its so much better

Jino Apr 5, 2011 11:34 AM

Pro

Pro defo cos ull want to add these expansion slots later, thats the memory card, audio separates later.

sodapop Jan 28, 2011 8:02 PM

Macbook Pro

I need to buy a laptop: a MBP or macbook
I already have a macbook. It works great and cool. But Macbook pro's are much faster and better.
I would prefer a pro, but I am OK with both.
A mac ( any pro or air ) is much better than other laptops. Better programs.
Though, macbook air is good, it is very breakable. If you drop it from 1 feet, it will break.
Macs are the strongest. But Pro is the best.
I can buy any
ALL THE MACS ROCK :) :) :) :}

Caitlin Dec 25, 2010 10:29 PM

Apple and Dell

Now, I'm no computer genius, but my younger brother IS high up in the Apple Design Team. However, this is my opinion, so here goes. For the first half of my life, I pretty much always used PC's. I didn't even really notice Macs. Then, I started using the old '08 MacBook Pro. And, I liked it a lot! It was simple and clean, and forgive me, but very stylish. I never had any system crashes. Well, finally, I got my OWN laptop. It was a Dell Studio 1555. At first, I liked it A LOT. But, soon, I realized that first of all: the quality truly SUCKED. My screen jiggled and the keys got stuck easily. I have since tried many other Dell Laptops: All the same way. So, then I got a gorgeous new 13" White MacBook. The quality of it isn't even comparable. There are so many features available and iWork is wonderful. Now, I love Microsoft Office. But, I get it on my Mac too, now. What's not to love? So, there you go. I'm no techie, but I like both systems.

Pedro Dec 23, 2010 9:05 AM

Considering MacBook Pro

I'm considering the MacBook Pro because the aluminium body is more durable, isn't it?

Hm rocks Oct 30, 2010 3:33 AM

Mac book pro!

I think Mac book pro is good becuz I used to have a Mac and then after 2 years I got a Mac book pro. When I got my Mac book pro my life changed with a lot of features.
Like when I had my Mac I could see what I type at night but now I have special features.

imjustsayin Oct 21, 2010 2:08 PM

Great article

I wanted the MBP so I put a wanted ad up...someone responded to me with a like new macbook for $550 but I had my heart set on the pro...I think this will help in the end but I am still undecided :(

sgh2548 Oct 13, 2010 6:08 PM

case

Macbook case gets scratched up -- MBP always looks good. If you care about that sort of thing.

Bunnara Oct 6, 2010 9:55 AM

Macbook 13"

I order my Mac-Pro from the state after making search for some months. I am very interesting to receive my Pro on 15 August.

Derek Bolander Oct 6, 2010 1:41 AM

10 reasons the 13" pro is a better value

If you want a 13" forgo the white for the pro because you get:
Aluminum Unibody
2GB more of RAM
FireWire 800
Built-in subwoofer
SD Card Slot
Better Screen (Wider Color Gamut)
.2 lbs lighter
IR port

Leandro Oct 2, 2010 2:58 PM

Macbook pro cuts into my wrists

The unibody design of the macbook pro, cuts into my wrists as it has a sharp aluminum edge. I like the laptop other wise, but it is a bit of a bummer that the only place i can't use it is..my lap.

Daniel Quirin Sep 23, 2010 10:32 AM

Memory

You might get two fewer gigs of memory in the Macbook, but you could upgrade to 8GBs for roughly the 200 dollar difference in price.

Louis Sep 10, 2010 5:47 PM

i just bought pro 13" it is great laptop i've ever have. one thing that i dont like Macbook is the body color cant remain white. it will getting pale.

Unavailable Sep 9, 2010 10:59 AM

About MBPro

I have no trouble with my wifi. My MBPro never fails me. I think you people are just either picking up bad reception or there is a problem with the wifi signal because i have never had any trouble. AND guess what? My laptop is going to be 1 year old this October. Huh. My laptop doesn't have this problem.

Robert Sep 1, 2010 8:54 PM

What I would go for

I'm considering buying a mac and I've done a little bit of research and I'm considering a macbook. I can put 320 gb hard drive and upgrade it to 4gb RAM and it will still cost less than a macbook pro with 250 gb hard drive. Same RAM though. Both use the same cpu too. I don't ever use firewire and you forgot to mention macbook has a HDMI port but macbook pro does not. I agree that the back lit keyboard is more of a luxury. After a while you don't need to see the keyboard to type.

Kelsey Sep 1, 2010 11:03 AM

Decision Maker

This helped me make my decision to go for the MacBook. I've been up in the air about both but now that I see the difference of $200 and what I'm getting for it. Thanks!

dtj Aug 29, 2010 1:24 PM

MacBook vs Pro

Another difference, I believe, is in the speaker system. The Pro has subwoofers, MacBook does not.

Cobi Aug 24, 2010 9:35 AM

That was a decent review that contained good, practical info for the average user I think. I had no idea about the wifi issue. I read a lot of reviews on laptops because I am in the market...however sometimes they get out of hand with the tech stuff and go beyond the casual or average user.

I wish you would have at least added a blurb about RAM and processor speed however, because these are also deciding factors. However based on your review and what little I do know...I would probably buy a Macbook and upgrade over time, if it can run Second Life on at least low settings. Otherwise I do know that Mac's use their resources much more efficiently than Windows based PC's...therefore you can do more with less.

Thanks for the helpful review.

TO Aug 19, 2010 11:21 AM

Very Helpfull

Been reading lots on these two - did not know about the MAC having better Wi-Fi - very good to know.

veruca60 Jul 30, 2010 1:38 PM

On the education store

The MB is discounted for college students. The MBP is discounted more but when you upgrade the MB to 4GB and 320 Serial ATA drive The difference is only $60. Now you are comparing apples to apples (pun intended).

Enrique Jul 29, 2010 4:52 AM

WIFI performance

I wonder how the Macbook Pro 13-mid 2010 compares to the Macbook 2010 on WIFI connectivity. Is there any benchmark done on WIFI performance?

cp Jul 16, 2010 9:39 PM

scratching

the mac book's polycarb is much more easier to get small scratches than the pro

cp Jul 16, 2010 9:38 PM

ram

you didn't mention mac book has 2GB RAM vs the pros 4GB, the max RAM capacity as well as size of onboard ram

tagan Jul 8, 2010 7:54 PM

macbook pro poor on wifi

thanks for this review! very helpful. I have a macbook pro for work, and the wifi reception is terrible! i had heard this was a sympton in the macbook pros but didn't realize why. I have to return this computer and get a new mac, and from you review, I am going to go for the refurbished macbook fro $799.

Atul Jun 23, 2010 10:05 AM

MacBook vs. MacBook Pro

I believe that the main discernible differences between the MacBook and MacBook Pro are trivial and minute. Yes, overall the MacBook Pro comes with better processing speeds and Memory but is it worth paying the extra 200-600 dollars for these extra add ins when one could really change his/her laptop over time. I believe that if you really wanted to by buying the MacBook model it is economically better for yourself. Over time by spending the same amount of money on a pro, one could spend that on upgrades eg (RAM, Processor Size, Unibody) if they really need it. By assessing your need for the laptop you could eliminate such frivolous costs on an already expensive but worthwhile computing machine :)

Justin Jun 21, 2010 11:31 AM

RAM Difference Good Article

Awesome article! I think you forgot the RAM differece, but still thx! I still dont know why Apple sells the Pro, especially with hardly any defferent features! I like the
***Consider this:
That was a great idea!

Gerardo Jun 8, 2010 2:44 AM

It seems that you are selling many Macbooks over Macbooks Pro haha, Great Article, helped me decide, for sure one of the best if not the best article I have found for helping people deciding which one to buy even though you forgot about the RAM difference.
I'm going for a Macbook as well.

Mork Jun 3, 2010 6:08 PM

What about the inside?

All these differences are superficial. What about CPU, RAM, motherboard, video card and upgrade options?

One big thing for me is that regular memory is shared with the videocard on the Macbook. It's not good for video editing / gaming.

It's sad that the majority of Mac users do not know how effing powerful these machines are!!

some guy May 24, 2010 3:00 AM

just wanted to point out

the macbook pro comes with 4gb ram for 1199 and the macbook comes with 2gb, if you want to really compare you would have to add change the macbook to a 4gb (if wanted) which would make it around 1089 for a 110 difference, if that matters at all.

RG May 6, 2010 10:10 PM

thanks

great review! helped me a lot.

matt Apr 2, 2010 12:41 AM

great review, exactly what I was looking for thanks!

Jinny Salsa Mar 29, 2010 10:14 AM

Screen quality

The screen quality on the pro models is so much better. On my MacBook, I can't even see the column colors on an excel speadsheet. Most light colors, or screens around 10% just fade away. Even if you are not a designer, the screen quality alone is enough to make one lean towards a pro model. Better color, more clarity, better viewing angle and easier to read documents with.

Sam Mar 27, 2010 11:17 PM

Awesome review, the best one!

Thank you for helping me decide. I am going to get the macbook, I love the sexy look of it.

JANE Mar 24, 2010 12:18 AM

Good comparison! Finally I can decide which to buy ;) Thanks!

Elizabeth Mar 17, 2010 3:23 AM

Perfect

I've been stressing over which one to get and this article just decided it for me. Thank you!!

Raj Mar 14, 2010 10:04 AM

Good

This is a really good article. I have decided MacBook instead of MarcBook Pro. Thans Again.

David Mar 13, 2010 6:50 PM

Very helpful

I'm in the market for a new MacBook (of some variety). You did a superb job laying out the differences between the MB and the Pro.

Thanks so much

moon Mar 13, 2010 4:45 AM

Great article!