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Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Apple MacBook Air 15" M4

Both MacBook Air models deliver exceptional value in Apple's lineup, but they serve different needs. Product A offers portability at 1.24kg with the capable M3 chip, ideal for ultralight computing and everyday tasks, though its 8GB RAM and 256GB storage may feel limiting for multitasking or content creation. Product B steps up significantly with a larger 15.3-inch display, newer M4 chip featuring 10-core CPU/GPU, doubled RAM at 16GB, and larger 66.5Wh battery—all critical upgrades for professional work. The 15-inch screen provides noticeably better workspace without sacrificing the claimed 18-hour battery life. While Product B weighs 270g more, the performance gap and expanded screen real estate justify the $200 premium for anyone doing photo editing, development, or running multiple applications. Choose Product A for maximum portability; choose Product B for a versatile all-rounder that won't require upgrades soon.

Apple MacBook Air 13" M3
Apple
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3
$1,099
7.8/10
VS
Apple MacBook Air 15" M4
Apple
Apple MacBook Air 15" M4
$1,299
8.6/10
Winner

Full Specifications

SpecApple MacBook Air 13" M3Apple MacBook Air 15" M4
SoftwaremacOS SequoiamacOS Sequoia
Body
Weight1.24 kg3.3 lbs (1.51 kg)
MaterialAluminum unibodyRecycled aluminum
Dimensions304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches
Ports
MagSafe
Thunderbolt ports22
HDMI
USB-C ports2
SD card
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours wireless webUp to 18 hours
Capacity52.6 Wh66.5 Wh
Display
Size13.6 inches15.3 inches
TypeLiquid Retina IPS LEDLiquid Retina IPS
Resolution2560 x 16642880 x 1864
Refresh rate60Hz60Hz
Brightness (nits)500500
Storage
SSD256 GB256 GB (configurable to 2 TB)
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Touch Bar
Processor
RAM8 GB unified16 GB
Cores8-core CPU, 8-core GPU10-core CPU, 10-core GPU
ChipsetApple M3Apple M4

Category Scores

Apple MacBook Air 13" M3
Apple MacBook Air 15" M4
Value
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0
Battery
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0
Display
0
0
Performance
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portability
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Pros & Cons

Apple MacBook Air 13" M3

Pros

  • Light and portable at 1.24 kg
  • Excellent fanless M3 efficiency
  • Bright 500-nit Liquid Retina display
  • Up to 18 hours of battery life
  • Supports two external displays with lid closed

Cons

  • 8 GB base RAM increasingly limiting
  • Only two Thunderbolt ports
  • 256 GB SSD uses single NAND chip with slower speeds
  • No high-refresh display
  • Limited port selection

Apple MacBook Air 15" M4

Pros

  • M4 chip delivers massive performance leap over M3 with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
  • 16 GB RAM standard — no more $200 upgrade from 8 GB
  • 18-hour battery life is genuinely all-day
  • Fanless design is completely silent under all workloads
  • Gorgeous 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display for content consumption

Cons

  • Still limited to 60Hz display — no ProMotion
  • Only two Thunderbolt ports — both on the left side
  • Base 256 GB storage is tight for a $1,299 laptop
  • No HDMI or SD card slot — dongles still required

Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Apple products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 or the Apple MacBook Air 15" M4.