Previous-generation 13" and 15" ultrabook with 8-core CPU, up to 8-core GPU, and 8-core Neural Engine
Students, budget buyers, content consumers, light office workers, and anyone prioritizing cost savings over raw performance
Latest-generation 13" and 15" ultrabook with 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine
Professionals, content creators, developers, power users, students in technical fields, anyone doing video editing or 3D work, and users planning 5+ year ownership
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.
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.
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Choose MacBook Air M3 if
Students, budget buyers, content consumers, light office workers, and anyone prioritizing cost savings over raw performance
Choose MacBook Air M4 if
Professionals, content creators, developers, power users, students in technical fields, anyone doing video editing or 3D work, and users planning 5+ year ownership
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| Metric | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,099 | — | — |
| Weight(lbs) | 2.7 | — | — |
| Battery Life(hours) | Up to 18 | — | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.
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MacBook Air M3
$999-$1,149🏆
MacBook Air M4
$650-$700 (Refurbished)
MacBook Air M3
8-core CPU
MacBook Air M4
10-core CPU🏆
MacBook Air M3
8GB (Older) / 16GB (Updated)
MacBook Air M4
16GB Standard🏆
MacBook Air M3
Up to 10-core GPU
MacBook Air M4
Up to 10-core GPU
MacBook Air M3
Up to 15-18 hours
MacBook Air M4
Up to 16-18 hours (Slightly More Efficient)🏆
MacBook Air M3
Good for light-moderate workloads
MacBook Air M4
Better for heavy multitasking and creative work🏆
MacBook Air M3
13-inch & 15-inch, 500 nits, Liquid Retina
MacBook Air M4
13-inch & 15-inch, 500 nits, Liquid Retina
MacBook Air M3
Best budget option, excellent refurbished deals
MacBook Air M4
Best overall performance-to-price ratio for new purchases🏆
Yes, for most users. The M4's 10-core CPU, standard 16GB RAM, and better efficiency justify the premium, especially if purchasing new with warranty coverage. However, if you're budget-constrained and perform light tasks, a refurbished M3 at $650-$700 delivers excellent value. Consider your workload: creative professionals should choose M4; casual users can thrive with M3.
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| Attribute | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,099 | — |
| Weight(lbs) | 2.7 | — |
| Battery Life(hours) | Up to 18 | — |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes