MacBook Air M4 vs MacBook Pro M4 Pro: which is better for gaming?
Compared across 35 Mac games · High preset · no MetalFX
In short
The MacBook Pro M4 Pro (Apple M4 Pro) is 99% faster on average than the MacBook Air M4 (Apple M4): 110 vs 56 FPS at 1080p High across the games both can run. It clears 60 FPS in 29 games versus 14.
It is a different class: the MacBook Pro M4 Pro plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Air M4 can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
14 games at 60+ FPS · wins 0 of 35
29 games at 60+ FPS · wins 34 of 35
Average FPS by resolution
| Resolution | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Pro M4 Pro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 56FPS | 110FPS | +96 % |
| 1440p | 35FPS | 76FPS | +117 % |
| 4K | 18FPS | 40FPS | +122 % |
Which one for your resolution?
- 1080p: MacBook Pro M4 Pro, at 110 FPS on average, smooth.
- 1440p: MacBook Pro M4 Pro, at 76 FPS on average, smooth.
- 4K: MacBook Pro M4 Pro, at 40 FPS on average, playable.
Specifications
| MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Pro M4 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M4 | Apple M4 Pro |
| Generation | M4 | M4 |
| GPU cores | 8 / 10 | 16 / 20 |
| Geekbench Metal | 49,002 | 94,881 |
| Unified memory | 16 / 24 / 32 GB | 24 / 48 GB |
| Cooling | Fanless | Fan |
| Gaming score | 13/100 | 26/100 |
| Year | 2025 | 2024 |
Game performance
Estimate1080p · High
The MacGameFPS verdict
Calibrated on real Mac benchmarks, not spec sheets
Verdict
The MacBook Pro M4 Pro wins in 34 of 35 games. It is a different class: the MacBook Pro M4 Pro plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Air M4 can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
FAQ
Which is better for gaming, the MacBook Air M4 or the MacBook Pro M4 Pro?
The MacBook Pro M4 Pro: it wins in 34 of 35 games and is 99% faster on average at 1080p High.
Is upgrading from the MacBook Air M4 to the MacBook Pro M4 Pro worth it for gaming?
It is a different class: the MacBook Pro M4 Pro plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Air M4 can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
How big is the FPS gap in Cyberpunk 2077?
At 1080p High, the MacBook Air M4 gets about 15 FPS and the MacBook Pro M4 Pro about 41 FPS.
Which one for 1440p or 4K gaming?
At 1440p the average is 35 vs 76 FPS, and at 4K 18 vs 40 FPS (MacBook Air M4 vs MacBook Pro M4 Pro).
How much memory should I get?
For gaming, 16 GB is the sensible minimum and 24 GB leaves headroom. The MacBook Air M4 ships with 16, 24, 32 GB and the MacBook Pro M4 Pro with 24, 48 GB.
