M3 vs. M4

[Jarousin]

Hi all, I need to pickup a MBA for graduate school research. I'll be doing the basics - lots of Chrome tabs and Office apps. I have been using Windows for a few years but would like something with a large screen and great battery life. I will be keeping my Windows laptop for advanced Excel and other Windows only applications.

I had my eye on the Space Grey 15" MBA for several months. I like how it looks good in an office environment. I'm not a fan of colorful or light laptops. I know this might sound ridiculous, but I'm thinking of ordering a M3 15" MBA for $100 less through a third party retailer. I don't really care about the camera upgrade and only use 2 monitors with the laptop closed at most. How big is the difference between M3 and M4? Is it stupid to buy the M3 version at a discount because I prefer the color?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Apple_Robert]

The difference between the M3 and m4 is minimal. There is nothing wrong with getting the M3 at a good price.

 

[Howard2k]

25% give or take. It depends what you're doing.

Although the NPE on the M4 is a huge step forwards, which will likely lead to Apple, at some point, saying "these Apple Intelligence features are M4 only"

 

[Jarousin]

Lots of Chrome tabs for research, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. I saw the 25% performance jump, but I went to the Apple store yesterday and compared a M4 MBP and the existing M3 Air, and couldn't really see a difference. I just prefer the darker, plainer look of Space Grey. I know it sounds ridiculous but figured might as well get the color I want for a little cheaper if the difference won't matter to me.

 

[russell_314]

Hi all, I need to pickup a MBA for graduate school research. I'll be doing the basics - lots of Chrome tabs and Office apps. I have been using Windows for a few years but would like something with a large screen and great battery life. I will be keeping my Windows laptop for advanced Excel and other Windows only applications.

I had my eye on the Space Grey 15" MBA for several months. I like how it looks good in an office environment. I'm not a fan of colorful or light laptops. I know this might sound ridiculous, but I'm thinking of ordering a M3 15" MBA for $100 less through a third party retailer. I don't really care about the camera upgrade and only use 2 monitors with the laptop closed at most. How big is the difference between M3 and M4? Is it stupid to buy the M3 version at a discount because I prefer the color?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

There’s nothing wrong with buying the M3 because it will do everything you need it to do. However, if you have any intent to keep the laptop for an extended period of time, the M4 will get updates longer.

My question is are you saying it’s $100 cheaper to buy the M3 from a third-party retailer versus buying a brand new M4? For $100 I would buy the M4. It would take at least $200 for me to consider it. Of course $100 to you may not be the same as $100 to me. If you’ve saved up for months then maybe $100 is significant.

This reminds me of a friend that bought a laptop and the only spec she based her purchase on was the laptop was pink. I guess if the other colors really bother you then it’s not going to be a huge downgrade or anything. I feel like you should get a better deal than $100 cheaper than the latest model.

 

[Jarousin]

There’s nothing wrong with buying the M3 because it will do everything you need it to do. However, if you have any intent to keep the laptop for an extended period of time, the M4 will get updates longer.

My question is are you saying it’s $100 cheaper to buy the M3 from a third-party retailer versus buying a brand new M4? For $100 I would buy the M4. It would take at least $200 for me to consider it. Of course $100 to you may not be the same as $100 to me. If you’ve saved up for months then maybe $100 is significant.

This reminds me of a friend that bought a laptop and the only spec she based her purchase on was the laptop was pink. I guess if the other colors really bother you then it’s not going to be a huge downgrade or anything. I feel like you should get a better deal than $100 cheaper than the latest model.

Thanks for your feedback. There is an Apple refurb that ends up being $200 cheaper - 1099 for the 16/512. That same config on M4 would be 1299.

 

[russell_314]

Thanks for your feedback. There is an Apple refurb that ends up being $200 cheaper - 1099 for the 16/512. That same config on M4 would be 1299.

So you’re going from new current model to refurbished previous model for $200.

It bugs me how small of a price drop this is however, it’s still saving $200. If that’s a consideration, then I don’t think you’re going to be unhappy with M3. I have the M2 and while I really want to upgrade, it’s only for the stupid blue and I just can’t do it right now. I feel like that’s silly. I like the blue so much but to me that’s a waste of money.

If you like the M3 go for it. There’s not going to be some feature that requires M4. I’m sure there is some speed difference if you’re doing heavy tasks, but I would likely bet money that doing normal tasks like browsing the web there’s likely no noticeable difference. Even on things that there will be a difference like editing videos it’s not like you’re on a deadline working for Disney to get things done. most people are not going to be under such time constraints where taking an extra three minutes to render a video will cause them problems.

 

[Howard2k]

If you like the M3 go for it. There’s not going to be some feature that requires M4.

Given the difference in NPE on M3 vs M4, I fully expect that to become a differentiator for Apple Intelligence features at some point.

 

[aleni]

Given the difference in NPE on M3 vs M4, I fully expect that to become a differentiator for Apple Intelligence features at some point.

what's NPE?

 

[Howard2k]

what's NPE?

Neural Processing Engine.

 

[JuliaJoanneBlack]

M3 MBA new owner here. The machine is fantastic for school-related tasks. Recommend it.

 

[StoneJack]

Hi all, I need to pickup a MBA for graduate school research. I'll be doing the basics - lots of Chrome tabs and Office apps. I have been using Windows for a few years but would like something with a large screen and great battery life. I will be keeping my Windows laptop for advanced Excel and other Windows only applications.

I had my eye on the Space Grey 15" MBA for several months. I like how it looks good in an office environment. I'm not a fan of colorful or light laptops. I know this might sound ridiculous, but I'm thinking of ordering a M3 15" MBA for $100 less through a third party retailer. I don't really care about the camera upgrade and only use 2 monitors with the laptop closed at most. How big is the difference between M3 and M4? Is it stupid to buy the M3 version at a discount because I prefer the color?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

main difference is in video encoding and image processing speed. Other than that, M3 and M4 are pretty identical in everything. you are not going to open 25% more Chrome tabs because you use M4 - M3 will handle all those academic tasks easily. So save some money and after few years you can invest into M6 or whatever is latest.

 

[jeffmr4]

While the M4 is a pretty big jump in processing power from the M3, its nothing you will notice unless you are doing work that requires high performance. Go with what you like. : )

 

[drrich2]

I have various questions, but to start with, could someone advise which ports I should use on the monitor and the MacMini

You might consider adding a 'shell' or skin if the color disagrees with you. I bought a shell for my old 2017 12" MacBook - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GH49C7B?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_10 (no longer available, but you can see what it was).

There are also skin options, like these vinyl (IIRC) skins from Mighty Skins.

My point it, you can make it look how you want, you're not stuck with looking at the original color, and some options may offer some limited protection (e.g.: from scratches; don't plan on dropping it).

 

[Technerd108]

You are a graduate student. So this might be the last personal computer you buy for a while depending on a lot of variables but possibly this is the case.

You are going to want something to last as long as possible both in terms of software support and in terms of speed, processing power. I would say you should get a 14" M4 MBP but if 15" air is better suited for your needs I would certainly recommend a grad student spend the extra $100 for the latest processor.

If you had your life set up, good job, home or condo or apartment, car, etc then buying certain things on a sort of regular basis depending on what life throws at you. As someone still in school none of these variables have been set up yet so I would assume that you want the best device you can get for a while since you may not be able to upgrade for while. If the cost is similar then I would go for the M4 MBP 14" just because the screen sizes are all so similar and in a students case again having the best specs all around that one can afford are very important and I would cheap out. You will be thanking me for many years if you just spend a little extra as long as you use it as intended then the extra money will pay for itself later on.

I have an air and love it so don't get me wrong. I am not saying don't buy and air. Just make sure $100 again is not making a choice vs. the Pro has 120hz pro motion, better color accuracy, better speakers, a fan if needed, more ports, etc vs the air is much more portable anti has better colors, and it has NO fans. People really don't understand how Nice it is not to hear ANY fans on my laptop no matter what I do. I will use a Windows laptop I have and as soon as I boot up until I shut it down fans are running. Sometimes I am doing practically nothing on the Windows laptops and the fans are just blasting and this is on a newer Intel Ultra processor vs my air that is cool and no fans??

So I am not saying to buy this or buy that. You decide what is best for you and in your budget and I have been worried about spending so much money and wanted to cut a corner here or there so it would be more affordable and regretted it later. Better to spend a little more on M4 than m3 or a little more on M4 14" MBP vs 15" air if that is what you prefer or buying the right m4 MBA with enough ram and storage within a budget. I think ram is most important consideration since external drives are cheap and plentiful or cloud storage for college. I mean if any situation was perfect for cloud storage University is perfect. Good luck whatever you decide. I am sure you can't go wrong either way!