Apple recently herald its tardy line of MacBook Pro laptops power by the Modern Apple M3 serial publication potato chip , including theM3 , theM3 Proand theM3 Max .
We ’ve set theMacBook Pro M3head - to - drumhead against the most powerful MacBook Air , theMacBook Air M2 , to serve you make up one’s mind which Apple laptop is ripe for you .
The MacBook Pro M3 is faster
The MacBook Pro M3 is powered by Apple ’s M3 chips . The performance you have will differ reckon on the exemplar you opt for , with the 14 - inch poser useable with the M3 , M3 Pro or M3 Max chip and the 16 - inch MacBook Pro configurable with the M3 Pro or M3 Max .
However , the M3 series declare oneself libertine and more effective performance compared to the M2 series , along with faster graphics operation and raw GPU boast likeDynamic Caching , computer hardware - acceleratedray tracingand computer hardware - accelerated mesh shading .
The M3 chips also benefit from an up to 15 % faster Neural Engine and an increased amount of incorporated retention depend on the chipset .
The MacBook Pro M3 has a brighter display
When it comes to the display , the MacBook Pro M3 bests the MacBook Air M2 with its brighter Liquid RetinaXDRmini LEDdisplay that supports 1000 nits of sustained full - projection screen brightness and 1600 nits of summit brightness when playing HDR mental object .
The MacBook Air M2 , meanwhile , features aLiquid Retinadisplay that delivers up to 500 nits of brightness .
The MacBook Pro M3 also carry a smoother 120HzProMotionrefresh rate , along with support forAV1decode for more efficient and high - quality video recording experiences via streaming services .
The MacBook Pro M3 offers a longer battery life
Another benefit to the MacBook Pro M3 over the MacBook Air M2 is its ( in general ) longer shelling life story .
The 14 - inch MacBook Pro M3 and both 16 - column inch MacBook Pro M3 Pro and M3 Max models offer up to 15 hours of wireless vane use and up to 22 hr of Apple TV movie playback from a single charge , whereas the MacBook Air M2 delivers the same up to 15 time of day of wireless web use but less Apple TV playback at up to 18 minute .
The 14 - column inch MacBook Pro M3 Pro and M3 Max configurations are the exception to this , offer up to 12 minute of wireless internet use and up to 18 hours of Apple television playback from one tutelage .
The MacBook Pro M3 models also support fast 96 - 140W charging compared to the 70W quick charging found on the MacBook Air M2 .
The MacBook Pro M3 includes more ports
If you ’re not keen on sway a dongle around , you ’ll might be glad to discover that the MacBook Pro M3 includes more ports than the MacBook Air M2 .
Both laptops include two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ( USB - C ) ports , with the MacBook Pro M3 profit from an HDMI interface and an SDXC plug-in slot on top of this . The M3 Pro and M3 Max configurations also include a third Thunderbolt port .
The MacBook Air M2 is available in more colours
The MacBook Air M2 does win when it comes to contrive .
Not only is the laptop computer slimmer and more lightweight , but it also come in in a wider regalia of colours . Where the MacBook Pro M3 comes in Space Grey ( or Space Black reckon on the model ) and Silver , the MacBook Air M2 is usable in Space Grey , Silver , Midnight and Starlight .
The MacBook Air M2 is cheaper
ultimately , the MacBook Air M2 is the more affordable option of the two , with prices go at $ 1099/£1149 for the 13 - inch model and $ 1299/£1399 for the 15 - in model .
The MacBook Pro M3 , meanwhile , start at $ 1599/£1699 for the 14 - in M3 - powered laptop , $ 1999/£2099 for the 14 - inch M3 Pro or M3 Max - power version and $ 2499/£2599 for the 16 - inch model .
