MacBook Air 15-inch vs MacBook Pro 14-inch: Which Apple laptop is best

Apple has expanded its laptop lineup with two new additions at WWDC 2023: the MacBook Air 15-inch and the MacBook Pro 14-inch. Despite the similar sizes, each device is tailored to suit specific needs, with the MacBook Pro designed for high-performance tasks and the MacBook Air providing an excellent option for everyday use. When comparing these models, it's important to consider design, performance, and cost to determine the best fit for individual needs.

MacBook Air 15-inch vs MacBook Pro 14-inch: Design

Both MacBook models share the sleek aesthetics that Apple is known for. The MacBook Air 15-inch is thinner and lighter than its Pro counterpart, making it an excellent choice for those prioritising portability. It has a 15.3-inch liquid retina display that offers vivid colors and sharp images.

The MacBook Pro 14-inch is slightly heavier due to its higher performance components and cooling system. It boasts a superior display – a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display that delivers exceptional brightness levels and color accuracy, ideal for professionals in creative fields.

In terms of connectivity, the MacBook Pro offers more versatility with additional ports, whereas the MacBook Air keeps things minimal.

MacBook Air 15-inch vs MacBook Pro 14-inch: Performance

Performance-wise, both models are built with Apple's in-house M-series chips. The MacBook Air 15-inch uses the M2 chip, providing a substantial boost in speed and video rendering capabilities compared to its predecessor. This makes it well-suited for light creative work and everyday tasks.

The MacBook Pro 14-inch is equipped with higher-tier M2 Pro or M2 Max chips. These allow for much more power and better CPU and GPU performance, ideal for professionals requiring resource-intensive applications like video editing or 3D modeling.

MacBook Air 15-inch vs MacBook Pro 14-inch: Cost

The MacBook Air 15-inch is the more affordable option, starting at Rs 1.34 lakh for the 256GB model and Rs 1.54 lakh for the 512GB model. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro 14-inch, with its enhanced specs and superior performance, commands a higher price, starting at Rs 1.99 lakh. The price can increase significantly if you opt for more powerful configurations, such as the M2 Max chip, higher RAM capacities, or larger SSD storage.

MacBook Air 15-inch vs MacBook Pro 14-inch: Battery Life

While both MacBook models showcase improvements in battery life thanks to the efficiency of the M2 chipsets, there is a notable difference. The MacBook Air 15-inch offers up to 20 hours of video playback, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch, due to its higher performance hardware and brighter XDR display, provides up to 17 hours.

Final verdict

The MacBook Air 15-inch is a great choice if you want a larger screen, solid performance for day-to-day tasks, and longer battery life at a more affordable price. It's an ideal choice for students, casual users, or professionals who don't rely heavily on resource-intensive applications.

The MacBook Pro 14-inch offers superior performance, a better display, and more ports, making it the preferred choice for creative professionals or power users who need high-end performance. It is definitely more expensive, but if you require the power for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, or professional music production, it could be worth the investment.