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MacBook Pro (M4) vs. MacBook Air (M4) vs. iPad Pro (M4)
In a nutshell: If you need maximum performance, display quality and connectivity, go for the MacBook Pro (M4). For everyday work with top battery life and a strong price-performance ratio, the MacBook Air (M4) is the best choice. For ultra-mobile, pen-based workflows, the iPad Pro (M4) with OLED (“Ultra Retina XDR”) and Apple Pencil Pro shines.
Why now? The M4 leap in practice
- More performance & efficiency: The Apple M4 delivers noticeably more CPU/GPU power and better efficiency compared to older generations – ideal for multitasking, media editing and AI features.
- Top-class displays: ProMotion with up to 120 Hz, HDR peak brightness and razor-sharp panels (mini LED on the Pro, tandem OLED on the iPad Pro).
- Long runtimes: Up to 18 hours on the MacBook Air and up to 24 hours on the MacBook Pro, depending on the configuration.
Overview of devices
MacBook Pro (M4)
- Use: creative professionals, developers, video/audio, 3D, big data
- Strengths: Active cooling for constant peak performance, XDR display (mini LED), more ports (HDMI, SDXC, Thunderbolt, MagSafe)
- Battery life: up to 24 hours of video playback in certain configurations
MacBook Air (M4)
- Use: Office, remote work, study, travel
- Strengths: Fanless (quiet), very light, excellent runtime of up to 18 h, attractive entry-level price
- Ports: MagSafe + 2× Thunderbolt/USB-C
iPad Pro (M4)
- Use: Notes, customer appointments, whiteboarding, design sketches, photo review
- Strengths: Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED), Apple Pencil Pro, Magic Keyboard support, extremely mobile
- Connectivity: USB-C/Thunderbolt, 5G options (cellular)
Comparison table
| Criterion | MacBook Pro (M4) | MacBook Air (M4) | iPad Pro (M4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance under continuous load | ★★★★★ (active cooling) | ★★★★☆ (fanless, throttles under continuous load) | ★★★★☆ (passive, very fast mobile) |
| Display | Mini-LED XDR, ProMotion 120 Hz | Liquid Retina, 60 Hz | Ultra Retina XDR (Tandem OLED), ProMotion 120 Hz |
| Storage | 512 GB – 8 TB SSD | 256 GB – 2 TB SSD | 256 GB – 2 TB SSD |
| Battery life | up to 24 h (depending on configuration) | up to 18 h | all day (depending on use) |
| Connections | HDMI, SDXC, 3× TB4/USB-C, MagSafe 3, jack | 2× TB4/USB-C, MagSafe 3 | USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, Smart Connector |
| Weight & mobility | high quality, mobile | very light, very mobile | ultra-light & extremely mobile |
| Suitable for | Pro workflows, creative work, development | Office, study, travel | Meetings, notes, sketches, review |
Recommendations by scenario
- Design/Video/Audio & Pro Apps: MacBook Pro (M4) – consistent high performance, best display and connectivity.
- Standard business, on the road a lot, budget in mind: MacBook Air (M4) – quiet, light, very durable.
- Pencil workflows, consulting, sales, field work: iPad Pro (M4) – Pencil Pro, top OLED and tablet flexibility.
Olbricht IT: Apple Financial Partner – Leasing & all-round service
Olbricht IT is an Apple Financial Partner and provides business customers with devices on a leasing basis – including setup and integration into your existing IT. This allows you to stay technically up-to-date and pay predictable monthly installments instead of high initial investments.
OIT Leasing Apple Hardware
Our service for business customers
- Device procurement & leasing (MacBook Pro/Air, iPad Pro)
- Zero-touch setup, software rollout, users & profiles
- Backup concepts (local & cloud), recovery tests
- Security & administration (MDM, compliance, encryption)
- Support & maintenance with clear SLAs
Request advice & a leasing offer now
Conclusion
The M4 generation manages the balancing act of high performance and long battery life. Which option suits you best depends on your workflow: maximum reserves and pro displays (MacBook Pro), best all-rounder for the office (MacBook Air) or pen and tablet-first workflows (iPad Pro). Together with Olbricht IT as your Apple Financial Partner, you not only get the right device, but also setup, backup and ongoing support from a single source.
Dominik Zumstrull, Senior IT Consultant
Dein Ansprechpartner für Apple Hardware in Osnabrück
