MacBook M3 vs M4: A Comparison before you buy

Apple’s latest MacBooks use its in-house Apple Silicon chips. The M3 series arrived in 2023–2024 as an upgrade over M1/M2, and the M4 series launched in late 2024–2025 with further gains. Broadly speaking, the M4 chips are built on an enhanced 3 nm process with up to 28 billion transistors and up to 10 CPU cores (4 performance + 6 efficiency), compared to 25B transistors and 8 cores (4+4) in M3. Both chips use unified RAM (LPDDR5 vs faster LPDDR5X) and a powerful Neural Engine (M4’s is 16-core, 38 TOPS vs M3’s 16-core, 18 TOPS). These changes translate to roughly 25–30% faster CPU performance and ~20% better GPU performance for M4 over M3. In practice, top reviewers note that an M4-powered MacBook handles demanding tasks — like video rendering or complex code compilation — more snappily than its M3 predecessor.

Technical Specifications

Apple Silicon M3 vs M4 chips (base configurations) differ in key ways:

• CPU Cores: M3 chips have 8 cores (4 high‑performance + 4 efficiency), while M4 chips can have up to 10 cores (4+6). The extra efficiency cores and higher clock speeds (e.g. 4.3 GHz vs 4.05 GHz) give M4 a 25%–30% multi‑core boost in benchmarks.

• GPU Cores: Both base M3 and M4 Air chips use a 10‑core GPU. Higher-end variants (Pro/Max chips) expand to 14, 18, or more GPU cores. Importantly, Apple’s new GPU architecture in M4 is more power-efficient. In cross-platform tests (e.g. Wildlife Extreme), a 40‑core M4 Max nearly ties an NVIDIA RTX 4090 and is ~19% faster than the same‐core M3 Max.

• Memory: M3 uses LPDDR5 RAM (up to 24 GB on Air, up to 32 GB on Pro), whereas M4 uses faster LPDDR5X memory with ~20% greater bandwidth. All M4 base MacBooks now include 16 GB RAM as standard (up from 8 GB on some M3 Air models).

• Neural Engine: Both have a 16‑core Neural Engine, but M4’s is much faster (~38 TOPS vs ~18 TOPS). This greatly enhances on‑device AI tasks and future “Apple Intelligence” features, even if most users won’t notice it day-to-day.

• Media Engines: Both chips accelerate video codecs (including H.264/H.265 and AV1). In practice, M4’s higher memory bandwidth (120 vs 100 GB/s) means faster video encoding/decoding. For example, benchmarks show the 14″ M4 Pro exports 4K video in Adobe Premiere significantly faster than the M3 Pro it replaces.

In summary, the M4 series brings modest but meaningful gains: higher core counts, a bigger Neural Engine, and a ~25% CPU/GPU uplift over M3. Tech reviewers note that an M4 MacBook can feel noticeably snappier under heavy loads (video render, 3D renders, etc.), though everyday app launch times are already very fast on M3.

Performance Benchmarks

Independent tests confirm the generational leap. In Geekbench 6 scores, for example, an M4 chip scores ~25% higher than an M3 in single-core and ~30% higher in multi-core tests. GPU benchmarks are similar: a MacRumors test shows M4’s GPU ~21% faster than M3’s. In content creation workloads, reviewers report that M4 MacBooks break performance records for Apple laptops. For instance, in the PugetBench Premiere Pro suite, a base M4 Pro 14″ now matches the peak performance of last year’s highest-end M3 Max 16″. Other tests (Blender 3D, DaVinci Resolve) show M4 Pro chips surpassing the fastest M3 chips, indicating substantially improved GPU and media-engine throughput.

That said, some reviewers caution that real-world gains depend on the task. Light editing and coding see smaller benefits (since even M3 was already fast), whereas heavy multi-threaded or graphics tasks get the biggest boost. Wired Magazine observed, “[M4 Pro] pushes the performance envelope” but notes that if you’re already on an M3 Mac, the day‑to‑day difference might not always feel dramatic. In short, M4 MacBooks deliver top-tier speeds, making them ideal for professional video editing, 3D work, and large code compilations that strain lesser machines.

Real-World Creative Apps

Video Editing (Final Cut Pro, Premiere): Both Final Cut and Premiere leverage Apple silicon well. The new M4 MacBook Pros cut rendering and export times significantly. One reviewer notes the M4 Pro 14″ “is a significantly better laptop for video editing than the M3 Pro 12‑core it replaces”. In custom export tests, the M4 Max (16‑core) blew away the M3 Max: it completed a 4K export far faster thanks to twice the memory bandwidth and two media engines. Even the M4 Pro 14″ (with one media engine) outpaced expectations, narrowing the gap to its higher-end siblings. In practice, editors will notice fewer dropped frames and quicker exports on M4 machines.

Graphics & Photo (Photoshop, Blender): The higher GPU performance benefits 3D renders and image processing. A 3D render that took 2m 27s on M3 Pro, for example, might finish ~30% sooner on an M4 Pro. CreativeBloq’s testing shows that the M4 Air achieves 100% of DCI‑P3 gamut and even brighter peak brightness than spec, helping color work. Photo editing apps like Lightroom/Photoshop will run smoother; even the base M4 Air can handle batches of RAW conversions quickly.

Coding (Xcode, Terminal): Developers will see mild-to-moderate gains. Medium’s benchmarks (M3 vs M3 Pro) showed ~23% faster build times on Pro chips. Extrapolating, an M4 Pro should compile code even faster. Realistically, compilation and multi‑task workloads (like running simulators or containers) run noticeably quicker on M4, thanks to extra efficiency cores and memory bandwidth. Everyday coding, web browsing, and terminal use feel instant on either chip, but an M4 MacBook Air is now effectively “as fast as an M3 Pro” for many lighter coding workflows.

Audio (Logic Pro, etc.): In digital audio workstations like Logic Pro, chip counts matter for track counts and plug‑in effects. One test showed an M3 Pro handling ~10% more Logic tracks than an M3; the M4 Pro would take that further. Both chips have ample power for music production, but if you run hundreds of tracks or complex virtual instruments, the M4 Pro/Max provides more headroom. For most composers or podcasters, even the base M4 Air handles dozens of audio tracks easily.

Overall, experts agree that creative pros will benefit most from M4’s improvements. Video editors, 3D artists, and heavy multitaskers will see the largest workflow speedups. Photographers, designers, and developers will also appreciate the extra responsiveness, though the M3 Air was already a strong performer. As AppleInsider summarizes, “MacBook Pros with M4 chips… all enthuse about the performance” — though note that many found performance excellent on M3 as well.

Battery Life

Battery life remains outstanding on both generations. Apple claims up to 18 hours for MacBook Air models (light web/Apple TV usage) on both M3 and M4. CreativeBloq notes the M3 Air’s battery is “exceptional” and the M4 Air likewise “has enough juice for a full day’s use with some left over”. In practice, thin-and-light MacBook Airs regularly exceed a full workday of mixed use.

MacBook Pros push even further. The new M4 MacBook Pro base models are rated up to 24 hours of Apple TV playback (much longer in light tasks), beating the ~18–20 hours of M3 Pros. In fact, reviewers found the 14″ M4 Pro extended run times by 2–4 hours versus the M3 Pro. (Notably, the highest-end 16″ M4 Max saw a slight drop vs its predecessor.) Battery gains come from the efficiency of the new chip and sometimes a larger battery pack. All in all, if battery life is critical, both M3 and M4 MacBooks deliver “all‑day” use, with M4 models often stretching a bit further under identical workloads.

Display and Build Quality

Apple’s MacBook displays and hardware remain class-leading on both M3 and M4 machines. Key points:

• Air vs Pro Screens: MacBook Air (13″ or 15″) has a Liquid Retina IPS panel (~2.8K on 15″) at 500‑nits typical brightness. Both M3 and M4 Airs use the same display tech. The Air’s 15″ screen was praised for excellent color (100% DCI-P3) and a sharp high-density resolution. The Air’s non‑Pro display lacks ProMotion (no 120 Hz), but colors and contrast are on par with many desktops.

  The MacBook Pro (14″/16″) features Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR mini‑LED display with extreme dynamic range. A major M4 update is much higher peak brightness. The base M4 models now reach 1000 nits SDR (vs 600 nits on M3 models), making them far brighter for HDR content and outdoor visibility. Apple also offers the first nano-texture anti‑glare option on M4 Pros. In short, the Pro’s display was already best-in-class, and M4 improves it further. Reviewers (even from PC backgrounds) agree: “There is simply no other laptop on the market” matching Apple’s color accuracy and HDR performance.

• Build Quality: All M3/M4 MacBooks use the same aluminum unibody designs introduced with M1. The build is very solid, with a high-quality keyboard (scissor mechanism), large smooth trackpad, and sturdy chassis. CreativeBloq notes the M3 Air’s slab‑sided design is “stiffer, denser, and thinner” due to no fans. The keyboard feels “firm” with good travel. For the MacBook Pro, the build is similarly excellent, with reviewers praising the keyboard and overall construction (though some noted the arrow keys are small). In all cases, these laptops feel premium.

• I/O and Ports: The MacBook Air M3 had two USB‑C/Thunderbolt 3 ports, a MagSafe 3 power port, and a headphone jack. The M4 Air upgrades those USB‑C ports to Thunderbolt 4 and adds better external display support. In fact, the M4 Air can now drive two external monitors at once (internal + two externals) without closing the lid. The M4 Air also retains MagSafe 3 and 3.5 mm audio.

  The MacBook Pro retains its richer port set: three Thunderbolt ports (TB4 on M3, TB4/TB5 on M4 Pro/Max), plus HDMI, SD card reader, MagSafe, and 3.5 mm audio. AppleInsider notes that the base M4 Pro 14″ still uses Thunderbolt 4, while M4 Pro/Max upgrades to Thunderbolt 5 for 3× faster I/O. Both generations support Wi‑Fi 6E (M3) or Wi‑Fi 7 (M4) and Bluetooth 5.3/5.4, though the day‑to‑day difference is minor.

• Webcam and Audio: M4 MacBooks also improved the camera and microphones slightly. On M4 Pros, the 1080p webcam gained Apple’s Center Stage feature and better low‑light processing. Speaker and mic quality were already excellent; they remain so. Greg Benz emphasizes that the M4 Pros retain “really good speakers” and the same top-notch displays and acoustics from M3 models. In essence, M4 Macs bring refinements (brighter display, better camera) but do not change the premium hardware foundations laid by earlier Apple Silicon models.

Pricing and Availability

The MacBook Air and Pro lineups launched at similar price tiers for each generation, with M4 models occasionally seeing small adjustments:

• MacBook Air: The M3 MacBook Air debuted in spring 2024, starting at $999 (13″) and $1,299 (15″) in the US. Apple’s M3 press release confirmed orders opened March 4, 2024. In early 2025, Apple introduced the M4 MacBook Air. CreativeBloq notes the M4 Air launched at a slightly lower price than the M3 model it replaced, while adding 16 GB RAM as standard. (Exact pricing depends on configuration, but M4 Air 13″ now starts around $1,099, and the new 15″ M4 Air around $1,299.) These prices, combined with often-available retailer deals, keep the Air models in the “premium-but-affordable” range.

• MacBook Pro: The M3 Pro MacBook Pro (14″ and 16″) launched in late 2023 with entry prices around $1,999 (14″ base) and $2,499 (16″ base). The M4 MacBook Pro came out in November 2024 for pre-order, with similar tiers. A review lists UK prices of £2,499 for a 14″ M4 Pro base and up to £7,349 for a top-spec 16″ M4 Max (roughly $2,499–$6,500 in US dollars, depending on config). Thus, the M4 MacBook Pros target the same high-end market: expect roughly $2,000+ starting in the US, with fully maxed-out M4 Max 16″ units well over $6,000. Apple and resellers often run promotions (e.g. student discounts, trade-in deals) which can significantly lower these prices.

• Release Timing:

  • M3 MacBook Air (13″/15″) – Announced March 2024, available beginning March 8, 2024.

  • M3 MacBook Pro 14″/16″ – Announced October 2023 (alongside iPads), shipping by November 2023.

  • M4 MacBook Pro 14″/16″ – Announced November 7, 2024, shipped around November 8, 2024.

  • M4 MacBook Air 13″/15″ – Announced March 2025, shipping by April 2025.

In summary, both generations of MacBooks are widely available through Apple Stores and resellers, with current models (M4) generally replacing the M3 units except for any remaining stock. The pricing is competitive within the Apple ecosystem: M4 shifts are sold at roughly the same or slightly reduced cost as M3 models, offering better specs for the same price (as with the M4 Air’s “price drop”).

Comparison Table

Key: P = performance core; E = efficiency core. Ports and display data are for base models (higher-end M3/M4 Max chips allow driving more monitors).

Conclusion

For creative professionals and developers, both M3 and M4 MacBooks are outstanding machines. The M4 generation delivers higher performance and brightness without compromising Apple’s legendary battery life and build quality. In practice:

• If you’re buying new: The M4 MacBooks (Air or Pro) are the better choice for raw speed and future-proofing, especially for heavy video/graphics work. The M4 Air, in particular, offers Pro-level power in a thin fanless chassis (and even at a slightly lower price than the M3 Air). The new 14″ M4 Pro MacBook is a top pick for professional editing and development (as noted by CreativeBloq’s roundup).

• If you have a recent M3 MacBook: Upgrading may be less urgent. While M4 is faster, M3 models are already very capable for most tasks. The deciding factor is your workload: only if you frequently max out your M3 (long renders, huge codebases, many audio tracks) will you feel a big difference. Otherwise, even M3 MacBooks handle creative apps smoothly.

• Portability vs Power: The MacBook Air remains the best ultra-portable choice for most users. The new M4 Air shrinks the gap to the Pro: it can drive two monitors and packs M4 silicon in an even thinner, lighter body. But the MacBook Pro line still offers more ports, better thermal headroom (sustained speeds under load), and that amazing XDR display.

In short, Apple’s M4 updates are iterative but significant: they push performance and efficiency further, improving creative workflows. The MacBook Air (M4) and MacBook Pro (M4) together give creators “the best laptops” in Apple’s lineup, combining top-tier performance, exceptional battery life, and premium displays in each segment.