Comparison · Laptops · Desk research
MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) vs MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)
Quick Answer
MacBook Air 13-inch (M4, Support 122209) and MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, Support 118551) share the 13.6-inch 2560×1664 Liquid Retina panel (500 nits), MagSafe 3, and Apple’s 18-hour video / 15-hour wireless-web claims. M4: 10-core CPU (4 performance + 6 efficiency), 8- or 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 120 GB/s, 16 GB unified floor (24/32 configurable), 256 GB base SSD, 53.8 Wh, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 12MP Center Stage, two Thunderbolt 4. M3: 8-core CPU (4+4), 100 GB/s, 8 GB or.
The verdict
MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) or MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) — quote the two manufacturer sheets.
Why: Consecutive leftover 13-inch Airs. Distinct from M5 vs either year. Both share the 13.6-inch 2560×1664 500-nit Liquid Retina panel, MagSafe 3, and Apple’s 18-hour / 15-hour table. M4 (Support 122209) already has the 16 GB unified floor, 12MP Center Stage, 10-core CPU (4+6), 120 GB/s, 53.8 Wh, two Thunderbolt 4. M3 (Support 118551) is 8-core CPU (4+4), 100 GB/s, 8 GB or 16 GB floors, 256 GB base SSD, 52.6 Wh, 1080p FaceTime HD, two Thunderbolt / USB 4, Wi-Fi 6E. Center Stage and the 16 GB floor arrive on M4, not M5.
Buy MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) if
You want leftover 13-inch M4: 16 GB floor, 12MP Center Stage, 120 GB/s, and Thunderbolt 4.
Buy MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) if
You already own a 13-inch M3 — or a cheap leftover — and you do not need the 16 GB floor or Center Stage.
Spec comparison
M4 from Support 122209. M3 from Support 118551.
| Spec | 13-inch Air (M4) | 13-inch Air (M3) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4 10-core CPU (4+6); 8- or 10-core GPU; 120 GB/s | M3 8-core CPU (4+4); 8- or 10-core GPU; 100 GB/s |
| Unified memory | 16 GB floor; 24/32 configurable | 8 GB and 16 GB floors listed |
| Base SSD | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Display | 13.6-inch 2560×1664; 500 nits | 13.6-inch 2560×1664; 500 nits |
| Battery | 53.8 Wh; 18h / 15h | 52.6 Wh; 18h / 15h |
| Ports | MagSafe 3; two Thunderbolt 4; 3.5 mm | MagSafe 3; two Thunderbolt / USB 4; 3.5 mm |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage | 1080p FaceTime HD |
Frequently asked questions
Does leftover M4 already have 16 GB and Center Stage?
Yes on Support 122209. Those floors are not M5 exclusives. M5’s printed extras versus M4 are 153 GB/s, a 512 GB SSD floor, and N1 / Wi-Fi 7.
Does every M3 Air have 16 GB?
No. Support 118551 lists both 8 GB and 16 GB unified floors.