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Updated January 10, 2024·
The MacBook Air 15 (2023) is a bit less expensive and provides a larger screen while being lighter and thinner, making it more portable, but it has less storage capacity compared to the MacBook Pro 13 (2022). The MacBook Pro 13 has a smaller screen and is slightly heavier and thicker but offers longer battery life and more built-in storage. Both have the same main processor and RAM, ensuring similar performance for general use and intensive tasks. Select the Air if portability and a larger screen are priorities, or the Pro if you need more storage and longer battery away from power outlets. 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 15 (2023)
- Very good for software development
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.8
7.6
15.3in
SIZE
13.3in
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
501.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a better screen than the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for AI, and software development.
When considering the Apple MacBook Air and MacBook Pro for general use, their high-resolution displays and panel types offer sharp imagery and vibrant colors, while brightness levels ensure comfortable visibility in various lighting conditions. For engineering and design tasks, the wide color gamuts of these MacBooks facilitate accurate color representation, crucial for detailed work. However, for 3D applications that benefit from smoother motion and rendering, the lower refresh rates of these screens make them less ideal compared to laptops with high refresh rate displays.
Battery
15.0 Hours
20.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has 15 hours of battery life. The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 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.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.9
7.9
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
501.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
497.0 nits
15.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
20.0 Hours
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.9/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023), with its larger screen and slightly higher screen resolution, offers an expansive and sharp display for general use, and though it has a solid battery life, it is less portable than the smaller and lighter MacBook Pro 13 (2022), which offers an even longer battery life and more storage, making it ideal for those who prioritize portability and longevity on a single charge. Both models feature the same processor and RAM, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks, and their build quality, keyboard, and speakers are all highly regarded; they also run quietly and manage heat well, ensuring comfortable use without disruptive noise or discomfort.
Gaming and AI
6.5
6.5
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
10.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has an efficient GPU that handles 3D tasks adequately, but its screen refresh rate may not be optimal for the smoothest experience; conversely, the MacBook Pro 13’s GPU and higher screen refresh rate offer improved 3D performance, yet it may come at a higher price with a possible tradeoff in battery life. Both models provide good screen quality and capable CPUs, but for rigorous 3D work, professionals might seek more specialized hardware.
Engineering and Design
7.6
7.6
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.7/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.3/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) are both good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.0
8.0
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.7/10
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) are both very good for content creation.
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.
Software Development
8.1
7.9
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2880 x 1864
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) to be very good for software development, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is good.
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.
Portability
Very Good
Very Good
15.3in
SIZE
13.3in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) both have very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0
10.0
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) both have best in class build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,299
$1,299
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) has a price of $1,299 and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) costs $1,299.
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How the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) | Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,299 | $1,299 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2023 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.4'' x 9.4'' x 0.45'' | 12'' x 8.4'' x 0.61'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.3 lbs | 3 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.4" | 11.97" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.35" | 8.36" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Apple M2 | Apple M2 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 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 | 20 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 66.6 Wh | 58.2 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.3" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 501 nits | 497 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 10/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
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 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 3 | 3 | |
Shopping
Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2023
"The Apple MacBook Air 15 is boringly good. The new MacBook Air 15 is a very good, but also boring device, because apart from the larger screen and the higher price, there are no differences compared to the smaller MacBook Air M2 from last year. No new processor, no additional ports, just the usual basic hardware - but the overall package is extremely good and it simply works. Above all, the lack of fans is an aspect that should not be underestimated in everyday use. In our opinion, the Air could be a lot better, but Apple goes easy on itself here."
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | June 2022
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023) or the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
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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About the laptop team
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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.
Jason Lew
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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Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
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