MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series)
Shop MacBook
MacBook Air (M4 series)
Starting at
£967.50£999.00 new
MacBook Pro (M5 series)
Starting at
£1,950.44What's the difference between the MacBook Air (M4 series) and MacBook Pro (M5 series)?
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) comes down to the screen size, screen type and weight. Refurbished, the MacBook Air (M4 series) starts at £967.50, £982.94 less than the MacBook Pro (M5 series).
Refurbished from
Screen size
Screen type
Weight
- 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 (M5 series).
- The MacBook Air (M4 series) has a lighter build: 1510 g vs 1550 g.
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) specs
The MacBook Air offers a larger 15 inch Liquid Retina Display with 500 nits brightness, suited for those who prefer a bigger screen for everyday use. The MacBook Pro has a smaller 14 inch Liquid Retina XDR display with double the brightness at 1000 nits and higher resolution, making it better for users who need excellent screen brightness and detail. The Pro also includes extra ports like a third USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port and an SDXC card slot, plus a six-speaker system and a higher definition front camera for enhanced audiovisual needs. Storage options differ too, with the Pro offering up to 2TB. Choose the Air if you want a larger screen and fewer ports, and the Pro if you want more connectivity, audio, and screen brightness.
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) price
Colour
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) battery life and software updates
Their durability aspects align closely, making either device a dependable choice in this regard.
Operating System Support
You can expect ongoing software improvements and security updates on either device. This makes both suitable for users who want to keep their laptops up to date with Apple's current operating system.
Repairability
This high score indicates that either model should be straightforward to service, which benefits users who intend to maintain their device over time.
Maximum operating system supported
Year of release
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) performance
Performance features are closely matched between these MacBooks. Both use Apple processors and 64-bit architecture, with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD storage available. Storage options differ slightly, which may influence your choice depending on how much space you need.
Memory and Storage
Both MacBook Air M4 and MacBook Pro M5 come with 16 GB of RAM, providing enough memory for demanding everyday tasks and multitasking. Storage options for the Air include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, while the Pro starts at 512GB and goes up to 2TB. This wider range on the Pro is ideal if you need more space for large files or applications.
Processor and Graphics
Both devices feature Apple processors with a 64-bit architecture and a 10-core GPU. This means you can expect similar computing and graphics performance across both models, suitable for a variety of tasks from creative work to general productivity.
Graphic card
Macbook architecture
Processor brand
Processor speed ghz
RAM
Storage type
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) screen
Screen quality is a key difference between these two laptops. Both have IPS technology and Retina displays with True Tone, but their size, resolution, brightness, and screen type vary, affecting viewing experience based on your needs.
Screen Size and Resolution
The MacBook Air M4 features a larger 15 inch Liquid Retina Display with a resolution of 2880 by 1864 pixels, offering more screen real estate which is useful for multitasking and media consumption. The MacBook Pro M5 has a 14 inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a higher resolution of 3024 by 1964 pixels, providing sharper images and more detail in a slightly smaller space.
Brightness and Display Type
The MacBook Pro M5 reaches 1000 nits brightness, double the 500 nits of the MacBook Air M4. This higher brightness level suits users who work in bright environments or require superior display clarity. The Pro's Liquid Retina XDR display is designed for high dynamic range content, enhancing contrast and colour accuracy compared to the Air's Liquid Retina display.
Ips
Resolution
Retina
Screen brightness
Screen size
Screen type
True tone
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) camera
Audiovisual features differ mainly in speaker setup and front camera resolution, which will matter depending on how much you use your MacBook for video calls and media.
Speakers
The MacBook Air M4 has a four-speaker sound system, providing solid audio quality for everyday listening. The MacBook Pro M5 has six speakers, which delivers richer and more immersive sound. Choose the Pro if audio quality is important for your music, video, or conference calls.
Front Camera
The MacBook Air M4 features a 1080p front camera suitable for clear video calls. The MacBook Pro M5 offers a higher resolution 12 MP front camera, which captures more detail and may provide a sharper image in video conferencing or selfies.
Front camera definition
Speakers
Webcam
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) size and design
Other differences include connectivity options and weight. These may influence portability and how many devices you can connect without adapters.
Ports and Connectivity
The MacBook Air M4 comes with two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports and no card slot. The MacBook Pro M5 includes three USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports and an SDXC card slot. If you use multiple peripherals or transfer media from SD cards often, the Pro offers more connection flexibility.
Weight and Mobility
The MacBook Air M4 weighs 1510 g, slightly lighter than the MacBook Pro M5 at 1550 g. This small difference may appeal to users prioritising the lightest possible laptop for carrying around.
Screen Technology and Features
The MacBook Pro M5 supports Promotion technology, which can make animations and scrolling smoother on its screen. The MacBook Air M4 does not have this feature. Both have True Tone and touch capability but no Touch Bar.
Charging and Wireless
Both MacBooks support MagSafe 3 and USB Type-C charging, have a headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax, providing current standard wireless and charging options.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth version
Card slot
Charger compatibility
Display
Hdmi output
Jack plug
Keyboard language type
Microphone specifications
Neural engine
Promotion
Release date
Touch
Touch bar
Usb typec thunderbolt 4 ports
Usbc port
Webcam definition
Weight
Wifi technology
MacBook Air (M4 series) or MacBook Pro (M5 series): which should you buy?
Buy the MacBook Air (M4 series) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £967.50, £982.94 less than the MacBook Pro (M5 series)
- you want a bigger screen (15 inch vs 14 inch)
- you want a lighter build (1510 g vs 1550 g)
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) FAQs
MacBook Air (M4 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) comes down to the screen size, screen type and weight. 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 (M5 series).
The MacBook Air (M4 series) is cheaper refurbished, from £967.50 compared with £1950.44 for the MacBook Pro (M5 series).
Refurbished, the MacBook Air (M4 series) comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the MacBook Pro (M5 series) in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
