MacBook Air M4 13 Inch vs MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max

MacBook Air M4 13 Inch
MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max

Verdict: The MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max is the better choice for professionals who need powerful performance, a high-quality display, and long battery life. However, the MacBook Air M4 13 Inch is a more affordable and portable option for general productivity and office work. According to CNET, the MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max has a 'stunning' display and 'excellent' performance, while the MacBook Air M4 13 Inch has a 'beautiful' display and 'all-day' battery life (per Tom's Hardware).

MacBook Air M4 13 Inch lists at $1,299 while MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max lists at $2,399 — MacBook Air M4 13 Inch undercuts MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max by $1,100 (85%).

Winner: MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max

MacBook Air M4 13 Inch: 8/10

MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max: 9/10

Spec-by-spec comparison

MacBook Air M4 13 InchMacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max
CPUApple M4Apple M2 Max
RAM8GB/16GB/24GB16GB/32GB/64GB
Storage256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB/8TB
Display13.6-inch Liquid Retina16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR

MacBook Air M4 13 Inch

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 M2 Max

What works

  • Powerful performance with M2 Max chip
  • High-quality XDR display with 120Hz refresh rate
  • Long battery life, up to 22 hours

What doesn't

  • Expensive, especially with higher-end configurations
  • No major design changes from previous generation

Bottom line

Our pick: MacBook Pro 16 Inch M2 Max.

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