MacBook Air Vs MacBook Pro: we explain which one to choose

MacBook Air Vs MacBook Pro: we explain which one to choose
MacBook Air Vs MacBook Pro: we explain which one to choose

We confront the two Apple ultrabooks with the new M3 chip

Manzana has completed its complete family of ultrabooks with the integration of its new M3 chip. The launches of its different models have been staggered, but they are all ready to compare face to face. In the comparison that we are going to make, we will pit the MacBook Air against the MacBook Pro. The most “economical” one against its older brother.

MACBOOK PRO M3

MACBOOK AIR M3

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

1.55 cm high by 31.26 cm wide and 22.12 cm deep; weight 1.55kg

304.1 x 215 x 11.3mm

1.24 kilos

SCREEN

14.2-inch Mini-LED backlit Liquid Retina up to 120Hz

13.6 inch IPS LED

Resolution 2,460 x 1,664 pixels

224 dpi

500 nits

DCI-P3

True Tone

CHIP

Eight-core Apple Silicon M3 and 10-core GPU. Hardware acceleration ray tracing. 16-core Neural Engine with 100 GB/s memory bandwidth

Apple Silicon M3

CPU 8 cores

GPU 8/10 cores

Neural Engine 16 cores

Ray Tracing by hardware acceleration

100 GB/s memory bandwidth

RAM AND STORAGE

  • RAM: 8, 16 or 24 GB
  • Capacity: 512 GB, 1 or 2 TB
  • RAM: 8, 16 or 24 GB unified
  • Capacity: 256, 512 GB, 1, 2 TB

CAMERA

FaceTime HD at 1080p with advanced image signal processor with computational video

FaceTime HD

AUDIO

  • High-fidelity six-speaker system with force cancellation in the woofers.
  • Wide stereo sound.
  • Support for spatial audio when playing music or video with Dolby Atmos on the built-in speakers.
  • Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking when using AirPods.
  • Set of three studio-quality microphones, high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming technology
  • 3.5mm headphone jack

4x speakers

Dolby Atmos

Spatial audio

3x beanforming microphones

CONNECTIVITY

  • WiFi 6E
  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
  • HDMI port
  • SDXC card slot
  • MagSafe 3

MagSafe 3

3.5mm jack

2x Thunderbolt 3/USB 4

WiFi 6E

Bluetooth 5.3

BATTERY

Up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing

Up to 22 hours of video playback in the Apple TV app

Up to 15 hours of navigation

Up to 18 hours of video on Apple TV

Apple 2024 13-inch MacBook Air

*Some prices may have changed since the last review

*Some prices may have changed since the last review

Comparison of MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro, by sections

Design

More than the aesthetics, which are quite similar between the two, the difference arises more from what each user looks for in a laptop. For those who seek lightness and carry the laptop as a faithful companion at work, then the ideal is the MacBook Air for its 1.24 kgmuch lighter than its Pro brother.

On the other hand, for whom prioritize power and a fuller screen over weightthe ideal would be to opt for the MacBook Pro. Although it is still an ultrabook, it has somewhat more voluminous dimensions.

Screen

The MacBook Pro has 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Mini-LED display with adaptive ProMotion technology up to 120 Hz, maximum brightness of 1,600 nits (HDR) and wide color gamut.

The MacBook Air, for its part, has a type screen 13.6-inch Liquid Retina with resolution 2,460 x 1,664 pixels, with IPS LCD panel, brightness of 500 nits, 60Hz and True Tone technology.

Audio

Another of the big differences, although the sound system in both is of high quality. The MacBook Pro has a six high fidelity speakers with force cancellation in the woofers, while the new version of the MacBook Air remains in the four speakerslosing in sound power.

Why choose the MacBook Air

  • The 2024 version has equalized forces in hardware with the M3 chip
  • Lighter and more compact
  • More economical

Apple 2024 13-inch MacBook Air

*Some prices may have changed since the last review

Why choose MacBook Pro

  • Screen with a better panel, higher brightness level and 120 Hz rate
  • Best audio system
  • Slightly longer autonomy

*Some prices may have changed since the last review

Now that you know the difference in specifications and with the budget you have, which option would you choose?

Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary.

Images | Manzana

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