MacBook Air 13 Inch M4 vs MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max
Verdict: The MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max is the better choice for professionals who need powerful performance and high-quality displays, while the MacBook Air 13 Inch M4 is suitable for general productivity and office work. According to CNET, the MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max has a 'stunning' display and 'excellent' performance. However, as noted by Wirecutter, the MacBook Air 13 Inch M4 is 'the best laptop ' due to its portability and affordability.
MacBook Air 13 Inch M4 lists at $1,299 while MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max lists at $2,399 — MacBook Air 13 Inch M4 undercuts MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max by $1,100 (85%).
Winner: MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max
MacBook Air 13 Inch M4: 8/10
MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max: 9/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| MacBook Air 13 Inch M4 | MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M4 | Apple M3 Max |
| RAM | 8GB/16GB/24GB | 16GB/32GB/64GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB | 512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB/8TB |
| Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina | 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR |
MacBook Air 13 Inch M4
What works
- Portability and lightweight design
- Long battery life, up to 18 hours
- High-quality Retina display
What doesn't
- Limited ports, only 2 Thunderbolt 4
- No SD card slot
MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max
What works
- Powerful performance with M3 Max chip
- High-quality XDR display
- Long battery life, up to 22 hours
What doesn't
- Expensive, especially with higher storage options
- Heavier and less portable than MacBook Air
Bottom line
Our pick: MacBook Pro 16 Inch M3 Max.
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