Is it possible to have two computers that save to iCloud independently with the same Apple ID?
Solution 1:
The answer to your question is "no". It's not possible to have two computers, both using the same Apple ID, to save files or data to two independent instances of iCloud storage.
However, there may be more to your question. "iCloud" consists of several different features, including iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, Contacts and Calendar sync, etc. You noted that "everything from the Air seems to have transferred to the Pro" and "I wanted to keep the two desktops different". It sounds like you are talking about the "Desktop and Documents" feature of iCloud. This syncs your Documents folder and your Desktop between devices, and it can be controlled independently of the other iCloud features. To turn it off:
- Go to System Preferences > iCloud
- Click the "Options" button next to "iCloud Drive"
- Uncheck the "Desktop & Documents Folders" box
- Optionally, uncheck any other app that you don't want to use or sync with iCloud
In this way, you can still have benefits of iCloud, such as Calendar and Contact sync, Mac App Store purchases, and a shared iCloud Drive space for files and selected apps, without having your Documents and Desktop folders synced. If you don't want any of those things, just sign out of iCloud on your new device, create a separate Apple ID, and sign in with that.
Solution 2:
I think you can only do that (keep separate copies of the files of different computers in the cloud using the same iCloud account) if you sign your computers in with different Apple IDs and use family sharing. In the description of family sharing Apple says
One adult in your household — the organizer — chooses the features your family will share and invites up to five family members to join. Your family can share Apple Books, and App Store purchases, an Apple Music family subscription, a single iCloud storage plan, and more. Once family members join, Family Sharing is set up on everyone’s devices automatically.