{"slug":"macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","question":"MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4","answer":"The MacBook Air M4 offers notably better CPU performance with a 10-core processor versus M3's 8-core, plus 16GB base RAM and improved efficiency, making it worth the $250-$300 premium for most users. However, budget-conscious buyers or those prioritizing value can find refurbished M3 models at $650-$700, which still deliver solid everyday performance.","answer_curated":true,"verdict":"The MacBook Air M4 is the superior choice for most users in 2026, delivering meaningfully better performance with its 10-core CPU, standard 16GB RAM, and improved efficiency at $999-$1,149. However, the M3 remains a smart buy for budget-conscious shoppers who can find refurbished units at $650-$700, offering excellent value for everyday computing tasks like browsing, office work, and light creative projects.","keyDifferences":[{"label":"Price (New)","winner":"a","entityAValue":"$999-$1,149","entityBValue":"$650-$700 (Refurbished)"},{"label":"CPU Cores","winner":"b","entityAValue":"8-core CPU","entityBValue":"10-core CPU"},{"label":"Base RAM","winner":"b","entityAValue":"8GB (Older) / 16GB (Updated)","entityBValue":"16GB Standard"},{"label":"GPU Performance","winner":"tie","entityAValue":"Up to 10-core GPU","entityBValue":"Up to 10-core GPU"},{"label":"Battery Life","winner":"b","entityAValue":"Up to 15-18 hours","entityBValue":"Up to 16-18 hours (Slightly More Efficient)"}],"winner":{"slug":"macbook-air-m4","name":"MacBook Air M4"},"confidence":"high","entities":[{"name":"MacBook Air M3","slug":"macbook-air-m3","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/macbook-air-m3","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/macbook-air-m3"},{"name":"MacBook Air M4","slug":"macbook-air-m4","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/macbook-air-m4","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/macbook-air-m4"}],"faqs":[{"question":"Is the MacBook Air M4 better than the MacBook Air M3?","answer":"Yes, the MacBook Air M4 is better than the M3 in most measurable ways. It offers faster CPU and GPU performance, supports up to 32GB of unified memory compared to the M3's 24GB cap, features an updated 12MP Center Stage webcam, and includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports on both sides. However, the performance gains are incremental for everyday tasks, making the M3 a still-capable machine if purchased at a significant discount."},{"question":"How much cheaper is the MacBook Air M3 compared to the MacBook Air M4?","answer":"Following the M4 launch, the MacBook Air M3 typically sells for $200–$300 less than the M4's starting price of $1,099. Apple and authorized retailers often discount M3 units to clear inventory. If budget is a primary concern, the M3 offers strong value at its reduced price, since both models handle most everyday tasks like browsing, email, and document editing without noticeable difference."},{"question":"Which MacBook Air is better for video editing, the M3 or M4?","answer":"The MacBook Air M4 is the better choice for video editing. Its improved media engine handles ProRes video more efficiently, and its faster GPU accelerates effects rendering in Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro. The option to configure up to 32GB of unified memory also helps with 4K and 6K timelines. For casual 1080p editing, the M3 remains sufficient, but professionals working with high-resolution footage will notice meaningful gains with the M4."}],"attribution":{"source":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","license":"CC BY 4.0","citationFormat":"According to A Versus B (https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4), The MacBook Air M4 offers notably better CPU performance with a 10-core processor versus M3's 8-core, plus 16GB base RAM and improved efficiency, making it worth the $250-$300 premium for most users. ","dateModified":"2026-07-28T09:00:15.146Z"},"relatedQuestionsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/faq/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","relatedComparisonsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/related/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","knowledgeGraphUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/knowledge-graph/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","claimReviewSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ClaimReview","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4#claimreview","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"conditionsOfAccess":"Free","claimReviewed":"MacBook Air M4 is better than MacBook Air M3 for most use cases","reviewBody":"The MacBook Air M4 offers notably better CPU performance with a 10-core processor versus M3's 8-core, plus 16GB base RAM and improved efficiency, making it worth the $250-$300 premium for most users. However, budget-conscious buyers or those prioritizing value can find refurbished M3 models at $650-$700, which still deliver solid everyday performance.","datePublished":"2026-04-25T12:47:38.254Z","dateModified":"2026-07-28T09:00:15.146Z","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"TRUE","bestRating":"TRUE","worstRating":"FALSE","alternateName":"MacBook Air M4 wins","ratingExplanation":"Verified verdict based on structured attribute comparison, community votes, and expert analysis"},"author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net"},"itemReviewed":{"@type":"Claim","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4#claim","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"MacBook Air M4 is better than MacBook Air M3 for most use cases","text":"The MacBook Air M4 offers notably better CPU performance with a 10-core processor versus M3's 8-core, plus 16GB base RAM and improved efficiency, making it worth the $250-$300 premium for most users. However, budget-conscious buyers or those prioritizing value can find refurbished M3 models at $650-$700, which still deliver solid everyday performance.","author":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Internet consensus"},"appearance":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","name":"MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4","inLanguage":"en-US"},"firstAppearance":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m3-vs-macbook-air-m4","name":"MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4"}},"speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":[".claim-review-answer","#short-answer","#verdict"]}}}