Apple MacBook Air 13-inch · Laptops

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3): Worth the Upgrade?

Skip This Upgrade

The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) does not justify the cost of upgrading from the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3). The improvements are marginal, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) remains a strong performer.

20

Upgrade Score

NewCurrent Generation
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) product image for Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) comparison

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

~$849.00★ 4.6/5.0
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PrevPrevious Generation
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) product image for Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) comparison

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)

~$899.00★ 4.6/5.0
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-$50

Price Difference

0

Rating Change

5

New Features

15

Features Removed

How the Scores Compare

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)→Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
Premium+84
0
→
84
Display-6
88
→
82
Performance-4
82
→
78
Battery+2
92
→
94
Portability-2
96
→
94
Value-2
84
→
82

Higher is better. Category-specific 0-100 scale. Lighter bar = Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3), highlighted bar = Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4).

What Changed

Added in the New Generation

  • +Apple M4
  • +256GB SSD
  • +60Hz standard
  • +Integrated
  • +18h Battery Life

Removed from Previous Generation

  • −Apple M3 chip
  • −13.6-inch Liquid Retina display
  • −Fanless silent design
  • −18-hour battery life
  • −MagSafe charging
  • −LEAN. MEAN. M3 MACHINE — With a powerful 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, the blazing-fast MacBook Air with M3 chip is a superportable laptop that sails through work and play.
  • −BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
  • −PORTABLE DESIGN — Lightweight and under half an inch thin, so you can take MacBook Air anywhere you go.
  • −UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Amazing, all-day battery life so you can leave the power adapter at home.
  • −A BRILLIANT DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors.
  • −LOOK SHARP, SOUND GREAT — Everything looks and sounds amazing with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, three mics, and four speakers with Spatial Audio.
  • −APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, from Microsoft 365 to Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.
  • −GET CONNECTED — MacBook Air features two Thunderbolt ports, a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and a MagSafe charging port. And connect up to two external displays with the laptop lid closed.
  • −IF YOU LOVE IPHONE, YOU’LL LOVE MAC — MacBook Air works like magic with your other Apple devices. Start an email on your iPhone and finish it on your Mac. Send text messages from your Mac. And much more.
  • −LEGAL DISCLAIMERS — This is a summary of the main product features. See below to learn more.

Specs at a Glance

SpecApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)
ProcessorApple M4 ChipApple M3
Storage256GB SSD256GB SSD
Display Size13-inch—
Display ResolutionCheck listing—
Display TypeVA—
Refresh Rate60Hz standard—
GPUIntegrated—
Battery Life18h Battery Life—
Weight2.7 lbs2.7 lbs
PortsCheck listing2x Thunderbolt, MagSafe, 3.5mm

Explore Further

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) full review →Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) full review →Full showdown comparison →All upgrade comparisons →