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If you are in the market for a new Apple laptop, it can be confusing to choose the one that suits your needs. After all, the company recently released an all-new 14-inch base MacBook Pro powered by its latest M5 processor. It is more powerful than the $999 M4 MacBook Air (currently $750) but not as formidable as the more expensive M4 Pro and M4 Max-powered machines.
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If you are reading this, you're probably confused about the differences between the two base Apple MacBook models. I compared the two laptops, M4 MacBook Air and the M5 MacBook Pro , to help you find the perfect computer for your needs.
Here's how my favorite travel laptop compares to the new Apple MacBook Pro.
You should buy the M4 MacBook Air if...
Buy the M4 MacBook Air
1. You want the most portable Apple laptop
The Apple MacBook Air lineup is made to be lightweight and portable, and the M4-powered Air is no different. I've been using this laptop for a while, and I love its reliability. It doesn't sacrifice battery life to achieve its 1.24kg form factor. In fact, the M4 chip flies through day-to-day tasks and delivers exceptional battery life.
If you're like me, who travels frequently for work, the M4 MacBook Air should be sufficient for your needs. It's got the same amount of RAM, TouchID biometric authentication, Magic Keyboard, and more than the more expensive base MacBook Pro. If you want the lightest Apple laptop without compromising the power, battery, or portability, the M4 MacBook Air is your best bet.
2. You want a larger display
The M5 MacBook Pro features a higher-quality display than the M4 MacBook Air, but it is available in only one size. If you want the flexibility of choice and a 13.6-inch or 14-inch display doesn't meet your needs, the 15-inch MacBook Air should serve you well.
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The bigger M4 MacBook Air offers the same goodness as its 13-inch model but with a larger screen. You get a 15.3-inch LCD in a design that still weighs less than the M5 MacBook Pro (1.51kg vs. 1.55kg). It is designed for those who don't want to compromise on portability and lightweight design, but want the largest possible display on an Apple laptop.
3. You're shopping on a budget
Price is the biggest factor when considering these two laptops. The M4 MacBook Air starts at $1,000 (for the 13-inch variant), while the M5 MacBook Pro will cost $1,599. Moreover, the 13-inch MacBook Air model is frequently on sale.
Frankly speaking, the M4 processor is enough for most people, especially if they don't edit long-form videos on their laptop. If you're certain your workflow doesn't involve sustained performance gains (including on-device AI inference, GPU-bound, or memory-intensive tasks), the M4 processor is sufficient for you. I'd advise you to save $100 and opt for the M4 MacBook Air.
You should buy the M5 MacBook Pro if...
Buy the M5 MacBook Pro
1. You want the better work and gaming display
If you are a professional who needs a brighter, more accurate display, the M5 MacBook Pro is for you. It features a 14.2-inch mini-LED backlit screen with support for 1,000 nits of sustained full-screen brightness and 1,600 nits of peak brightness for supported HDR content. By contrast, the M4 MacBook Air can only reach a brightness of up to 500 nits.
While I haven't had trouble viewing my Air's display, I love the slimmer bezels on the Pro. It looks more modern and is easier to view when working outdoors. It also offers a better movie-watching experience, thanks to its superior speakers compared to the MacBook Air. Moreover, you get a 120Hz ProMotion display for smoother scrolling and a more fluid video editing experience.
2. You want a laptop that can power through anything
The M4 processor is more than capable for most people, but if your work involves sustained workloads, the M5-powered MacBook Pro will provide better performance. Apple's M5 processor features a combination of per-core Neural Accelerators, higher memory bandwidth, and a new GPU architecture to offer better performance
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If you need on-device AI inference and work with memory-intensive tasks or GPU-bound complex 3D rendering, the Pro is for you. It is built for occasions when time-to-result directly affects workflow, including running diffusion models, video enhancement, or ray-traced production, and more. The M5 MacBook Pro will also last you about 2 hours longer than the M4 MacBook Air.
3. You need more storage and ports
As mentioned earlier, Apple's M5-powered laptop is designed for professionals who typically require more ports. While the M4 MacBook Air comes equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, the MacBook Pro houses three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, an HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot. Plus, it is the only laptop of the two to offer 4TB of storage (and 512GB in the base model).
The two Apple laptops are meant for extremely different use cases. While the M4 MacBook Air appeals to frequent flyers and business professionals who don't want to compromise on power, portability, and battery life, the M5 MacBook Pro is designed for professionals who require a more powerful processor, improved efficiency, a more accurate display, and greater overall flexibility. The choice is clear.
Writer's choice
While the M5 MacBook Pro is a powerful laptop with greater utility, I'd personally opt for the M4 MacBook Air for its ultraportable yet performant feature set. I frequently travel for work, including long flights and walking thousands of steps per day, so every bit of weight I can cut from my backpack makes a big difference.
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