Picking the Perfect MacBook: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

With both models now equipped with the M3 chip, deciding between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro has never been more difficult.

Comparing MacBook Air 15 and MacBook Pro 14 Your Simple Guide to Choosing | ENBLE

Choosing a new MacBook has never been more difficult. With the release of the 15-inch MacBook Air and the 14-inch MacBook Pro, both equipped with the powerful M3 chip, it’s essential to know which one suits your needs best. The decision is not as simple as it seems, but fear not! I’m here to break it down for you and help you make the right choice.

The Easy Way to Know Which to Buy 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♂️

If you’re in need of extra performance, the MacBook Pro is the obvious winner. However, you’ll need to configure it with an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip. On the other hand, even though the 15-inch MacBook Air is fanless, you can still expect similar performance from the M3 chip in both laptops.

But here’s the kicker! The 14-inch MacBook Pro offers significant benefits as a multimedia device. With its higher resolution mini-LED 120Hz display, it delivers fantastic HDR output. All this for just an additional $100.

When comparing similarly configured models, the price difference between the two laptops is only $100. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and an M3 chip costs $1,599. The 15-inch MacBook Air, on the other hand, costs $1,499. However, if you’re on a tight budget, Apple offers the 15-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage for just $1,299. Quite a tempting option!

If you’re still unsure, don’t worry! I’ll break down each aspect of these two MacBooks to help you make a more informed decision.

Specs 📝

Design 👩‍🎨🎨

The design is where these two laptops truly differ. The MacBook Air 15-inch shares the same design as the 13-inch MacBook Air, but with a noticeable size difference. The 15-inch MacBook Air has slightly thicker bezels, taking up more space on the table. The width offers more screen real estate, making it the primary selling point of this laptop.

In terms of thickness and weight, the MacBook Air 15-inch is impressively thin, measuring just 0.45 inches. It is the thinnest 15-inch laptop available. Comparatively, the MacBook Pro 14-inch is slightly thicker at 0.6 inches but still offers a sleek profile. The MacBook Air weighs 3.3 pounds, while the MacBook Pro weighs 3.5 pounds.

Other design differences include the keyboard, which lacks the black backdrop found on the MacBook Pro, and the absence of on-deck speaker grille cutouts. The MacBook Air also offers more color options: Starlight, Midnight, Silver, and Space Grey, whereas the MacBook Pro is limited to Silver and Space Grey.

Ports 🌐💻

Connectivity is another aspect where these laptops distinguish themselves. The MacBook Air 15 offers only two Thunderbolt 4 ports and an audio jack, similar to the MacBook Air 13. Meanwhile, the MacBook Pro 14 M3 also has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, but it includes an HDMI port and a full-sized SD card reader. The M3 Pro and Max models take it a step further with three Thunderbolt 4 ports.

This means that the MacBook Pro 14 is more expandable, giving you additional options for connecting external devices. Both laptops support MagSafe 3 chargers and the latest Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless functionalities.

When configured with the base M3 CPU, both laptops can handle up to one external display with a maximum resolution of 6K at 60Hz. However, it’s possible to connect to more displays with the help of a dock and additional software. The MacBook Pro 14 with the M3 Pro and Max can handle two external displays, one at 6K/60Hz and another at 4K/144Hz using the HDMI port.

If you need more than one external display, the MacBook Pro 14 Pro or Max is the laptop for you.

Performance ⚡🚀

The M3 chip has proven its capabilities in the iMac and the 13-inch MacBook Air. Based on our testing, it performs similarly across these devices due to Apple Silicon’s efficiency and performance per watt. You can expect the same excellent performance from the M3 chip in both the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the 15-inch MacBook Air.

While the M3 chip delivers exceptional performance, it’s important to note that the 14-inch MacBook Pro can be configured up to the M3 Max, which offers even more power. This configuration includes 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores, resulting in a significant boost in video encoding and exporting performance.

Battery life is outstanding for both laptops, providing up to 18 hours on a single charge. If you’re new to Apple Silicon MacBooks, you’ll be amazed by how long these laptops last.

Display and Speakers 🖥️🔊

One advantage of the MacBook Pro 14 is its superior display. The 14.2-inch mini-LED Liquid Retina display boasts a resolution of 3024 x 1924 (254 PPI), delivering exceptional sharpness, brightness, color, and contrast. In contrast, the MacBook Air 15 features a 15.3-inch IPS Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2880 x 1864 (228 PPI). Both displays provide excellent color reproduction, but the MacBook Pro 14’s mini-LED panel shines brighter, especially for HDR content, and offers deeper contrast.

Both laptops are equipped with six-speaker sound systems and force-canceling woofers. They deliver stellar audio quality and support the same technologies. While the MacBook Pro 14 has a more robust sound profile with deeper bass, both laptops provide an amazing audio experience.

Leave the MacBook Pro for the Pros 🤓👩‍💻👨‍💻

Based on branding and performance distinctions, the MacBook Pro is best suited for creative professionals who require extra power for their work. For everyone else, the 15-inch MacBook Air provides a delightful experience.

If you’re still torn between the two, here’s my final advice: consider refurbished options for last-gen machines. You can find them at prices similar to the 15-inch MacBook Air but with far better performance, minus the M3 boost.

Additionally, I recommend visiting an Apple Store to experience both laptops side by side. The difference in screen size and dimensions will help you make a more informed decision.

So, which MacBook will you choose? Let us know in the comments below! 📝🤔

References:

1. Best MacBook deals: Get an Air for $675 and save on M3 MacBook Pro
2. The MacBook Air M3 has one change that fixes its biggest flaw
3. Best refurbished MacBook deals: Get a MacBook Air for $165 and more
4. Mac Studio vs. iMac vs. Mac Mini: Make your pick and don’t look back
5. Verizon took a huge leap ahead in the 5G race
6. Apple explored notch and “dynamic island” designs for iPhones

If you found this article helpful, share it with your friends on social media! Let them decide which MacBook is right for them too! 😊📲💻

• apple
• Mac
• MacBook Air
• macbook pro