Comparison · Laptops · Desk research
MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) vs MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4)
Quick Answer
Air M3 (Support 118551): 8-core CPU (4 performance + 4 efficiency), 8- or 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 100 GB/s, 8 GB or 16 GB unified floors, 256 GB base SSD, 13.6-inch 2560×1664 500-nit Liquid Retina, 52.6 Wh, up to 18 hours Apple TV movie / 15 hours wireless web, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 1080p FaceTime HD, MagSafe 3 and two Thunderbolt / USB 4, 2.7 lb / 1.24 kg. 14-inch Pro M4 (Support 121552, year introduced 2024): 10-core CPU.
The verdict
MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) or MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4) — quote the two manufacturer sheets.
Why: Original seed. Caption is 13-inch Air M3 versus 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M4 chip — not M4 Pro or M4 Max (those live on Support 121553). M3 Air (Support 118551, 2024) is 8-core CPU (4+4), 100 GB/s, 8 GB or 16 GB unified, 256 GB base SSD, 13.6-inch 500-nit Liquid Retina, 52.6 Wh, 18h / 15h, Wi-Fi 6E, 1080p FaceTime HD, MagSafe 3 plus two Thunderbolt / USB 4, 2.7 lb. 14-inch M4 (Support 121552, 2024) is 10-core CPU (4+6), 10-core GPU, 120 GB/s, 16 GB or 24 GB unified, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR 3024×1964, 72.4 Wh, 24h video / 16h wireless web, SDXC + HDMI + three Thunderbolt 4, 12MP Center Stage, Wi-Fi 6E.
Buy MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) if
You want leftover 13-inch Air M3: 13.6-inch 500-nit Liquid Retina, MagSafe 3 plus two Thunderbolt ports, and Apple’s 18-hour / 15-hour table at 2.7 lb — and you will read the 8 GB versus 16 GB sticker.
Buy MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4) if
You want leftover 14-inch base M4 Pro: Liquid Retina XDR, ProMotion, SDXC + HDMI, and Apple’s 24-hour video-streaming table.
Spec comparison
OEM rows only. Caption lock: 13-inch Air M3 vs 14-inch Pro base M4. Air from Support 118551. Pro from Support 121552.
| Spec | 13-inch Air (M3) | 14-inch Pro (base M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Year introduced | 2024 | 2024 |
| Chip (this caption) | Apple M3 | Apple M4 (not M4 Pro) |
| CPU | 8-core (4+4) | 10-core (4 performance + 6 efficiency) |
| GPU | 8-core or 10-core | 10-core |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | 16-core |
| Memory bandwidth | 100 GB/s | 120 GB/s |
| Unified memory | 8 GB and 16 GB floors listed | 16 GB or 24 GB; configurable 24/32 GB |
| SSD | 256 GB base | 512 GB or 1 TB listed |
| Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina; 2560×1664; 224 ppi; 500 nits | 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR; 3024×1964; 254 ppi |
| Brightness (OEM) | 500 nits | 1,000 nits SDR outdoor; 1,000 sustained / 1,600 peak HDR |
| Refresh | Not listed as ProMotion | ProMotion up to 120 Hz |
| Battery — video | Up to 18 hours | Up to 24 hours streaming |
| Battery — wireless web | Up to 15 hours | Up to 16 hours |
| Battery capacity | 52.6 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Ports | MagSafe 3; 3.5 mm; two Thunderbolt / USB 4 | MagSafe 3; 3.5 mm; SDXC; HDMI; three Thunderbolt 4 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD | 12MP Center Stage with Desk View |
| Weight | 2.7 lb / 1.24 kg | Confirm live 121552 size/weight row — do not invent lb if you have not re-copied it |
Who each Mac is for
13-inch Air M3 is leftover everyday Air. Read the RAM sticker.
14-inch base M4 Pro is leftover XDR / ports / 24-hour table.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 14-inch side M4 Pro?
No. This page is 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base Apple M4 chip (Support 121552: 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 120 GB/s). M4 Pro / M4 Max is Support 121553.
Does the Air have HDMI or SD?
Not on Support 118551. The 13-inch Air lists MagSafe 3, a 3.5 mm jack, and two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. The 14-inch M4 Pro lists SDXC, HDMI, 3.5 mm, MagSafe 3, and three Thunderbolt 4.
Did Center Stage arrive on the M3 Air?
No. Support 118551 lists a 1080p FaceTime HD camera. 12MP Center Stage is on Support 121552 (14-inch M4) and on later Airs (M4 / M5).