MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: What's the Difference?

Choosing a Mac laptop has never been more challenging than right now since the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are both so good. They have differences, so let's see what's right for you.

Overall Findings

People don't realize that you can do all your work on a MacBook Air. Which then begs the question, "Why buy a MacBook Pro?" Because for some people, time is money, and you can get specific work done faster with a MacBook Pro. Plus, the screen on the Pro is outrageously good. There are a few more ports on the Pro, making it a little handier in some situations.

Current Models: Each Come With Larger Sibling

You can choose from 13-16" for the Air and Pro models.

The Air is available in 13- and 15-inch models, and the Pro is available in 14- and 16-inch models. The regular M2 processor is available with the entry-level Air, with the M3 chip in the other Air models. The M3 Pro and M3 Max are available with the 14- and 16-inch Pro. Only the Pro models have the more advanced screen (which Apple calls Liquid Retina XDR). Fun marketing names aside, it's a far superior screen than what's available on the Air (which has a good screen).

Design: Similar Exteriors But Differences Are There

Previous designs made the differences more apparent, as the MacBook Air has kept its general wedge shape since 2008. With the 2024 model, however, the Air could be seen as a baby Pro, and when placed next to the MacBook Pro, it's never been more apparent that these computers all came from the same family.

Based on specs alone, you wouldn't think there's much difference, but when you pick up the Air after handling the Pro, there's a wow factor. The Air is only a teeny-tiny bit thinner, but you really feel it. Also, boo to Apple for not making the Pro in more colors.

Display: Air's Screen Is Good, But the Pro's Is Wow

Both the Air and Pro have what Apple calls Retina displays (a marketing term to describe what Apple feels is a display with enough pixel density to make individual pixels indistinguishable).

The Air has a maximum brightness of 500 nits, while the Pro starts at 600 and can go up to 1,600. The Pro's display also has a refresh rate (up to 120Hz) far better than the Air's (60Hz). It makes scrolling so much smoother that once you return to the Air, you will most certainly see the difference.

Performance

For most people, the MacBook Air is going to be as fast as or likely faster than they need it. Folks who work with large images and process a lot of audio and video would be better served by the MacBook Pro, but the Air can handle the same tasks, albeit a bit more slowly.

The base model M2 Air is so good that we think only people who can't afford to wait for their computer should bother with the MacBook Pro. Or you have cash burning a hole in your pocket. Or you just want one.

Pricing

Macs have a reputation for being far pricier than the competition, but we've often found the comparisons a little unfair. When you buy a Mac, you also get the operating system and exceptional attention to detail that other makes don't offer.

But there's a hefty price difference between the Air and the Pro. The Air is smaller, lighter, and cheaper.

When you upgrade to the Pro, you get more: more initial RAM (and a higher RAM ceiling), more SSD space (and a higher SSD ceiling), and far more processing power, not to mention the Pro's phenomenal screen.

Specs Comparison

Here are side-by-side specs for the current lineup of 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air and the specs for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Final Verdict

If you want to be told what to get, get the MacBook Air with as much RAM as you can afford. If you are wondering, "Do I need the MacBook Pro?" then you don't. You'll know if you are working with giant files that take a lot of power to work with. And if that's you, then maybe you need a MacBook Pro.