Apple - MacBook Air 15 M4 vs Apple - MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max
Between the MacBook Air 15 M4 and MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max, the MacBook Air 15 M4 comes out ahead in weight, while the MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max wins on ram and storage. Overall, the MacBook Air 15 M4 scores 58.9 and the MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max scores 77.3 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 18.4 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the MacBook Air 15 M4 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight.
Pick the MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. Its strongest claims are ram, storage, refresh rate, among others.
Both ship with comparable backlit keyboard, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - MacBook Air 15 M4 wins
- ▲Weight — 0.63 kg less. 1.51 vs 2.14.
Why Apple - MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max wins
- ▲RAM — 125.00% more. 36 GB vs 16 GB.
- ▲Storage — 100.00% more. 1024 GB vs 512 GB.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲CPU cores — 60.00% more. 16 vs 10.
- ▲Battery — 51.52% more. 100 Wh vs 66 Wh.
- ▲Claimed battery life — 33.33% more. 24 h vs 18 h.
- ▲Screen size — 5.88% more. 16.2 " vs 15.3 ".
- ▲Thunderbolt ports — 1.00 more. 3 vs 2.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - MacBook Air 15 M4 | Apple - MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1.51 kglead | 2.14 kg |
| Thickness | 11.5 mmlead | 16.8 mm |
| Build material | aluminum | aluminum |
| Backlit keyboard | true | true |
| Fingerprint reader | true | true |
Display
| Spec | Apple - MacBook Air 15 M4 | Apple - MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 15.3 " | 16.2 "lead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Panel typeⓘ | IPS | OLEDlead |
Performance
| Spec | Apple - MacBook Air 15 M4 | Apple - MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M4 | Apple M4 Max |
| CPU cores | 10 | 16lead |
| GPUⓘ | Apple M4 10-core GPU | Apple M4 Max 40-core GPU |
| RAMⓘ | 16 GB | 36 GBlead |
| Storageⓘ | 512 GB | 1024 GBlead |
| Storage typeⓘ | SSD | SSD |
Battery & Ports
| Spec | Apple - MacBook Air 15 M4 | Apple - MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Batteryⓘ | 66 Wh | 100 Whlead |
| Claimed battery life | 18 h | 24 hlead |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 3lead |
| Thunderbolt portsⓘ | 2 | 3lead |
| HDMI | false | truelead |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, MacBook Air 15 M4 or MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max?+
MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max claims up to 24 hours — 18h vs 24h.
Which is lighter, MacBook Air 15 M4 or MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max?+
MacBook Air 15 M4 is lighter at 1.51 kg vs 2.14 kg.
Which has more RAM, MacBook Air 15 M4 or MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max?+
MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max offers 36GB of RAM.
Which has an OLED display, MacBook Air 15 M4 or MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max?+
MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max has an OLED display; MacBook Air 15 M4 uses IPS.
Spec-level deep dives
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