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MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Pro M3 - Which Should You Buy? [2024]

The Tech Chap・12 minutes read

Apple has introduced refreshed MacBook Air models with the new M3 chip and improved features, including the ability to output to two external monitors, while the Pro models offer better performance and additional features like a higher refresh rate and better display quality. The choice between the MacBook Air and Pro depends on usage and budget, with the Air being more budget-friendly and suitable for everyday tasks, while the Pro offers premium features and customizable specs for demanding tasks.

Insights

  • Apple has introduced new MacBook Air models with the M3 chip, Wi-Fi 6E, and dual monitor support, while the MacBook Pro now features the M3 chip, replacing the 13-inch Pro with touch bar.
  • The MacBook Pro offers enhanced performance with more ports, better display quality, and improved speakers compared to the MacBook Air, making it a premium choice for demanding tasks, but both models start with 8GB of RAM, potentially requiring upgrades for optimal performance.

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Recent questions

  • What are the key differences between MacBook Air and Pro?

    The MacBook Air is cheaper, more compact, and fanless, while the Pro is pricier, has fans for better performance, more ports, and better speakers.

  • What are the display disparities between MacBook Air and Pro?

    The Pro has a higher refresh rate, brightness, and mini LED screen, offering better contrast and colors compared to the Air's LCD screen.

  • How does the performance of MacBook Air and Pro differ?

    The Pro is faster under sustained load, providing a 15-20% boost in rendering and gaming tasks, while the Air is suitable for everyday use.

  • Which MacBook model has better battery life?

    The Pro model is claimed to have slightly longer battery life by Apple, but real-world tests show varying results between the Air and Pro.

  • How should one decide between MacBook Air and Pro?

    The decision depends on usage and budget; the Air is a good all-round option, while the Pro is a premium choice with customizable specs, both starting with 8GB of RAM.

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Summary

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Apple's 2024 MacBook Lineup: Air vs Pro

  • Apple has refreshed the 13 and 15-inch MacBook Airs for 2024 with the new M3 chip, also used in the base model 14-inch Pro, along with Wi-Fi 6E and the ability to output to two external monitors.
  • The M2s have had a price cut down to $999, replacing the old M1 Air as the entry-level MacBook, with the 13-inch M3 starting at $1099.
  • The MacBook Pro comes in 14-inch and 16-inch models, with the M3 chip, replacing the older 13-inch Pro with the touch bar.
  • The MacBook Air is cheaper and more compact than the Pro, with a fanless design, while the Pro has fans for better performance under demanding tasks.
  • The Pro offers more ports, including a full-size SD card reader and HDMI 2.1, along with better speakers with Force-canceling woofers.
  • The Pro has a higher refresh rate of 120Hz, 1600 nits brightness in HDR, and a mini LED screen, offering better contrast and richer colors compared to the Air's 60Hz, 500 nits LCD screen.
  • In performance tests, the Pro is faster under sustained load, offering a 15-20% boost in rendering and gaming tasks, while the Air is sufficient for everyday tasks.
  • The Air and Pro have different battery lives, with the Pro lasting slightly longer according to Apple's claims, but real-world tests show varying results.
  • The decision between the Air and Pro depends on usage and budget, with the Air being a good all-round option and the Pro being a more premium choice with customizable specs, but both come with 8GB of RAM as standard, which may require an additional investment for better performance.
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