MacBook Air M4 vs M3 vs M2: Which One to Buy in 2025?

Shopping for a MacBook in Nigeria? With Apple's M-series chips now spanning M4, M3, M2, and even the still-available M1, choosing the right MacBook has never been more complex. This comprehensive guide will help you decide which MacBook Air is perfect for your needs and budget in 2025.

Quick Comparison Overview

Feature	MacBook Air M4	MacBook Air M3	MacBook Air M2
Release Year	2024	2024	2022
Starting Price (Nigeria)	₦2,000,000+	₦1,500,000+	₦1,200,000+
Performance	Excellent	Very Good	Good
RAM Options	8GB - 24GB	8GB - 24GB	8GB - 24GB
Storage	256GB - 2TB	256GB - 2TB	256GB - 2TB
Display	13.6" or 15.3" Liquid Retina	13.6" or 15.3" Liquid Retina	13.6" Liquid Retina
Battery Life	Up to 18 hours	Up to 18 hours	Up to 18 hours
Best For	Power users, future-proofing	Balanced performance	Budget-conscious buyers

Understanding Apple's M-Series Chips

M4 Chip (Latest - 2024)

The M4 chip represents Apple's most advanced silicon for MacBook Air. Built on a 3nm process, it offers:

CPU Performance: Up to 30% faster than M2
GPU Performance: Up to 40% faster than M2
Neural Engine: 2x faster machine learning tasks
Efficiency: Better battery life with same power envelope

Who it's for: Content creators, developers, and users who want the absolute best performance and future-proofing.

M3 Chip (2024)

The M3 chip brought significant improvements when it launched:

CPU Performance: Up to 20% faster than M2
GPU Performance: Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Neural Engine: Enhanced AI capabilities
Dynamic Caching: More efficient GPU memory usage

Who it's for: Professionals who need excellent performance but can save money by not getting the absolute latest.

M2 Chip (2022)

The M2 remains an excellent choice, offering:

CPU Performance: 18% faster than M1
GPU Performance: 35% faster than M1
Media Engine: Hardware-accelerated ProRes
Memory: Up to 24GB unified memory

Who it's for: Students, general users, and anyone looking for excellent value without needing cutting-edge performance.

Available MacBook Models at OgaBassey

Performance Breakdown

For Students & Basic Use

Recommendation: MacBook Air M2 (13-inch)

If you're primarily using your MacBook for:

Web browsing and email
Microsoft Office/Google Workspace
Zoom/Teams video calls
Light photo editing
Streaming media

The M2 MacBook Air offers more than enough power. The M1 is also still viable, but the M2's improvements in display and charging make it worth the extra investment.

Estimated Price Range: ₦1,200,000 - ₦1,500,000

For Content Creators

Recommendation: MacBook Air M3 (15-inch) or M4 (13-inch)

For video editing, graphic design, and content creation:

Video Editing: The M3's hardware-accelerated ray tracing and improved GPU make it excellent for Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve
Photo Editing: All models handle Lightroom and Photoshop well, but M3/M4 handle large RAW files better
3D Work: M3's ray tracing capabilities shine in Blender and similar tools

Estimated Price Range: ₦1,500,000 - ₦2,200,000

For Developers & Power Users

Recommendation: MacBook Air M4 (Any size) with 16GB+ RAM

Software development, virtualization, and heavy multitasking benefit from:

M4's superior single-core performance (faster compile times)
Enhanced Neural Engine (better for ML/AI development)
Improved efficiency (better battery during long coding sessions)

Pro Tip: Prioritize RAM over storage. Get 16GB RAM minimum, use external SSDs for storage if needed.

Estimated Price Range: ₦2,000,000 - ₦2,800,000

Nigerian Market Considerations

Pricing Trends in 2025

MacBook prices in Nigeria are influenced by:

Dollar-Naira exchange rate: Prices fluctuate with forex rates
Import duties and taxes: Add 20-30% to US retail prices
Availability: Newer models command premium until supply stabilizes
Condition: Brand new vs. foreign used ("UK used") can differ by 30-40%

OgaBassey Advantage

When buying from OgaBassey:

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Split your payment over 3-6 months with flexible payment plans
Warranty Coverage: All products come with warranty protection
Genuine Products: 100% authentic Apple products
Trade-In Options: Upgrade your old MacBook and get value
Free Delivery: Fast delivery across Lagos and Nigeria

Explore BNPL Options →

Memory & Storage Guide

How Much RAM Do You Need?

8GB RAM:

✅ Web browsing, email, office work
✅ Light photo editing
⚠️ Limited multitasking
❌ Heavy video editing
❌ Development with virtual machines

16GB RAM (Recommended for most):

✅ Everything 8GB can do, plus:
✅ Heavy browser use (30+ tabs)
✅ Video editing (1080p-4K)
✅ Software development
✅ Running multiple pro apps

24GB RAM (Power users):

✅ 8K video editing
✅ Large 3D projects
✅ Multiple virtual machines
✅ Extreme multitasking

Storage Recommendations

256GB: Only if you use cloud storage heavily (iCloud, Google Drive)

512GB: Sweet spot for most users - room for apps, projects, and media

1TB+: Content creators with large video/photo libraries

Pro Tip: External SSDs are cheaper than Apple's storage upgrades. Get base storage and add external drives later.

Battery Life Comparison

All MacBook Air models deliver exceptional battery life:

M4: Up to 18 hours (slight edge in efficiency)
M3: Up to 18 hours
M2: Up to 18 hours
M1: Up to 18 hours

Real-world usage (mixed tasks, 50% brightness):

Video playback: 15-17 hours
Web browsing: 10-13 hours
Video editing: 6-8 hours
Heavy development: 8-10 hours

Display Comparison

13.6-inch Models (M2, M3, M4)

Resolution: 2560 x 1664 (224 ppi)
Brightness: 500 nits
Technology: Liquid Retina with P3 wide color
True Tone: Yes
Best for: Portability, everyday use, students

15.3-inch Models (M2, M3, M4)

Resolution: 2880 x 1864 (224 ppi)
Brightness: 500 nits
Technology: Liquid Retina with P3 wide color
Screen Real Estate: 25% more than 13-inch
Best for: Content creators, multitaskers, those who prefer larger screens

Which MacBook Should YOU Buy?

Best Overall Value: MacBook Air M2 (13-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB)

Price: ~₦1,500,000 - ₦1,700,000

This configuration offers the best balance of performance, price, and longevity. It'll handle most tasks with ease for the next 5+ years.

Best for Future-Proofing: MacBook Air M4 (13-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB)

Price: ~₦2,200,000 - ₦2,500,000

If budget isn't a constraint and you want the absolute best, M4 is the way to go. The performance improvements will matter more in 2-3 years as software demands increase.

Best Budget Option: MacBook Air M2 (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB)

Price: ~₦1,200,000 - ₦1,400,000

For students and light users who primarily use cloud services and don't run demanding applications.

Best for Creators: MacBook Air M3 (15-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB)

Price: ~₦1,900,000 - ₦2,100,000

The sweet spot for creative professionals. Large screen, excellent performance, and better pricing than M4.

Common Questions

Should I wait for the next model?

If you need a MacBook now, buy now. Apple's M-series chips are so good that even the M2 will serve most users excellently for years. The M4 is already cutting-edge.

Is the 15-inch worth the extra cost?

If you're doing creative work or spend 6+ hours daily on your MacBook, yes. The extra screen real estate significantly improves productivity.

Can I upgrade RAM/Storage later?

No. MacBook Airs have unified memory (RAM) and soldered storage. You must buy the configuration you need from the start.

M1 vs M2 in 2025?

Skip the M1 unless budget is extremely tight. The M2's improvements in display (13.6" vs 13.3"), MagSafe charging, and performance make it worth the upgrade.

Should I buy "UK Used" or brand new?

UK used can save 30-40%, but ensure you buy from reputable sellers like OgaBassey who verify condition and provide warranty. Check battery cycle count (aim for <100 for "like new").

Financing Your MacBook Purchase

OgaBassey offers flexible Buy Now, Pay Later options:

3-Month Plan

Down payment: 40%
Monthly payments: 20% each
No interest

6-Month Plan

Down payment: 30%
Monthly payments: ~12% each
Low interest rates

Example: MacBook Air M3 at ₦1,800,000

6-month plan: ₦540,000 down, ₦216,000/month
Own a premium MacBook without breaking the bank

Check Your BNPL Eligibility →

Conclusion: Our Recommendations

For Students: MacBook Air M2 (13-inch, 8GB/256GB or 16GB/512GB)

Price: ₦1,200,000 - ₦1,700,000
Perfect balance of performance and affordability

For Professionals: MacBook Air M3 (15-inch, 16GB/512GB)

Price: ₦1,900,000 - ₦2,100,000
Excellent for content creation and productivity

For Developers: MacBook Air M4 (13-inch, 16GB/512GB)

Price: ₦2,200,000 - ₦2,500,000
Best single-core performance, future-proof

For Budget Buyers: MacBook Air M2 (13-inch, base config)

Price: ₦1,200,000 - ₦1,400,000
Still excellent in 2025, great value

Ready to Buy Your MacBook?

Browse OgaBassey's complete MacBook collection:

Questions? Contact OgaBassey's customer support for personalized recommendations based on your specific needs and budget.

Last updated: December 2025 Prices subject to change based on exchange rates and availability