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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 6, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
If you're deciding between the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch, the MacBook Pro is the smarter buy for serious performance needs. With its M3 Pro/Max chip, it provides a significant leap in processing power, especially for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming. In real-world use, the 120Hz refresh rate on the MacBook Pro makes a noticeable difference in smoothness, especially during scrolling and animations. While both offer impressive battery life of up to 18 hours, the Pro's capabilities in handling intensive workloads make it worth considering if you need more power on the go.
📱 Display: 13.6" vs 14.2"⚡ Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz⚖️ Weight: 43.74 oz vs 56.79 oz
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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
★4.9
(2,424)•Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Graphics:Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Passive (Fanless silent design)
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
★4.9
(3,372)•Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Graphics:Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Active (Dual fan cooling system)
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
13.6"
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
14.2"Winner
Refresh Rate
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
60 Hz
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
120 Hz (ProMotion)Winner
Performance2 specs
RAMKey
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified MemoryWinner
Storage
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
512 GB or 1 TB SSDWinner
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer)
Design1 specs
Weight
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
1,240 g (2.7 lbs)Winner
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs)
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
★4.9(2,424)Best Buy
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
★4.9(3,372)Best Buy
| Criterion | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) | Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(2,424)Best Buy | ★4.9(3,372)Best Buy |
Processor | Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency) | Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core) |
Graphics | Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config) | Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core) |
AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine |
Cooling | Passive (Fanless silent design) | Active (Dual fan cooling system) |
RAM | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory | 18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory |
RAM Upgrade | No (Unified Memory architecture) | No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase) |
Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD |
Storage Upgrade | No (Soldered) | No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase) |
Display Size | 13.6" | 14.2" |
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 (Native) | 3024 x 1964 (Native) |
Aspect Ratio | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) | 16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch) |
Screen Type | Liquid Retina (IPS; LED-backlit) | Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (ProMotion) |
Brightness | 500 nits | 1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR) |
Color Gamut | Wide color (P3) | Wide color (P3); True Tone |
Keyboard Layout | US English (Magic Keyboard) | US English (Magic Keyboard) |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes (Ambient light sensor) | Yes (Ambient light sensor) |
Biometrics | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) | Touch ID (Fingerprint reader) |
Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
USB Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort) | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s) |
Video Ports | USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed) | 1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz) |
Audio Ports | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) | 1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones) |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery | 52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer) | 72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer) |
Charger | 30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs) | 70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter |
Weight | 1,240 g (2.7 lbs) | 1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs) |
Build Material | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure | 100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure |
Operating System | macOS (Sonoma or later) | macOS (Sonoma or later) |
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Rating:★4.9(2,424)Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 (8-core CPU: 4 performance + 4 efficiency)
Graphics:Apple M3 (8-core or 10-core GPU, depending on config)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Passive (Fanless silent design)
RAM:8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB Unified Memory
RAM Upgrade:No (Unified Memory architecture)
Storage:256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD
Storage Upgrade:No (Soldered)
Display Size:13.6"
Resolution:2560 x 1664 (Native)
Aspect Ratio:16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch)
Screen Type:Liquid Retina (IPS; LED-backlit)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Brightness:500 nits
Color Gamut:Wide color (P3)
Keyboard Layout:US English (Magic Keyboard)
Keyboard Backlight:Yes (Ambient light sensor)
Biometrics:Touch ID (Fingerprint reader)
Webcam:1080p FaceTime HD camera
USB Ports:2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 (Up to 40Gb/s; Charging; DisplayPort)
Video Ports:USB-C DisplayPort (Supports 1 external display up to 6K@60Hz; OR 2 external displays with lid closed)
Audio Ports:1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones)
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3
Battery:52.6 Wh (Lithium-polymer)
Charger:30W (Base 8-core GPU model) or 35W Dual Port / 70W Fast Charger (Higher configs)
Weight:1,240 g (2.7 lbs)
Build Material:100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure
Operating System:macOS (Sonoma or later)
✓ Pros:
- • Significantly faster M3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- • First MacBook Air to natively support two external monitors (in clamshell mode)
- • Completely silent fanless operation
- • Exceptional build quality with a bright 500-nit P3 display
- • MagSafe 3 charging frees up both Thunderbolt ports for peripherals
✗ Cons:
- • Base model starts with only 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (slow SSD speeds on 256GB)
- • Limited to 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion 120Hz)
- • Zero user-upgradeability for RAM or storage
- • Thermal throttling can occur under sustained heavy workloads due to lack of fans
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
Rating:★4.9(3,372)Best Buy
Processor:Apple M3 Pro (11 or 12-core) OR Apple M3 Max (14 or 16-core)
Graphics:Apple M3 Pro (14 or 18-core) OR Apple M3 Max (30 or 40-core)
AI Engine:16-core Neural Engine
Cooling:Active (Dual fan cooling system)
RAM:18 GB (M3 Pro) / 36 GB (M3 Max) Unified Memory
RAM Upgrade:No (Unified Memory architecture; configurable up to 128GB at purchase)
Storage:512 GB or 1 TB SSD
Storage Upgrade:No (Soldered; configurable up to 8TB at purchase)
Display Size:14.2"
Resolution:3024 x 1964 (Native)
Aspect Ratio:16:10 (plus additional height for menu bar/notch)
Screen Type:Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED; 10,000+ local dimming zones)
Refresh Rate:120 Hz (ProMotion)
Brightness:1,000 nits (Sustained XDR) / 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) / 600 nits (SDR)
Color Gamut:Wide color (P3); True Tone
Keyboard Layout:US English (Magic Keyboard)
Keyboard Backlight:Yes (Ambient light sensor)
Biometrics:Touch ID (Fingerprint reader)
Webcam:1080p FaceTime HD camera
USB Ports:3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) (Charging; DisplayPort; up to 40Gb/s)
Video Ports:1x HDMI 2.1 (Supports up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz)
Audio Ports:1x 3.5mm Headphone jack (Advanced support for high-impedance headphones)
Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3
Battery:72.4 Wh (Lithium-polymer)
Charger:70W (11-core M3 Pro) or 96W (12-core M3 Pro & M3 Max) USB-C Adapter
Weight:1,610 g (M3 Pro) / 1,620 g (M3 Max) (3.55 - 3.57 lbs)
Build Material:100% Recycled Aluminum enclosure
Operating System:macOS (Sonoma or later)
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits peak brightness
- • M3 Max configuration rivals high-end desktop performance in a portable chassis
- • Generous port selection including HDMI 2.1, SDXC, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports
- • Excellent build quality available in the new 'Space Black' finish (reduces fingerprints)
- • Battery life remains impressive despite high performance (up to 18 hours video playback)
✗ Cons:
- • Expensive starting price with expensive upgrades for RAM and SSD
- • No user-upgradeable components (RAM and SSD are soldered)
- • The notch at the top of the display cuts into the menu bar area
- • Under maximum load, the fans can become audible (though quieter than most PC laptops)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is the better buy for most people - its M3 Pro/Max chip crushes the M3 in the MacBook Air.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) if: you want a lightweight laptop for everyday browsing, need up to 18 hours of battery life, or prefer a quieter fanless design.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch if: you edit videos frequently, require intensive applications like 3D rendering, or want a display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals.
Conclusion
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) and Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) excels if you value significantly faster m3 chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch is better if you prioritize class-leading liquid retina xdr display with 1,600 nits peak brightness. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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