Updated: May 12, 2025

MacBook Pro M4 vs MacBook Air M4: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Apple’s MacBook Pro M4 and MacBook Air M4 can feel overwhelming. Both are powerful laptops, but they’re designed for different needs. Whether you’re a student, a creative professional, or someone who just wants a reliable computer for everyday tasks.

This guide will break down every detail. By the end, you’ll know exactly which MacBook is right for you.

We’ll cover:

  • Design and portability
  • Performance for school, work, and play
  • Display quality for movies, editing, and gaming
  • Battery life and charging
  • Ports and connectivity
  • Price and upgrades
  • Tips to get the most from your MacBook

Let’s get started!

1. Design and Portability: Which Feels Better to Carry?

MacBook Air M4:

  • Weight: 2.7 pounds (13-inch) or 3.3 pounds (15-inch).
  • Thickness: 0.44 inches (thinner than most textbooks).
  • Colors: Silver, Starlight, Midnight, and Sky Blue (a soft blue-silver).
  • Build: Fanless design with no vents or moving parts.

The Air is Apple’s lightest and thinnest laptop. It’s easy to slip into a backpack, and the fanless design means it’s completely silent—no whirring noises even during light tasks. The aluminum body feels sturdy, and the new Sky Blue color adds a subtle pop without being too flashy.

MacBook Pro M4:

  • Weight: 3.5 pounds (14-inch) or 4.7 pounds (16-inch).
  • Thickness: 0.61 inches (slightly chunkier than the Air).
  • Colors: Space Black (resists fingerprints) or Silver.
  • Build: Reinforced aluminum with vents for cooling.

The Pro is heavier but feels more durable. The vents along the sides help cool the laptop during intense tasks like video editing or gaming. The Space Black finish looks professional and hides smudges better than the Air’s Midnight color.

Key Differences:

  • The Air is 40% lighter than the 14-inch Pro.
  • The Pro’s vents make it slightly thicker but better at handling heat.
  • The Air’s fanless design is quieter but can get warm during long Zoom calls.

Who Should Choose the Air:

  • Students who carry their laptop to class all day.
  • Travelers who need something lightweight.
  • Casual users who prioritize simplicity.

Who Should Choose the Pro:

  • Professionals who need a rugged laptop for travel.
  • Users who connect multiple accessories (more on ports later).

2. Performance: How Fast Are They for School, Work, and Games?

Let’s break down what the M4 chip can handle:

Task MacBook Air M4 MacBook Pro M4
Homework/Web Browsing Effortless (10+ tabs, Zoom calls, documents). Same as Air, but with more power for multitasking.
Photo Editing Edits 20MP photos in apps like Photoshop. Handles 50MP RAW files and 4K edits smoothly.
Video Editing Edits 1080p videos but struggles with 4K. Edits 8K videos without lag.
Gaming Runs games like Minecraft or Fortnite at medium settings. Runs Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings.
Programming Handles basic coding (Python, HTML). Compiles complex apps and runs virtual machines.

MacBook Air M4 Performance Deep Dive

The Air’s M4 chip has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. It’s 20% faster than the M3 and handles everyday tasks easily. For example:

  • Writing essays while streaming music and having 15 Chrome tabs open? No problem.
  • Editing family vacation photos in Apple Photos? Smooth and quick.
  • Playing Roblox or Among Us? Perfectly playable at 60 FPS.

However, the Air has no fans, so it slows down slightly during long tasks:

  • Exporting a 10-minute 4K video takes 8 minutes (vs. 5 minutes on the Pro).
  • Gaming for over an hour may cause frame rate drops as the laptop warms up.

For a deeper look at everyday performance, read our MacBook Air M4 review.

MacBook Pro M4 Performance Deep Dive

The Pro offers three chip options:

  1. Base M4: 10-core CPU/12-core GPU (good for most users).
  2. M4 Pro: 12-core CPU/18-core GPU (ideal for creators).
  3. M4 Max: 16-core CPU/40-core GPU (for professionals).

What the Pro Can Do:

  • Edit 8K videos in Final Cut Pro while running Photoshop in the background.
  • Code apps in Xcode or run Windows via virtualization (Parallels).
  • Play AAA games like Elden Ring at 60 FPS on high settings.

The Pro’s active cooling system (fans) keeps it from overheating, so performance stays consistent. For example:

  • Exporting a 1-hour 4K video takes 22 minutes (vs. 35 minutes on the Air).
  • Gaming sessions stay smooth even after hours.

Who Needs the Pro?

  • Video editors, 3D animators, or music producers.
  • Programmers working with large codebases.
  • Gamers who want high frame rates.

For a detailed breakdown of the M4 Pro’s power, check out our MacBook Pro M4 review.

3. Display Quality: Which Screen Looks Better?

MacBook Air M4 Display:

  • Size: 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS.
  • Brightness: 500 nits (bright enough for indoor use).
  • Resolution: 2560x1664 (sharp text and images).
  • Features: True Tone (adjusts colors to your room’s lighting).

The Air’s screen is great for everyday use:

  • Watching Netflix shows look vibrant.
  • Writing essays is comfortable thanks to the sharp text.
  • Editing Instagram photos is accurate but not professional-grade.

Limitations:

  • Struggles in direct sunlight (glare is noticeable).
  • Colors aren’t as deep as the Pro’s for photo editing.

MacBook Pro M4 Display:

  • Size: 14.2-inch or 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR.
  • Brightness: 1,000 nits (indoor), 1,600 nits (HDR).
  • Resolution: 3024x1964 (even sharper than the Air).
  • Features: ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate), Mini-LED, Nano-Texture option.

The Pro’s display is a game-changer:

  • Mini-LED: Blacks look truly black, making movies like Dune pop.
  • ProMotion: Scrolling through TikTok or websites feels buttery smooth.
  • Nano-Texture: Reduces glare by 75% (great for outdoor cafes).

Real-World Examples:

  • Photo Editors: The Pro shows every detail in shadows and highlights.
  • Movie Lovers: HDR content looks like it’s jumping off the screen.
  • Outdoor Workers: Nano-Texture makes the screen readable in sunlight.

Who Needs the Pro’s Display?

  • Graphic designers, photographers, or videographers.
  • Anyone who watches HDR movies or edits content.

4. Battery Life: Which Lasts Longer?

Task MacBook Air M4 MacBook Pro M4
Web Browsing 15–18 hours 16–22 hours
Netflix Streaming 14 hours 18 hours
Photo Editing 8 hours 12 hours
Gaming 3 hours 5 hours

MacBook Air M4 Battery Tips:

  • Use Low Power Mode (Settings > Battery) to extend life by 2–3 hours.
  • Close unused apps running in the background.
  • Lower screen brightness to 75% when outdoors.

For more ways to save power, explore our 52 tips for MacBook Air M4.

MacBook Pro M4 Battery Tips:

  • The Pro’s larger battery handles heavy tasks better.
  • Enable “Optimized Battery Charging” to prolong lifespan.
  • Use HDMI instead of wireless projection to save power.

Learn advanced strategies in our 35 tips for MacBook Pro M4.

5. Ports and Connectivity: Which Has More Options?

MacBook Air M4 Ports:

  • 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C): For charging, external drives, or monitors.
  • MagSafe 3: Magnetic charging cable (saves Thunderbolt ports).
  • Headphone Jack: For wired headphones or microphones.

Limitations:

  • No HDMI or SD card slot—you’ll need adapters ($50–$100).
  • Only supports one external monitor (up to 6K resolution).

MacBook Pro M4 Ports:

  • 3 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C): Faster data transfers (40Gbps vs 20Gbps on Air).
  • HDMI 2.1: Connect to 4K TVs or gaming monitors without adapters.
  • SD Card Slot: Import photos/videos directly from cameras.
  • MagSafe 3 and Headphone Jack.

Pro Advantages:

  • Supports two external monitors (up to 8K).
  • HDMI is perfect for gaming or presentations.

6. Price and Upgrades: How Much Do They Cost?

Model Starting Price Max Price
MacBook Air M4 (13") $999 $2,499
MacBook Air M4 (15") $1,299 $2,799
MacBook Pro M4 (14") $1,599 $6,199
MacBook Pro M4 (16") $2,499 $7,199

MacBook Air M4 Configurations:

  • Base Model ($999): 16GB RAM, 256GB storage.
  • Mid-Tier ($1,499): 24GB RAM, 1TB storage.
  • Maxed Out ($2,499): 24GB RAM, 2TB storage.

MacBook Pro M4 Configurations:

  • Base Model ($1,599): M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage.
  • M4 Pro ($2,399): 12-core CPU, 36GB RAM, 1TB storage.
  • M4 Max ($7,199): 16-core CPU, 128GB RAM, 8TB storage.

Upgrade Tips:

  • Students: Air with 16GB RAM is sufficient for essays and research.
  • Creators: Pro with M4 Pro chip and 36GB RAM handles 4K editing.
  • Professionals: Max chip for 8K video, 3D rendering, or AI work.

7. Final Verdict: Which MacBook Should You Buy?

Choose the MacBook Air M4 if:

  • You want the lightest, most portable laptop.
  • Your tasks include homework, streaming, and light photo editing.
  • Your budget is under $1,500.

Choose the MacBook Pro M4 if:

  • You edit videos, code, or game regularly.
  • You need a brighter, more color-accurate display.
  • You connect to multiple monitors or professional cameras.

8. Bonus: Tips to Master Your New MacBook

For MacBook Air M4 Users:

  1. Use MagSafe Charging to free up Thunderbolt ports for accessories.
  2. Enable Stage Manager (Control Center) to organize apps and windows.
  3. Save storage with iCloud Drive for photos and files.

For MacBook Pro M4 Users:

  1. Customize the Touch Bar (if your model has one) for app shortcuts.
  2. Use ProMotion to smooth out scrolling in Safari and apps.
  3. Connect to an 8K monitor via HDMI for ultra-detailed editing.

For advanced customization, visit our MacBook Pro M4 tips guide.

FAQ: MacBook Pro M4 vs. MacBook Air M4

1. What’s the biggest difference between the MacBook Air M4 and MacBook Pro M4?

The MacBook Air M4 prioritizes portability with its ultra-thin, fanless design and lighter weight (2.7–3.3 lbs). It’s perfect for everyday tasks like homework, streaming, and light photo editing.
The MacBook Pro M4 focuses on power and versatility. It has a brighter Mini-LED display, more ports (HDMI, SD card slot), and optional M4 Pro/Max chips for heavy workloads like 8K video editing or gaming.
Learn more: Compare their performance in our MacBook Pro M4 review.

2. Should I buy the MacBook Pro M4 if I’m a student?

Most students don’t need the Pro. The MacBook Air M4 is lighter, cheaper, and lasts longer on battery (15–18 hours). It handles essays, Zoom calls, and casual gaming effortlessly.
However, if you study film, design, or computer science, the Pro’s faster performance and dual external monitor support might be worth the extra cost.

3. Which has better battery life for travel?

The MacBook Air M4 lasts slightly longer for basic tasks (15–18 hours vs. 16–22 hours on the Pro). However, the Pro outperforms the Air during demanding tasks like video editing or gaming.
Pro tip: Use battery-saving tricks for the MacBook Air M4 to extend its lifespan.

4. Is the MacBook Pro M4 worth the higher price?

It depends on your needs:

  • Worth it: For professionals editing 4K/8K videos, coding complex apps, or using multiple monitors.
  • Not worth it: If you only browse, stream, or write. The Air saves you $600+ and still feels snappy.
    Budget tip: The base Air ($999) includes 16GB RAM—plenty for most users.

5. Can I game on the MacBook Air M4?

Yes, but with limits. The Air runs lighter games like Minecraft or Fortnitesmoothly at medium settings. For AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Elden Ring, the Pro’s M4 Pro/Max chips and active cooling deliver better frame rates and stability.
Gaming tip: Check our MacBook Pro M4 performance guide for optimized settings.

Conclusion

The MacBook Air M4 is ideal for students, travelers, and casual users who value portability and battery life. The MacBook Pro M4 shines for creators, professionals, and gamers needing top-tier performance and advanced features. Both offer Apple’s signature reliability, but your choice depends on your budget and workload.