Which Is Better, the MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro?

After making the decision to purchase a MacBook, are you still debating between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro? Though they may have similar looks, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are fundamentally distinct devices. Although they are both excellent choices, they are distinct in size and suit various purposes. The lightest and most portable laptop model offered by Apple is the MacBook Air. On the other hand, Apple's most powerful laptop model, the MacBook Pro, has power fit for a pro.

You also need to know exactly what you want out of your MacBook since the pricing and processing capability of these two Apple Silicon devices differ greatly. You won't have to make poor decisions thanks to this. You're at the proper spot if you're not sure what you need. You can choose which MacBook is ideal for you by using our guide to help you grasp the differences between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Now let's get started!

MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Models That Are Available

Presently, Apple offers MacBooks in the following configurations:

13-inch MacBook Air with M2/M3
15-inch MacBook Air with M3
14-inch MacBook Pro with M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max Max
16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro/M3 Max

Following the release of the 14-inch model, the company has discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2. The M2 Pro and M2 Max variants for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros have also been discontinued. Apple has also discontinued the very popular M1 MacBook Air.

These models are not available from Apple as new. If you're still interested in them, however, you may get them from Apple reconditioned or at a lower cost from other merchants.

Design Comparison between MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

Model	Dimensions	Weight
13-inch MacBook Air	11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches	2.7 pounds
15-inch MacBook Air	13.40 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches	3.3 pounds
14-inch MacBook Pro	12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches	3.4 to 3.6 pounds
16-inch MacBook Pro	14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches	4.7 to 4.8 pounds

Design of MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

The machined metal casings, flat top, and rounded bottom edges of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are characteristics of their common design. Nevertheless, there are a few little differences between them. The built-in webcam is housed in a notch display, which is shared by both Macs, although the MacBook Pros' bezels are substantially thinner. The MacBook Air featured a tapered-wedge shape up to the M1 edition. It has now been redesigned with a more unified, contemporary look that moves the Air closer to the Pro.The MacBook Air (Midnight) and MacBook Pro (Silver)The MacBook Air M3/ (M2/) The M3 MacBook Pro and ‌MacBook Air‌ are offered in Silver and Space Gray, while two more color options are Starlight and Midnight for the former. Thus, you may want to give the MacBook Air some thought if you're searching for a MacBook with one of these finishes. Moreover, the M3 Pro/M3 Max MacBook Pro has a distinctive Space Black finish, available only in .In addition to a few minor design and color variations, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro feature distinct measurements. Compared to the 15-inch MacBook Air, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is heavier and bulkier. In addition, while the 14-inch MacBook Pro's display may be bigger than that of the MacBook Air, it weighs and is substantially thicker. However, the lightest model on the market, the 13-inch MacBook Air, weighs just 2.7 pounds. Furthermore, the 15-inch size offers a good compromise between mobility and a bigger display. Consequently, it makes sense to get a MacBook Air if you want to travel light and need the most compact MacBook.Furthermore, the power and extra features that the M3 Pro & M3 Max machines provide cannot be understated. Therefore, you shouldn't be deterred from selecting the 14-inch MacBook Pro because of its size and weight if you want both mobility and more performance.

Show Size

Model	Display Size
13-inch MacBook Air	13.6-inch (2560 x 1664)
15-inch MacBook Air	15.3-inch (2880 x 1864)
14-inch MacBook Pro	14.2-inch (3024 x 1964)
16-inch MacBook Pro	16.2-inch (3456 x 2234)

Display Size: MacBook Air compared. MacBook Pro

With a 13.6-inch display, the smaller MacBook Air is marginally smaller than the 14.2-inch MacBook Pro. For the majority of consumers with light to moderate processing needs, Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air is a fantastic choice. On the other hand, those who want a little bit more space and more processing power may still find great value in the 14-inch MacBook Pro.The MacBook Air 15-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro serve as a reliable substitute for desktop computers. They are designed for users that want an extra display space in order to operate several windows and business software.

Display Technology: MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro

Model	Display Technology
13-inch MacBook Air	LED-backlit display with IPS
15-inch MacBook Air	LED-backlit display with IPS
14-inch MacBook Pro	Liquid Retina XDR display
16-inch MacBook Pro	Liquid Retina XDR display

Display Technology: MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro

The display technology is one of the main differences between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air has an LCD screen that Apple refers to as a Liquid Retina display, with rounded corners and thin bezels. For most people, these screens are clear, vibrant, and adequate. The more sophisticated mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR technology, on the other hand, allows Apple to produce displays on the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro that provide higher colors, contrast, and dynamic range.Additionally, the brightness levels on the MacBook Pro have to be the main selling point. When displaying HDR material, the MacBook Pro's XDR display can reach a maximum brightness level of 1,600 nits. A 120Hz ProMotion display is also included for a more seamless experience. Regretfully, the MacBook Air does not come with a display that has a customizable refresh rate.In conclusion, the MacBook Air is a good choice, and not everyone will notice a significant difference. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro is a worthwhile purchase if you've always wanted a MacBook with the finest display. Watching high-framerate films, editing HDR material, and carrying out other color-accurate operations are all made possible by them.

Model	Ports
13-inch MacBook Air	MagSafe 3 charging port 3.5mm headphone jack 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports
15-inch MacBook Air	MagSafe 3 3.5mm headphone jack 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports
14-inch MacBook Pro	MagSafe 3 port SDXC card slot HDMI port 3.5mm headphone jack 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports (M3 chip) 3x Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports (M3 Pro/M3 Max chip)
16-inch MacBook Pro	MagSafe 3 port SDXC card slot HDMI port 3.5mm headphone jack 3x Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports

Ports & Connectivity

The choice of ports and connection choices on the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro is another significant distinction. Only two Thunderbolt ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a MagSafe charging port are available on the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models. An additional HDMI 2.1 port and SDXC card slot are added by the M3 MacBook Pro.

Ports on the Left side — Ports on the left side: MacBook Air at the top and MacBook Pro at the bottom

On the other hand, the MacBook Pro M3 Pro and M3 Max configurations provide excellent connection with three Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI connector, an SDXC card slot, and a 3.5mm socket that can accommodate high-impedance headphones.

Ports on the Right Side — Ports on the right side: MacBook Air at the top and MacBook Pro at the bottom

Because of this, you need a lot of connectors to attach external devices, while the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models have considerably more flexibility.

Processor: MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro

Processor	CPU	GPU
Apple M2	8-core CPU 4 performance cores 4 efficiency cores	8-core/10-core GPU
Apple M3	8-core CPU 4 performance cores 4 efficiency cores	8-core/10-core GPU
Apple M3 Pro	11-core or 12-core CPU 5 or 6 performance cores 6 efficiency cores	up to 30-core GPU
Apple M3 Max	14-core CPU 10 performance cores 4 efficiency cores	up to 40-core GPU

It is the M2 or M3 chip that powers the MacBook Air. You have the option to choose between the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max CPUs if you want to purchase a MacBook Pro. In terms of M2 vs. M3, the M2 chipset is somewhat less potent than the M3 CPU. In specific, the M3 processor provides up to 20% quicker than the M2 chip in terms of CPU performance. The M2 and M3 CPUs are designed for consumers and provide good performance and long battery life. For light to moderate workflows, the M2 MacBook Air is a very suitable MacBook substitute.The M3 Pro and M3 Max, on the other hand, are enlarged variants of the M3 chip that have more CPU and GPU cores as well as more transistors. As a result, the M3 Pro and M3 Max are only intended for rigorous workflows and CPU-intensive jobs. The M3 Pro and M3 Max CPUs are capable of handling whatever task you throw at them, whether it's editing 4K videos, producing 3D graphics, or playing demanding games.Let's go on. Since the MacBook Air lacks a fan, it may grow heated with prolonged use. The premium MacBook Pro has fans that keep the system cool and push the processors harder to improve performance.Regarding the M2 MacBook Air's compatibility for external displays, you may attach a single external display to it. When the lid is closed, M3 machines extend support for a maximum of two external displays. While the M3 Max MacBook Pro lets you work with up to four external screens at once, the M3 Pro processor only supports up to two external displays.

Storage and Memory

Processor	RAM	Storage options
Apple M2	8GB to 24GB	up to 2 TB
Apple M3	8GB to 24GB	up to 2 TB
Apple M3 Pro	up to 36GB	up to 4 TB
Apple M3 Max	up to 96GB	up to 8 TB

Memory & Storage Comparing Apple M2 vs. M3

When purchasing a MacBook, you also need to take RAM and storage capacity into account. It is important to note that the M2/M3 MacBook Air and M3 MacBook Pro have configurable maximum RAM and storage capacities of 24GB and 2TB, respectively. For the majority of users, including those with professional demands, this should be more than sufficient.But, you may choose the MacBook Pro with M3 Pro or M3 Max configurations if your demanding workflow calls for even more memory and storage. It is possible to customize the M3 Pro MacBook Pro with up to 36GB of RAM and 4TB of storage. In contrast, the maximum specifications for the top-tier M3 Max MacBook Pro include 98GB of RAM and 8TB of storage.

Microphone & Speakers

With two woofers and two tweeters for a well-balanced sound experience, the four-speaker sound system that comes with the 13-inch MacBook Air is impressive. They work well enough for other daily requirements like viewing films. The sophisticated six-speaker sound system, with two tweeters and four force-cancelling woofers for noticeably better audio with a pleasing bass, is included on the 15-inch MacBook Air and all MacBook Pro models. As a result, those who like loud music or are audio production pros would benefit more from these models.Regarding microphones, the MacBook Air has a trio of microphones that provide clear audio, which makes it ideal for video conferences. in the other hand, the studio-quality three-mic array found in MacBook Pro models reduces ambient noise to enhance the clarity and loudness of your voice. Because of this, the MacBook Pro is a superior choice for occupations like podcasting.

Comparing the Battery Life of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

Model	Battery Life
M2 MacBook Air	up to 18 hours
M3 MacBook Air	up to 18 hours
14-inch MacBook Pro (M3)	up to 22 hours
14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro/ M3 Max)	up to 18 hours
16-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro/M3 Max)	up to 22 hours

When comparing the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, it's critical to consider how long the batteries last on each device. An is given to you.18 hours battery life of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro/M3 Max CPU and the M2/M3 MacBook Air. As opposed to this, the greatest battery life is provided by the 16- and 14-inch MacBook Pros with M3, which may last up to 22 hours.The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro or M3 Max CPU and the 16-inch MacBook Pro have longer battery lives than the MacBook Air, which has an 18-hour battery life, which is four hours shorter than both.

Price comparison of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

Model	Starting Price
13-inch MacBook Air	$999
15-inch MacBook Air	$1299
14-inch MacBook Pro with M3	$1599
14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro	$1999
14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max	$3199
16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro	$2499
16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max	$3499

With a starting price of $999, the 13-inch MacBook Air M2 continues to lead in terms of value and cost. The 13-inch MacBook Air is an excellent option if you're searching for the greatest MacBook for students. In comparison, the beginning price of the MacBook Pro 14-inch model is $1599. Well, that's a big investment. Nevertheless, you will get a more powerful CPU, an amazing 14-inch mini-LED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, an improved camera, and more ports for the additional cost. These add-ons are priceless if your task is very hard.The 16-inch MacBook Pro, which starts at $2499, is the finest Apple laptop for those who want the largest display, the most battery life, the most I/O ports, and a very powerful CPU.

Is it better to purchase a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air?

Here's the crucial query: which of the two MacBook models—the MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro—is superior? This, of course, depends on your needs and the intended use of your device. Thank goodness, a MacBook is available for everyone.The M2 MacBook Air is the greatest choice for regular customers, whether they are working professionals or students with typical needs. It has a lightweight, portable design and provides a reliable performance. The MacBook Air is less expensive than the MacBook Pro, with a starting price of $999, and you can save an extra $100 with the Apple Student Discount, making it an excellent bargain. The best cheap MacBook that you can get is the 13-inch MacBook Air. Because of its larger screen size and mobility, the 15-inch MacBook Air model is also a worthwhile investment if you have a little more money to spend.A 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro is the only option if you're ready to spend more money on a device with a more color-accurate display, more RAM, more storage, and unrivaled power. The top-tier M3 Pro & M3 Max Macs are intended for professionals and creatives who can fully use the sophisticated features and potent processing power these devices have to offer. The greatest Apple laptop, in particular, is the 16-inch MacBook Pro for those who want a reliable desktop substitute.It is also the most sophisticated MacBook (as of right now) that you can get. Recall that the M3 Pro and M3 Max may be excessive for infrequent users.That's it! We really hope that our advice helped you choose the ideal MacBook for your daily tasks. Make careful to weigh all the options before deciding to buy in order to get the best MacBook for you. Which MacBook do you intend to purchase? Remember to express your opinions in the comments section below.