MacBook Air M4 13‑Inch vs MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max

By Billy G. · Founder & Lead EditorVerified Oct 20 by Billy G.

Decision sheet: the facts that decide it

MacBook Air M4 13‑Inch: 9 of 13 decision facts sourced.

MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max: 9 of 13 decision facts sourced.

	MacBook Air M4 13‑Inch	MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max
Price today	Price not yet checked	Price not yet checked
Processor	Apple M4 bestbuy.com	Apple M5 Max bestbuy.com
Memory	24 gigabytes bestbuy.com	36 gigabytes bestbuy.com
Storage	512 gigabytes bestbuy.com	2000 gigabytes bestbuy.com
Screen size	13.6 inches bestbuy.com	16.2 inches bestbuy.com
Resolution	2560 x 1664 bestbuy.com	3456 x 2234 bestbuy.com
Weight	2.73 pounds bestbuy.com	4.7 pounds bestbuy.com
Ports	2 bestbuy.com	3 bestbuy.com
Graphics	Apple M4 10-core bestbuy.com	Apple M5 Max 32-core bestbuy.com
Starting MSRP	$1,199.00 bestbuy.com	$4,399.00 bestbuy.com

Not yet sourced — MacBook Air M4 13‑Inch: Refresh rate, Brightness, Battery, Battery life. MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max: Refresh rate, Brightness, Battery, Battery life. No manufacturer, official or retailer source we read publishes these yet; we don't estimate them.

Pick MacBook Air M4 13‑Inch if

• Lighter — 2.73 lb vs 4.7 lb (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)
• Lower starting price — $1,199 vs $4,399 (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)

Pick MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max if

• More memory — 36 GB vs 24 GB (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)
• More storage — 2,000 GB vs 512 GB (bestbuy.com, bestbuy.com)

Skip both if

• Neither publishes refresh rate, brightness, battery or battery life yet.

Verdict: The Air M4 13‑Inch offers lighter (2.73 lb vs 4.7 lb) and lower starting price ($1,199 vs $4,399); the Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max counters with more memory (36 GB vs 24 GB) and more storage (2,000 GB vs 512 GB). Neither publishes refresh rate, brightness, battery or battery life yet.

MacBook Air M4 13‑Inch lists at $999 while MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max lists at $3,499 — MacBook Air M4 13‑Inch undercuts MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max by $2,500 (250%).

Winner: MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max

MacBook Air M4 13‑Inch: 7.2/10

MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max: 8.8/10

Spec-by-spec comparison

	MacBook Air M4 13‑Inch	MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max
Screen size	13.6 inches	16.2 inches
Resolution	2560 x 1664	3456 x 2234
Panel	LED	—
Processor	Apple M4	Apple M5 Max
Graphics	Apple M4 10-core	Apple M5 Max 32-core
Memory	24 gigabytes	36 gigabytes

Bottom line

Our pick: MacBook Pro 16‑Inch M5 Max.

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