MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro (2025): Which Mac should you buy?
You’ve decided you want a MacBook, but the question of “MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro?” remains. I’m not a certified Apple
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro
Genius, but I’ve spent hundreds of hours using and reviewing every current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro for Laptop Mag, so I’m ready to help you find the best MacBook for your needs.
Let’s start with the basics: In 2025, the MacBook Air and Pro lineups consist of four options: 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch MacBook Airs and 14.2-inch and 16.2-inch MacBook Pros.Buy Now
The MacBook Air models are limited to Apple’s M4 chip, while the MacBook Pro features the M4, M4 Pro, or M4 Max. Only the Pro models offer the more powerful “Pro” or “Max” chipsets, one of the most apparent differences between the Air and Pro MacBooks. The base MacBook Pro 14-inch blurs these lines with its standard M4 chip.
People often ask me, “Is the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro better?” There is no universal answer to that question; there is only which is better for you. So, let’s find out.
I will compare price, features, performance, battery life, and more to determine whether you should invest in the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro in 2025.
And once we’ve determined whether the MacBook Air or Pro is better for you, our best MacBook deals can help you secure the best price.
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Specs compared
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Best for most | Big screen value | Portable power | Peak performance |
| Row 1 – Cell 0 | MacBook Air 13 (M4) | MacBook Air 14 (M4) | MacBook Air 15 (M4) | MacBook Air 16(M4) |
| Price | $999 | $1,199 | $1,599 | $2,499 |
| CPU | M4 | M4 | M4, M4 Pro or M4 Max | M4 Pro or M4 Max |
| RAM | Up to 32GB | Up to 32GB | Up to 128GB | up to 128GB |
| Display | 13.6 inches (2560 x 1600) | 15.3 inches (2880 x 1864) | 14.2 inches (3024 x 1964), 120Hz | 16.2 inches (3456 x 2234), 120Hz |
| Ports | 2 Thunderbolt 3/USB 4, MagSafe, headphone | 2 Thunderbolt 3/USB4, MagSafe, headphone | 3 Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC card, MagSafe, headphone | 3 Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC card, MagSafe, headphone |
| Graphics | M4 | M4 | M4, M4 Pro or M4 Max | M4 Pro or M4 Max |
| Storage | up to 2TB | Up to 2TB | Up to 8TB | up to 8TB |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 15:42 (tested) | 15:14 (tested) | 18:32 (tested) | 20:46 (tested) |
| Security | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID | Touch ID |
| Size | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 13.40 x 9.53 x 0.45 inches | 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches | 14 x 9.8 x 0.66 inches |
| Weight | 2.7 pounds | 3.3 pounds | 3.4 pounds | 4.7 pounds |
MacBook Air (13-inch, M4): The Best Mac for Most People in 2025
MacBook Air
Since its introduction in March 2025, the MacBook Air 13-inch with the M4 chip has quickly become a favorite for everyday users. It strikes a sweet balance: powerful enough for real work, yet ultraportable and efficient. In this article, we’ll explore every major aspect of this new Air, its strengths and limitations, and why (for many users) it’s the ideal Mac to own today.
MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) vs. MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4): Which One Should You Buy?
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro
Apple’s 2025 MacBook lineup continues to blur the line between thin-and-light ultraportables and powerhouse Pro machines. The MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) has quickly become the go-to laptop for most people, offering a balance of portability, performance, and price. But the MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4) still caters to users who demand more raw power, advanced display tech, and expanded connectivity.
So, which Mac should you buy? Let’s break down the performance, design, battery life, and value to see which one is the right fit for your needs.
Performance
MacBook Air (13-inch, M4)
Looking at the benchmarks, the MacBook Air M4 scored 14,489 on Geekbench 6, easily surpassing most Windows competitors in its class. Our Handbrake video transcoding test took 5 minutes and 40 seconds to convert a 4K video to 1080p — an excellent result that puts it ahead of mainstream laptops but still shy of the Pro models.
Storage is no weak point either. In the BlackMagic Disk Speed Test, the Air achieved 3,456 MBps write and 3,018 MBps read speeds, rivaling much more expensive machines.
In short, the Air delivers more than enough performance for everyday users, students, professionals, and even light creative work.
MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4)
The Pro steps things up significantly. With a beefier version of the M4 chip (and the option for M4 Pro/Max), the Geekbench 6 score pushes above 20,000. Video editors, 3D artists, and software developers will appreciate the dedicated performance cores and higher GPU options. On the same Handbrake test, the Pro slashed encoding times by nearly 40%.
SSD performance is nearly identical to the Air, but the Pro has the advantage of better sustained performance thanks to active cooling.
Verdict:
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Air = Blazing fast for daily tasks, multitasking, and light pro use.
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Pro = Better for sustained workloads, heavy creative tasks, and future-proofing.