M3 MacBook PRO vs M2 MacBook AIR - Don't make the wrong choice!

M3 MacBook Pro vs M2 MacBook Air - Don't make the wrong choice! In this video, I tested the M3 Macbook Pro, M3 Pro MacBook Pro, 15" M2 MacBook Air, and 13" M2 MacBook Air. I hope you found this review helpful :)

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Track: Cartoon - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release]
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[snifyy]

Literally the first reviewer showing the difference between low power mode and normal mode. THANKS! For several days I've been looking for such review - between the M2 15" and M3 both in low power mode. I just wish there was more details about the actual battery life on that mode. I'm pretty sure many people are searching for the longest battery life

[clintmallon]

This is hands down one of the most useful and well done Mac comparisons I’ve ever seen. I have had six Mac laptops since my incredible M1 Air 13 (in this order):

16” M1 Pro (Slow - Too big)
16” M1 MAX (Slow - Too big)
15” M2 Air (Weak - Excellent size)
16” M3 Pro (Monster - Too big)
14” M2 MAX (Awful battery - Excellent size)
14” M3 Pro (11/14 M3 Pro chip)

The last one (14” 11/14, 18GB, 512) literally puts a smile on my face after everything I’ve learned. For me, it’s perfect. For most, it’s perfect. For the other 5% of you, you already know who you are.

The M2 Air 15 is my second pick. Battery life is extremely important to me and so is portability. Price is second. Performance is third (They all perform).

The M3 Pro 14 has all these benefits over the M2 Air 15, for only $201 more:

- Better battery life
- 3 nanometer vs. 5
- 20% faster CPU cores
- 1 extra CPU performance core
- 2 extra CPU efficiency cores
- 4 extra GPU cores
- dynamic caching
- ray tracing
- mesh shading
- AV1 Support (Video streaming efficiency)
- Wi-Fi 6E
- USB-C ports on both sides
- fans for sustainability
- a brighter/higher PPI screen
- the most amazing speakers I’ve ever heard on a laptop (They’re far better than the M2 Air 15).

Get the base 14 Pro chip (11/14) for the best battery life, and understand that the M3 Pro chips numbers don’t directly compare to the M2 Pro chips numbers. 11/14 is significantly faster and more powerful than the 12/19 found on the M2 Pro. The 12/19 M2 Pro 14’s battery life is awful in comparison to my M3 Pro 14.

This experience cost me $10, 000 to share with you. Skip to the front of the line and save yourself some time.

[kirancochin]

This is the best review I have seen so far. Please keep doing.

[DMC_vlogs]

I would say this is the best video comparison on Youtube; Super detailed but easy to digest; As someone that sees these questions pop up on respective subreddit on a daily basis these reviews are very helpful to help the community make better decisions when getting M MacBooks ; Keep up the awesome work Ella!

[TECHBYTE-ARSENAL]

Just bought a pro today and I am blown away by these speakers! I can't wait to start using this things for school, work, and the occasional gaming.

[RandyASilva]

This is a great comparison on what has become one of the more difficult decisions to make, 15” M2 Air or M3 MBP. I appreciate your real world examples, especially on memory swap. Thank you.

[adrianstuart]

great review as normal, thank you. your quality is getting better and better

[cidluiz]

As of 2023, 16GB is the minimum decent amount of RAM. It is shameful that Apple is still releasing new MacBook *PRO* models with only 8GB of RAM, which is insufficient for many pro users’ needs, and charging a premium price for the decent 16GB. This practice is not only unfair to customers, but it also shows a lack of respect for their intelligence and needs.

[dndfw]

The battery life is insane on the M2. As an online college student, this computer is very efficient compared to my 2014 MacBook Pro. Very happy with the M2 Air.

[growyourbamboo]

Love how throughout your analysis is and how well you simplified tech terms to applicable concepts. Thank you truly ❤

[yourobson]

Thank you for interesting review. I especially appreciate the comparisons with other laptops in daily life. I use M2 MBA 15" 16 GB, 1T black for a few months and I'm very happy with it. It's light, portable, cool, fast and has a really great and big screen. Combination of the screen size with portability and quietness are major benefit factors for me. It handles 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro, music in Logic Pro and Xcode. No problem running external monitor. Sound is really very good. I can highly recommend this Mac.

[oliviap]

OMG! Finally!! I've been waiting on you to help make my decision😩💛

[andreasgeorgoulakis]

Upgrading from a 2019 Intel 13" MacBook Pro to the new 15" M2 Air with 16GB memory was a significant improvement for me. The larger screen, slim bezels, and extended battery life (3-4 days on normal usage without power saving) are standout features. As a computer science student, I find the M2 Air handles coding tasks effortlessly, without needing CPU-intensive capabilities. The device's silent operation and cool temperature during use are notable, given its fanless design.

Despite the higher cost for larger screens, the M2 Air offers a good balance of screen size, performance, and price. It's more portable and sleek compared to the bulkier Pro models. For those using an Intel MacBook, upgrading to any M-chip model is a significant leap. However, if you already own an M-chip MacBook, the incremental upgrades may not be as noticeable for everyday tasks.

I recommend opting for 16GB of memory and at least 512GB of storage, which in my case, totaled over $1700—still more affordable than the base 16" Pro at $2500. For those needing more ports, a multi-port adapter is a simple solution. Overall, the M2 Air is an excellent choice for both media consumption and general computing tasks, especially for those who prioritize everyday use over intense processing.

[TIGR-mp]

You're awesome, so much details that no body notices which may affect the entire experience ... THANK U <3

[ReginaldoKono]

Watching this comparison again, because helped me to go for the Macbook Pro M3 Pro 14". Thank you. Very smart points about the daily usage. Just subscribed to your channel. Thanks lady.

[mirtos]

Im glad you said the aspect of swapping. To o many reviewers dont consider the swapping. And they are very misleading about RAM which really bugs me. In 2024, 8gb ram isnt nearly enough.

[ferdinandogiusepperotolo]

Very interesting and clever comparison! I have a MBP 2017 15" intel and, for my needs, new m3 base chip however is a real step ahead. (with 16 GB, of course). I think the better chip, the solid chassis, the better screen, the additional ports and the longer battery life are very good arguments. Hello from Italy!

[GRobo]

1) Don't buy any 8GB Mac unless it's a used M1 Air.
2) Don't buy a 16GB M3. Go for M3P or a refurbed M2P.
3) 15" Air feels a lot lighter than MBP than the numbers suggest. Screen is also much bigger despite being only 1" larger. Choose wisely!
4) If you're getting the 36GB M3P, you've already paid the Apple tax, so consider going for base Max. You won't regret it.

[ddubs]

Ella your videos are one of my go to videos on YouTube. Great job!!

[kentekstrom]

I really like your way to review and present the macs. To the point and focusing on everyday normal use. Well done.