Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5)
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is the better laptop on paper: it lasts longer on a charge, has more memory and has more storage. Pick the Apple MacBook Air 13 only if it matters to you that it is lighter.
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Key differences
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Performance
Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
Same class of processor, but the Apple MacBook Pro 14 has more memory (32 GB against 16 GB).
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Gaming
Evenly matched
Both manage light and older games, but not new releases.
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Display
Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has the better screen: 14.2" 3K 1000 nits 120 Hz against 13.6" 2.5K 500 nits.
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Battery life
Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 should last longer: up to 24 hours against up to 18 hours.
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Connectivity
Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is better connected. Only it has HDMI and a card reader.
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Portability
Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is easier to carry at 1.24 kg, against 1.55 kg.
Other differences
- Memory Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 32 GB of memory against 16 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Storage Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has four times the storage: 1 TB against 256 GB.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13 if…
- You'll carry it every day: at 1.24 kg it's easy to take everywhere.
- You want a slim laptop that slips into a bag: it's 11.3 mm thick.
- You do demanding work: its Apple M4 has the power for photo and video editing.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14 if…
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 24 hours).
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 3K screen makes text and images crisper.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Pro 14 leads on performance, the screen and ports and wireless; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on performance.
It has more memory and has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M4 (10-core CPU) | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple M4 8-core GPU | Apple M5 10-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory type | — | Unified memory (153GB/s bandwidth) |
| Maximum memory | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | — | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 256 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a slightly bigger screen: 14.2" against 13.6". It has a sharper screen, has a brighter screen and has a slightly bigger screen, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.6" | 14.2" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 3K (3024 x 1964) |
| Aspect ratio | 20:13 | 3024:1964 (about 1.54:1) |
| Panel | IPS | Mini-LED |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | — | Yes |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3), 1 billion colours |
| HDR | — | XDR: 1,000 nits sustained, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content); Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, HLG playback |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is lighter and is slimmer, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 lasts longer on a charge.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Charger | 30 W | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 (also charges via Thunderbolt 4 USB-C) | MagSafe 3 (or USB-C / Thunderbolt 4) |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70W USB-C adapter (no time claim) | Fast-charge capable with a 96W or higher USB PD power source |
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm |
| Materials | Aluminium enclosure (100% recycled aluminium) | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Midnight | Space Black |
| Colours available | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight | Space Black, Silver |
Ports and wireless
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has HDMI and an SD card reader, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, 40Gb/s, charging, DisplayPort, USB 4), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; all support charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x HDMI (version not stated by Apple), 1x SDXC card slot, 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 2 |
| Card reader | None | SDXC |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage | 12MP Center Stage, 1080p video |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 79-key ISO (UK), 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) / 79 (ISO) keys, 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad (Multi-Touch) | Force Touch trackpad (pressure-sensing, Multi-Touch gestures); size not published |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos | Six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
Software and model
Both run macOS.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |