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Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro

Apple's M3 MacBook Air 15" offers excellent value for general computing, featuring a spacious display, solid 8-core M3 performance, and impressive 18-hour battery life in an ultra-thin 11.5mm chassis. Conversely, the M4 Pro 14" delivers substantially more power with its 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, and triple the storage (512GB vs 256GB), plus a superior XDR mini-LED display with 120Hz ProMotion and 1600 nits brightness—essential for creative professionals. The Pro includes HDMI and SD card ports, enhancing connectivity. However, at $700 more, the Pro targets content creators and developers. For everyday users, students, and business professionals seeking portability and value, the Air 15" M3 excels. Professionals needing raw performance, superior color accuracy, and extended I/O should invest in the M4 Pro 14". Choose based on your workflow intensity, not display size alone.

Apple MacBook Air 15" M3
Apple
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3
$1,299
8.1/10
VS

Full Specifications

SpecApple MacBook Air 15" M3Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
SoftwaremacOS SequoiamacOS Sequoia
Body
Weight1.51 kg1.60 kg
MaterialAluminum unibodyAluminum unibody
Dimensions340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm
Ports
MagSafe
Thunderbolt ports23
HDMI1
SD card
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours wireless webUp to 22 hours wireless web
Capacity66.5 Wh72.4 Wh
Display
Size15.3 inches14.2 inches
TypeLiquid Retina IPS LEDLiquid Retina XDR mini-LED
Resolution2880 x 18643024 x 1964
Refresh rate60Hz120Hz ProMotion
Brightness (nits)5001600
Storage
SSD256 GB512 GB
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Touch Bar
Processor
RAM8 GB unified24 GB unified
Cores8-core CPU, 10-core GPU12-core CPU, 16-core GPU
ChipsetApple M3Apple M4 Pro

Category Scores

Apple MacBook Air 15" M3
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
Value
8.9
7.6
Battery
8.4
8.8
Display
7.8
9.2
Performance
7.5
9.1
portability
8.6
8.2

Pros & Cons

Apple MacBook Air 15" M3

Pros

  • Large 15-inch display in a thin, light chassis
  • Silent fanless design
  • Strong M3 performance for everyday workloads
  • All-day 18-hour battery life
  • Six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio

Cons

  • Only two Thunderbolt ports
  • 8 GB base RAM is tight for power users
  • No ProMotion or HDR display
  • 256 GB base SSD has slower single-chip speeds
  • No HDMI or SD card slot

Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro

Pros

  • Powerful M4 Pro performance in a portable chassis
  • Bright mini-LED ProMotion display
  • Long battery life around 22 hours
  • Three Thunderbolt 5 ports for high-speed I/O
  • Excellent build quality and speakers

Cons

  • Premium pricing
  • Base RAM bumped to 24 GB raises entry cost
  • Notch in display divides opinion
  • No cellular or touchscreen option

Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Apple products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 or the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro.