MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series)
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MacBook Air (M4 series)
Starting at
£967.50£999.00 new
MacBook Pro (M3 series)
Starting at
£1,395.68£1,868.90 newWhat's the difference between the MacBook Air (M4 series) and MacBook Pro (M3 series)?
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and screen type. Refurbished, the MacBook Air (M4 series) starts at £967.50, £428.18 less than the MacBook Pro (M3 series). The MacBook Air (M4 series) is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Weight
- The MacBook Air (M4 series) has more RAM: 16 GB vs 8 GB.
- The MacBook Air (M4 series) has a bigger screen: 15 inch vs 14 inch.
- Screen type: Liquid Retina Display on the MacBook Air (M4 series), Liquid Retina XDR display on the MacBook Pro (M3 series).
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) specs
The MacBook Air (M4 series) and MacBook Pro (M3 series) differ mainly in screen size and quality, memory, storage options, and audio features. The MacBook Air offers a larger 15 inch Liquid Retina IPS screen with 500 nits brightness, suited for those who want a spacious display with good colour accuracy. The MacBook Pro has a smaller 14 inch Liquid Retina XDR screen with much higher sustained brightness, ideal for users who need exceptional screen brightness and detail. The Air comes with 16 GB RAM for smoother multitasking, while the Pro has 8 GB RAM but offers more storage up to 2TB. The Pro's sound system is more advanced with six speakers and force-cancelling woofers, fitting for richer audio experiences. Choose the Air for a larger screen and more memory, and the Pro for top-tier screen brightness, audio, and storage capacity.
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) price
Colour
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) battery life and software updates
Both MacBook Air (M4 series) and MacBook Pro (M3 series) support the same maximum operating system. The release years are different but do not affect the durability aspects directly.
Operating System Support
Both models support macOS Tahoe as their maximum operating system. This means you can expect ongoing software support and updates for both devices for the same length of time.
Release Year
The MacBook Air (M4 series) was released in 2025 while the MacBook Pro (M3 series) came out in 2023. This is simply a fact about when each device was launched.
Maximum operating system supported
Year of release
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) performance
Performance differences focus on memory size and storage options, which affect how many apps you can run smoothly and how much data you can keep on the device.
Memory Size
The MacBook Air (M4 series) includes 16 GB of RAM, allowing it to keep more apps open and handle multitasking with ease. The MacBook Pro (M3 series) comes with 8 GB of RAM, which is suitable for everyday use and typical work tasks.
Storage Options
MacBook Air (M4 series) is stocked with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB SSD storage, which suits users with moderate to high storage needs. MacBook Pro (M3 series) offers larger storage options of 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB SSD, making it suitable for those who work with large files or require more space.
Graphics and Processor
Both devices have a 10-core GPU and Apple processors with 64-bit architecture, delivering solid performance for visual tasks and general computing.
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MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) screen
Screen quality varies significantly between the two. The MacBook Air offers a larger screen with IPS technology, while the MacBook Pro provides a smaller but brighter and more advanced display.
Screen Size and Type
MacBook Air (M4 series) has a 15 inch Liquid Retina IPS display, giving you a larger viewing area which is good for video, browsing, and multitasking. The MacBook Pro (M3 series) features a 14 inch Liquid Retina XDR display, which is more compact but designed for higher brightness and contrast.
Brightness Levels
The MacBook Air screen offers 500 nits of brightness, suitable for most indoor and casual outdoor environments. The MacBook Pro screen reaches up to 1000 nits sustained full-screen brightness and peaks at 1600 nits, ideal for working in bright conditions or with HDR content.
Screen Resolution and IPS
The MacBook Pro has a higher resolution of 3024 x 1964 pixels compared to the MacBook Air's 2880 x 1864 pixels, delivering sharper images on a smaller screen. The MacBook Air supports IPS technology, which enhances colour accuracy and viewing angles.
Ips
Resolution
Retina
Screen brightness
Screen size
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True tone
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) camera
Audio and camera features differ, with the MacBook Pro offering a more advanced speaker system while both have the same front camera resolution.
Speakers
MacBook Air (M4 series) has a four-speaker sound system suitable for clear audio in everyday use. The MacBook Pro (M3 series) includes a high-fidelity six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers, which delivers richer and more immersive sound, useful for music, video, and professional audio tasks.
Front Camera
Both devices feature a 1080p front camera, providing good video quality for calls and meetings.
Front camera definition
Speakers
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) size and design
Other differences include connectivity options, ports, and display features that affect convenience and compatibility.
Card Slot
MacBook Pro (M3 series) includes an SD card slot compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, useful for photographers or users transferring data from cameras. The MacBook Air (M4 series) does not have a card slot.
USB-C Ports
MacBook Air has 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports and 2 USB-C ports in total, suitable for standard peripheral connections. MacBook Pro offers 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports and an additional third USB-C port, providing more flexibility for connecting multiple devices simultaneously.
Screen Features
Both devices support True Tone, which adjusts the screen's colour temperature based on ambient lighting, reducing eye strain. The MacBook Pro also supports a Promotion display which enables smoother scrolling and responsiveness, while the MacBook Air does not.
Bluetooth and Wifi
Both models have Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax, ensuring strong wireless connectivity for accessories and internet.
Weight and Charger
The MacBook Air weighs 1510 g and the MacBook Pro 1500 g, making both devices similarly portable. Both support MagSafe 3 and USB-C charging options.
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Charger compatibility
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Display
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Touch bar
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Usbc port
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MacBook Air (M4 series) or MacBook Pro (M3 series): which should you buy?
Buy the MacBook Air (M4 series) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £967.50, £428.18 less than the MacBook Pro (M3 series)
- you want more RAM (16 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (15 inch vs 14 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the MacBook Air (M4 series) highlight its clean appearance with only minor marks and appreciate its smooth performance for study, browsing, and everyday use. Many mention the device running quietly and booting quickly, with battery life that meets daily needs. The larger 15 inch screen and the midnight colour option appeal to those looking for style and workspace. Some note the device can get warm under heavy use but this does not affect their satisfaction.
MacBook Pro (M3 series) customers praise its smooth and fast performance, with storage options that fit work and streaming needs. The 14 inch screen is described as clear and bright, fitting well for work emails, meetings, and media. Users appreciate the reliable battery life though some mention slower charging. The speaker system is noted as good but the volume may be low for watching videos without headphones. The Space Gray and Silver colours are popular and customers find the devices look tidy with only minor marks.
Overall, the MacBook Air suits those who want a larger screen and more memory for multitasking, often for study or everyday use. The MacBook Pro is chosen by users prioritising screen brightness, storage capacity, and a richer speaker system, often for work or media consumption.
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) FAQs
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M3 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and screen type. The MacBook Air (M4 series) has more RAM: 16 GB vs 8 GB. The MacBook Air (M4 series) has a bigger screen: 15 inch vs 14 inch.
The MacBook Air (M4 series) is cheaper refurbished, from £967.50 compared with £1395.68 for the MacBook Pro (M3 series).
The MacBook Air (M4 series) adds more RAM (16 GB vs 8 GB) and a bigger screen (15 inch vs 14 inch). Refurbished, it costs £428.18 less (from £967.50 vs £1395.68).
Refurbished, the MacBook Air (M4 series) comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the MacBook Pro (M3 series) in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
