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.