In a week of surprisal announcements , Apple has recently set up its late MacBook Air serial publication .
think the new MacBook Air runs on the M4 splintering that ’s also found in the latest MacBook Pro , what really separate the two laptop ?
While we have n’t retrospect the newMacBook Air M4yet , we have critique theMacBook Pro M4and not only gave the laptop a near - perfect 4.5 - star rating but also hail it as thebest MacBookfor most people .
register on to learn more about the difference between the two in MacBook Air M4 vs MacBook Pro M4 . To know what ’s new with the MacBook Air M4 compared to its harbinger , then check out ourMacBook Air M4 vs M3guide .
Pricing and Availability
The MacBook Air M4 is currently available to pre - order in 28 countries and neighborhood , include the UK and US , quick for its official launch on the 12th March 2025 . Available in two sizes , the smaller 13 - inch has a starting RRP of £ 999/$999 while the larger 15 - inch looping set out at £ 1199/$1199 .
Launched last year , theMacBook Pro M4is unsurprisingly a more expensive option , with the smallest “ entry - level ” 14 - inch model starting at £ 1599/$1599 . Opting for the 16 - inch MacBook Pro M4 Max or M4 Ultra models part from a humongous £ 2499/$2499 .
MacBook Pro comes with different M4 chip variants
While you may purchase the MacBook Pro with the standard M4 cow dung , which is the variant we survey , there are options to elevate to either the M4 Pro or M4 Max chipping rather . In a nutshell , the latter chipsets sport mellow CPU and GPUs which results in much quick processing speed , with the M4 Max chip tout double the memory of even the M4 Pro .
For a more in - astuteness face at the differences between the three , visit ourApple M4 vs M4 ProandM4 Pro vs M4 Maxversus .
Even so , we still determine the MacBook Pro M4 to be a “ earnestly up to auto for everyday tasks ” however , if you ’re “ really go to be push this machine ” then you ’ll be better off with either the Pro or Max chip or else .
The MacBook Air M4 series is much more square in compare , as it come with just one M4 chip option . Apple explains that the MacBook Air M4 is up to 2x faster than the MacBook Air M1 , while its Neural Engine is up to 3x quicker too , which mean powering Apple Intelligence should be seriously speedy .
talk ofApple Intelligence , both the MacBook Air M4 and MacBook Pro M4 serial support the entire generative AI toolkit which includesImage Playground , write Tools and ChatGPT desegregation .
MacBook Air M4 is lighter
The MacBook Air is available in two size choices : 13- and 15 - inch . As its name suggests , the Air iteration is naturally light than the Pro , starting at just 1.24 kilogram while the MacBook Pro starts at 1.55 kg .
While the MacBook Pro M4 serial is technically also uncommitted in two different sizes , the large 16 - inch model can only be found break away the pricier M4 Pro and M4 Max chip . If you do n’t need such grunt then you ’ll have to answer with the 14 - in interpretation .
MacBook Pro M4 has a Liquid Retina XDR display
In term of display technology , the MacBook Pro M4 finagle to wad a lot of key features in . Not only does it sport a LiquidRetina XDRdisplay that can reach up to 1600 nit peak smartness ( HDR ) , but it also has an optional nano - texture display too , which is what we tested .
We found the deviation between a standard and nano - grain screen to be Brobdingnagian , with a reduction in glare that made it experience more like paper than a screen . However , at an additional £ 150/$150 , this is another price to factor in in .
The display also supportsProMotiontechnology , which intend it benefits from a 120Hz refresh charge per unit , which is regrettably overleap from the MacBook Air M4 . In addition , the MacBook Air M4 has aLiquid Retinadisplay that can only pass up to 600 nit peak smartness .
Although we have n’t retrospect the MacBook Air M4 ourselves yet , it ’s deserving level out that we state that “ compared to the MacBook Air M3 , the projection screen on the MacBook Pro M4 is a step up in every potential way . ” In fact , we fit as far as to intimate “ it ’s probably worth pay up the bounty in price for the dependable display alone ” .
MacBook Pro M4 has a longer battery life
Apple hailed the MacBook Pro M4 series as swash the longest ever shelling life sentence in a Mac , as it frisk up to a banging 24 hour , which we were able to avow in our review . It also do good from faster charging , with 70W support while the MacBook Air M4 only supports 35W. However , to see speedy charging you ’ll require to purchase a 96W battery charger separately .
The MacBook Air M4 welfare from up to 18 hours of battery liveliness , which is unaltered from last year’sMacBook Air M3 , but promise a significant upgrade for Intel - base user who will see up to six additional hours of charge .
MacBook Pro M4 has a HDMI port
With just twoThunderbolt 4USB - coulomb port , a earphone jack andMagSafeport , the MacBook Air M4 does n’t boast a huge array of connectivity options . While this may answer for many in solar day to day use , you may require to debate invest in an extra bob .
In addition to the four ports find out in the MacBook Air M4 , the MacBook Pro M4 boasts a few handy extras , include an extra Thunderbolt 4USB - C , aHDMIand SDXC . Plus , upgrade to the MacBook M4 Pro or Max and , in stead of a third Thunderbolt 4 USB - C port wine , you ’ll benefit from aThunderbolt 5instead .
Early Verdict
conceive we ’ve hail the MacBook Pro M4 as thebest MacBook , and last year ’s MacBook Air M3 as one of thebest laptop , the MacBook Air M4 has a muckle to live up to . However , with its updated chip , lightweight design and solid battery lifespan , it promises to be a worthy successor .
Having said that , if you are currently sporting the MacBook Pro M4 or need a laptop with stronger power , more ports , and a good cover , then the MacBook Air M4 might not be the upright choice for you .
We ’ll update this versus once we review both the MacBook Air M4 and MacBook Pro M4 .
