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Samsung and Apple are two of the biggest names in the tech industry, and their laptops are no exception. The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro lineup includes the Pro 14, Pro 16, and Pro 360 variants, while Apple’s MacBook Air M2 has taken the world by storm with its impressive performance and sleek design. Both laptops are good for work and everyday use, but many people wonder if they are worth the money for gaming.
When it comes to high-end laptops, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro and the MacBook Air M2 are two of the most talked-about models on the market. Both laptops are made to be fast, look good, and have a variety of features that can meet the needs of both professionals and casual users. In this article, we will compare these two laptops in terms of their specifications, features, and performance to help you decide which one is the better option for you.
Design and Build Quality
Both the MacBook Air and the Galaxy Book 3 Pro stand out for their elegance and sleek design. The MacBook Air features Apple’s characteristic design, with a thin and lightweight aluminum chassis.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro showcases an elegant and sturdy design, with a high-quality metal body that ensures durability. The Book 3 Pro 360 model offers exceptional versatility thanks to its 360-degree hinge, allowing it to easily transform into a tablet, expanding its range of uses. Available in both 14-inch and 16.0-inch versions, it boasts a vibrant AMOLED display with high resolution (2880 x 1800 pixels), surrounded by slim bezels that add a modern and elegant touch to the laptop.
Both the MacBook Air M2 and the Galaxy Book 3 Pro stand out for their elegance and sleek design. The MacBook Air features Apple’s characteristic design with a slim and lightweight aluminum chassis.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro showcases an elegant and robust design, with a premium metal body ensuring durability. The Book 3 Pro 360 model offers exceptional versatility with its 360-degree hinge, allowing it to easily transform into a tablet, expanding its usage possibilities. Available in both 14-inch and 16.0-inch versions, it boasts a vibrant AMOLED display with high resolution (2880 x 1800 pixels), surrounded by slim bezels that add a modern and stylish touch to the laptop.
The MacBook Air M2, on the other hand, has a classic look that makes it easy to recognize. The laptop is built with a unibody aluminum casing that is both lightweight and durable. The laptop has a 13.3-inch Retina display that is incredibly sharp and has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. The display also has True Tone technology, which changes the screen’s color temperature based on how bright the room is. The MacBook Air has a thin bezel, which gives it a modern and elegant look. The MacBook Air has a sleek and lightweight build that makes it easy to carry around, weighing only 2.8 pounds.
In general, both laptops are nicely designed and durable. The Galaxy Book Pro boasts a higher-resolution display. However, the MacBook Air’s True Tone technology gives it an advantage over the Galaxy Book 3 Pro.
Performance
In addition to its impressive performance, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro can also be customized according to your specific needs. You have the option of choosing between the powerful Core i5-1340P (12M Cache, up to 4.60 GHz) or the even more powerful Core i7-1360P (18M Cache, up to 5.00 GHz) processor. Moreover, you can select from 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB of RAM and 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of SSD storage to ensure that the laptop meets your requirements. Also, it has an Intel Iris Xe graphics card, so you can easily run most applications that use a lot of graphics, such as the ones for video editing.
Although not as powerful as other processors like the Intel Core i7-12700H, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro’s 13th Gen Core i7 is still impressive for multitasking and productivity. It’s a dependable processor for work or school activities. If you opt for the 13th Gen Core i5 version with 16GB of RAM, you can expect exceptional day-to-day performance without noticeable slowdowns, even under heavy loads. But neither version has a very long battery life. You can browse the web and watch videos for about 6 to 7 hours.
The MacBook Air M2 uses a chip called the M2, which is similar to the A15 Bionic chip used in the iPhone 13. It can be customized with 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB of RAM and 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage on an SSD. The laptop also has a graphics card with an 8- or 10-core processor, making it great for programs that need a lot of graphics power.
If we compare the MacBook Air M2 and its performance to the previous M1 chip, there is not much to say. In benchmarking tests, the M2 chip gives small improvements, but in real life, it doesn’t make much of a difference. But if this is your first Apple product, the MacBook Air M2 has great battery life and can easily handle both everyday tasks and short bursts of more difficult ones, making it a very capable machine. The fanless design of the laptop makes it completely silent in operation, and it can stay cool during demanding photo manipulation work. Paying extra just for the jump in performance from the M1 to the M2 is not worth it at all, as the upgrades may not be significant enough to justify the cost.
The MacBook Air is powered by Apple’s M2 chip, which is an Apple-made processor that runs fast and uses little power. The Galaxy Book 3 Pro, on the other hand, is powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, which is also a high-performance chip but not as power efficient as the M2.
Features
The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro comes with a range of features that make it a versatile device for both work and play. The laptop has a fingerprint scanner, which allows you to quickly and securely log into your device. It also has a built-in S Pen on the 360 version, which is perfect for taking notes or drawing. The laptop also comes with a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt 4, and HDMI. Additionally, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro features a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
The MacBook Air M2 also comes with a range of features that cater to the needs of professionals and casual users alike. The laptop has a Touch ID fingerprint scanner, which allows you to quickly and securely log into your device.
The MacBook Air also has a FaceTime HD camera that lets you video chat with a clear and high-quality image, as well as a three-microphone array that lets you record audio that is as clear as glass. Additionally, the MacBook Air is compatible with a range of accessories, including the Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Apple Pencil, which can help increase your productivity.
The MacBook Air also has a longer battery life than the Galaxy Book 3 Pro, with up to 18 hours of web browsing and up to 15 hours of video playback. The Galaxy Book 3 Pro, on the other hand, has a battery life of up to 8 hours, which is still very good but not as long as the MacBook Air.
Operating System
When it comes to operating systems, the MacBook Air runs on Apple’s macOS, while the Galaxy Book 3 Pro runs on Windows 11. These two operating systems have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it really depends on the user’s preference and needs.
For example, macOS is known for having a clean, easy-to-use interface and working well with other Apple products like iPhones and iPads. On the other hand, Windows 11 has more software and apps, especially ones that help you work and play games.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro has a 3K Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2880 x 1800), 16:10 aspect ratio, and 120 Hz refresh rate for both 14- and 16-inch laptops. This display is vibrant, sharp, and offers excellent contrast and color accuracy. The MacBook Air, on the other hand, has a 13.3-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. This display is also very high-quality, with excellent color accuracy and brightness.
One major difference between these two displays is the aspect ratio. The Galaxy Book 3 Pro has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which provides more vertical screen real estate and is better suited for productivity tasks such as writing or browsing the web. The MacBook Air, on the other hand, has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is better suited for media consumption such as watching videos or movies.
Ports
The Galaxy Book 3 Pro boasts an impressive range of connectivity options, including 2 Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) ports, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, 1 HDMI 1.4 port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot, making it easy to connect to a variety of devices and peripherals.
On the other hand, the MacBook Air M2 features a MagSafe 3 charging port, two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40 Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40 Gb/s), and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gb/s). The laptop also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a dual microphone array. Both laptops come with fast and reliable wireless connectivity, but the Galaxy Book 3 Pro features Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, while the MacBook Air includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
Speakers
In terms of audio quality, the MacBook Air M2 outperforms the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro. The MacBook Air’s quad-speaker system with Smart Amp and Dolby Atmos technology delivers a more immersive and high-quality audio experience, thanks to its two 5W woofers and two 2W tweeters. On the other hand, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro’s quad-speaker system has two 1.5-watt woofers and two 1-watt tweeters, which produce good sound but fall short in comparison to the MacBook Air. No matter if you’re listening to music, watching a movie, or making a video call, the MacBook Air’s audio system makes it a pleasure to listen to.
Pricing
In terms of price, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro is slightly cheaper than the MacBook Air, with a starting price of $1,199.99 compared to the MacBook Air’s starting price of $1,249. Despite the difference in price, both laptops offer excellent value for their price and are highly recommended for users looking for a high-quality and powerful laptop.
Here’s a table comparing the pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 3 and the Apple MacBook Air M2:
| Compare | Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 3 | Apple MacBook Air M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | ||
| Display quality | Super AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate | Retina display with P3 color gamut |
| Performance | Exceptional performance and can handle demanding tasks | Handle heavy workloads and multitasking |
| Power | Supports fast charging with a 65W | Consumes less power and is more efficient |
| Keyboard and Trackpad | Solid full-size keyboard and a huge trackpad | Fantastic keyboard and touchpad |
| Portability | Thin and lightweight design with long battery life | Ultra-thin design with long battery life |
| Touchscreen | 10-point multi-touch screen for easier navigation and creativity | No touchscreen |
| 5G connectivity | Option for 5G connectivity for faster internet speeds | No 5G option |
| Expandable storage | MicroSD card slot for expandable storage | No expandable storage options |
| Cons | ||
| Price | Higher price point compared to similar laptops | Higher price point compared to other Apple laptops |
| Processor performance | It is not as powerful as some competitors in its price range | During long workloads, it warms up and throttles forcefully. |
| Software | A lot of apps already installed many from Samsung. | Limited compatibility with some gaming and productivity applications |
Note: The pros and cons listed are subjective and may vary depending on personal preferences and needs.
Are they worth playing?
While both laptops, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro and MacBook Air M2, are powerful and versatile, they are not primarily designed for gaming. Its built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics for the Galaxy Book 3 and M2 chip for the MacBook can handle some light gaming, but it may struggle with more demanding games that need a separate graphics card. But if you want a laptop just for gaming, you could also get the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra. It has RTX 4050 or 4070 graphics and i7-13700H and i9-13900H processors, which make it a better choice for gaming and creating content.
Similarly, for those who want to get something from Apple for more compelling gaming, Apple’s new chips, the M2 Pro and M2 Max, have proven to be able to run demanding games without drawbacks.
- AAA games are not recommended on the MacBook Air M2 due to a lack of optimized games for Apple silicon and questionable performance.
- The MacBook Air M2 can handle games, but it has ecosystem and throttling issues.
- It’s not a good choice to buy an M2 Air primarily for gaming since its price could get you a PC more suitable for gaming.
- Upgrading to an M2 Pro or M2 Max machine would be better for AAA gaming, but it comes with a high price.
- The M2 Air is suitable for casual gaming, streaming, and classic games.
- OpenEmu is a user-friendly and polished emulation system for desktops.
However, if you are looking for a versatile laptop that can handle productivity tasks and some light gaming on the side, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro or the MacBook Air M2 could be good options for you.
Conclusions
If you are looking for a versatile and portable device that can handle a variety of tasks, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro is a solid choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for a powerful and reliable device that is tailored to your everyday computing needs, the MacBook Air M2 is a great option. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and how each device meets your specific needs.
Both the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro and the MacBook Air M2 have their own strengths and weaknesses. The Galaxy Book 3 Pro is a great choice for people who care most about portability, 5G connectivity, and touch screens. The MacBook Air, on the other hand, is a great choice for people who care most about performance, battery life, and the macOS ecosystem.
No matter which laptop you choose, both the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro and the MacBook Air M2 are excellent options that will provide you with the power and functionality you need to get your work done.
