How do you decide between a 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air? If you want a lightweight, travel-friendly laptop, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air is a great choice with the same performance as the bigger one. But if you prefer a larger screen for multitasking, better sound, and don’t mind spending $200 more or carrying extra weight, the 15-inch model gives you that extra space without sacrificing speed or battery.
Both are powerful and future-ready, so it just depends on whether you value portability or a bigger display.
Here’s a 13-inch vs 15-inch M4 MacBook Air comparison to help you choose the best option.
Key Differences At a Glance
| Specs | 13-inch MacBook Air | 15-inch MacBook Air |
| Display | 13.6″ Liquid Retina Display 60Hz 500 nits brightness 2560 x 1664 resolution | 15.3″ Liquid Retina Display 60Hz 500 nits brightness 2880 x 1864 resolution |
| Dimensions | 30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13 cm | 34.04 x 23.76 x 1.15 cm |
| Weight | 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg) | 3.3 pounds (1.51 kg) |
| RAM & Storage | 16GB, 24GB, 36GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 16GB, 24GB, 36GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage Camera Desk View | 12MP Center Stage Camera Desk View |
| Ports | MagSafe 3 2x Thunderbolt 4 Headphone jack | MagSafe 3 2x Thunderbolt 4 Headphone jack |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6E | Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6E |
| Battery | up to 15 hours of video playback up to 18 hours of web browsing | up to 15 hours of video playback up to 18 hours of web browsing |
| Price | Starts at $1,199 | Starts $1,199 |
| Colors | Sky Blue, Starlight, Silver, Midnight | Sky Blue, Starlight, Silver, Midnight |
Design: Portability vs Functionality
Since the debut of M2 models in 2022, Apple hasn’t changed the design language of its MacBook Air lineup. That said, there aren’t any major flaws in the overall aesthetics. The current 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models look pretty much the same. They feature a slab-like design that looks modern and aligns the Air family with the expensive MacBook Pro lineup.
The most obvious and key difference between the 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air M4 is their size. The 13-inch model is, of course, more compact at 30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13 cm, while the 15-inch version measures 34.04 x 23.76 x 1.15 cm. The smaller one weighs just 2.7 pounds, while its 15-inch one weighs slightly more at 3.3 pounds.
Essentially, it means choosing between portability and larger real estate. The 13-inch MacBook Air is thin, lightweight, and designed for unmatched portability, whereas the 15-inch model offers more space onscreen for multitasking.
All models come in an exclusive Sky Blue color, which joins the already existing Silver, Midnight, and Starlight options.
Display: Any Difference Beyond Size?
When it comes to display, size is again the biggest differentiator. The smaller version packs a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2560 × 1664. The larger model expands that to a 15.3-inch display with a resolution of 2880 × 1864. Despite the differences in size and resolution, you’ll find identical sharpness on both screens at 224 pixels per inch (PPI), for crisp and tuned visuals across the board. Also, with the standard 60Hz refresh rate, 500 nits peak brightness, P3 Wide Color gamut, and True Tone technology, the overall display experience is the same on both models.
So, if we strip away the extra inches, the displays on the 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air are virtually identical.
Connectivity and Ports
The 13-inch and 15-inch models are the same in terms of I/O port selection and connectivity options. Both versions pack a MagSafe charging port, two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, and a headphone jack for high-impedance headphones.
Thanks to the jump from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4, all M4 MacBook Air models support up to external 6K monitors at up to 60Hz, while allowing you to use the built-in display at the same time. This is a big win for multitaskers and content creators.
In terms of wireless connectivity, you’ll find Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E support on both models.
Performance
With the power of Apple Silicon M4, the current MacBook Air models deliver a true performance upgrade over the previous generations. Plus, they are all Apple Intelligence compatible, making them future-ready for AI workflows. However, you can’t expect the same performance in base models.
The 13-inch model starts with a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16GB of RAM, while the 15-inch model includes a 10-core CPU and GPU by default. That said, casual users may not even notice the difference. Both models can be configured up to 36GB of memory and 2TB of storage. Performance-wise, they can pretty much handle everything from everyday tasks to pro-level work like designing and video editing.
Coming to thermal efficiency, the entire M4 MacBook Air lineup utilizes a fanless passive cooling system, which is silent and provides efficient performance for everyday tasks. Since none of them have an active cooling system with fans, they can throttle under a heavy workload.
Audio and Camera
The 13-inch MacBook Air M4 features a four-speaker sound system, while the 15-inch model adds two force-cancelling woofers to offer a six-speaker sound system. You’ll experience rich sound and impressive quality, but obviously, the 15-inch MacBook Air delivers a more immersive experience with that extra bass.
Both models also support Spatial Audio when playing Dolby Atmos content on the built-in speaker. For audio input, all the M4 Airs are equipped with a three-mic array for clear voice pickup.
The entire M4 MacBook Air lineup boasts a 12MP Center Stage webcam with Desk View and 1080p video recording. So, you’ll enjoy engaging and well-framed video calls.
Battery and Charging
Both 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air offer up to 15 hours of video playback and 18 hours of wireless web browsing, similar to the previous generations.
You’ll get a charging block with both models. The only difference is that all 15-inch models come with a slightly faster 35W dual adapter, while the 13-inch base model offers a 30W power adapter. MagSafe 3 port is available on both models. If needed, you can also charge through the Thunderbolt 4 port.
Pricing
On the price front, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air is the more budget-friendly option. It starts at $999 for the base model with a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Upgrading to a 10-core GPU and 512GB storage will cost you $1,199, while the top-tier 24GB RAM is priced at $1,399.
The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air starts at $1,299, offering a 10-core GPU, 10-core CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD by default. The maxed-out 24GB and 512GB model will cost you $1,599.
Which One Should You Buy?
The ultimate choice really comes down to choosing between portability and some extra real estate. With a compact and lightweight design, the 13-inch MacBook Air is the perfect on-the-go laptop. In contrast, the 15-inch model is geared towards multitasking and doubles as a desktop replacement.
The 13-inch model is made for users who want an ultra-portable laptop that lets them work from anywhere. Whereas, the 15-inch would please fans of a spacious and immersive display. For $200 more, you get a larger screen and better sound experience, but with the same RAM and SSD.
To sum up, if portability and price are your top priorities, the 13-inch offers a solid value. But if a larger and multitasking space is important to you, the 15-inch model is a smarter pick.