MacBook Pro · Apple Silicon · 2020
MacBook Pro 13" (M1)
Essentially the Air’s M1 with active cooling, so it could hold peak speed for longer renders. The last MacBook Pro to carry the Touch Bar.
First Apple Silicon pro laptop, with a fan to sustain the M1 longer.
MacBook Pro 14" (M1 Pro/Max) (2021)
MacBook Pro 13" (M1): key facts
When was the MacBook Pro 13" (M1) released?
The MacBook Pro 13" (M1) arrived on November 17, 2020. Apple discontinued it in October 2021.
How much did the MacBook Pro 13" (M1) cost?
The MacBook Pro 13" (M1) launched at $1,299 in 2020, about $1,572 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple M1 (8-core) at 3.20 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, 13.3" Retina, 2560×1600 display.
Why does the MacBook Pro 13" (M1) matter?
First Apple Silicon pro laptop, with a fan to sustain the M1 longer.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple M1 (8-core) · 3.20 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 8 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB (up to 16 GB) |
| Storage | 256 GB |
| Display | 13.3" Retina, 2560×1600 |
| GPU | Apple 8-core GPU |
| Ports | 2× Thunderbolt / USB 4, Touch Bar |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | Aluminium notebook |
| Operating system | macOS 11 Big Sur |
| Released | November 17, 2020 |
| Discontinued | October 2021 |
| Launch price | $1,299 |
How the MacBook Pro 13" (M1) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 2.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 3.20 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.0× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 65,500 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $1,299 in 2020, about $1,572 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Its battery life of 17+ hours embarrassed every Intel laptop on the market.
Related MacBook Pro models
Open the MacBook Pro 13" (M1) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11