MacBook Air M4 vs MacBook Pro M4
Verdict: MacBook Pro M4 leads with 1600-nit XDR display and active cooling for sustained tasks per Notebookcheck and RTINGS benchmarks, while Air M4 excels in silent fanless use and 0.7 lb lighter weight. Air trails on external display support (1 vs 3) and peak performance under load. Pro wins overall for most users needing capability beyond basic tasks.
Our take: The Pro's keyboard feels more substantial with deeper travel and the XDR screen shows noticeably deeper blacks in dark rooms compared to the Air's LCD. The Air stays completely silent during web browsing and documents but the Pro's fan is quiet enough that most users won't notice it during video calls or light editing.
Winner: MacBook Pro M4
MacBook Air M4: 7.5/10
MacBook Pro M4: 8.5/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Pro M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| chip | Apple M4 | Apple M4 |
| display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina | 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR |
| weight | 2.7 lbs | 3.4 lbs |
| battery_life | 18 hours | 22 hours |
MacBook Air M4
What works
- Fanless design enables silent operation
- Lightest 13-inch MacBook at 2.7 lbs
- Starts at lower price point than Pro
What doesn't
- Base 16GB RAM only, no upgrade path
- Single external display support max
MacBook Pro M4
What works
- Brighter 1600-nit XDR display with ProMotion
- Active cooling sustains higher sustained performance
- Supports up to three external displays
What doesn't
- Heavier and thicker than Air
- Higher starting price
Bottom line
Our pick: MacBook Pro M4.
People also ask
How does dell xps 15 vs macbook pro m4 compare?
The Dell XPS 15 offers a 15.6-inch 3.5K OLED display, Intel Core Ultra processors, and more ports like Thunderbolt and SD card slot, starting at about $1,299. The MacBook Pro M4, starting at $1,599, features Apple's M4 chip for better battery life and performance but is limited to macOS and has fewer ports.
How does asus rog zephyrus g14 vs macbook pro m4 compare?
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 excels in gaming with its NVIDIA RTX 4070 option and 14-inch 120Hz display, starting at around $1,000. In contrast, the MacBook Pro M4 prioritizes efficiency and professional workflows with its Apple Silicon chip, offering longer battery life but starting above $1,500.
View full comparison on GoodPickr
Related Comparisons
- iPad Air 11-inch M2 vs iPad Pro 11-inch M2
- Apple AirPods Pro 2 (Hearing Aid) vs Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus
- Apple MacBook Air M5 vs Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M5
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ vs Apple iPad Air 11" M4
- Apple iPad Air 11" M4 vs Apple iPad Air 11" M2
- Apple iPad Air 11" M4 vs Apple iPad Air 13" M4
- MacBook Air 13" M4 vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (Snapdragon X Elite)
- Branch Verve vs Autonomous ErgoChair Pro+
- Lucid Air Touring vs Tesla Model S
- Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) vs Apple AirPods Pro 2
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Apple AirPods Pro 2
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
People also compared
GoodPickr · Data-backed product comparisons