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Updated January 10, 2024·
The MacBook Air (2022) will save you money and offers great portability, ideal for general use with its fanless operation and decent performance for everyday tasks. However, if you require higher performance for work like 3D rendering, machine learning, or engineering tasks, the MacBook Pro 14 (2023) justifies its higher cost with a more powerful processor, better graphics, and a superior display with higher brightness and a higher refresh rate, which is good for fast motion visuals. It also has more storage, memory, and a slightly longer battery life, but it's heavier, making it less portable. Both have excellent build quality and are not suited for intensive gaming. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air (2022)
- Excellent portability
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for content creation
- Excellent overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.9
8.5
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
486.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
489.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
13.5 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
9.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for general use, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) offers a robust performance with its more powerful CPU and GPU, double the RAM, and higher storage capacity compared to the MacBook Air (2022), which translates into smoother multitasking and handling of more demanding applications. However, the Air's lighter weight and slightly longer battery life give it an edge in portability for everyday tasks, despite having a less vivid screen and lower processing power.
Gaming and AI
6.4
7.0
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.2/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is good for gaming and AI, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is only fair.
The MacBook Air (2022) with its 8-core GPU is less capable for 3D tasks compared to the MacBook Pro 14 (2023) which has a more powerful 16-core GPU, crucial for rendering and 3D workloads. Additionally, the MacBook Pro offers a Mini LED display with higher resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, enabling smoother motion and better screen quality, which enhances the visual experience for 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.5
8.4
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
5.2/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is better suited for engineering and design uses due to its higher capabilities in CPU, RAM, GPU, and superior screen quality for detailed work compared to the Apple MacBook Air (2022), which, while still capable, has a lesser CPU, less RAM, a less powerful GPU, and a lower-tier screen quality.
Content Creation
7.9
8.5
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is good.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Screen Quality
7.6
9.2
13.6in
SIZE
14.2in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Mini LED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
489.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Air for general use, AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The MacBook Air's screen provides sharp images and vibrant colors due to its high resolution and bright panel, making it suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and watching videos. For engineering and design professionals, the MacBook Pro 14's display covers a wider range of colors, crucial for accurately rendering designs and photos. However, both laptops fall short for 3D applications as they lack high refresh rates, which are essential for smooth visuals in fast-paced 3D environments.
Battery
15.0 Hours
13.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
13.6in
SIZE
14.2in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$839
$1,630
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $839 and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) costs $1,630.
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Key similarities
Software Development
8.0
8.4
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
3024 x 1964
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) and Apple MacBook Air (2022) are both very good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Build Quality
10.0
10.0
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) both have best in class build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air (2022) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$839 | $1,630 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2022 | January 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.5'' x 0.44'' | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.7 lbs | 3.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.97" | 12.31" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.46" | 8.71" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Apple M2 Pro (10C) | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 15 Hours | 13.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 69.6 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.6" | 14.2" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | Mini LED | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 3024 x 1964 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 486 nits | 489 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 4 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | July 2022
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | January 2023
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023)
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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