Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012) vs Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012) compared with MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
AppleMacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012)AppleMacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
Overview
ReleasedJune 2012June 2012
Display
Screen size13.3″13.3″
Resolution1440 × 900 (better)1280 × 800
PanelTN LCDTN LCD
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeGlossy LED-backlit widescreen LCD, millions of colours; TN panel confirmed by Notebookcheck's exact-model review. Refresh rate and brightness unpublished by Apple.13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy display, 1280 × 800 native resolution and millions of colours. TN panel identified by Notebookcheck’s exact-model review; brightness and refresh rate unpublished by Apple.
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core i5-3427U or Intel Core i7-3667UIntel Core i5-3210M or Intel Core i7-3520M
CPU cores22
CPU threads44
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 4000Intel HD Graphics 4000
Memory4 GB or 8 GB4 GB or 8 GB
Storage128 GB to 512 GB128 GB to 1 TB (better)
CPUDual-core Intel Core i5-3427U at 1.8 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz and 3 MB shared L3 cache; the 256 GB base is configurable to Core i7-3667U at 2.0 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz and 4 MB cache. Exact i5 identity confirmed by Notebookcheck; Macworld documents the higher-base-only i7 upgrade, whose exact identity is confirmed by MacGeneration's review of the 13-inch i7 configuration.2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz and 3 MB L3 cache, or 2.9 GHz dual-core Core i7 with Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz and 4 MB L3 cache. i5-3210M identified by Notebookcheck; i7-3520M by EveryMac.
GPUIntel HD Graphics 4000 integrated graphicsIntel HD Graphics 4000
Memory type4 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L onboard memory, configurable to 8 GB1600 MHz DDR3 in two SO-DIMM slots. Core i5 has 4 GB, configurable to 8 GB; Core i7 has 8 GB.
Storage type128 GB base with Core i5; 256 GB base configurable to 512 GB flash storage and either processor. Memory upgrade applies to either base. Configurations preserve the base-specific upgrade restrictions documented by Macworld.Core i5 has a 500 GB 5400-rpm hard drive, configurable to 750 GB or 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB SSD. Core i7 has a 750 GB 5400-rpm hard drive, configurable to 1 TB or the same SSD capacities. Rows follow the CPU-specific maker storage sections. 8× slot-loading SuperDrive supports DVD±R DL, DVD±RW and CD-RW.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 7 hoursUp to 7 hours
Battery capacity50 Wh63.5 Wh (better)
Weight1.35 kg (better)2.06 kg
Thickness17 mm (better)24.1 mm
Width × depth325 × 227 mm325 × 227 mm
Battery life detailBuilt-in 50 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 7 hours wireless web or 30 days standby under Apple's test conditions. Reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.Built-in 63.5 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 7 hours wireless web in Apple’s test. Reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
Charger45 W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter with cable management60 W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management
MaterialsAluminium enclosure; tapered thickness from 3 to 17 mmAluminium unibody enclosure and glass trackpad
ColoursSilverSilver
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Thunderbolt, MagSafe 2, headphone jack, SD card slot2 × USB-A, MagSafe, headphone jack, SD card slot, Ethernet, Thunderbolt
Wi-Fi802.11n; compatible with 802.11a/b/g802.11n; compatible with 802.11a/b/g
Bluetooth4.04.0
Webcam720p FaceTime HD720p FaceTime HD camera
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo USB 3 ports up to 5 Gb/s, Thunderbolt up to 10 Gb/s with native Mini DisplayPort output, MagSafe 2 and headphone jack supporting the Apple iPhone headset remote and microphone, and SD card slot. DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI and HDMI require separate adapters.One Thunderbolt port up to 10 Gb/s, two USB 3 ports up to 5 Gb/s, one FireWire 800 port up to 800 Mb/s, Gigabit Ethernet, SDXC card slot, MagSafe, headphone port with digital/analogue audio line output and iPhone headset support and Kensington lock slot. Thunderbolt provides native Mini DisplayPort output; DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI and HDMI require separate adapters.
External displaysBuilt-in screen plus one external display up to 2560 × 1600, both with millions of colours; dual display and video mirroring, HDMI audio and video through a compatible adapterBuilt-in display plus one external display up to 2560 × 1600, both at millions of colours; dual display and video mirroring.
KeyboardFull-size backlit keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and ambient light sensorFull-size backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor, 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys and four arrow keys.
TrackpadMulti-Touch trackpad with inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap and dragMulti-Touch trackpad supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three- and four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap and drag.
SpeakersStereo speakersStereo speakers with subwoofer
MicrophonesOmnidirectional microphoneOmnidirectional microphone
In the boxMacBook Air, power adapter, AC wall plug and power cord; OS X Lion at launch, with a free upgrade to Mountain Lion when available; iLife and documentationMacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, 60 W MagSafe power adapter, AC wall plug, power cord and documentation; OS X Lion and iLife.

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