MacBook Air 13 M4
M4 · 13.6″ Liquid Retina · 1.24 kg
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
M5 Max · 16.2″ XDR · Up to 128 GB unified
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, MacBook Air 13 M4 lands at 91 and MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) at 96. That puts MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick MacBook Air 13 M4 if…
- ✓$999 starting at 16 GB / 256 GB
- ✓Best perf-per-watt 13″ laptop
- ✓24-hour battery on light loads
Pick MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) if…
- ✓18-core CPU + 40-core GPU (M5 Max top config)
- ✓Up to 22 hours video playback
- ✓Three Thunderbolt 5 ports
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPerformance
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) leads on cpu (98 vs 92).
Battery life
TieUnplugged endurance for travel and campus
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Display
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)Panel quality for creative and media work
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) leads on display (98 vs 88).
Value for money
MacBook Air 13 M4Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
MacBook Air 13 M4 more score per dollar ($999 vs $3,499).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | MacBook Air 13 M4 | MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.6″ Liquid Retina, 60Hz | ▲ 16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR, 3456×2234 at 254 ppi |
| CPU | Apple M4 (10-core) | — |
| GPU | 8 / 10-core integrated | — |
| RAM | 16 / 24 / 32 GB unified | ▲ Up to 128 GB unified |
| Storage | ▲ 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 / 2 TB | 1 / 2 / 4 / 8 TB SSD |
| Battery | 52.6 Wh | — |
| Weight | ▲ 1.24 kg | 2.15 kg |
| Chip | — | Apple M5 Max chip (18-core CPU, 32-core GPU base, configurable to 40-core GPU) |
| Battery (video) | — | Up to 22 hours |
| Battery (web) | — | Up to 16 hours |
| Ports | — | 3× Thunderbolt 5, MagSafe 3, SDXC, HDMI, 3.5 mm |
| OS | — | macOS 16 |
MacBook Air 13 M4
- +$999 starting at 16 GB / 256 GB
- +Best perf-per-watt 13″ laptop
- +24-hour battery on light loads
- −No ProMotion 120Hz
- −Single external display on base SKU
- −Notch in display
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
- +18-core CPU + 40-core GPU (M5 Max top config)
- +Up to 22 hours video playback
- +Three Thunderbolt 5 ports
- −Heavy at 2.15 kg
- −Premium pricing unchanged
- −Limited gaming library on macOS
FAQ: MacBook Air 13 M4 vs MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)
Which is better, MacBook Air 13 M4 or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)? +
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is MacBook Air 13 M4 worth the price? +
At $999, MacBook Air 13 M4 delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in battery.
Is MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) worth the price? +
At $3,499, MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Does MacBook Air 13 M4 or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for performance, MacBook Air 13 M4 or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)? +
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) — leads on cpu (98 vs 92). CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work.
Which is better for display, MacBook Air 13 M4 or MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max)? +
MacBook Pro 16" (M5 Max) — leads on display (98 vs 88). Panel quality for creative and media work.