MacBook Air M4 vs. MacBook Air M3: Should You Wait or Buy Now?

Apple is gearing up to revolutionize its laptop lineup with the launch of the MacBook Air M4. With rumored advancements in power, battery efficiency, and memory capacity, comparing it to the MacBook Air M3 is inevitable. Should you wait for the M4 or go for the M3? Here's what you need to know.

Performance Comparison

The MacBook Air M4 will feature the new M4 chip, promising up to 25% better performance than the M3. Key differences include:

• Total Cores: 9 or 10 (M4) vs. 8 (M3)
• Max RAM: 32GB (M4) vs. 24GB (M3)
• Transistors: 28 billion (M4) vs. 25 billion (M3)
• Memory Bandwidth: 120 GB/s (M4) vs. 100 GB/s (M3)

Battery Life

Thanks to an efficient design, the MacBook Air M4 is expected to exceed 16 hours of battery life, compared to the M3's approximate 15-hour runtime.

Design and Connectivity

The MacBook Air M4 is unlikely to see major design changes. It will maintain:

• Thin and lightweight form factor
• Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe connector, and 3.5mm headphone jack
• Colors: Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver

Pricing and Availability

The MacBook Air M4 is expected in March 2025 with pricing similar to the M3:

• MacBook Air M3 13”: Starting at $1,099
• MacBook Air M3 15”: Starting at $1,299

Which to Choose?

• MacBook Air M3: Ideal if you seek solid performance at a more affordable price.
• MacBook Air M4: Recommended for those prioritizing top-tier performance and the best battery life.

Conclusion

The MacBook Air M4 promises significant improvements in power and efficiency. However, the M3 remains an excellent choice, especially with current discounts. Your decision will depend on your needs and budget.