Apple 13-inch MacBook Air: Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 16GB, 256GB SSD - Space Gray vs Apple MacBook Air M4 15-inch
Buy the 13-inch MacBook Air M3 if you want the lightest, cheapest way into a modern Mac with 16GB of RAM. Buy the 15-inch MacBook Air M4 if you want a bigger screen, more storage and the newer chip. The M3 13-inch is listed at $859 at Back Market as of October 28, 2026; no price was given for the 15-inch M4.
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Apple 13-inch MacBook Air: Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 16GB, 256GB SSD - Space Gray
4.7Choose the 13-inch MacBook Air M3 if portability and price matter most and 256GB of storage is enough for you.
Pros
- 16GB of RAM handles many browser tabs and apps at once
- Light at 2.7 lb and easy to carry all day
- Quiet, fanless design
- Listed at $859, the lowest price in its recent history
Cons
- 256GB SSD fills up fast with photos and video
- 13.6-inch screen is small for side-by-side work
What separates them
| Apple 13-inch MacBook Air: Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 16GB, 256GB SSD - Space Gray | Apple MacBook Air M4 15-inch | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560 x 1664 | 15.3-inch Liquid Retina, 2880 x 1864 |
| Chip | Apple M3, 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU | Apple M4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Weight | 2.7 lb | About 3.3 lb |
| Battery | 53.8Wh, up to 18 hours | 66.5Wh, up to 18 hours |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt 3 / USB 4, MagSafe 3 | Two Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3 |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system | Six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers |
| Price |
Price history
$1,099.00$859.00
- Apple 13-inch MacBook Air: Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 16GB, 256GB SSD - Space Gray: lowest $859.00 on Oct 28; $859.00 on Nov 2.
- Apple MacBook Air M4 15-inch: lowest $1,099.00 on Nov 1 at Walmart.
Prices at every store
Apple 13-inch MacBook Air: Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 16GB, 256GB SSD - Space Gray
- MacExperienceCheck price at MacExperience
- tulanetechconnect.comCheck price at tulanetechconnect.com
- Back MarketCheck price at Back Market
Apple MacBook Air M4 15-inch
- Back MarketCheck price at Back Market
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
Specs compared
| Spec | Apple 13-inch MacBook Air: Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 16GB, 256GB SSD - Space Gray | Apple MacBook Air M4 15-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 18 h | Up to 18 hours, Up to 18 hours (video streaming) |
| OS Version | macOS Sequoia | macOS Sequoia |
| Main Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD storage |
| Storage Type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage Interface | NVMe | NVMe |
| Storage Read Speed | 3028 MB/s | 512GB SSD is still a little faster than the 256… |
| Battery Capacity | 53.8-watt-hour | 66.5-watt‑hour |
| Battery Type | Lithium-polymer | Built-in lithium‑polymer battery |
| Processor Brand | Apple | Apple |
What reviewers say
Apple 13-inch MacBook Air: Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 16GB, 256GB SSD - Space Gray
With 4.7 out of 5 from 461 ratings, owners describe a fast, quiet machine that arrives looking new and lasts a full day of work. Complaints center on seller-dependent condition and battery health.
Pros
- Arrived looking brand new, condition better than expected
- Fast, reliable and quiet performance
- Battery health often at 100% and lasts a full day
- Came in the original box with everything included
Cons
- Purchase experience varies by seller
- Battery health sometimes lower than expected
Apple MacBook Air M4 15-inch
Reviewers praise the MacBook Air M4 15-inch for its large, bright display, long battery life, and silent operation. Some criticize the 60Hz refresh rate and limited ports, but overall it is well-received as a premium thin-and-light laptop.
Pros
Questions and answers
- Which is better for travel?
- The 13-inch M3 Air. It weighs 2.7 lb versus about 3.3 lb for the 15-inch, and both are rated for up to 18 hours of battery.
- Is the M4 chip worth it over the M3?
- The M4 is faster, but for email, browsing and documents the M3 with 16GB of RAM feels close. The bigger reasons to pick the 15-inch are the screen and the 512GB of storage.
- How much storage do I need?
- 256GB is tight if you keep photos, video or games on the laptop. 512GB on the 15-inch gives more headroom without an external drive.
- Which has the better screen?
- The 15-inch. It is larger at 2880 x 1864 and supports 1 billion colors. Both are 500-nit Liquid Retina panels at 60Hz.
- Is the M3 13-inch a good deal at $859?
- At $859 at Back Market as of October 28, 2026, it is a low price for 16GB of RAM and an M3 chip. Check the seller's condition and battery health before buying.
- Do both have MagSafe charging?
- Yes. Both have MagSafe 3 plus two USB-C Thunderbolt ports, so you can charge without using a data port.
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