Macbook Air vs Macbook Pro: Which one should you buy? Let’s break it down!
For a layman, both these may look like those identical twins on the subway who can easily be mistaken for each other. However, both models come with the defining features that set them apart.
Since an investment in a Macbook is substantial, it demands diligence from your side. For a lot of people out there such as students, artists, teachers, and professionals, a laptop could be their biggest asset (or their worst nightmare). Thus, keeping in mind the intended use of the device, you can follow along to see which one is the best match for you.
Let’s begin from the basics,
MacBook Air
With the introduction of the latest Macbook Air M3 in 13 and 15 inches, Apple discontinued its Macbook Air M1 (13 inches) and Macbook Air M2 (15 inches). However, the Macbook Air M2 2022 is still available in the market. The newer editions are powered by the popular M3 chip of Apple with a sleek design, better battery life, two thunderbolts, 4 USB ports, and much more.
MacBook Pro
On the other hand, Apple launched its M3-powered Macbook Pro (14 & 16 inches) back in 2023 while discontinuing the Macbook Pro M2 (13 inches) with the iconic touch bar. The newest editions come with M3 and M3 Max chip, a sleek design, 2-3 thunderbolts, and 4 USB ports among others.
Now, let’s do a quick comparison between Macbook Air and Macbook Pro in terms of:
1. Design
When it comes to the design, both Macbook Air and Pro share a classic matte aluminium finish in silver and space grey colour. Moreover, when it comes to the dimensions and weight, each model has its own specifications. However, the newer Pro models are slightly bulkier than their Pro counterparts.
2. Dimensions
Each Macbook differs slightly from the other when it comes to dimensions. For instance, Macbook Air (15 inches, M3) weighs 1.51 kg and comes with a height of 1.15 cm, width of 34.04 cm, and depth of 23.76 cm. On the other hand, Macbook Pro (14 inches) weighs 1.55 kg (M3), 1.62 kg (M3 Pro), and 1.65 kg (M3 Pro Max). Overall, one can safely say that the Macbook Air is much lighter than the Macbook Pro.
3. Display
Both Macbook Air and Pro use Apple’s liquid retina display with true tone. The actual variation comes in terms of screen size. If you prefer larger screen sizes, you might want to go for Pro as they come in 14 and 16 inches compared to Air’s 13 and 15-inch display. However, screen size does not make a huge difference except that you can find more space for upgraded specs in larger screens.
4. Specifications
The specs of all the models of Macbook Air and Pro can be found on Apple Support. A closer analysis will show that the Macbook Pro has a somewhat better display, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and built-in fans to cool the device and ensure long-life performance. These features are the justification behind the higher cost of the Macbook Pro as compared to Macbook Air. However, whether you need these features or not depends on your intended use.
5. Storage
The Macbook Air models come with 256GB SSD internal storage and may be configured up to 2TB. On the other hand, the Macbook Pro comes with 512GB SSD internal storage and may be configured to 2-8TB(M3 Max only).
6. Battery Life and Charging
The battery life of both Macbook Air and Pro is decent, ranging from 17-18 hours in Air models while extending to 18-22 hours in the newer Pro models. Thus, if you prefer longer battery life, MacBook Pro is the one to vouch for.
When it comes to charging, a fast charge is possible with a 70W USB‑C Power Adapter in the Macbook Air while the same is possible with a 96W USB-C Power Adapter in the Macbook Pro.
7. Audio and Camera
The Macbook Air with M1 chip comes with a basic stereo speaker and wide stereo sound whereas the one powered by M2 chip comes with a four-speaker sound system and wide stereo sound. On the contrary, the Macbook Pro comes with a studio-quality 3-mic array and a speaker sound system with spatial audio.
When it comes to the camera of both Macbooks, there’s no major difference. Both, Air and Pro come with a 1080p Facetime HD camera and advanced image signal processor with computational video.
8. Performance
When we compare the performance of both the Macbook models, the Pro has an added advantage since it comes with a 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU. On the other hand, the Air models come with 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU. Thus, if you’re a photo or video editor or any designing professional, Pro is the right fit for you.
9. Keyboard
There’s no major difference between Macbook Air and Pro when it comes to the keyboard. Both come with a magic keyboard and touch ID.
10. Ports
When it comes to ports, all the models of Macbook Air available in the market offer two Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack. However, the Macbook Pro comes with 3-4 Thunderbolts in addition to a headphone jack. Thus, if your work requires plugging multiple devices into your computer, Macbook Pro is your best bet.
MacBook Air | MacBook Pro | |
Design | Classic Matte Finish | Classic Matte Finish |
Dimensions | Lighter | Slightly Bulkier |
Display | Normal Screen Size | Comparatively Larger Screen Size |
Specifications | Usual Specs | Comparatively Better Specs |
Storage | 256GB SSD internal storage configurable to 2TB | 512GB SSD internal storage configurable to 2-8TB(M3 Max only) |
Battery Life | 17-18 Hours | 18-22 hours |
Audio & Camera | 1080p Facetime HD camera | 1080p Facetime HD camera and Better Audio |
Keyboard | Magic keyboard and touch ID | Magic keyboard and touch ID |
Performance | 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU | 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU |
Ports | 2 ports and a headphone jack | 3-4 ports and a headphone jack |
Macbook AIR vs Macbook PRO - Which One Should You Buy?
Although picking the right model of Macbook may seem tricky, a little bit of self-analysis would go a long way. By now, you must’ve read about the distinguishing features of both laptops. Now, for the final decision take your budget and intended use into consideration.
For instance, if you’re a student who is most likely to use a laptop for college work, Macbook Air would give you the ultimate bang for your buck. However, if you’re a professional or content creator, you might need extra storage and better performance from your laptop since it is your biggest asset. Thus, investing in a Macbook Pro might be a sound choice.
If you are renting a Macbook for software development, you may need to weigh pros and cons of both Macbook Pro and Macbook Air.
Conclusion
From the above analysis, it’s clear that both Macbook Air and Macbook Pro have their pros and cons. Thus, picking the right fit for you is a deeply personal choice and must depend primarily on your budget and intended use in future. You can rent all types of Macbooks on Rental Bunny.
