Should I buy a used M3 or M4 MacBook Air?
Buy the M4. 16GB is standard, so you stop playing the 8GB lottery, the camera is the 12MP Center Stage, and two displays work with the lid open. The used gap is often about $150.
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$400$600$800$1,000$1,200
Side by side
Shaded with a red rule: the better side for a typical buyer. Not a lab score.
Air 13-inch M3Air 13-inch M4
Typical price
Better here: About $850
About $900
Memory
Early 2024 models are often 8GB. Later ones are 16GB. Read the title.
Better here: 16GB is standard. It can be ordered with 24GB or 32GB. It cannot be upgraded later.
Storage
256GB is common. 512GB is the more comfortable buy.
256GB is the base. 512GB is more comfortable if you store photos or projects locally.
Screen
13.6-inch Liquid Retina, about 500 nits.
13.6-inch Liquid Retina, about 500 nits.
Ports
MagSafe, two Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack. No HDMI.
MagSafe, two Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack. No HDMI and no SD card slot.
External displays
Two external displays, with the lid closed.
Better here: Two external displays, with the lid open.
Camera
1080p.
Better here: 12MP Center Stage. It keeps you in frame on calls.
Noise
Silent. There is no fan.
Silent. There is no fan.
Weight
2.7 lb
2.7 lb
Battery
Apple’s figure is up to 18 hours of video.
Apple’s figure is up to 18 hours of video.
Speed
A modest step over the M2. The useful change is display support, not a new kind of speed.
Better here: The sweet spot. Comfortable for school, photo work, and most coding.
US eBay asking ranges as of November 11, 2026.