The confusing thing is that it doesn't.

Looks like it's

MB < Air < Pro.

The Intel M chip at 1.1gh certainly doesn't beat the air's 1.6 gh i5. Nor does the HD 5300 beat the HD 6000. Let alone if you max out both, it'll be 1.3gh vs 2.2gh for the MB and Air respectively.

Sure the MB starts with more mem/ssd. But you can configure the air to have just as much without spending more.

With the air 13' having an extra inch, 3 hours more battery, more ports, better performance, the only thing the MB has going for it is resolution. And that doesn't seem to override all its cons and put it ahead of the air in my opinion. (11' is a different story, but even that has better CPU/Graphics)

Fortunately, the market overlap between MacBook users and malnourished 6-year-old children for whom an extra 1.5 lbs is a deal breaker is minimal.