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There's been quite a bit of excitement among tech enthusiasts regarding the M4 model of Apple's MacBook Air series. This new model comes on the heels of the highly successful M3 MacBook Air, which was well-regarded for its performance and portability. This article provides a detailed comparison between the M4 and M3 MacBook Air models, highlighting the new upgrades, pricing, and performance improvements.
The MacBook Air series has always captivated users with its stunning design, strong performance, and impressive battery life. The M3 and M4 models continue this tradition, featuring several enhancements that help distinguish the two versions.
Chip: Apple M3 chip with an 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU.
Memory: Configurable up to 24GB of unified memory.
Storage: Starts with a 256GB SSD, configurable up to 2TB.
Display: 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch options for Liquid Retina display.
Battery Life: Exactly 18 hours of movie playback on Apple TV app.
Price: It starts at $999 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch model.
Chip: Apple M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU for the 15-inch model.
Memory: Starts at 16GB, configurable up to 32GB of unified memory.
Storage: Starting with a 256GB SSD with upgrade options.
Display: Display options are the same as M3, with no major changes.
Battery Life: Slightly improved battery life is expected due to the efficiency of the M4 chip.
Price: The 13-inch model begins at $999, and the 15-inch model begins at $1,199, which is $100 less than the M3 models.
M4 Chip: The M4 chip has a stronger 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU for the 15-inch model and provides better performance and efficiency compared to the M3's comparatively weak 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU.
M3 Chip: While very fast and efficient, the M3 chip's comparatively weak CPU might limit its performance in heavy-duty tasks as compared to M4 chips.
M4 MacBook Air: Comes with up to 32GB of unified memory, which is twice as high as the M3 model.
M3 MacBook Air: It supports 24GB of memory maximum, sufficient for most users, yet still inferior to the M4.
M4 MacBook Air: The model comes with a 12MP camera enabled with Centre Stage, thus improving video calls. Plus, it supports Desk View, allowing the user to share a top-down view of the workspace with the audience.
M3 MacBook Air: Compared with the M4's camera setup, the 1080p FaceTime HD camera shows its age.
M4 MacBook Air: Users are free to connect two external displays while keeping the MacBook Air lid open, an option that was earlier restricted to the MacBook Pro.
M3 MacBook Air: When connecting two external displays, the lid must be closed.
M4 MacBook Air: It is offered at a slightly lower price than the M3 models, thus adding up to its healthy competition in the market.
M3 MacBook Air: It was marked at a slightly higher price, but in comparison to M4, it still packs great value for its price, performance, and features.
Both models are known for their excellent battery life, with the M3 offering up to 18 hours of Apple TV app movie playback. The M4 is expected to provide even longer battery life due to its more efficient M4 chip.
In terms of performance, the M4 chip's additional CPU cores and improved Neural Engine make it better suited for demanding tasks like video editing and AI-driven applications.
The design of both models remains largely unchanged, with the M4 introducing a new light metallic blue color option for the 13-inch model1. The display options are the same for both models, featuring a Liquid Retina display with a wide color gamut and True Tone technology.
Choosing between the M4 and M3 MacBook Air depends on your specific needs:
For Enhanced Performance and Features: The M4 MacBook Air is a superior choice, providing enhanced performance, improved camera capabilities, and better support for external displays.
For Budget and Simplicity: The M3 MacBook Air is still an excellent choice for anyone seeking a powerful laptop that doesn't necessarily come with the latest features, particularly if you can find it at a discounted price.
Ultimately, both models are outstanding options; however, the upgrades in the M4 make it a more future-proof choice for users who require the latest technology.
