HALF MEASURE? 14” M3 MacBook Pro vs 15” M2 MacBook Air

Should you buy the 14” M3 MacBook Pro or the 15” M2 MacBook Air? Did Apple do enough to upgrade the long-overdue MacBook Pro - or is the MacBook Air - still the better value?
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NOTE: 8:03 M3 MacBook Pro has an 8-core CPU.
Apple made this a really tough choice! Now that the entry-level 14” M3 MacBook Pro sells for $1,600, is it a better buy for the average user than the larger, but thinner and lighter 15” M2 MacBook Air for $1,299? I’m not so sure - so let’s talk about it. We’ll look at the form factor and ports on the two MacBooks, the display, processing power and battery life differences between the 14” M3 MacBook Pro and the 15” M2 MacBook Air - and finally we’ll compare configuration and talk about recommendations.
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[@TechGearTalk]

✅ Get your Anker KVM Switch (Dual 4K, For Desktop and Laptop) geni.us/QqBkoR A portion of this video was sponsored by Anker. BUY A MACBOOK: ⭐ Buy the 14” M3 MacBook Pro: (affiliate) ⭐ Buy the 15” M2 MacBook Air: geni.us/PqRGj (affiliate) SAVE MONEY - BUY APPLE REFURBISHED! ⭐️ geni.us/kGZEW (affiliate) MONITOR USED IN THIS VIDEO: ⭐ Buy the BenQ PD2725U: geni.us/Do8AX NOTE: NOTE: 8:03 M3 MacBook Pro has an 8-core CPU. What's up everyone?! I hope this comparison between the 14” M3 MacBook Pro and the 15” M2 MacBook Air helpful. Did I cover what you wanted to know? What else did you want to see or learn about? Would love to know what you think.Is this a laptop that you would use and why or why not. If you’re currently using something else, please share your experience with me.  I am grateful in advance 🙏

[@VictorbaramyV]

Thanks

[@colina4699]

Where do you get your wallpapers? They are always amazing!

[@mole1596]

0:41 this is because of weight distribution - no psychological tricks :D The base of the MacBook Pro is way heavier than the top (the screen), whereas in the Air, the base is waaay thinner. This makes the Pro feel heavier even when you carry it closed, because the same weight is concentrated in a smaller area.

[@bryans8656]

Another great comparison, thanks! When the M2 MBA 15 released I struggled with the choice between it and the M2 Pro MBP 14. I finally opted for a refurb'd M1 Pro MBP 14 (16MB/1TB) since I didn't need the extra horsepower of the M2 chip. So in the end I saved a bunch of money and got a laptop that exceeds my needs. Can't go wrong with that.

[@TechGearTalk]

Definitely can't go wrong with refurbished!!!

[@SolarMillUSA]

One of the best comparison videos I have seen so far.

[@eltechnica]

Havent been to this channel in a while, still loved all your videos on cameras! This one was EXACTLY what I was looking for!

[@TechGearTalk]

Welcome back!!! Thank you for the kind words - and glad the video was helpful 🙏🏻

[@PackFan2323]

I always enjoy your videos, as your content and smooth transitions make it so easy to view. Your comparisons and contrasts are spot on!.

[@TechGearTalk]

This means so much - I’m super grateful for the kind words and support.

[@daoanson]

For somebody that games occasionally (seasonally every Christmas or summer break), does it on 3-4 hour time blocks on a given day, runs pre-2019 games on it, and does basic 3D design work on Blender, can the M2 MBA handle that kind of workload or would that occasional gaming and 3D rendering use case be worth getting the 14-inch MBP? Edit: also for more background on my expected daily use, I’m likely using a laptop for doing medical research, editing manuscripts requiring a large screen real estate, opening 8-10 PowerPoints at a time, and using my web browser regularly (10-20 tabs at a time, more or less), and I would likely be carrying it around the hospital or clinic so portability is something I value. I leaned towards the 15-inch M2 MBA because of my daily use, but the 14-inch M3 MBP is tempting for my occasional gaming use case and I also like the longer battery life on the M3 MBP (and the HDMI port is tempting for connecting to displays without depending on a HDMI dongle).

[@ninjashhh8344]

I love your breakdowns man. Just found you yesterday and have binge watched at least 30 of your videos! Thanks!

[@TechGearTalk]

Thank you so much for the kind words and support!

[@hhoebeke1]

It's not an easy choice - the MacBook Pro 14 is a great laptop - a few weeks ago still selected the M2 Air 15 above it (512/16) using a Black Friday offer. Mostly due to the additional screen real estate. In terms of performance - my base M1 Air still provided more than adequate processing power (research, browsing, writing,..) but I was looking for a larger screen option for some new projects. At first the Pro's body also had my preference but I must say that the Air is a great design in use - very comfortable for longer writing sessions and the screen on the pro may be superior, the 15inch screen is a pleasure to work on and for entertainment. Also in my case, the additional ports / card reader are of no value.

[@TechGearTalk]

Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your experience.

[@aryapraagya]

How much did you get it for and from where? thanks :)

[@ldistefano88]

Great video, looking forward to more content

[@TechGearTalk]

Thanks so much!!!

[@bluebaaron748]

I just bought the m3 pro mbp for 1799 at Best Buy 16/512.. Coming from a 2012 15" MBP. I miss the larger screen already... should I have gotten the 16"? Seems crazy to spend that much more on a 16in screen. Thoughts? get used? return for a refurbished M2 MBP 16? MBA 15?

[@user-yq8xj6fx4e]

What kind of wallpaper did u use in this macbook😊

[@sam-515]

Excellent comparison. Again 👍🏻

[@TechGearTalk]

Thanks so much, brother!

[@user-oy9fg5od3g]

Hi! Do you think that the m3 MacBook pro base model would be great for a graphic design student? I was thinking about getting the m2 MacBook air 16gb RAM with 256gb, but if I spend a little bit more I’m getting a better and a bigger screen( and better performance?)I would be using mostly photoshop for digital illustrations, and lightroom for some photo editing. I’m also on a budget so I don’t think I can upgrade the RAM on the pro. How much would it last for in your opinion, because I’m looking for a laptop which can be used for at least 3-5 years.

[@doukeruysch6763]

All of them should last at least 4/5 years easily

[@johnwilson7680]

Great comparison, thank you! Liked and subscribed.

[@TechGearTalk]

Thanks so much John!

[@arjunchandel3155]

Plz guide .. if it throttles with OBS LIVE STREAM .. I am planning for LIVE STREAM - ONLINE CLASSES with ipad as sidecar use and also i can screen share also with OBS

[@rocky7302]

Very nice wallpaper, anyone have a link to where it’s available?

[@hreetampaul9350]

I already took 1600 usd one in india..... couldnt get the m3 pro as it was not available... 16gb air was even costlier here

[@willibaldm]

I am looking so long now and cannot easy decide if i should buy a 14“ Macbook pro or an macbook air m2. It would be my first macbook ever and for my use cases i would use it for entertainment, office work, browsing, writing und a lil bit of gaming. Its quite hard to decide….the air m2 is cheap but the m3 pro have a better screen 120hz and more ports. Are there any suggestions about it to find my choice?

[@Andrewmotivatetate]

Id say the m3 for the uses u listed

[@sajjadhashmani4064]

I got the refurbished 14” MBP M2 pro for $1799 with 16GB/1TB. You could get the same specs with M1 Pro for $50 less. The Air is difficult to justify for long term since it would require upgrading storage and memory which itself makes it incredibly close to the MBP

[@yskim63]

Thank you for this video! I hope there won’t be any problems with coding on the m2 MacBook Air.

[@TechGearTalk]

Glad the video was helpful. Please come back and let me know if you experience any issues. Thank you for being part of the channel!

[@vladislavkovalkov]

Thanks for this video! That 15 inch screen is very appealing, although the 14 is more powerful and the screen is better.

[@MisterAudiobass]

How can I find the wallpaper at 4:21?! I love it!

[@nishantgautam1948]

Which one should I go for as a photographer? Use - photoshop, lightroom, and capture one ???? Please recommend ( Need to save up money )

[@TechGearTalk]

I would look for a great deal on a used or refurbished 14” M1 Pro or M2 Pro MacBook Pro. Hope that helps.

[@randydayl]

Fan vs no Fan

[@TechGearTalk]

that's one of the differences for sure.

[@mateoc258]

60hz vs 120hz

[@YeanHeard]

I’ve used the mba 15 16gb 512ssd for 3 months never got the temp over 80C. It runs exceptionally cool. At idle it’s around 26-28C

[@luminalscutiie651]

​@@YeanHeardwhat type of user are you? Are you a teacher, student (if so what major)...? I want to get a macbook for college (engineering major)

[@travelingbird5415]

“that is the question”

[@JJFN-zm3ky]

I wanted to get the M2 pro 14, but i cant find any thats cheaper than base model m3..I guess i'll just go with m3..

[@TechGearTalk]

I would probably go with the m2 pro if they are the same price.

[@eduardobispo9613]

The question is you did this video 2 hours ago. Which one would you choose MacBook Air 512 16gb 1399 or pro M3 512 8gb ram for the same 1399? Bestbuys deal

[@TechGearTalk]

It really comes down to your needs. If you actually need performance - I think you need 16GB with the Pro - if you're just getting it for the ports and the display - that works.

[@eduardobispo9613]

@@TechGearTalk Thanks very much for your reply😃

[@f.a.j.4685]

Never go with 8 GB RAM!! It will ff... up your ssd harddrive and if those die, your whole system is trash.

[@paulb9453]

Grabbed a Certified Refurb Air with 16GB/1TB for the price of a new Pro, I’m happy with that.

[@TechGearTalk]

Nice get!!! Congrats!

[@x6da9crain]

Where did you find a good refurbished Mac

[@geraxho]

I got a refurb 15 with 3 battery cycles at mac refurb website, 16/512 for 1295, there's the option of the base pro 14 m1, but its 2 years older and I don't need that much power, I need more screen RE, battery life and comfortable typing for long sessions.

[@wazitSomethingISaid]

i just want an Air with an XDR display

[@rileyhance318]

For the love of god dont buy that base 14 inch. You would be better off with a certified refurbished m2 pro from apples website for 1599 while they are still available or brand new on best buy for same price. Double ram, gpu performance, fans, ext displays, more multicore performance. Only downsides being about 10% slower in single core tasks but I think its pros outweigh the cons

[@spartan_0198]

I hesitate to buy Mac book air M2 16go 256SSD, what do you think ?

[@TechGearTalk]

I would need to know more about your hesitation

[@sglatitude]

Brand new MBP with M3 Pro 12 core CPU and 18 core GPU, 36GB RAM and 1 TB SSD cost $200 more than refurbished MBP with M2 Max with 12 core CPU and 30 core GPU, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. Which one should one choose between the two? 🤔🤭

[@eb59766]

Personally, if you're not doing anything graphic intensive. I'd opt for the 12-core M3 MBP. RAM speed is rated as lower, but as someone who's using an M1 Max 14" you might appreciate the battery life gains. The battery life diff may be worth more than performance gains that will rarely present themselves except in extreme conditions. For context, I code on a large project and on an M2 Macbook Air build times are about 20% longer than an M2 Max chip (a full rebuild could be 2:50, vs 2:20, not very long....)

[@ajfromca]

How Apple could have done it better. They should have let the MBA15 replace the MBP13, and not introduce a non-Pro MacBook “Pro” 14.

[@VictorbaramyV]

nice vid

[@TechGearTalk]

Thank you!

[@moncho33]

I was in a similar "dilema" a few months ago. For context, I had a 2014 MacBook Pro with a 512 SSD and 16gb RAM, after 7 years, in 2021, I decided to get a MacBook Air M1 with a 512 SSD and 8gb RAM. That M1 Air was (and is) a great computer, but I always missed the 15 inch screen. In August of this year I decided to replace the M1 Air (sold it to a friend's daughter who needed a computer for college) with a refurbished 14 inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro. I ended up returning it because I had gotten used to the slimmer form factor of the Air. Ordered a 15in M2 Air with a 1tb SSD and 16gb RAM, and yes, this makes the price similar to the MacBook Pro, but I simply prefer the slimmer form factor. For my occasional photo/video editing needs and everyday tasks, this15 inch M2 Air is just what I need. And with the upgraded SSD and RAM, I foresee this M2 Air being my main computer for the next 6-7 years.

[@TechGearTalk]

Thank you so much for watching and sharing your journey - together with insights about your process. I appreciate you for being part of the channel!

[@vladyslavkhaliziev9935]

Sounds good!

[@fr3ddy1461]

I’m having the same dilemma and he mentioned it briefly but didn’t expand on it. Once you upgrade the MBP14, you’re in MBP16 territory. With each upgrade to each model, it ends up the same price as a full computer upgrade. Apple knew what they were doing lol

[@ReginaldoKono]

Love your decision for the passion over just the best specs, thank you!

[@wazitSomethingISaid]

just returned my 16 inch m3 pro base model for the 14 inch m3 base model.

[@TechGearTalk]

Was it just too big?

[@wazitSomethingISaid]

@@TechGearTalk Yes that was the only reason, also what I use it for... 8gb/512gb is more than enough for me really.... I do like the black colour but by going with space grey base m3 model I save 400 :) so gonna see how it goes.... to me the 14 inch base is on par with a slightly thicker 13 ish inch MacBook Air with an XDR display... my dream MacBook is an Air with an XDR display

[@ProfessorTechNerd]

I wish the 16 inch pro wasn’t so heavy.

[@TechGearTalk]

It’s the one I take with me all the time. I just deal with the weight 😂🤣

[@sglatitude]

8:03 I thought 14” MBP with M3 chip only has 8 core CPU instead of 10 core CPU? Unless it is M3 Pro chip which baseline comes with 11 core CPU

[@TechGearTalk]

That’s correct. It was a misprint. I do mention the number of cores verbally and in text in other areas. Good catch!!! I’ll add another

[@Josephsoto221]

I won a 15 inch MacBook air m2 (16GB/1TB) I use it for music production and video editing and it is more than enough capable for everything I throw at it, idk personally its the perfect laptop, super light and portable, don't know if Id want the additional weight and size of the MacBook Pro

[@TechGearTalk]

Congratulations!!! You got an Amazon laptop and it sounds like it’s a perfect fit!

[@BananaAllergy]

I wish Apple would put the headphone jack on the left side of MacBook Air.

[@beigefox6579]

What kind of ear/headphones are you plugging into a MacBook Air. I could have sworn everyone has the AirPods Pro by now. Unless you are an audiophile, air pods is the way to go when you own either iPhone, Apple TV, watch, or MacBook. Shouldn't even be debatable.

[@vasiliychernomorov1115]

If they would create something as slim as old Intel MacBooks as pro model that would be a steal. Took mine 24/1tb 15 inch air over more powerful chunky pro, 14 is too small for any professional graphic work and 16 is behemoth. Happy with my air with every touch. Hdr screen and 120hz are marketing bulshit have no use in a real life. Whatching Hdr movies on 14 inch screen is kinda nonsense, buy a cheap 40inch TV with lot of movies on change for the price of pro and be happy)

[@TechGearTalk]

Sounds like you certainly got the right MacBook for your needs

[@geraxho]

Lol my thought process was similar, if I wanted to watch movies I'll use the 4k tv, if I wanted really nice sound and loud, I'll link a nice speaker, outside you'll be wearing headphones unless the public asks you to play it (+ noone around has a speaker). If I want to get work done at a pro level I'll buy a mac studio for home, the m1 max base right now is like 1300 refurb. The only reason for me to get a pro is if I'm gonna use it for everything home and portable. The air 15 16/512 is more than enough for 1295.

[@daledevernon56]

By far the MacBook M3 pro is the better option, Apple shop themselves in the foot when it came to pricing these two models.

[@geraxho]

Nel, I got a 512/16 for 1295

[@geraxho]

Having a pro for regular or daily tasks is overstating, you'll waste the speakers in public bc everyone uses headphones in public, you need a pro if you're doing pro work. Writing for a long time the air is more comfortable and battery life is better.

[@TechGearTalk]

Thanks for watching and for contributing to the community!

[@fr3ddy1461]

@@geraxho what if you’re getting into occasional photo and video editing? I have a drone, and I’m trying to get into photography as a hobby

[@geraxho]

@fr3ddy1461 People with small youtube channels are more than capable of editing videos in 4k with an air. Think that an air is considerably more powerful than a mbp i9 from 2019. For smoother tasks and future proofing, I'll get the 16/512 m2. I have a hub with all the ports needed which I don't use often, you might use the Microsd port more often from a pro if you actually need it and don't want to carry around a hub. A 16 mbp is too expensive and heavy (superpowerful and best battery), a 14 inch (superpowerful as well) is cheaper but smaller than the 15 even and battery doesn't last as much as the 15 unless is the m3 base chip version. An air screen even being 60hz is excellent, the pros screen is Topnotch, If that's a deal breaker get the pro. I wouldn't get a 16 pro because to me it would be pointless, is more than 2k for a laptop I wouldn't like to carry around, I would get instead a mac studio for at least 700 $ less or more and more powerful than a 16 base. Look for videos of a m2 air 15 capabilities and you'll know is enough.

[@Jimmyfly215]

great video. watching still from my M1 Pro MacBook Pro. Apple outdid themselves years ago thankfully.

[@TechGearTalk]

Thank you! Yes, the M1 Pro is definitely still a beast!

[@examplenameyoutube]

Was anyone else also surprised that the M3 Pro doesn't have Apple logo on its back? :D

[@TechGearTalk]

🤔

[@EC-cm8sf]

M2 with 16gb ram and 512 storage is roughly the same price as m3 pro 8gb ram. So thats a better comparison

[@TechGearTalk]

so which would you take?

[@EC-cm8sf]

@@TechGearTalk I don’t know, its do hard to find the benchmarks, everyone compares m2 8gb ram to m3 8gb. Of course m3 would win, but what about m2 16gb vs m3 8gb

[@TheVickieyshady]

Im sorry but the MacBook Pro M3 doesn’t make sense it doesn’t deserve to be called pro I buy it and I ended up returning it right now Best Buy have a good deals and it was hard to pass on the MBA 15 basic model for 999 😊

[@hardkornofficial]

MacBook Pro 16 inch is the best of the best.

[@mattsanchez4893]

Inexcusable that $1600 laptop comes with only 8gb of Ram and 512 Gg of strorage no matter how good it may be and you cannot upgrade either of them yourself but have to pay Apple a fortune to do so instead.

[@bobbys5343]

Which would you choose.. Macbook pro 14 m3 512gb $1,429 OR macbook air 15 m2 512gb $1,250

[@cozyhobbies_]

Same question! I’m asking from a dj perspective (not for myself

[@pungkyper]

i think it depends on your usage. if you are high mobility person who are using mac for general purpose, MBA would be great. i am using MBA 13 16GB 512GB for 4 months and its a beast…

[@cozyhobbies_]

@@pungkyper thanks for reply;do you use it for music production or dj at all? Or video editing?

[@pungkyper]

@@cozyhobbies_ no. i use it as my daily basis as full time office employee with medium mobility. its more than enough. for video editing some reviewers found no issue, but Pro version would be better..

[@cozyhobbies_]

@@pungkyper thanks so much. !!

[@kurt120032002]

Well after the atrocious 12.9" M2 iPad that is nearly useless, but also useful if you want to prove that 90% of Apple software engineers should be fired, the only job for an apple device is to be a hypervisor, and while the mentally deficient apple software engineers are decades away from grasping the notion of VM, you can have a a l2 hypervisor with VMs running windows and linux pretty decent for general use. Sure ideally I could use my tablet as external display and just get a smaller laptop, but again at Apple incompetence runs supreme at software department so nobody is shocked their professional level devices has no compatibility between them… I mean these "engineers" believe the best mouse pointer is a circle so we talk about that level of intelligence.

[@ropafadzo55]

Matthew 24:30 KJV And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

[@tccycling]

All I hear is: go spend your $2k on a windows laptop with better performance than either of these.

[@veryspecial01]

Rishi Sunak is my favorite tech reviewer!