How to choose the best computer?

After all, it says it all: The MacBook Pro is supposed to be better than the rest, right? And we'll see in this new comparison that it's not that simple. What's better for some isn't necessarily better for others.

It must be said that the situation changed a lot in 2020 when Apple unveiled its M1 chips. Now equipped with most of its devices (except the iPhone), they provide rare efficiency and allowed the MacBook Air, which was previously the lower-end MacBook Pro, to close the gap. So much so that they no longer care? Not really. But, for the average person, there is almost no doubt that there is every reason to hesitate between the two models! We try to dispel this fog in our new comparison.

The MacBook Air M3 is available for €1,299 (13-inch) or €1,599 (15-inch). The M3 MacBook Pros are available for €1,999 (14-inch) and €2,999 (16-inch, M3 Pro only).

MacBook Air M3 and MacBook Pro M3 Technical Sheets

In terms of design, two sides of the same coin.

The “old” MacBook design is definitely gone. Whether on the Air side or the Pro side of the Force, MacBooks of all lines now feature a new design, which some will not fail to find ugly due to that famous notch (which we will talk about below).

But if they look very similar, one thing is clear: the MacBook Air is much smaller than its bigger brother. At 1.13 cm thick and weighing 1.24 kg on the scales, it wins the votes of those who are primarily looking for laptop Who knows how it gets forgotten in a backpack. However, we can’t really blame the MacBook Pro for being bulky. It’s only 1.55cm thick and weighs barely 300g.

On the other hand, there is a fundamental, even major, difference that appears when comparing the two models: connectivity. It's simple, the MacBook Air M3 can only rely on two Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports while the MacBook Pro has two Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port and an SDXC card reader. And therefore more versatile.

Source: Chloe Pertois for Frandroid

MacBook Pro M3 // Source: Brice Zerouk for Frandroid

Greater contrast on MacBook Pro

There is a distinction to be made between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro screens. The first is obvious: the diagonal. The former is 13.6″ while the latter goes up to 14.2″. It’s not necessarily much, but in such a compact device, it makes a difference in terms of working comfort. However, some will have difficulty getting over this notch, which slightly impedes the field of vision. We assure you: we’ve gotten used to it. Especially since Apple has reduced the screen borders compared to the previous design. On a very personal level, I find that we benefit from the change – even if the brand could take advantage of it to install Face ID on its MacBooks, but that’s another topic.

The second point is more technical and concerns the display technology. The MacBook Air has an LCD display that, while very well made, is not as impressive as the “Liquid Retina XDR” panel found on the MacBook Pro. The Barbarian name simply refers to a mini-LED display, which offers much greater contrast and more saturated colors. Finally, and perhaps most importantly for some, the MacBook Pro is the only one to feature ProMotion technology, which improves smoothness with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

In terms of quality, the two panels are on par, though. Peak brightness is higher on the Pro model, but both models display between 500 and 600 nits on SDR content on a day-to-day basis – which is excellent. The same goes for colorimetry. The DCI-P3 space is covered at almost 100% in both cases, with a Delta E of no more than 2.3. In other words, colors are just right.

Apple MacBook Air M3 13 and 15 inch // Source: Chloé Pertuis for Frandroid

MacOS at its best

We won't touch on this point for the simple reason that there is nothing special about the MacBook Air M3 or MacBook Pro M3. Both laptops It runs on the latest version of macOS, Sonoma. A very complete operating system, it notably adds support for new UI elements, animated wallpapers, and many other minor features that make the experience more enjoyable on a daily basis.

As we pointed out in our MacBook Air M3 vs M2 comparison , there’s only one thing that will ultimately make the difference: the duration of update support. Since the MacBook Pro M3 was released before the Air M3 (November 7, 2023 vs March 8, 2024), the latter will be updated for a (slightly) longer period. In any case, support is never a concern for Apple. The brand has a habit of providing updates for its computers for at least seven years.

Source: Max Tech

Source: Aristica

What about performance then?

At first glance, the two computers seem to be similar in performance. After all, we clearly see the words “M3” on both, right? It’s not that simple. In this case, the MacBook Pro M3’s GPU has 10 cores, compared to just 8 in the MacBook Air M3. So, does it really make a difference?

Better to write it: daily, not at least. The synthetic tests clearly express this: both devices deliver excellent results on Geekbench, in single-core and multi-core. Supplied by default with 8GB of RAM, you will quickly find the limits if you are a fan of intensive multitasking. The fact remains that fluidity remains essential in both cases, and in all conditions.

In graphics-intensive tasks, the MacBook Pro clearly performs much better. Because the two extra cores provide a welcome boost, on the one hand, but also because it is not a passive cooling machine. The MacBook Pro has a fan that helps dissipate heat. And well-dissipated heat means more durable performance. After all, the MacBook Pro is meant for professionals.

Source: Chloe Pertois for Frandroid

Source: Bryce Zeroc for Frandroid

Webcams that get the job done

There's nothing special to say here. The MacBook Air and Pro webcams offer 1080p resolution, which is enough for occasional video viewing. For more demanding contexts, you'll want to opt for an external webcam, or use your iPhone's cameras for much better quality.

In autonomy, the MacBook Air takes the lead.

For a long time, the MacBook Air held the crown for the most durable Macs. That’s no longer entirely true. Of course, the MacBook Air M3s continues to offer impressive battery life, able to get through your day without too much trouble. But the MacBook Pro M3 goes a step further, promising at least four hours more battery life than its smaller sibling.

That’s what Apple says. In reality, the difference in web browsing is about two hours in favor of the MacBook Pro. However, it can make a big difference on a busy day.

The difference is perhaps most noticeable when you simply compare battery capacity. On the MacBook Air, Apple uses a 52.6 watt-hour battery. On the MacBook Pro, we’re at 70 watt-hours.

Finally, in terms of charging, the latter can also be recharged more quickly thanks to the available 70W charger. The MacBook Air comes with a 30W charger. Allow a good two hours to reach 100%.

Source: Chloe Pertois for Frandroid

Source: Bryce Zeroc for Frandroid

MacBook Air M3 or M2: Which one to choose?

Impossible to take your eyes off, the MacBook Pro 14. Particularly attractive, thanks to its high-contrast Mini-LED screen, its great connectivity and its small power reserve that could make the difference for some … We understand that you are hesitant! Now you have to know how to keep your head up. 700 euros separate the two computers that interest us today. For web browsing, or even for work that does not involve heavy applications, is it really necessary to give up this extra cost just for the arguments put forward above? Not sure. Strictly speaking, the argument of autonomy (more generous on the MacBook Pro) could tip the scales. But, again, at 1,299 euros, the MacBook Air M3 seems to us the best possible value for money.