With more Apple products being released, the M2 MacBook Air and M4 MacBook Pro are both top contenders. But depending on their purpose, they cater to different kinds of users. This review takes a closer look at the M2 MacBook Air vs. M4 MacBook Pro, comparing their features, performance, and overall value to help you decide which one is the right fit for you.
1. Evaluation of the MacBook Air M2
Design Quality
The M2 MacBook Air is all about portability. With a weight of just 2.7 pounds (1.2247 kg), it’s incredibly lightweight and smooth, making it easy to carry around whether you are going to class, a meeting, or a coffee shop, etc. Its thin design and consistent aluminium finish give it a contemporary, high-end appearance. Plus, with no fan inside, it runs completely silently.
Graphics and Display
The MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch (34.5 cm) Retina display, which offers bright, sharp colours and impressive clarity. Even though it is not the most beautiful display Apple has to offer, it works well for daily tasks like web browsing and movie watching. Furthermore, the M2 chip’s strong integrated graphics make it adaptable to a variety of tasks, including light gaming and photo editing.
Specifications and Performance
Powered by Apple’s M2 chip, the MacBook Air comes with an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. It is a powerful tool for routine tasks like document editing, streaming, and browsing. For those who enjoy light creative tasks, such as editing photos, the M2 provides good performance. You can obtain The MacBook Air offers up to 24GB of RAM, providing more than enough power for everyday tasks. Emails, office tasks, streaming, social media, web browsing, and light photo editing are all handled with ease. Moreover, it supports simple programming and coding without any performance problems.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the M2 MacBook Air’s best features. It is built to last you the entire day, with up to 18 hours of video playback and up to 15 hours of web browsing. You will not have to worry about charging it all the time, whether you are working online, studying, or just enjoying content.
Price and Value
The M2 MacBook Air, which starts at $1,099, is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a reliable laptop that balances portability and performance. If you need a laptop that can easily handle most of your tasks without breaking the bank, this is the best option.
2. Review of the M4 MacBook Pro
Design Quality
The M4 MacBook Pro has a well-designed design and is a little bulkier, weighing 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg). It is intended for professionals who require more power. The MacBook Pro is still reasonably light for a high-performance laptop, which makes it a great choice for anyone who needs a more durable device for work or creative projects, even though it is not as portable as the Air.
Graphics and Display
The MacBook Pro’s 14.2-inch (36.068 cm) Liquid Retina XDR display is a game-changer. With better colour accuracy, deeper blacks, and brighter highlights, this screen is designed for creatives who work with high-end visuals, like video editors or photographers. Additionally, the Pro has ProMotion technology, which provides a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate ideal for video editing, gaming, and fluid scrolling.
Specifications and Performance
Performance-wise, the M4 MacBook Pro is much better than the MacBook Air thanks to its internal M4 chip, which has an 8-core CPU and a 32-core GPU. Whether you are using intensive software, 3D modelling, or video editing, the M4 can easily handle any task you put it through. Additionally, it has 64GB of RAM, which is a huge plus for professionals who require a powerful computer for demanding multitasking tasks like managing large files, editing videos, using virtual machines, running multiple apps at once, or using engineering software.
Battery Life
The M4 MacBook Pro maintains an impressive battery life in spite of its powerful processing capabilities. It is a little less than the Air in terms of video playback time (17 hours), but still more than sufficient for a full day of work, artistic endeavours, or leisure. It is made to last, even when used frequently.
Price and Value
The MacBook Pro is significantly more expensive than the MacBook Air, with a starting price of $1,999. Nonetheless, the cost is reasonable for individuals who require optimal performance. If you are looking for a laptop that can handle demanding tasks, the MacBook Pro, with features like a higher resolution display, better graphics, and far superior power, is worth the investment.
3. M2 vs. M4 Performance Comparison
For daily tasks like web browsing, office work, and light creative endeavours, the M2 MacBook Air is great. But when it comes to raw power, the M4 MacBook Pro is exceptional. The M4 MacBook Pro is designed for demanding tasks like software development, 3D modelling, and 4K video editing because of its more potent CPU and GPU. The M4 is a definite winner if you need a computer that can manage workloads of a professional calibre or prefer to multitask.
The M2 MacBook Air is more than sufficient for the majority of users; however, if you need superior performance, particularly for creative or tech-intensive jobs, the M4 MacBook Pro will be a better long-term option.
4. Display Comparison
Both devices have beautiful screens, but the Liquid Retina XDR display on the M4 MacBook Pro is superior. It is ideal for anyone working in creative fields where high dynamic range (HDR) and colour accuracy are crucial. The M4’s display will help you when working on visuals if you are a photographer, videographer, or designer.
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 colour accuracy as the MacBook Pro, but it’s more than enough for watching movies, casual browsing, and office work.
5. Which Has a Longer Battery Life?
With up to 18 hours of video playback, the M2 MacBook Air is the undisputed winner in this category. For anyone who needs to work while on the go and does not want to look for a charging outlet all the time, this is perfect. Although the M4 MacBook Pro has a good battery life as well (up to 17 hours of video playback), heavy workloads may cause it to drain more quickly due to its emphasis on power and performance.
6. What is the best option for you?
M2 MacBook Air—Perfect for:
- Professionals and students who require a dependable, reasonably priced, and lightweight laptop for daily work.
- People who wish to use a device capable of handling simple creative tasks but do not require high-end graphics or performance.
- Those on a tight budget who do not want to give up portability.
M4 MacBook Pro—Perfect for:
- Professionals in creative fields (video editing, 3D modelling, 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 MacBook Air and the 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 modelling, 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.
