MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Pro M3 Pro: which is better for gaming?
Compared across 35 Mac games · High preset · no MetalFX
In short
The MacBook Pro M3 Pro (Apple M3 Pro) is 76% faster on average than the MacBook Air M3 (Apple M3): 81 vs 46 FPS at 1080p High across the games both can run. It clears 60 FPS in 24 games versus 10.
It is a different class: the MacBook Pro M3 Pro plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Air M3 can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
10 games at 60+ FPS · wins 0 of 35
24 games at 60+ FPS · wins 33 of 35
Average FPS by resolution
| Resolution | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Pro M3 Pro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 46FPS | 81FPS | +76 % |
| 1440p | 29FPS | 52FPS | +79 % |
| 4K | 15FPS | 27FPS | +80 % |
Which one for your resolution?
- 1080p: MacBook Pro M3 Pro, at 81 FPS on average, smooth.
- 1440p: MacBook Pro M3 Pro, at 52 FPS on average, playable.
- 4K: MacBook Pro M3 Pro, at 27 FPS on average, though neither is smooth without lowering settings.
Specifications
| MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Pro M3 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M3 | Apple M3 Pro |
| Generation | M3 | M3 |
| GPU cores | 8 / 10 | 14 / 18 |
| Geekbench Metal | 41,753 | 66,120 |
| Unified memory | 8 / 16 / 24 GB | 18 / 36 GB |
| Cooling | Fanless | Fan |
| Gaming score | 11/100 | 18/100 |
| Year | 2024 | 2023 |
Game performance
Estimate1080p · High
The MacGameFPS verdict
Calibrated on real Mac benchmarks, not spec sheets
Verdict
The MacBook Pro M3 Pro wins in 33 of 35 games. It is a different class: the MacBook Pro M3 Pro plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Air M3 can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
FAQ
Which is better for gaming, the MacBook Air M3 or the MacBook Pro M3 Pro?
The MacBook Pro M3 Pro: it wins in 33 of 35 games and is 76% faster on average at 1080p High.
Is upgrading from the MacBook Air M3 to the MacBook Pro M3 Pro worth it for gaming?
It is a different class: the MacBook Pro M3 Pro plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Air M3 can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
How big is the FPS gap in Cyberpunk 2077?
At 1080p High, the MacBook Air M3 gets about 13 FPS and the MacBook Pro M3 Pro about 28 FPS.
Which one for 1440p or 4K gaming?
At 1440p the average is 29 vs 52 FPS, and at 4K 15 vs 27 FPS (MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Pro M3 Pro).
How much memory should I get?
For gaming, 16 GB is the sensible minimum and 24 GB leaves headroom. The MacBook Air M3 ships with 8, 16, 24 GB and the MacBook Pro M3 Pro with 18, 36 GB.