MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: Which Apple laptop computer do you have to purchase in 2026

Selecting between the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional isn’t nearly worth, it’s about how a lot energy you really want. We break down the variations in efficiency, ports, shows and extra that can assist you purchase the proper MacBook in 2026.

Apple’s hottest Mac laptop computer is the MacBook Air, which provides an important mixture of options for the standard consumer, however there may be one other MacBook to contemplate is you might be searching for the most effective Mac laptop computer – the extra highly effective MacBook Professional.

On this article, we purpose to assist those that wish to purchase an Apple laptop computer, however aren’t certain what the distinction between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Professional is and whether or not the cheaper Air might be nearly as good because the Professional.

We’ll clarify the benefits and downsides of shopping for a MacBook Air or MacBook Professional, we’ll focus on what makes the MacBook Air so standard, and we’ll speak about which makes use of every Mac laptop computer is finest suited to.

We’ll additionally look in depth on the numerous specs and options of the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional, so you’ll be able to see how the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional evaluate when it comes to worth, show, design, processor, graphics, storage, RAM, ports, battery life and extra. We focus on these parts and the opposite variations between the MacBook Air and Professional within the article.

What’s the distinction between the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional?

• The MacBook Air is finest if you’d like the lightest laptop computer, all-day battery life, and nice efficiency for on a regular basis work, faculty, and journey.
• The MacBook Professional is finest for those who want sustained efficiency, higher shows, extra ports, and energy for video, picture, or growth work.

The MacBook Air and MacBook Professional cater to totally different consumer wants, with the Air being a extra budget-friendly and moveable choice for common use, and the Professional designed for customers requiring larger efficiency and superior options. These variations embody processing energy, thermal administration, show high quality, and port choice.

The MacBook Air is good for general-purpose customers, college students, and those that prioritize portability and affordability, whereas the MacBook Professional is healthier suited to demanding customers, professionals, and creatives who require superior efficiency.

The MacBook Professional contains a superior show in comparison with the MacBook Air, with variations in pixel density, brightness, and refresh charges.

The MacBook Professional, outfitted with a fan, can maintain excessive efficiency throughout intensive duties like video enhancing or code compilation, whereas the fanless MacBook Air could throttle to keep up temperature throughout extended heavy processing.

The MacBook Air fashions usually provide as much as 18 hours battery life, whereas the 14-inch MacBook Professional fashions prolong this to 24 hours.

MacBook Professional fashions additionally provide extra intensive port alternatives, together with HDMI and SDXC card slots, along with Thunderbolt ports, whereas MacBook Air fashions solely provide Thunderbolt/USB4 ports and a MagSafe charging port.

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional In contrast: Which MacBook is finest?

• Greatest for on a regular basis use: MacBook Air – lighter, extra reasonably priced, nice battery life for on a regular basis duties.
• Greatest for Professionals: MacBook Professional – stronger efficiency and higher show for demanding workflows.
• Greatest for Inventive Work: MacBook Professional with M4 Professional/Max chip – perfect for video enhancing and heavy multitasking.

The query of which MacBook is finest depends upon what you want. The last word and strongest MacBook is the M4 Max powered MacBook Professional, however that might be overpowered and prohibitively costly to most individuals. The most effective worth MacBook is the MacBook Air, and it’s not shocking that it’s the hottest Mac, however there are causes to contemplate the entry-level MacBook Professional, which has a barely larger worth, however is healthier suited to demanding customers than the Air.

Proper now, whereas we look ahead to Apple to replace the MacBook Air with an M5 chip, we’re recommending the M5 MacBook Professional as the most effective MacBook for many as a result of it provides such an incredible mixture of worth, efficiency, and options. Nevertheless, for those who want one thing with a bit extra oomph then the M4 Professional or M4 Max MacBook Professional might be a greater choice.

Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional, M5 – Greatest MacBook for most individuals

Professionals

• All MacBook Professional fashions have superior show
• Wonderful battery life

Cons

• Worth seems very excessive in comparison with Air

Worth When Reviewed:

$1,599

Greatest Costs At present:

$1,349

$1349

$1349

$1399

$1599

$1599

Who’s the 14-inch MacBook Professional with M5 for?

The MacBook Professional covers some huge floor when it comes to what’s supplied and therefore will meet the wants of many very totally different customers. On the entry-level is the M5 MacBook Professional, which is extra corresponding to the MacBook Air than the highly effective M4 Professional or M4 Max MacBook Professional that slot in additional up the vary.

The M5 MacBook Professional is the Mac to decide on for those who want a little bit extra oomph than the MacBook Air may give, however don’t have the cash for a MacBook Professional with M4 Professional chip. The opposite main causes to decide on the M5 MacBook Professional over the Air are it’s considerably higher display screen, higher battery life, and extra ports.

Should you want extra energy and have the finances, the M4 Professional or M4 Max fashions are those to decide on, and we’ll focus on them in additional element later.

What you’ll want to know concerning the MacBook Professional with M5

The M5 MacBook Professional was launched in October 2025 and provides the latest Apple processor with an up to date GPU that’s higher outfitted for AI than the M4 in its predecessor (and the MacBook Air).

Previous to the M5 replace, this MacBook Professional shared the identical M4 processor because the MacBook Air that arrived in March 2025 and the machines had comparable specs. Nevertheless, whereas these specs appeared comparable on paper the 2 laptops weren’t an identical, and now that the M5 has arrived the variations are much more pronounced.

The obvious indication that the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional are totally different beasts is the value: The 14-inch MacBook Professional begins at $1,599/£1,599. That’s $400/£400 greater than the entry-level MacBook Air. However it will be incorrect to match the $1,599 MacBook Professional with the $999 MacBook Air, which has half the storage and fewer processor cores.

A greater comparability is between the MacBook Professional M5 with 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB reminiscence, and a 512GB SSD, and the 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB SSD for $1,199/£1,199.  So in actuality we’re actually speaking about spending $400 extra to get the 14-inch MacBook Professional. Add on an even bigger display screen with the 15-inch MacBook Air and the distinction is even smaller: the 512GB 15-inch MacBook Air is $1,399. The value hole isn’t as large as you may assume.

The M5 is an excellent purpose to spend that more money. However it’s not all you get. You get a Mac with a greater show, higher warmth administration, higher battery life, higher audio and extra ports. All of these options could also be nicely value the additional expense when in comparison with the MacBook Air. We’ll focus on these variations in much more element later on this article.

There may be additionally much more selection in terms of the elements of the MacBook Professional. The M5 fashions can help as much as 32GB RAM, just like the MacBook Air, however solely the M5 can help 4TB storage, the Air is restricted to 2TB.

To get the most effective deal on a MacBook Professional learn our spherical up of the Greatest MacBook Professional offers.

Learn our full

Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M5, 2025) evaluation

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air – Greatest worth MacBook for college kids

Cons

• Slower than MacBook Professional
• Inferior show to MacBook Professional

Worth When Reviewed:

$999

Greatest Costs At present:

$749

$799

$889

$945.95

$999

Who’s the 13-inch MacBook Air for?

The MacBook Air will greater than meet the wants of the bulk, with the added bonus that it’s lighter than the MacBook Professional making it perfect for anybody who wants to hold their Mac round, akin to college students and commuters.

That is additionally the Mac least expensive Mac laptop computer you should buy, however you might be able to get it for even lower than Apple sells it for – check out our spherical up of the Greatest MacBook Air offers.

What you’ll want to know concerning the MacBook Air, 13-inch

The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air was final up to date in March 2025. It’s the least expensive MacBook Air you should buy, beginning at $999/£999. For that you just get an M4 chip with 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB reminiscence, and a 256GB SSD. 

Spend $200/£200 extra and you may get a barely higher 10-core CPU plus double the storage, at 512GB. That $1,199/£1,199 mannequin is our best choice as you get a greater 10-core GPU and double the storage, and you’ll in all probability want that further storage in some unspecified time in the future. This mannequin can also be comparative to the equally speced entry-level MacBook Professional, which prices $1,599/£1,599. So it can save you $400 for comparable spec, though as we clarify within the part on the M5 MacBook Professional, there are a variety of enhancements you solely get with the MacBook Professional, akin to a greater show, higher warmth administration, higher battery life, higher audio and extra ports.

For $1,399/£1,399 you may get extra unified reminiscence (Apple’s identify for RAM): 24GB as a substitute of 16GB, however you’ll in all probability be pleased with 16GB RAM. These are the usual configurations. There are extra build-to-order choices obtainable that embrace 32GB unified reminiscence, and 1TB or 2TB SSD.

Should you want an even bigger display screen there’s a 15-inch MacBook Air obtainable, mentioned elsewhere on this article.

It’s doubtless that the MacBook Air will achieve an M5 within the spring of 2026

Learn: M4 MacBook Air: The whole lot you’ll want to know for extra info.

Apple 15-Inch MacBook Air – Least expensive large display screen MacBook

Professionals

• Giant display screen at a great worth

Cons

• Comparable Air prices solely barely lower than extra highly effective Professional

Worth When Reviewed:

$1,199

Greatest Costs At present:

$949

$1049

$1093

$1094.95

$1199

$1199

Who’s the 15-inch MacBook Air for?

If you’d like an even bigger show in your laptop computer and finances doesn’t run to the MacBook Professional, the MacBook Air with 15-inch show might be ample.

What you’ll want to know concerning the MacBook Air, 15-inch

The specs of the 15-inch MacBook Air could look corresponding to the M5 MacBook Professional, however the Air misses out on some essential options of the Professional which has a greater display screen, higher battery life, and extra ports.

If these issues don’t matter for you although then save your cash and select the 15-inch MacBook Air. The most affordable 15-inch MacBook Air you should buy begins at $1,199/£1,199. For that you just get an M4 chip with 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB reminiscence, and a 256GB SSD. Be aware that the M5 MacBook Professional provides a 512GB SSD for $1,599/£1,599, the equal 15-inch MacBook Air prices $1,399/£1,399, so it’s solely a $200 saving to get like-for-like. We predict $200 is a good worth to pay for the advantages of the MacBook Professional, however it depends upon your finances.

One other factor to notice is that despite the fact that the identify of the MacBook Air was all the time meant to indicate that it was a slim and light-weight laptop computer, once you evaluate it to the MacBook Professional you could be shocked to be taught that the 15-inch Air is barely fractionally lighter (3.3 kilos vs 3.4 kilos). It’s nonetheless thinner although (0.45in vs 0.61in) so it’ll slide into your bag with extra ease.

The M4 MacBook Air was launched in March 2025. We count on that it will likely be up to date to the M5 in spring 2026.

Learn our full

Apple 15-inch MacBook Air (M4, 2025) evaluation

Apple 14-Inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional/Max – Greatest Mac laptop computer for inventive work

Professionals

• Giant display screen at a great worth

Cons

• Replace to M4 Professional and Max anticipated in first half of 2026

Worth When Reviewed:

$1,999 | $2,399

Greatest Costs At present:

$1599

$1,749

$1749

$1949

$1999

Who’s the 14-inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional & Max for?

As we mentioned originally of this text, there are a number of totally different MacBooks, particularly once you have a look at the 14-inch MacBook Professional. We’ve mentioned the MacBook Professional M5 individually, however the MacBook Professional with M4 Professional or M4 Max are for a totally totally different consumer.

Mac customers who want their Mac laptop computer to have vital processing energy for demanding duties will wish to have a look at the M4 Professional or M4 Max-powered MacBook Professional. That’s professionals such as high-end video creators, digital artists and illustrators, programmers and designers, anybody needing extra oomph than the customary M4 MacBook Professional provides.

The M4 Max chip is much more highly effective than the M4 Professional, and is for professionals akin to media producers and software program builders who require vital processing energy for multitasking and demanding workloads. This chip offers extra GPU cores and helps higher quantities of RAM than the M4 Professional.

After getting selected the chip you want the subsequent determination is between the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Professional. The 14-inch mannequin will suite those that are continuously on the street and worth portability, or at anybody who might be principally working from an exterior monitor when at their desk.

What you’ll want to know concerning the 14-inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional & Max?

The obvious distinction between the M5 MacBook Professional and the M4 Professional and M4 Max variations is the processor. For readability, whereas the M5 is the latest technology Apple chip, it isn’t higher than the M4 Professional. For every technology, the Professional model of the Apple-made silicon helps extra CPUs and extra GPUs, extra reminiscence, and extra ports, like Thunderbolt 5, that aren’t but supported on the entry-level. It was the case that solely the Professional and Max variations supplied the Professional Movement show, however that is not the case.

The M4 Professional helps as much as 48GB RAM and 20-core GPU, whereas the M4 Max helps as much as 128GB RAM and a 40-core GPU. Solely the Max helps a most of 8TB storage, in comparison with 4TB within the Professional. The M4 Professional does profit from higher battery life than the Max although (22 vs 18 hours). Anticipate the M5 Professional and Max to push even additional ahead after they launch, in all probability in spring 2026. Learn: MacBook Professional M5 Professional & Max: The place are the Professional MacBooks?

The one actual drawback is that these fashions include an exceptionally excessive worth although, beginning at $1,999/£1,999 for the M4 Professional and $3,199/£3,199 for the M4 Max.

Apple 16-inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional/Max – Final Mac laptop computer

Cons

• Replace to M4 Professional and Max anticipated in first half of 2026
• Very excessive worth

Worth When Reviewed:

$2,499 | $2,899

Greatest Costs At present:

$1799

$2,190.08

$2199

$2463.06

$2499

Who’s the 16-inch MacBook Professional for?

The 16-inch MacBook Professional is the final word Mac, however it doesn’t provide higher specs than the 14-inch MacBook Professional. All it provides is an even bigger show and higher battery life – each of which can be an important think about your determination. It’s a perfect Mac laptop computer for anybody who’s all the time on the transfer and away from an exterior show. Should you want an enormous screened highly effective Mac you should use wherever you’ll want to be, get the 16-inch MacBook Professional. Check out the Greatest Mac screens and shows we’ve got reviewed.

What you’ll want to know concerning the MacBook Professional, 16-inch

Just like the 14-inch mannequin, the 16-inch MacBook Professional comes with M4 Professional or M4 Max chip, however in contrast to the 14-inch, there isn’t a customary M4 choice right here. The entry worth is a hefty $2,499/£2,499 for an M4 Professional with 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB Unified Reminiscence, and 512GB SSD. Should you spec up an equal 14-inch mannequin (utilizing the build-to-order choices for a 20-core GPU), it involves $2,199/£2,199, suggesting that the bigger display screen has a $300 premium connected to it.

Nevertheless, it’s not solely the display screen dimension that’s totally different. The larger laptop computer permits for an even bigger battery, and meaning higher battery life. The M4 Professional model of the 16-inch MacBook Professional provides 24 hours of battery life and the M4 Max model tops out at 21 hours. That is spectacular, however the M5 14-inch MacBook Professional additionally manages 24 hours. The smaller Professional and Max battery life is 22 for the Professional and 18 for the Max.) The primary consideration right here being that the Max is extra battery guzzling, however that’s a good worth to pay for that further energy.

However, what are you getting for the additional cash for those who select a 16-inch MacBook Professional over the 14-inch mannequin? Aside from the larger display screen and higher battery life, there’s not likely the rest.

Learn our full

Apple 16-inch MacBook Professional (M4 Professional, 2024) evaluation

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional worth and worth for cash

Since finances is commonly the principle difficulty, we’ll begin with worth and the way a lot you get in your cash.

With no ‘finances’ MacBook Professional obtainable, the MacBook Air is the one choice for these searching for a discount. If you’re searching for the most cost effective choice the $999/£999 MacBook Air would look like the clear winner. Nevertheless, we advocate spending $200/£200 extra to get the 10-core CPU/10-core GPU 512GB MacBook Air, which is value each further penny.

The value of the MacBook Professional is larger, and on on a regular basis duties it performs the identical because the MacBook Air, however it does provide higher efficiency on lengthy, CPU-intensive duties, like picture and video rendering and comparable duties. To not point out the higher display screen, HDMI port, and SDXC Card slot, and extra mentioned under. At $200/£200 greater than the 15-inch MacBook Air with M4 and the identical 512GB SSD, it really represents good worth for cash.

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: Show comparability

One of many largest variations between the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional is the standard of the show. There may be much more to separate the shows than diagonal measurements.

• 13-inch MacBook Air: 13.6 inches diagonal, 2,560 by 1,664 pixels
• 14-inch MacBook Professional: 14.2 inches diagonal, 3,024 by 1,964 pixels
• 15-inch MacBook Air: 15.3 inches diagonal, 2,880 by 1,864 pixels
• 16-inch MacBook Professional: 16.2-inches diagonal, 3,456 by 2,234 pixels

You’ll discover from the above that there are considerably extra pixels on the MacBook Professional screens – even when in comparison with a bigger MacBook Air mannequin.

The MacBook Air has what Apple calls a Liquid Retina show. The MacBook Professional has a superior Liquid Retina XDR panel. The picture high quality is considerably higher on the MacBook Professional. Nevertheless, to the typical particular person the display screen high quality of the MacBook Air might be greater than ample.

It’s not simply fewer pixels although. Each Airs have a most brightness of 500 nits, which is half of the Professional’s 1,000 nits in regular use, or a 3rd for those who’re operating HDR content material at a max of 1,600 nits of which the MacBook Professional is succesful. That is achieved by the Professional show incorporating mini-LEDs fairly than the Air’s customary LCD display screen.

Maybe the most important distinction although is that the Professional options ProMotion, which means that the refresh price tops out at 120Hz, once more double that of the Air’s 60Hz refresh price. This helps preserve scrolling and animations clean and crisp. Any of those shows might be nice for on a regular basis use and lengthy hours of labor, however the Professional has the sting in terms of options.

And there may be extra. With the M4 MacBook Professional, Apple launched a nano-texture glass choice that has a matte-like end for $150. This selection is just not obtainable on the MacBook Air, and if you’ll want to minimize down the glare from the show, it’s a characteristic to contemplate.

All of that is moot if you’ll plug your Mac right into a show, in fact, by which case you should buy a show that provides you the display screen high quality you want.

Foundry

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional Efficiency: Is the MacBook Professional the most effective?

There’s a purpose why there’s a “Professional” within the identify. The MacBook Professional is healthier suited to professional customers, by which we imply inventive professionals, graphic designers, photographers, movie makers, 3D animators, programmers, and so forth. A MacBook Air could be greater than ample for residence customers, college students, and workplace staff, however as quickly as you begin to push it with one thing extra demanding, like film enhancing software program, or a pc sport, you may discover it heats up and slows down a bit, not less than compared to how a MacBook Professional would cope with the dame calls for. That’s why we are inclined to advocate the MacBook Air to those that transcend the standard consumer.

Regardless of this, in case you are upgrading an previous pc, the MacBook Air will really feel tremendous speedy no matter you might be doing with it.

We’ve got the info under to indicate simply how a lot better MacBook Professional efficiency is in comparison with the MacBook Air.

The chart under reveals the Geekbench outcomes for the varied processors.

The MacBook Air is slower as a result of to ensure that it to be so compact it’s fanless, which suggests it’s much less capable of handle warmth, and due to this fact could run slower with a view to preserve cool for those who actually push it. If it’s energy you want then, because the benchmarks present, a MacBook Professional could have the sting.

Nevertheless, that’s to not say that the M4 MacBook Air is gradual. As you’ll be able to see from the scores above, the M4 shoots forward of the M3, M2 and M1, the truth is it even scores above the M3 Professional. The M4 MacBook Air is lots highly effective sufficient for most individuals, and sure means higher than any previous Mac you might be changing.

If you really want a robust machine you may wish to contemplate the M4 Professional MacBook Professional.

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: M4 (Professional/Max) vs M5 Processors

All of Apple’s laptops are powered by Apple’s silicon and proper now the newest Apple chip is the M5, nonetheless, solely the 14-inch MacBook Professional is utilizing the M5 proper now, with the MacBook Air nonetheless utilizing the M4, and the 2 various MacBook Professional utilizing the M4 Professional and M4 Max. You may assume that the M4 could be much less highly effective than the M5, and also you’d be proper, however the M4 Professional is a extra highly effective chip that beats the M5, and the M4 Max much more so. Apple is predicted to replace the MacBook Professional with M5 Professional and Max in spring of 2026. And we count on to see the M5 within the MacBook Air on the similar time. To be taught extra about all of the Mac processors learn our Mac processor comparability.

On the subject of the processor specs, the MacBook Professional at present beats the MacBook Air by some margin, however when the M5 arrives within the Air the hole might be narrowed. Nevertheless, the MacBook Professional all the time has the sting even with carefully matched specs as a result of it consists of higher cooling and due to this fact if doesn’t should decelerate to cease itself overheating.

Nevertheless, there’s a distinction when it comes to how nicely the processors carry out within the totally different fashions, as you’ll be able to see from the Geekbench and Cinebench outcomes under. The M5 MacBook Professional performs higher than the M4 MacBook Air, as anticipated, however the M4 Professional and Max shoot forward.

• The M4 15-inch MacBook Air scored 14680 within the a number of CPU Geekbench and 3907 within the GPU take a look at for Cinebench 2024. The 13-inch MacBook Air outcomes are comparable.
• The M5 14-inch MacBook Professional scored 18013 within the a number of CPU Geekbench and 5867 within the GPU take a look at for Cinebench 2024.
• The M4 Professional 16-inch MacBook Professional scored 22406 within the a number of CPU Geekbench and 9297 within the GPU take a look at for Cinebench 2024.

Foundry

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: RAM (unified reminiscence)

Previous to October 2024, many Macs shipped with simply 8GB RAM as customary. As of late a Mac could battle with simply 8GB RAM so Apple has upped this allocation, and since October 2024 all MacBook Air and MacBook Professional ship with not less than 16GB RAM as customary. There may be an choice to extend unified reminiscence to 24GB or 32GB within the M4 MacBook Professional and Air.

Should you want extra reminiscence you’ll need to look to the MacBook Professional with M4 Professional or M4 Max. With the M4 Professional you’ll be able to rise up to 48GB unified reminiscence, whereas the M4 Max can help as much as 128GB reminiscence.

Our recommendation is to get as a lot RAM as you’ll be able to afford once you purchase the Mac, as you’ll be able to’t improve it later.

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: Storage

Apple provides a 256GB storage choice on the entry-level for each the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air. The entry-level MacBook Professional begins at 512GB. There may be the choice so as to add 1TB or 2TB SSD to for the MacBook Air, the M5 MacBook Professional positive aspects help for 8TB SSD.

Whereas a 2556GB SSD may show to be sufficient for you, particularly for those who use iCloud or different cloud primarily based companies to complement your storage. However 512GB could be a greater choice, as we discovered, see: Right here’s proof {that a} 256GB SSD is simply too small for a Mac in 2025.

One more reason to keep away from the 256GB mannequin: in earlier generations, there have been some issues about this 256GB SSD, with stories that its SSD is as much as 50 p.c slower on learn speeds and 30 p.c on write speeds. We discovered that these observations had been certainly true once we ran our personal set of exams utilizing Blackmagic Disk Velocity Take a look at on older MacBook fashions. In newer occasions, this has appeared to be much less of a difficulty. It will solely matter in case you are utilizing apps that entry the SSD usually, so it could not make a distinction in typical use.

If you’d like a good larger SSD you’ll want to have a look at the MacBook Professional fashions with the M4 Professional and M4 Max which might help as much as 8TB SSD.

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: Design

Foundry

Following a redesign of the MacBook Air in June 2022, you may have been forgiven for considering you had been taking a look at a MacBook Professional. Gone is the tapered edge for which the Air was well-known, changed with a extra uniform design. The MacBook Air remains to be thinner – albeit fractionally – however additionally it is very barely bigger than the previous model of the Air, because of the larger display screen.

Each the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional have a notch on the prime of the display screen as see on some iPhone fashions. It’s not a nasty factor, however some folks don’t like notches. The notch conceals the FaceTime digital camera, which, with the introduction of the M4 MacBook Air, is now the identical 12MP Middle Stage digital camera with help for Desk View and 1080p HD video recording on all fashions.

Regardless of the presence of the iPhone-like notch, MacBooks don’t provide Face ID for unlocking. As a substitute all MacBook’s have a Contact ID sensor constructed into the keyboard, so you’ll be able to simply faucet your finger on there to unlock issues and enter passwords.

Eugen Wegmann

One key distinction between these MacBooks is the colour decisions. There are 4 colour decisions for the 13-inch MacBook Air and the 15-inch MacBook Air: Midnight (darkish blue), Starlight (gold), Sky Blue and Silver. Apple launched the Sky Blue choice with the M4 MacBook Air and discontinued the Area Grey choice (to the dismay of some). The Starlight shade is paler gold, whereas Midnight is near black with a darkish blue hue.

The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional provide solely Silver and Area Black choices.

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: Dimensions

Foundry

Apple refers to them because the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air and the 14-inch and 15-inch MacBook Professional. The measurements are primarily based on the display screen dimension, however these numbers are literally not correct. Right here’s what the true display screen measurements are:

• The display screen on the 13-inch MacBook Air measures 13.6-inches diagonally.
• The display screen on the 15-inch MacBook Air measures 15.3-inches diagonally.
• The display screen on the 14-inch MacBook Professional measures 14.2-inches diagonally.
• The display screen on the 16-inch MacBook Professional measures 16.2-inches diagonally.

A bigger show doesn’t essentially imply the Mac is greater and heavier although. The 15-inch Air is thinner, so it not solely weighs lower than the 16-inch MacBook Professional, additionally it is lighter than the 14-inch MacBook Professional as a result of followers wanted for warmth dissipation within the extra highly effective machine.

• 16-inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional: 4.7 kilos (2.14 kg), M4 Max: 4.7 kilos (2.15 kg)
• 14-inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional: 3.5 kilos (1.60 kg), M4 Max: 3.6 kilos (1.62 kg)
• 14-inch MacBook Professional, M5: 3.4 kilos (1.55 kg)
• 15-inch MacBook Air, M4: 3.3 kilos (1.51 kg)
• 13-inch MacBook Air, M4: 2.7 kilos (1.24 kg)

From the figures above, you’ll discover that the M4 Professional and M4 Max fashions weigh a little bit bit greater than the M5 MacBook Professional.

And as you’ll be able to see from the under, the 13-inch MacBook Air dimensions aren’t a lot smaller than these of the 14-inch MacBook Air. Given that there’s really solely half an inch (0.6in) distinction in display screen dimension, this shouldn’t be shocking.

• 16-inch MacBook Professional: 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches (35.57 x 24.81 x 1.68cm)
• 15-inch MacBook Air: 13.40 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches (34.04 x 23.76 x 1.15cm)
• 14-inch MacBook Professional: 12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches (31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55cm)
• 13-inch MacBook Air: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13cm)

Apple

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: Battery life and charging

IDG

On the subject of battery life, in accordance with Apple, the MacBook Air provides 18 hours battery life when video streaming, whereas the 14-inch M5 MacBook Professional provides an 24 hours video streaming, in accordance with Apple. The primary purpose for this distinction is that the 14-inch MacBook Professional has a bigger battery: 72.4 watt-hours in comparison with 66.5 watt-hours within the 15-inch MacBook Air and 53.8 watt-hours within the 13-inch Air. The battery within the 16-inch MacBook Professional is even larger at 100 watt-hours.

• MacBook Air, 13-inch, M4, 18 hours battery life (Apple)
• MacBook Air, 15-inch, M4, 18 hours battery life (Apple), 1,076 minutes, just below 18 hours (our take a look at)
• MacBook Professional, 14-inch, M5, 24 hours battery life (Apple), 27 hours and quarter-hour (our take a look at)
• MacBook Professional, 14-inch, M4 Professional/M4 Max, 22 hours battery life (Apple)
• MacBook Professional, 16-inch, M4 Professional/M4 Max, 24 hours battery life (Apple), 26 hours (our take a look at)

It’s not simply how lengthy the battery lasts that issues, but additionally the charging pace. The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Air ships with a 30W adapter, the opposite 13-inch Air and the 15-inch MacBook Air ship with a 35W energy adapter. You possibly can choose as a substitute for a 70W adapter for quick charging at no further price (until you might be shopping for the entry-level mannequin, by which case the 70W or 35W adapter prices $20/£20).

Relying on the place on this planet you reside, the 14-inch MacBook Professional M5 ships with a 70W charger, with the chance to change to a 96W charger for $20, which you want for quick charging. Should you occur to reside within the U.Okay. or Europe and wish to have a Energy Adapter in your M5 MacBook Professional then it’s a must to pay further: £59 for the 70W and £79 for the 96W. Anticipate the facility adapter to be faraway from the field in European international locations when Apple updates the opposite Mac laptops in 2026.

The M4 Professional MacBook Professional ships with a 70W adapter, there’s the choice of a 96W charger for $20/£20. You want a 96W adapter to quick cost the 14-inch MacBook Professional. The 16-inch mannequin ships with a 140W adapter, which permits for quick charging.

Every 14-inch MacBook Professional might be quick charged the 96W adapter and the MacBook Air might be quick charged with a 70W adapter (not included). See our comparability take a look at of Apple’s MacBook Air chargers in addition to the finest USB-C charger in your MacBook.

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: Ports, enlargement and show help

Over time it’s felt like Apple has been on a mission to take away ports from Macs with a view to make them slimmer and slimmer. This has been a drawback for a lot of, though usually for those who want extra or totally different ports you’ll be able to simply plug in an adapter or a dock (learn: Greatest USB-C hubs and adapters for Mac).

The MacBook Air provides a MagSafe charging port alongside two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports. It will possibly help two 6K exterior shows, which is yet one more than the M3-powered MacBooks might. See: How you can join two or extra exterior shows to an M1, M2, M3 or M4 MacBook.

The M5 MacBook Professional provides a 3rd Thunderbolt 4/USB-C port, in addition to HDMI and SDXC ports. It will possibly help as much as two exterior 6K shows, or one 8K show and a 4K show.

The M4 Professional and M4 Max MacBook Professional provide three Thunderbolt 5/USB‑C ports in addition to the HDMI and SDXC ports.

The M4 Professional has can help the identical variety of exterior shows because the M5. The M4 Max can help as much as 4 exterior shows: three 6K shows and one 4K show, or two 6K and one 8K show.

As but Thunderbolt 5 has solely arrived on the Professional and Max fashions, it doubles the bidirectional knowledge bandwidth from 40Gbps to 80Gbps and, for show connections, it may possibly obtain speeds of as much as 120Gbps utilizing Bandwidth Enhance. It additionally helps as much as 240W of energy supply downstream, a considerable improve from Thunderbolt 4’s 100W.

Connectivity for all MacBook fashions is through Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E. All Mac laptops provide a 3.5mm headphone jack. 

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MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: Audio and digital camera

All the MacBooks within the present technology provide a 12MP Middle Stage digital camera that routinely retains the consumer within the heart of the body. The digital camera additionally helps Desk View, which might present the desk area in entrance of the laptop computer. That is an improve from the M3 MacBooks, which solely supplied a 1080p FaceTime digital camera.

The 15-inch MacBook Air has a profit over the 13-inch MacBook Air mannequin: if contains a six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers, in comparison with a four-speaker sound system. Apple describes the speaker system within the 14-inch MacBook Professional as a high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, indicating that it’s superior to that within the 15-inch Air. Apple additionally refers to a “studio-quality three-mic array with excessive signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming” within the 14-inch Professional, whereas each Air fashions provide solely a “three-mic array with directional beamforming”.

The MacBook Professional has a greater speaker system than the MacBook Air: six-speaker arrays fairly than a four-speaker sound system. The sound on the MacBook Professional is described by Apple as “Excessive Constancy,” by which we assume Apple is indicating it’s superior to the Air.

MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional: Shopping for recommendation

• For most individuals, the MacBook Air is the smarter purchase, however the MacBook Professional is sensible in case your work commonly pushes your system.

So which MacBook do you have to select? If you’re on a finances it needs to be the MacBook Air and also you received’t be disenchanted. Should you want a bit extra energy than the Air can provide, and a greater high quality show, the M5 MacBook Professional will see you good. However for those who want much more energy you’ll should fork out for the M4 Professional or M4 Max MacBook Professional fashions.

If one issue that’s essential to you is the display screen dimension, the 15-inch MacBook Air provides you with a bigger display screen for much less cash than the 14-inch MacBook Professional. Simply remember that display screen high quality is inferior to that on the dearer mannequin. After all, if you’re going to plug your Mac into an exterior show each time you might be at your desk this shouldn’t be a choice breaker. See our round-up of the finest shows for Mac.

If it’s show high quality that issues, the XDR, ProMotion show of the MacBook Professional will meet your wants. There may be additionally the choice of a non-glossy Nano-texture show with the MacBook Professional that doesn’t exist for the Air.

We advocate getting the most effective machine you’ll be able to afford on the time of buy since you received’t have the ability to improve down the road. On the time of your buy be sure to add ample RAM and storage in your wants. For extra assist with this learn: How a lot RAM, SSD, GPU, CPU do you want in a Mac?

Fortunately, you don’t should pay full worth for a MacBook Air or MacBook Professional, take a look at our finest MacBook Air offers and finest MacBook Professional offers articles for the most effective reductions obtainable.

Lastly, a phrase of warning: in case you are tempted purchase a used Intel-powered MacBook (one which predates Apple’s transfer away from Intel to provide its personal chips from 2020) we strongly advocate that you just don’t purchase it as Apple is unlikely to help Intel Macs for for much longer. Only a few Intel Macs can run macOS Tahoe and Apple has confirmed that 2026’s replace to macOS won’t run on any Intel Macs. Learn: How lengthy does Apple help Macs.

We additionally show you how to select the Greatest Mac in our purchasing information. For getting recommendation on the finest Home windows laptops, see our sister website PCWorld.

Why you’ll be able to belief Macworld’s recommendation

Macworld has been masking all the things Apple associated since our first difficulty which arrived alongside the unique Mac in 1984. No one is aware of Apple higher, besides in all probability Apple, however the distinction is that we’re fully neutral. We’re made up of a group of consultants with a long time of experiences with Macs and different Apple merchandise, and between us we’ve got reviewed each Apple product which means we’re uniquely positioned to supply shopping for recommendation.