Buying advice: 15" MacBook Air M2 vs 14" Macbook Pro M3

[DHagan4755]

Up until Monday I had been exclusively eyeing the 15" M2 (16GB+512GB) but after the announcement, I'm at least considering the MBP M3. At the moment, Best Buy has the 15" M2 for $1,499 or I can use the Apple EDU store to get the MBP M3 with the same RAM/SSD configuration for $1,679. My workload is largely browser-based (Typically 2 instances of a browser, with 10-15 tabs open on average), some 3D modeling/slicing from time to time. About 70% of its usage, it'll be connected to an external display (at work) and 30% for at home usage, so I'm not sure if having a larger display in the 15" MBA or having a better displays in the 14" MBP necessarily matters either way. Hoping to get about 4 years of usage out of it. My question is, for fairly moderate usage, would it be worth spending the additional $179 for the MBP over the MBA? TYIA

Ooooo that's a tough one! Well the performance of the 14" MacBook Pro M3 is going to be better than the 15" MacBook Air. Plus the M2 was introduced in July 2022. It seems like a 15" MacBook Air with M3 is coming in the spring if you can hold out for that.

 

[Buadhai]

• I got the maxed out RAM with 24 GB and this seems, according to the activity monitor, to be a sweet spot with nearly no swapping (in my use case).

When I bought the base model (8/256) M1 MBA I was concerted about swaps. Turned out I needn't have been. The following is a top grab taken with 13 apps open including a bunch of tabs in Safari, a 1080p video playing on QuickTime Player from a networked drive and editing a photo with Graphic Converter.

Processes: 414 total, 2 running, 412 sleeping, 1997 threads            06:42:15
Load Avg: 2.11, 2.55, 3.62  CPU usage: 6.91% user, 4.9% sys, 88.99% idle
MemRegions: 108840 total, 1893M resident, 0B private, 1059M shared.
PhysMem: 7549M used (1395M wired, 2450M compressor), 79M unused.
VM: 159T vsize, 0B framework vsize, 65778(0) swapins, 135276(0) swapouts.
Networks: packets: 26711930/34G in, 4155691/1003M out.
Disks: 63836371/845G read, 8339168/173G written.

Not a single swap with all that going on. I believe that the swaps shown in top happened yesterday while compiling updated ports from MacPorts.

 

[HuskyRob]

I purchased a MBA 15 (8 ram 512gb) a couple of weeks ago - still within my return window so have dilemma. This was everything I wanted from a laptop and the 15 inch up from my old 2016 13 inch MBP is an absolute delight for my aging eyes. To be honest the screen looks just as good if not better, the speakers are better and I love the form factor and Midnight colour.

But Apple have thrown a spanner in the works with the base M3. Aaahh, what to do. If it was 15 I would have no hesitation in returning the MBA…is the 14 going to be noticeably smaller than the 15?

The MBA is more than up to my uses and the 15 inch with word processing and spreadsheets is great.

I do a little light gaming (older Total War games etc), but mostly it is work stuff, internet, music and films.

That MBP screen is sure tempting though.

 

[Aggedor]

Performance wise they're going to be quite similar as the gains from M2 to M3 are pretty modest overall, so that leaves display size/quality and I/O as the primary deciding factors. 120Hz, mini-LED and an HDMI port that can support an external monitor at 4K/120Hz is indeed worth the extra $179 to me.

The M2 MacBook Air can support 4k at 120Hz or higher via USB-C. All you need is a USB-C to HDMI cable for the external display.

 

[Buadhai]

Screens - During cataract surgery I had extended depth of focus lenses implanted. These enable me to go glasses-free in most situations. The exceptions are screens. The iPhone 14 Pro is fine. The iPad Mini 6 is mostly fine as is the 21” Intel iMac. But, I need reading glasses when using my M1 MBA. Would the screen on the M3 MBP be easier to read than the M1 MBA? As good as the iPhone?

Note that I’ve tried many screen adjustments on the MBA: more bright, less bright, reduced contrast, etc. the only thing that really works is dark mode with apps that support it.

 

[dizmonk]

I purchased a MBA 15 (8 ram 512gb) a couple of weeks ago - still within my return window so have dilemma. This was everything I wanted from a laptop and the 15 inch up from my old 2016 13 inch MBP is an absolute delight for my aging eyes. To be honest the screen looks just as good if not better, the speakers are better and I love the form factor and Midnight colour.

But Apple have thrown a spanner in the works with the base M3. Aaahh, what to do. If it was 15 I would have no hesitation in returning the MBA…is the 14 going to be noticeably smaller than the 15?

The MBA is more than up to my uses and the 15 inch with word processing and spreadsheets is great.

I do a little light gaming (older Total War games etc), but mostly it is work stuff, internet, music and films.

That MBP screen is sure tempting though.

Having had a 14 MBP m1 (which I sold to get the 15 MBA), my experience is that the 15 has a much better form factor and is easier to type on. The one change to me, about the m3 14 is the increased battery life. When I had both the 14 M1 and the 15 MBA I was getting 2-3 hours more battery on the Air. If you go with Apple's claims, the m3 14 has the same battery life as the m2 15 MBA.

And yes to your earlier point, the 14 does feel significantly smaller and more cramped than the 15.

 

[HuskyRob]

Having had a 14 MBP m1 (which I sold to get the 15 MBA), my experience is that the 15 has a much better form factor and is easier to type on. The one change to me, about the m3 14 is the increased battery life. When I had both the 14 M1 and the 15 MBA I was getting 2-3 hours more battery on the Air. If you go with Apple's claims, the m3 14 has the same battery life as the m2 15 MBA.

And yes to your earlier point, the 14 does feel significantly smaller and more cramped than the 15.

Thank you! That is an incredibly useful reply and highlights my concern. If the entry level MBP hadn’t dropped the starting price of the range I wouldn’t even be thinking about it. And every time I look at my midnight MBA 15 and the size of the screen I really arent sure if I would then regret going smaller. Thinking to stick with it…

 

[LoopsOfFury]

I sold my 16” M1 Max because it was heavy/cumbersome, and the fans were annoying when I played a game. Now I have a 15” MBA (16GB/1TB), 14” M2 Pro MBP, and a gaming PC. I basically only use the MBA or PC, with the MBP as backup in case one of the seven other computers in our family stops working.

Here’s what I prefer about the 15” MBA: bigger screen, bigger trackpad, better keyboard, no fan, beautiful color (Midnight).

Here’s what I prefer about the 14” MBP: Supports two external monitors, better fps in gaming (though that’s pretty much all on my PC now).

I use AirPods 99% of the time I’m not connected to a monitor (which uses desktop speakers), so I don’t really have much to say about either laptop’s speakers - other than noting they’re both inferior to the 16” MBP.

Both support my 4K monitors at 144Hz just fine, but the MBA can only use one (vs. two for the MBP).

 

[dizmonk]

I sold my 16” M1 Max because it was heavy/cumbersome, and the fans were annoying when I played a game. Now I have a 15” MBA (16GB/1TB), 14” M2 Pro MBP, and a gaming PC. I basically only use the MBA or PC, with the MBP as backup in case one of the seven other computers in our family stops working.

Here’s what I prefer about the 15” MBA: bigger screen, bigger trackpad, better keyboard, no fan, beautiful color (Midnight).

Here’s what I prefer about the 14” MBP: Supports two external monitors, better fps in gaming (though that’s pretty much all on my PC now).

I use AirPods 99% of the time I’m not connected to a monitor (which uses desktop speakers), so I don’t really have much to say about either laptop’s speakers - other than noting they’re both inferior to the 16” MBP.

Both support my 4K monitors at 144Hz just fine, but the MBA can only use one (vs. two for the MBP).

That's very interesting that you sold the 16". Was it just because it was too heavy? That M1 Max must have been expensive. I'd be hesitant to get rid of it.

 

[dborja]

I have an M1 MBA with 512GB storage and 16GB RAM. It's been great for me. However, the battery capacity is now in the mid-80% area. It still has a decent trade-in value so I began eyeing the 15" MBA. The bigger screen and better specs looked attractive as I will be using it when I travel away from my home setup. To bring it up to 512GB storage and 16GB RAM, though, I would need to add $400. I was debating whether it was worth it as it doesn't seem to a big enough step to plunk down $$ and there were strong rumors of the M3's imminent release. With the 15" MBA being introduced just last August, I'm think that it would be about a year behind "state of the art" and a loss of a year of being supported.

Then the M3 MBPs were announced. Going to an M3, aside from yet more improvements over the M1, extends being supported further. I looked at the MBP M3 but for $200 more after upgrading RAM to 16GB, there's the MBP M3 Pro already with 18GB RAM and 512GB storage. Moreover, it has that third USB-C port on the right side and an HDMI port as well as an SD slot. Also, of course, better screen and audio specs. It supports two external monitors and comes in Space Black 😎 . I'm also planning to do more software development so the added horsepower would be welcome.

Bottom line: I have decided to trade my M1 MBA for an M3 Pro MBP.

 

[dizmonk]

I have an M1 MBA with 512GB storage and 16GB RAM. It's been great for me. However, the battery capacity is now in the mid-80% area. It still has a decent trade-in value so I began eyeing the 15" MBA. The bigger screen and better specs looked attractive as I will be using it when I travel away from my home setup. To bring it up to 512GB storage and 16GB RAM, though, I would need to add $400. I was debating whether it was worth it as it doesn't seem to a big enough step to plunk down $$ and there were strong rumors of the M3's imminent release. With the 15" MBA being introduced just last August, I'm think that it would be about a year behind "state of the art" and a loss of a year of being supported.

Then the M3 MBPs were announced. Going to an M3, aside from yet more improvements over the M1, extends being supported further. I looked at the MBP M3 but for $200 more after upgrading RAM to 16GB, there's the MBP M3 Pro already with 18GB RAM and 512GB storage. Moreover, it has that third USB-C port on the right side and an HDMI port as well as an SD slot. Also, of course, better screen and audio specs. It supports two external monitors and comes in Space Black 😎 . I'm also planning to do more software development so the added horsepower would be welcome.

Bottom line: I have decided to trade my M1 MBA for an M3 Pro MBP.

So what's going to be the bottom line price difference, if you don't mind my asking? Seems like a big jump.

 

[LoopsOfFury]

That's very interesting that you sold the 16". Was it just because it was too heavy? That M1 Max must have been expensive. I'd be hesitant to get rid of it.

It’s not that it was too heavy per se – more that I was uncomfortable tossing it on the bed, balancing it on the side of the couch, holding it one handed while walking around, etc. like I routinely do with the smaller MacBooks. I also thought if it accidentally caught on something while walking around (doorjamb, person, miscellaneous other object, etc.), the 16” would go flying and crash to the floor, while the smaller MacBooks would be easier to keep a grip on. Basically, the extra size and weight made it more stressful for everyday use.

Weight wasn’t the only problem though. While the fan noise was quieter than the old Intel MacBooks, it was still loud enough to be annoying. People who say they’re always silent or barely audible must never play games with them. I think the fans would also spin up occasionally while it was sitting somewhere with its vents covered, which is something I never have to worry about with the MBA.

 

[brsilb]

MBA 15 still only has WiFi 6 where MBP has WiFi 6E. If you have a 6E router there is a speed difference.

 

[HuskyRob]

MBA 15 still only has WiFi 6 where MBP has WiFi 6E. If you have a 6E router there is a speed difference.

I have a 6 router - how much of a difference does a 6e make (this is my MBA 15)

 

[dborja]

So what's going to be the bottom line price difference, if you don't mind my asking? Seems like a big jump.

A 15" M2 MBA with 512GB storage and 16GB RAM is $1699 MSRP and a 14" M3 Pro MBP comes with 512GB storage and 18GB RAM for $1999 MSRP. Factoring in sale prices and discounts at Best Buy, the MBA goes to $1499 and the MBP to $1899. However, the stock MBA at BB comes with a 35W dual power brick only and I'd have to shell out another $59 for the 70W brick since I need to use a power adapter extension cable (which I already have) for some of the places where I'll use the MacBook. So the net difference is $341. This for what improvements the MBP brings, postponing "obsolescence" and more demanding usage anticipated.

 

[Buadhai]

a 14" M3 Pro MBP comes with 512GB storage and 18GB RAM for $1999 MSRP. Factoring in sale prices and discounts at Best Buy, the MBA goes to $1499 and the MBP to $1899.

Do you really need the M3 Pro?

 

[dborja]

Do you really need the M3 Pro?

Not right now but my usage will be more demanding within a year. I just decided to make the jump now while the MBA has a decent trade-in value and since it's getting close to crossing the 80% battery capacity. I need good capacity as I am away from power outlets for extended periods when I'm on the road.

 

[joloriquelme]

In the recent years I've upgraded all my devices and ended with all of them having a 120 Hz display (iPhone 13 Pro, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro 14", etc.). Also my home TVs, my office Windows based-computer notebook (and external display), etc.

After that, it's my viewing standard. I will never buy a device with a 60 Hz display again. Having a high refresh rate display is a game changer, no matter what the size the device is. You can feel the speed, and you can't go back. Really. 60 Hz is a spec from 20 years ago.

So, that's why the MacBook Air (13" or 15") is not an option for me anymore. Also the iPhone 15 standard (no-Pro). Even the Apple external displays aren't a real option anymore.

 

[DesmoPilot]

Refurb M2 Pro would probably be better value than a M3 Pro.

 

[JustAnExpat]

I recommend the Pro because it has active cooling. The 3D rendering (usually) heats up the processors, so your machine can sustain its speed.

 

[JustAnExpat]

Note that I live in Thailand.

The 15" MBA 16/512 is 61,900 Thai Baht or about US$1734

The 14" M3 MBP 16/512 is 66,900 Thai Baht or about US$1874

I had been planning to replace my M1 MBA (8/256) with a 15" M2 MBA, but for US$140 more it seems I'm getting a much better machine; more than $140 worth. Yeah, smaller screen and heavier, but what am I not considering here?

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I think you identified the tradeoffs between the two. Smaller screen and "slightly" heavier are the tradeoffs.

If you're in Thailand on a tourist visa/ visa exempt, don't forget to get the VAT refund receipt from Apple. It's a 7% reduction (https://www.tourismthailand.org/Articles/plan-your-trip-vat-tax-refund) . Or if you don't need the Thai keyboard, take a quick trip to Singapore and buy it there and get the 8% VAT refund (https://www.visitsingapore.com/travel-guide-tips/tourist-information/gst-tax-refund/) .

 

[Buadhai]

If you're in Thailand on a tourist visa/ visa dont forget to get the VAT refund receipt from Apple. It's a 7% reduction

I live here. 18 years now.

 

[costica1234]

I have a similar dilemma but leaning towards the 14 inch Pro. I was playing with a 15 inch Air at the store the other week and was quite disappointed with the tactile feedback from the keyboard. Does the 14 inch Pro have better key travel? I will be upgrading from a good old 15 inch mid-2015 MBP which has a perfect keyboard in my opinion.

 

[arcite]

If PWM (Pulse-width-modulation) bothers you....go for the 15 Air.

 

[mbsdf9345992]

In the UK, with the same RAM and SSD size, there's only £100 difference between the M2 15" Air and the M3 14" Pro.

I'd been trying to get my wife to get a 15" Air to replace a 2013 15" Pro, but now it's a hard sell. I mean, unless you *really* like Starlight or Midnight, or *really* don't like PWM screens or fans, how is it possible to justify paying so much more per port, ppi, display Hz, CPU/GPU "horsepower" for the Air?

I get what people say about the Air having a nicer form factor, but I'd only buy one one sale now. Hoping Apple do something for Black Friday or something soon.