When it comes to Apple’s lineup of laptops, the M2 MacBook Air and M4 MacBook Pro are both top contenders, but they cater to different types of users. If you’re trying to decide which one is best for you, this review if M2 MacBook Air vs M4 MacBook Pro will break down their features, performance, and overall value so you can make the right choice.
1. Overview of the M2 MacBook Air
Design and Build Quality
The M2 MacBook Air is all about portability. At just 2.7 pounds (1.2247), it’s incredibly lightweight and smooth, making it easy to carry around whether you’re heading to class, a meeting, or a coffee shop etc. Its design is thin, featuring a uniform aluminium finish that looks both modern and premium. Plus, with no fan inside, it runs completely silently.
Display and Graphics
The MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch (34.5cm) Retina display, which offers bright, sharp colors and impressive clarity. While it’s not the most stunning display Apple has to offer, it’s great for everyday use, from browsing the web to watching movies and more. The M2 chip also gives it decent integrated graphics for tasks like light photo editing or casual gaming, making it flexible.
Performance and Specifications
Powered by Apple’s M2 chip, the MacBook Air comes with an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. It’s a powerhouse for everyday tasks, like browsing, streaming, and working on documents. If you’re into light creative tasks like photo editing, you’ll find the M2 offers solid performance. You can get the MacBook Air with up to 24GB RAM, which is more than enough for most non-professional needs such as browsing the web, checking emails, using office productivity software (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs), streaming videos or music, casual photo editing, social media browsing, online shopping, basic coding or learning programming (for beginners).
Battery Life
One of the highlights of the M2 MacBook Air is its battery life. With up to 18 hours of video playback and up to 15 hours of web browsing, it’s designed to keep you going all day long. Whether you’re working online, studying, or just enjoying contents, you won’t need to worry about constantly charging it.
Price and Value
Starting at $1,099, the M2 MacBook Air offers excellent value for anyone looking for a reliable laptop that balances performance and portability. It’s the go-to choice if you don’t want to break the bank but still need a laptop that can handle most tasks with ease.
2. Overview of the M4 MacBook Pro
Design and Build Quality
The M4 MacBook Pro is a bit bulkier, weighing 3.5 pounds (1.6kg) and featuring a well design that’s built for professionals who demand more power. While it’s not as portable as the Air, the MacBook Pro is still fairly light for a high-performance laptop, making it a great option for anyone who needs a more durable device for work or creative projects.
Display and Graphics
The MacBook Pro’s 14.2-inches (36.068 cm) Liquid Retina XDR display is a game-changer. With better color accuracy, deeper blacks, and brighter highlights, this screen is designed for creatives who work with high-end visuals, like video editors or photographers. The Pro also comes with ProMotion technology, which means you get a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, perfect for smooth scrolling, gaming, or video editing.
Performance and Specifications
Under the hood, the M4 MacBook Pro packs the M4 chip with an 8-core CPU and up to a 32-core GPU, making it swiftly ahead in performance compared to the MacBook Air. If you’re into video editing, 3D modeling, or running intensive software, the M4 will handle everything you throw at it with ease. It also supports up to 64GB RAM, which is a major plus for professionals who need a powerful machine for heavy multitasking such as video editing, managing large files, using virtual machines, Engineering softwares or running multiple apps at once.
Battery Life
Despite the power it packs, the M4 MacBook Pro still manages impressive battery life. With up to 17 hours of video playback, it’s slightly less than the Air, but it’s still more than enough for a full day of work, creative projects, or entertainment. It’s designed to last, even under heavy usage.
Price and Value
The M4 MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, which is a significant jump from the M2 MacBook Air. However, for those needing maximum performance, the price is justified. The MacBook Pro offers features like a higher-resolution display, better graphics, and far superior power, making it worth the investment if you’re looking for a laptop that can handle demanding tasks.
3. Performance Comparison: M2 vs M4
The M2 MacBook Air is excellent for day-to-day tasks such as web browsing, office work, and light creative endeavors. However, the M4 MacBook Pro shines when it comes to raw power. With its more powerful CPU and GPU, the M4 MacBook Pro is built for intensive tasks like 4K video editing, 3D modeling, and software development. If you’re into heavy multitasking or need a machine that can handle professional-grade workloads, the M4 is a clear winner.
For most users, the M2 MacBook Air is more than enough, but if you require top-tier performance, especially for creative or tech-heavy jobs, the M4 MacBook Pro will serve you better in the long run.
4. Display Comparison
While both devices offer stunning displays, the M4 MacBook Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR display is on another level. It’s perfect for anyone working in creative fields where color accuracy and high dynamic range (HDR) are important. If you’re a photographer, videographer, or designer, the M4’s display will give you an edge when it comes to working on visuals.
On the other hand, the M2 MacBook Air’s Retina display is more than capable for casual users. It doesn’t offer the same level of brilliance and color accuracy as the MacBook Pro, but it’s more than enough for watching movies, casual browsing, and office work.
5. Battery Life: Which Lasts Longer?
The M2 MacBook Air is the clear winner here, with up to 18 hours of video playback. This is ideal for anyone who needs to work on the go and doesn’t want to constantly search for a charging outlet. While the M4 MacBook Pro offers solid battery life as well (up to 17 hours of video playback), its focus on power and performance means that it may drain faster under heavy workloads.
6. Which One is Right for You?
M2 MacBook Air – Perfect for:
- Students and professionals who need a lightweight, affordable, and reliable laptop for everyday tasks.
- Those who don’t need top-tier graphics or processing power but still want something that can handle basic creative work.
- Anyone on a budget who doesn’t want to compromise on portability.
M4 MacBook Pro – Perfect for:
- Professionals in creative fields (video editing, 3D modeling, graphic design) who need the absolute best in terms of performance and display.
- Users who run resource-heavy applications and need a laptop that can handle demanding software with ease.
- Those willing to invest in a laptop that will last for years and handle any task.
Conclusion
Choosing between the M2 MacBook Air and the M4 MacBook Pro ultimately depends on your needs. If you’re looking for a lightweight, affordable laptop that can handle daily tasks and some light creative work, the M2 MacBook Air is an excellent choice. But if you’re a professional or creative who needs a machine capable of running demanding applications, the M4 MacBook Pro offers superior performance, display, and power.
Both are fantastic devices, so consider what matters most to you, whether it’s portability, performance, or display and make your choice based on that.
FAQs
1. Can I use M2 MacBook Air for video editing?
Yes, the M2 MacBook Air is capable of handling video editing for basic to intermediate tasks. However, if you’re editing high-resolution videos or working with advanced effects, the M4 MacBook Pro is a better choice due to its superior graphics and processing power.
2. What’s the difference between the M2 and M4 chips?
The M4 chip is more powerful than the M2, offering improved CPU and GPU performance. This makes the M4 better for demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D modeling, and running professional software. The M2, while still fast, is more suited for everyday tasks and light creative work.
3. Is the M4 MacBook Pro worth the extra cost over the M2 MacBook Air?
If you need top-tier performance, especially for creative or professional work, the M4 MacBook Pro justifies the higher price with its superior display, more powerful chip, and additional features. However, if you’re on a budget and only need a laptop for everyday tasks, the M2 MacBook Air is a more affordable and adequate option.
4. Does the M2 MacBook Air support ProMotion?
No, the M2 MacBook Air does not feature ProMotion. ProMotion is exclusive to the M4 MacBook Pro and offers a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, which is great for tasks like video editing and gaming.
5. Which MacBook has better battery life?
The M2 MacBook Air offers better battery life with up to 18 hours of video playback, compared to the M4 MacBook Pro’s 17 hours. Both laptops are excellent in terms of battery life, but the Air lasts a bit longer due to its more energy-efficient design.
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