MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro
M4 Pro · Mini-LED ProMotion · 1.55 kg
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
M5 · 15.3″ Liquid Retina · 1.51 kg
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro lands at 94 and MacBook Air 15" (M5) at 94. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro if…
- ✓Best perf-per-watt portable workstation
- ✓Mini-LED 1600-nit HDR display
- ✓Best-in-class speakers
Pick MacBook Air 15" (M5) if…
- ✓Larger 15.3″ panel at 2880×1864
- ✓10-core CPU + 10-core GPU standard
- ✓Up to 18 hours video playback
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPerformance
MacBook Pro 14 M4 ProCPU + GPU muscle for demanding work
MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro leads on cpu (96 vs 92).
Battery life
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Unplugged endurance for travel and campus
MacBook Air 15" (M5) leads on battery (95 vs 92).
Display
MacBook Pro 14 M4 ProPanel quality for creative and media work
MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro leads on display (96 vs 90).
Value for money
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
MacBook Air 15" (M5) more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $1,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro | MacBook Air 15" (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 14.2″ Mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR, 120Hz | ▲ 15.3″ IPS LED, 2880×1864 at 224 ppi |
| CPU | Apple M4 Pro (12-core CPU) | — |
| GPU | 16-core GPU | — |
| RAM | ▲ 24 / 48 GB unified | 16 GB unified (base) |
| Storage | 512 GB / 1 / 2 / 4 TB | 512 GB / 1 / 2 / 4 TB SSD |
| Battery | 72.4 Wh | — |
| Weight | 1.55 kg | ▲ 1.51 kg |
| Chip | — | Apple M5 chip (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) |
| Battery (video) | — | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery (web) | — | Up to 15 hours |
| Ports | — | MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm |
| OS | — | macOS 16 |
MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro
- +Best perf-per-watt portable workstation
- +Mini-LED 1600-nit HDR display
- +Best-in-class speakers
- −8 GB base RAM gone — but storage upgrades pricey
- −No OLED option
- −Notch in display
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
- +Larger 15.3″ panel at 2880×1864
- +10-core CPU + 10-core GPU standard
- +Up to 18 hours video playback
- −Heavier at 1.51 kg
- −2× Thunderbolt 4 (not TB5)
- −No ProMotion
FAQ: MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro vs MacBook Air 15" (M5)
Which is better, MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro or MacBook Air 15" (M5)? +
Both score 94 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro worth the price? +
At $1,999, MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in cpu.
Is MacBook Air 15" (M5) worth the price? +
At $1,299, MacBook Air 15" (M5) delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in battery.
Does MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro or MacBook Air 15" (M5) 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 Pro 14 M4 Pro or MacBook Air 15" (M5)? +
MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro — leads on cpu (96 vs 92). CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work.
Which is better for battery life, MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro or MacBook Air 15" (M5)? +
MacBook Air 15" (M5) — leads on battery (95 vs 92). Unplugged endurance for travel and campus.