Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 vs Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 wins — The MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 outperforms the Air on display brightness (1000 nits XDR vs 500 nits Retina per Apple specs) …

Scores: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 7.5/10 · Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 8.5/10

The MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 outperforms the Air on display brightness (1000 nits XDR vs 500 nits Retina per Apple specs) and sustained workloads thanks to its fan, as shown in Geekbench multi-core tests where it maintains higher scores longer. It also supports three external displays versus the Air's single display limit according to Apple's technical specs. The Air remains preferable for users ...

Spec-by-spec comparison

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4
ProcessorApple M4Apple M4
Display13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 500 nits14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 1000 nits
RAM16GB unified16GB unified
Battery Life18 hours video playback (per Apple)22 hours video playback (per Apple)

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4

What works

  • Fanless design for silent operation
  • Starts at lower price point than Pro
  • Ultra-portable at 2.7 pounds

What doesn't

  • Base M4 only, no Pro/Max options
  • Single external display support

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4

What works

  • Brighter XDR display with ProMotion
  • Active cooling for sustained performance
  • Supports up to three external displays

What doesn't

  • Higher starting price
  • Slightly heavier at 3.4 pounds

Bottom line

Our pick: Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4. It edges out the alternative on brighter xdr display with promotion. That said, Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 still wins on fanless design for silent operation — consider it if that single trade matters most for your use.

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