M3 MacBook Air vs M3 MacBook Pro — Ultimate Comparison After 6 Months...

Which macbook to buy in 2024? This question is asked by many people. In my new video, we'll compare two of the latest models - the MacBook Air M3 and the MacBook M3 Pro! Let's try to understand the key difference between these devices, which MacBook is better to buy for work, which one is better for surfing the browser, and which one is better suited for everyday tasks and maybe even games? Watch the video to the end and maybe we will answer the main question together - Why pay more?

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GEAR THAT I USE ↓

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[innnews]

A simpler advice would be to buy at least at 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD on a Mac within your budget. Doesn’t matter if it’s MBA or MBP. The only change would be if you do video editing, then go for MBP (because of the ports & fans). Again, same principle applies: buy the one with 16/512 spec you can afford. Don’t worry about the M1/M2/M3 chip differences.

[xldb]

if your in uni or work from home and use your laptop for mainly personal and occasional business / professional use, the 15 inch m3 air is a good sweet spot for 90% of people. if you want the 13 inch just get the m2

[jayb]

I think you're underestimating how powerful the Air is for most people, especially when you say that it's just a glorified typing machine and it won't last 5 years.

[djerikfox]

..just bought air m3 512/16g ram for music production..omg its amazing, runs logic and cubase and all of my plugins...im so happy with it! regards

[pjlfeqy]

I bought MacBook Pro M3 because of its astonishing and vibrant display.

[simpromovie]

I you want to compare two computers you should equip them with the same RAM on SSD. You don't need buy a MacBook Pro if only the RAM is not enough. Just buy the MacBook Air with 16GB RAM and 512 SSD...
I would never buy the MacBook Pro even if it cost the same! It is a big fat heavy computer with a smaller display. If I need the performance for serious desktop work I do that with a Mac Studio or a Mac Mini with the Pro CPU....

[andyH_England]

Both use the same single cores, so they are comparable for the vast majority of normal usage (non-pro work). The performance will be the same up to four performance cores. Most people will rarely need more than those four performance cores. The next upgrade, the M3 Pro, only has one extra CPU performance core, so its advantage is not substantive. Most Mac users do not play games, so the 8 or 10-core GPU is more than enough for day-to-day stuff.

So, the M3 MB Air performs more than enough for non-pro users. They then need to decide if they want to pay extra for the M3 MB Pro 14, which has a few extra features (fan, IO, 120Hz, miniLED, HDR max brightness, etc). If you buy for 5-7 years, those luxuries may be worth the extra £300.

If you are a heavy multitasker, consider upgrading to 16GB. The MB Air 13-inch upgrade is £200, and you also get 25% extra GPU cores, so it's a reasonable value, as the GPU upgrade costs £100 separately. We have several base Macbooks, and 8GB is more than enough, so if your workflow is not intensive, save money and get the base model. They usually go on sale; I have already seen the base M3 MB Air at $1000, which will get lower with M4 rumours.

If you are a pro user, the M3 Max would be a good place to start, but if your budget doesn't stretch that far, then the lesser M3 Pro chip is a good option. Other factors are weight and display size, but this isn't rocket science, and despite the usual complaints, it is easy to choose what is best for you.

[dbsql]

I wish the M4 was out. It would make my decision so much easier.

[Creelyblades]

Even on sustained heavy loads, the air is only about 10% slower than the pro. That’s really not the difference between being able to do it and not being able to do it. Framing the air as a consumption device, and very basic and the pro as being capable enough for content creation I think is an exaggeration of the difference. The truth is Apple’s M3 silicon is rather powerful, and even in an air is very capable of content creation at a professional level. You mentioned if someone were a college student typing lectures, and watching videos that the air would be adequate for that, no. The air would be way overkill for that, get a Chromebook or ipad if that’s all it’s gonna do.

[arshi]

I have both and end up taking out air more then pro cause weight n portability

[garryhall]

i have bought the M2 Air as a works machine. it is light and is great to travel around. i have 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. my main machine is a M3 Pro as it has promotion and its great for presenting courses.

[leebeeskee]

All YouTubers now using the rinse and repeat method of 'I was wrong'!

[ДмитроКоцюбинський]

Honest opinion, thanks for that!Actually normal Air Mac always kinda better than Macbook Pro so yeah..

[HarshDeepSingh-pcou]

Confused between the 14 inch m3 pro, 512 gb, 18gb vs 36gb or the 16 inch m3 max 14c/30c, 36 gb 1 tb ssd. My needs are 4k video editing, lightroom and photoshop. I want the max but if m3 pro is enough, I don't want to overspend. Please help me make the right decision.

[georgecassir]

what about Mac air 16gb 512ssd ? for 4k editing

[clintmiller]

the portable nature of the MacBook Air is just to much for me to pass up. 16gb or 512gb ssd are requirements If your doing anything more than basic work

[rithvik]

What are the specifications of the Pro that you used, you never mentioned ?

[Schrodingerscomment]

Would love to see a spec'd out M3 iMac or MacBook Air, 8c-CPU/10c-GPU 24gbMem./1-2tb storage, up against the M3 MacBook Pro 16gb.

[ahmadfaqihabdurrahman]

I’m UI/UX designer and i’m still confused whether to buy M3 air or M3 pro? I want to have a device that is more durable. The only difference between the Pro and the Air in terms of performance is that it has a fan, while the CPU and RAM are the same for the base model. I don't really understand this, can you give me some input? is it a right choice to take the m3 pro base model over the m3 air base model? Thank You

[vaamestate]

Best Air vs Pro Comparison after tons of videos from others! Phew