Comparing the M3 MacBook Air and Pro

If you're a photographer in the market for a new MacBook, odds are you’re debating whether you should go with the newly updated MacBook Air or the more powerful MacBook Pro. Now that the updated MacBook Air features the same M3 processor as the MacBook Pro, choosing which is better for photo editing is not as easy as it once was. To help make your decision a little easier, we’re going to break down some of the key differences between the two.  

Note: For this comparison, we’re going to  focus exclusively on the base configurations of the 13” Air and the 14” Pro, as the larger versions of both models feature different specs and customization options. 

Display

When it comes to photo editing, the higher the display resolution, the better. A higher resolution allows you to see more details in your photos, which allows you to edit your photos more precisely.

The MacBook Air comes standard with a 2560 x 1664 13.6” Liquid Retina display that refreshes at 60 Hz and caps out at 500 nits of brightness. The 14" Pro, on the other hand, features a 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR display that refreshes at 120 Hz and can reach up to 1600 nits of brightness.

Between the two, the obvious winner is the 14” MacBook Pro, which is larger, sharper, smoother, and has better contrast than the MacBook Air. That’s not to say the Air’s display is bad—far from it. Bolstered by Apple’s proprietary True Tone technology, the Air’s 13.6” display is a perfectly serviceable screen that delivers great color performance and lots of detail. But as good as it looks, there’s no way the Air’s IPS panel can stand up to the image quality of the Pro’s superior micro-LED screen—that battle was decided long before either model stepped into the ring.

Winner: MacBook Pro

Under the Hood

Now let’s talk about what each of the base models have going on under the hood. The base configuration of the new MacBook Air features an upgraded 8-core M3 chip, an 8-core GPU, 8GB of unified RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Compare that to the base model of the MacBook Pro, which features the same M3 chipset and 8GB of RAM, but comes with a more powerful 10-core GPU and 512GB of storage.

Thanks to the recent update, the MacBook Air is as powerful and efficient as ever. However, despite it having the same chipset as the base MacBook Pro, the Pro is still the more capable of the two. Twice as much unified memory and a more sophisticated GPU give the Pro the edge in overall power. On top of that, it features an HDMI port and SD card reader (both of which are missing from the Air), making it the more capable model as well.

Winner: MacBook Pro

Portability

For years, the aptly named MacBook Air hung its feathery hat on its shockingly thin, lightweight design. Compared to other MacBooks, especially the earlier, much-heftier models of MacBook Pro, the Air offered a never-before-seen degree of portability.

Fast forward to now and the Air’s portable design isn’t as exclusive as it once was. For example, while the updated 13” MacBook Air is still a very slender 0.44” thick when shut, the 14” MacBook Pro is now only 0.61” thick—a difference of less than a quarter of an inch. Over the years, the Pro has also shed some serious poundage. The current base model weighs 3.4 lb, which is less than a pound heavier than latest MacBook Air.

Bottom line, the MacBook Air is still more portable than MacBook Pro, but the difference between the two has greatly reduced over the years.

Winner: MacBook Air

Cost

For many, cost is (understandably) one of the most  factors when it comes to purchasing a new laptop. Right now, the base model of the 13” MacBook Air starts at $1099. The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, is priced significantly higher. The current 14" base configuration will run you $1599.

Now, there’s definitely an argument to be made about cost versus value. For example, while the MacBook Pro does cost $500 more than the MacBook Air, it’s money well spent if you want something like a superior screen. That being said, if your goal is to pick the most budget-friendly model, then the MacBook Air is the clear winner between the two.

Winner: MacBook Air

Battery Life

Finally, let’s talk battery life. Both base models offer tremendous battery longevity. The MacBook Air promises up to 18 hours of use, while the Pro offers up to 22 hours. Both should be more than enough to get you through a full workday, though as you can see, the Pro does have a marginal edge.

Winner: MacBook Pro

Winner

Both the M3 MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro are premier devices with excellent features and arguably the most sophisticated processor we’ve ever seen in a laptop.

That being said, there are use-cases that each model is better suited for. The MacBook Air, for example, is a great general-purpose laptop that’s easy to carry, delivers tremendous value, and can easily handle all of your normal daily tasks. Photographers and other creative professionals, on the hand, are probably better served by the MacBook Pro, which is better-suited to handle more demanding tasks, such as video editing, 3D rendering, and so on.

It's worth mentioning that if you are a creative professional, not only should you opt for the Pro over the Air, but you should upgrade its RAM as well. The 8GB of RAM is barely enough to suffice the needs of a daily driver like the MacBook Air. Considering that the MacBook Pro is geared toward creative professionals, offering a paltry 8GB of RAM is frankly absurd. Spend the extra $100 and double it to 16GB.

Questions about which MacBook would be a better fit for your daily workflow? Drop us a line down below and we’ll get back to you right away!