Price
The basic, Wi-Fi model of the Chromebook Pixel costs $1,299. One that can also access the LTE cellular network goes for $1,449. The comparable, 13-inch MacBook Pro with high-resolution display starts at $1,499. There’s no MacBook Pro with LTE.
Internet access
Both devices have built-in Wi-Fi. The Pixel comes with 12 free sessions of Gogo’s Internet service on airplanes. The LTE version also comes with 100 megabytes per month of access through Verizon Wireless for two years. Because there’s no LTE MacBook, people who want cellular access will need a phone plan that lets them turn their phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, or a MiFi device that costs roughly $100, not including cellular service fees.
Storage
The basic model of the Pixel has 32 gigabytes of solid-state storage, and the LTE model has 64 gigabytes. Internal storage is not expandable. The MacBook Pro starts at 128 gigabytes. There are MacBook models with even more storage, up to 768 gigabytes. Both Pixel models come with 1 terabyte of online storage through Google Drive for three years.
Display
The Pixel has a touch-screen display that measures 12.85 inches diagonally and has a resolution of 239 pixels per inch. The basic MacBook Pro has a 13.3-inch screen at 227 pixels per inch. A 15.4-inch MacBook, at 220 pixels per inch, is also available for several hundred dollars more. The MacBook’s screen isn’t touch-sensitive.
Weight
The basic Pixel weighs 3.35 pounds, compared with the lightest MacBook Pro at 3.57 pounds.
Ports
The Pixel has two USB 2.0 ports, compared with two faster USB 3.0 ports on the MacBook. The MacBook also has two Thunderbolt ports, which are faster than USB. Both have readers for SD and MMC storage cards. For video output, the Pixel has a mini-display port, while the MacBook has an HDMI port.
Processor
The Pixel has a 1.8 gigahertz Intel i5 processor and comes with 4 GB of working memory. The cheapest high-resolution MacBook Pro has a 2.5 gigahertz i5 processor and comes with 8 GB of working memory. Both have Intel HD Graphics 4000 cards.
Battery life
The Pixel promises five hours of active use, while the MacBook promises seven hours.
