Apple and Google have introduced new notebooks, each with pros and cons. But what really has device users excited is the introduction of the USB Type-C port, which is an all-in-one port for power, data transfer and high-resolution display.

While this new feature simplifies things, will it cause any problems for users? We’ll discuss that in a bit.

Apple MacBook

Google Chromebook Pixel

Aside from the USB Type-C port, how does the Apple MacBook stack up against Google’s new Chromebook Pixel? And which device will give you more value for your money?

Size and weight

Apple MacBook: Width: 11.04 inches (28.05 cm); Depth: 7.74 inches (19.65 cm); Height: 0.14–0.52 inch (0.35–1.31 cm); Weight: 2.03 pounds (0.92 kg).

Google Chromebook Pixel: 11.7” x 8.8” x 0.6” (297.7mm x 224.55mm x 15.3mm), 3.3lbs (1.5Kg).

Display

Apple MacBook: 12-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology, 2304×1440 resolution at 226 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors, 16:10 aspect ratio, Retina Display.

Google Chromebook Pixel: 12.85-inch touchscreen display with a media-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio, 2560×1700 at 239 PPI, 400 nit brightness, 178° extra-wide viewing angle.

Processor and memory

Apple MacBook: Available in 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.4GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache and configurable to 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache or 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache and configurable to 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache.

Google Chromebook Pixel: Available with Intel Core i5 processor, 2.2GHz, 8GB memory or Intel Core i7 processor, 2.4GHz, 16GB memory.

Battery

Apple MacBook: Up to 9 hours wireless web, up to 10 hours iTunes movie playback, built-in 39.7-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery, 29W USB-C Power Adapter, USB-C power port.

Google Chromebook Pixel: Up to 12 hours of battery life, Universal Type-C USB charger, 60W.

Inputs

Apple MacBook: Full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) individual LED backlit keys, including 12 function keys and four arrow keys with ambient light sensor; Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures.

Google Chromebook Pixel: Multi-touch screen, backlit Chrome keyboard, fully clickable, etched-glass trackpad.

Ports and connectors

Apple MacBook: Headphone port, USB Type-C port with support for charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps), native DisplayPort 1.2 video output, VGA output using USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter (sold separately), HDMI video output using USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (sold separately).

Google Chromebook Pixel: 2x USB Type-C (up to 5Gbps data, 4K display out with optional HDMI or DisplayPort adapter, 60W charging), 2x USB 3.0 Standard A, SD card reader, headphone/mic combo.

Camera

Apple MacBook: 480p FaceTime camera.

Google Chromebook Pixel: 720P HD wide-angle camera with blue glass.

Storage

Apple MacBook: 8GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory, 256GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage or 512GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage.

Google Chromebook Pixel: 32GB or 64GB of flash storage.

Wireless

Apple MacBook: 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible, Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology.

Google Chromebook Pixel: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260, Wi-Fi 802.11ac (supports a/b/g/n/ac), 2.4 and 5GHz, 2×2 spatial streams, Bluetooth 4.0 BR/EDR/LE Smart Ready controller.

Audio

Apple MacBook: Stereo speakers, dual microphones, headphone port, support for Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone.

Google Chromebook Pixel: High-power stereo speakers, built-in microphone, headphone/mic combo.

Graphics

Apple MacBook: Intel HD Graphics 5300; Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840×2160 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors.

Google Chromebook Pixel: Intel HD Graphics 5500 (integrated); supports 4K video output over DisplayPort or HDMI with optional Type-C video adapter cable.

Operating system

Apple MacBook: OS X Yosemite.

Google Chromebook Pixel: Chrome OS.

Which is better?

Let’s go back to the new USB Type-C port. The new Apple MacBook only has one port for charging, data transfer and display extension ,which means when you are plugged in for power, you can’t use the port for data transfer — but hey, at least it still has Bluetooth connectivity that you can use for that.

For the new Chromebook Pixel, it offers other ports aside from two USB Type-C ports, which means you can do other things, like data transfer while charging the device or display mirroring while using an external hard drive.

Both devices feature backlit keyboards, but one of Chromebook Pixel’s edges is the touchscreen display, which allows for more freedom in interacting with the device. For the design and aesthetics, the tapered look of the MacBook looks more appealing than the block-like design of the Chromebook Pixel.

Though the Chromebook Pixel has a lead in some areas, the fact that it needs constant Internet connection for it to be usable may turn off some prospective buyers. But, in this connected age, is having a browser-based notebook really that bad?