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.
MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Apple's mid-range MacBook with 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU for everyday computing.
Apple's latest MacBook with faster 10-core CPU and up to 16-core GPU for demanding creative and AI work.
Price (New). CPU Cores. Base RAM. GPU Performance. Battery Life. Multi-tasking & Apps. Design & Display. Value Proposition. GPU Cores. Memory Bandwidth. Display
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.
MacBook Air M3: $1,199 | MacBook Air M4: $1,099
MacBook Air M3: 2.7 | MacBook Air M4: 2.7-3.0 lbs
MacBook Air M3: Up to 18 | MacBook Air M4: Up to 16 hours
MacBook Air M3: 2,524 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: $1,199 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: Apple M3 (8-core CPU) | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 2,550 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 10,200 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 8GB | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 13.6-inch | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 2.7 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 52.6Wh (13.6-inch) | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 15-18 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 1 external display | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 15W | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 8.5 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 12 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 8 cores | MacBook Air M4: 10 cores
MacBook Air M3: 8GB unified memory | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 24GB | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 13.6 inches | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 60Hz | MacBook Air M4: N/A
CPU Performance (Geekbench 6 Multi-Core)
MacBook Air M3: 12,100 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 21,500 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 30W | MacBook Air M4: 22W
MacBook Air M3: 15-17 | MacBook Air M4: 16-18 hours
MacBook Air M3: $1,099 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 45% faster (with hardware encoder) | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 24GB | MacBook Air M4: 24GB
MacBook Air M3: 8 cores | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 120 GB/s | MacBook Air M4: 192 GB/s
MacBook Air M3: 2.8 lbs | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 0 (USB-C adapters required) | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 10-15 min (throttling) | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: Up to 8 cores | MacBook Air M4: Up to 10 cores
MacBook Air M3: 2,400 points | MacBook Air M4: 2,650
MacBook Air M3: 9,800 points | MacBook Air M4: 10,200
MacBook Air M3: 15-18 hours | MacBook Air M4: 18-20 hours
Video Export Time (4K 30fps, 5-min clip)
MacBook Air M3: 165 seconds | MacBook Air M4: 120 seconds
MacBook Air M3: 85°C | MacBook Air M4: 65°C
MacBook Air M3: 10-core | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 10,180 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 16 hours | MacBook Air M4: 18 hours
MacBook Air M3: 25W | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 13-inch, 15-inch, 17-inch | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 8-core | MacBook Air M4: 10-core
MacBook Air M3: 2,445 | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 60 Hz | MacBook Air M4: N/A
MacBook Air M3: 18 | MacBook Air M4: 19 hours avg
MacBook Air M3: 2,988 | MacBook Air M4: 3,745
MacBook Air M3: 7,245 points | MacBook Air M4: 10,890 points
MacBook Air M3: 256 GB | MacBook Air M4: 256 GB
MacBook Air M3: 24 GB | MacBook Air M4: 32 GB
MacBook Air M3: 18 hours | MacBook Air M4: 18 hours
MacBook Air M3: $1,099 | MacBook Air M4: $1,199
MacBook Air M3: 10-core GPU | MacBook Air M4: 16-core GPU
MacBook Air M3: 16 TOPS | MacBook Air M4: 120 TOPS
MacBook Air M3: $1,199 | MacBook Air M4: $1,299
Processor Performance (Geekbench 6 Multi-core)
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: 10,000-12,000 (M4)
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: 8 GB
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: 256 GB SSD
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: 7-10 years
GPU Gaming Performance (3DMark Wildlife)
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: 2,500-3,200 (M4 GPU)
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: 8-core
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: 10-core
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: $1,199
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: 13.6" or 15.3" Liquid Retina
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: Baseline (M4)
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: 16GB
MacBook Air M3: N/A | MacBook Air M4: $1,099
How to choose between MacBook Air M3 and MacBook Air M4
Compare MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4
MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4. Contains 77 attribute comparisons, 10 FAQ pairs.
MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4.
Is the MacBook Air M4 better than the MacBook Air M3?
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.
How much cheaper is the MacBook Air M3 compared to the MacBook Air M4?
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.
Which MacBook Air is better for video editing, the M3 or M4?
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.
Should I buy the MacBook Air M3 or wait for the MacBook Air M4?
The MacBook Air M4 is already available, so there is no reason to wait. If you need a laptop now, the M4 is the smarter long-term investment due to better performance, higher memory ceiling, and longer software support lifecycle. The M3 is worth buying only if you find it at a steep discount of $250 or more. Otherwise, the M4's improvements in speed, memory, and connectivity justify its slightly higher starting price.
Does the MacBook Air M4 have better battery life than the MacBook Air M3?
The MacBook Air M4 offers marginally better real-world battery life than the M3, despite both Apple models being rated for up to 18 hours. The M4 chip's improved power efficiency means it sustains performance longer under mixed workloads like video streaming, web browsing, and light productivity. In daily use, most users report one to two additional hours on the M4, though both laptops easily last a full workday on a single charge.
Should I upgrade from MacBook Air M3 to MacBook Air M4?
For most M3 Air owners, the MacBook Air M4 upgrade is not worth it yet. The M4 chip offers approximately 20–25% CPU improvement and 25–35% GPU improvement over M3 in benchmarks, but real-world day-to-day tasks feel largely identical. The upgrade makes sense if: (a) you are coming from an Intel Mac and jumping to M4, which is a transformative upgrade; (b) you need more unified memory (M4 Air offers 16GB base vs M3's 8GB base, and up to 32GB vs M3's 24GB max); or (c) you find a compelling trade-in or discount. If you bought an M3 Air in 2024, the money saved by skipping M4 and waiting for M5 (expected 2026–2027) will likely be worth more than the M4's incremental gains over your current machine.
How much faster is the MacBook Air M4 vs M3 in real-world use?
Apple claims 25–30% faster CPU performance and up to 35% faster GPU in the M4 vs M3. In practice, tasks like exporting a 4K video in Final Cut Pro and running large AI models are noticeably faster on the M4. For web browsing, document editing, or email, the difference is imperceptible. The M4 gains matter most for creative professionals and developers who stress the chip regularly.
Is the MacBook Air M4 worth the premium over the M3 in 2026?
Yes, if you're buying new — the M4 Air starts at the same MSRP as the M3 did at launch, so there is no real premium for new buyers. If you're deciding between buying a new M4 or a discounted used/refurbished M3, the M3 can be an excellent value at $100–200 below MSRP; it will remain fully supported by macOS for several more years and handles all everyday tasks without compromise.
Does the MacBook Air M4 have more RAM than the M3?
Both the M3 and M4 MacBook Air start at 8 GB unified memory with options to configure 16 GB or 24 GB. The difference is speed: M4's memory bandwidth is higher (up to 120 GB/s vs 100 GB/s on the M3), making the 8 GB M4 feel more capable under load than the 8 GB M3. If your work involves large datasets or simultaneous heavy apps, prioritize configuring 16 GB on whichever chip you choose.
Will Apple support the MacBook Air M3 as long as the M4?
Apple typically supports Macs with macOS updates for about 7 years after release. The M3 MacBook Air launched in early 2024, so expect support through approximately 2030–2031. The M4 Air (2025) extends that window to around 2032. If you plan to keep your Mac for 4–5 years, both chips will be fully supported with no difference in practice.
How to Choose Between MacBook Air M3 and MacBook Air M4
Price (New): MacBook Air M3 has $999-$1,149, while MacBook Air M4 has $650-$700 (Refurbished).
CPU Cores: MacBook Air M3 has 8-core CPU, while MacBook Air M4 has 10-core CPU.
Base RAM: MacBook Air M3 has 8GB (Older) / 16GB (Updated), while MacBook Air M4 has 16GB Standard.
GPU Performance: MacBook Air M3 has Up to 10-core GPU, while MacBook Air M4 has Up to 10-core GPU.
Battery Life: MacBook Air M3 has Up to 15-18 hours, while MacBook Air M4 has Up to 16-18 hours (Slightly More Efficient).
Multi-tasking & Apps: MacBook Air M3 has Good for light-moderate workloads, while MacBook Air M4 has Better for heavy multitasking and creative work.
Design & Display: MacBook Air M3 has 13-inch & 15-inch, 500 nits, Liquid Retina, while MacBook Air M4 has 13-inch & 15-inch, 500 nits, Liquid Retina.
Value Proposition: MacBook Air M3 has Best budget option, excellent refurbished deals, while MacBook Air M4 has Best overall performance-to-price ratio for new purchases.
MacBook Air M3 is better than 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. However, budget-conscious buyers or those prioritizing value can find refurbished M3 models at $650-