The MacBook Pro is without a doubt one of Apple’s most popular products. As of recently, Apple has announced the newest update in the MacBook Pro series, the 13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro.
MacBook Pro 2020 is the most extraordinary portable computer yet. With a complete replacement of the 13-inch Macbook Pro keyboard and faster processor, these updates might have you looking at your current MacBook with dismay.
Although there are always a few features that can be improved, the MacBook Pro is definitely one of the best computers available for a variety of different professions.
For any fan of Apple products, these are exciting times in technology, but for those who already own a portable computer, the main question you might ask yourself is:
Is it worth selling my current MacBook to upgrade to the MacBook Pro 2020?
2020 13-inch MacBook Pro Specs
Despite Apple technically only releasing one model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, it can actually help to think of the 2020 release as two separate versions. The lower end/cheaper version, as well as the high-end/more expensive version.
Lower-end version
- Priced start at $1,299
- 8th generation processor and internals, meaning they are the same as the 2018 model
- Double the storage of the previous model: 256 GB
- New scissor mechanism Magic Keyboard with Touch ID sensor
- Physical Escape key and inverted “T” arrow keys
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
Higher-end version
- Priced starting at $1,799
- 10th generation Core i5 and Core i7 processors
- Intel Iris Plus graphics
- 512 GB storage
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
- 16 GB, 3,733 MHz, LPDDR4X memory
- Magic Keyboard and Touch ID sensor
8th vs. 10th Generation Intel CPUs
The most dramatic difference between the lower and higher-end 2020 MacBook Pro is the Intel chip.
The primary reason for the lower-end 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro using an 8th generation CPU from 2018, is due to the huge cost of these newer chips from Intel. Using a lower-priced chip allows the price to be kept down in the lower end model.
Despite that, many reviews have admitted there isn’t a huge performance difference between the 8th and 10th generation processors. For those who need quick graphics (GPU) speed, the 10th generation chips do offer a 50-60 percent increase than the 8th generation chips.
Based on real-world tests, you most likely won’t notice a huge difference in performance between the lower and higher-end 2020 MacBook Pro, provided that you are not working on a graphics specific task.
Should You Buy the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro?
Regardless that the new 13-inch MacBook Pro is a beautiful piece of technology, there are many practical reasons why you might want to upgrade to the 2020 model.
Magic Keyboard
Anyone with a MacBook Pro from 2016-2019 can agree on one thing, and that is the horrible butterfly keyboard. Many users even reported hand cramps and technical issues with the butterfly keyboard.
Although the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro was released with the Magic keyboard, the 13-inch 2019 model did not. This means that if you are a 2016-2019 MacBook Pro owner with hate for your butterfly keyboard, it might be the time for you to upgrade to the Magic Keyboard.
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro also includes a true “Escape” key, rather than the previous version which was included in the touch bar.
Need for more storage
The lower-end MacBook Pro includes 256 GB of storage by default, while the higher-end model starts at 512 GB of storage. This means more room for photos, videos, software, and iPhone backups as an alternative to iCloud.
It still has a capable 1.4 GHz quad-core Core i5 CPU which should be good for some intensive tasks.
Brightest screen to date
The brighter Retina screen includes 500 nits of brightness and a P3 color gamut. This is impressive for those who edit photos or videos but it is also nice to simply watch a movie.
Should You Upgrade to the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro Instead?
Based on the pricing alone, the low-end version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro is comparable to the MacBook Air, but the high-end version is comparable to the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
There are a few reasons why you might consider the 2019 MacBook Pro, rather than a 13-inch 2020 model.
You use professional applications
This might include Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro X, Photoshop, Xcode, or Illustrator.
Using these types of apps for graphics will unfortunately not run at optimal speed on the lower-end model. In fact, this would be one of the main reasons to consider the high-end version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2020.
You are looking for even more storage
If 256 GB does not seem like enough for you, then you might consider looking for the base model 16-inch 2019 MacBook Pro. It contains a minimum of 512 GB of storage and 16 GB DDR4 RAM.
Larger screen
The main difference between the higher-end version of the 2020 13-inch model and the 16-inch 2019 model is the screen size.
With a gleaming retina display, if you are someone who enjoys a big screen, this is your computer.
Should You Sell Your Current MacBook and Upgrade?
There are many reasons and features that might make you want to upgrade to the new 13-inch MacBook Pro, but one aspect that might concern you is the high price tag.
Both the 13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro and the 16-inch 2019 MacBook Pro have more expensive options than ever before, but there is a solution: sell your current MacBook.
With every new MacBook release, your current device loses value. Yep, that means that your current device is worth more now than it will ever be.
Especially with the inevitable late 2020 or 2021 MacBook Pro releases, now is the time to sell your current MacBook Pro.
