MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Which Should You Buy?
The decision between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro can be challenging since both have their strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to consider.
Key Considerations
| Feature |
MacBook Air |
MacBook Pro |
| Price Range |
Starts at $999 (M1) / $1,099 (M3) |
Starts at $1,999 (M2) / $1,599 (M3) |
| Weight |
Lightest model: 2.7 lbs |
Lightest model: 3.5 lbs (14-inch) |
| Portability |
Best for portability |
Less portable but more powerful |
| Ports |
2 Thunderbolt / USB-C ports, 1 headphone jack |
More ports: 3 Thunderbolt, HDMI, SD Card, MagSafe, 1 headphone jack |
| Display |
13.6-inch (2560 x 1664) |
14.2-inch (3024 x 1964) / 16.2-inch (3456 x 2234), brighter displays with mini-LED |
| Keyboard |
Magic Keyboard (no Touch Bar) |
Magic Keyboard (dedicated function keys) |
| Performance |
Good for everyday tasks |
Best for demanding tasks (video editing, gaming) |
| Battery Life |
Up to 18 hours (M2) / Up to 15 hours (M3) |
Up to 17 hours (M2 Pro) / Up to 15 hours (M3 Pro) |
| Audio |
Decent sound quality |
Better speakers with richer audio |
| Best For |
Students, light users, portability |
Professionals, creators, high-performance needs |
Design
| Model |
Dimensions (inches) |
Weight (lbs) |
| M1 MacBook Air |
12 x 8.4 x 0.6 |
2.8 |
| M2 MacBook Air |
11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 |
2.7 |
| M2 MacBook Pro 14″ |
12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 |
3.5 |
| M2 MacBook Pro 16″ |
14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 |
4.7 to 4.8 |
Performance Comparison
| Model |
CPU |
GPU |
RAM Options |
| M1 MacBook Air |
Apple M1 |
Integrated 7-core GPU |
8GB to 16GB |
| M2 MacBook Air |
Apple M2 |
Integrated 8-core GPU |
8GB to 24GB |
| M2 MacBook Pro 14″ |
M2 Pro/Max |
Up to 38-core GPU |
16GB to 96GB |
| M2 MacBook Pro 16″ |
M2 Pro/Max |
Up to 38-core GPU |
16GB to 96GB |
| M3 MacBook Pro 14″ |
M3/M3 Pro/Max |
Up to 18-core GPU |
8GB to 128GB |
| M3 MacBook Pro 16″ |
M3/M3 Pro/Max |
Up to 40-core GPU |
8GB to 128GB |
Display Comparison
| Model |
Screen Size |
Resolution |
Brightness (nits) |
| M1 MacBook Air |
13.3 inches |
2560 x 1600 |
365.8 |
| M2 MacBook Air |
13.6 inches |
2560 x 1664 |
489 |
| M2 MacBook Pro 14″ |
14.2 inches |
3024 x 1964 |
Up to 474.6 |
| M2 MacBook Pro 16″ |
16.2 inches |
3456 x 2234 |
Up to 1,000 (HDR) |
Final Thoughts
- Choose the MacBook Air if you need a lightweight, portable laptop for everyday tasks like browsing, document editing, and streaming.
- Choose the MacBook Pro if you need a powerful machine for professional use, such as video editing, graphic design, or gaming.
