MacBook Air M4 Review: Apple's Most Compelling Ultraportable Yet

Apple's newest MacBook Air, featuring the M4 chip, brings several practical improvements at a lower price point than its predecessor. The latest iteration combines enhanced performance, longer battery life, and user-requested features like dual external display support with the laptop lid open.

After years of using a Microsoft Surface laptop as my daily driver, the MacBook Air M4 has become difficult to overlook. For everyday use, it offers exceptional value and reliability. I take this laptop everywhere, and it handles everything I throw at it without issue. The 16GB base memory is a significant improvement, though it's worth monitoring memory usage during intensive multitasking—occasionally closing resource-heavy applications like Chrome or VS Code, or restarting every few days, helps maintain optimal performance.

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Key Takeaways

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What's New with the M4 MacBook Air

The M4 MacBook Air introduces several notable improvements while maintaining the beloved form factor of its predecessors. Apple officially unveiled these new models on March 5, 2025, with availability beginning on March 12.

Lower Price Point

Apple has lowered the starting price. The 13-inch model now starts at $999, while the 15-inch version starts at $1,199—both $100 less than their M3 counterparts. Educational pricing reduces these further to $899 and $1,099, respectively.

Increased Base Memory

New Color Option

Visually, Apple has introduced a new Sky Blue color option, replacing the previous Space Gray. This metallic light blue finish exhibits a subtle gradient effect as light reflects off its surface, joining the existing Midnight, Starlight, and Silver options. Each color now comes with a matching MagSafe charging cable.

Dual External Display Support

The M4 MacBook Air also addresses some limitations of previous models by supporting up to two external 6K displays simultaneously with the laptop lid open. Unlike the M3 Air, which required you to close the laptop lid to use two external monitors, the M4 Air can drive two external displays plus the laptop screen at the same time. This enhancement expands the Air's multitasking capabilities for professionals who use multiple monitors.

Improved Battery and Camera

Battery life has also improved, with Apple claiming up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of wireless web browsing. The upgraded 12MP Center Stage camera enhances video call quality with features that keep users centered in the frame.

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The M4 Chip

At the heart of the new MacBook Air lies Apple's latest silicon innovation—the M4 chip. This new processor features a robust 10-core CPU architecture with four performance cores and six efficiency cores, designed to balance raw processing power with energy efficiency.

CPU and GPU Specifications

The graphics capabilities vary between models: the base 13-inch configuration includes an 8-core GPU, while higher-end configurations and the 15-inch model feature a more robust 10-core GPU. Both versions have a 16-core Neural Engine dedicated to accelerating AI-based tasks.

Performance Improvements

According to Apple, the M4 MacBook Air delivers up to twice the speed of the M1 model and up to 23x faster performance compared to the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air. These aren't just abstract numbers—they translate to meaningful improvements in everyday tasks:

• Spreadsheet calculations in Microsoft Excel run up to 4.7x faster than on Intel-based MacBook Airs
• Video editing in iMovie is up to 8x faster than Intel models and twice as fast as the M1
• Photo editing in Adobe Photoshop is up to 3.6x quicker than Intel MacBooks
• Web browsing is up to 60% faster compared to PC laptops with Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 (Lunar Lake) processors

Graphics and Thermal Performance

Notably, the M4 chip also incorporates hardware-accelerated ray tracing—a feature typically found in dedicated graphics cards—suggesting enhanced capabilities for graphically intensive applications and casual gaming.

In real-world testing, the M4 chip scores approximately 30% higher in CPU-centric benchmarks than the M3. While it may occasionally throttle under sustained heavy loads due to the Air's fanless design, the performance is adequate for an ultraportable device that operates silently.

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Apple Intelligence Integration

The MacBook Air M4 fully embraces Apple's new Intelligence platform, bringing a suite of AI-powered features designed to enhance productivity and creativity without compromising privacy.

Creative Abilities

Apple Intelligence introduces several creative abilities that leverage the M4's Neural Engine for on-device processing. Image Playground allows users to quickly generate visual concepts, while Genmoji enables the creation of personalized emoji characters. These features run locally on the M4 chip, ensuring that your creative content never leaves your device—a significant privacy advantage over cloud-dependent AI systems. This on-device approach makes visual communication more intuitive and personalized while maintaining data security. For additional security recommendations, review our business cybersecurity guide.

Enhanced Writing and Productivity

Writing Abilities receive a significant upgrade with intelligence features that can help refine text, summarize lengthy documents, and generate content based on simple prompts. These capabilities integrate seamlessly with existing apps, making writing more efficient across various document types.

Improved Siri and ChatGPT Integration

Siri has been enhanced to understand context better and now allows smooth transitions between spoken and typed requests. The voice assistant can provide step-by-step instructions for Mac features and settings, making it easier to navigate the system.

Perhaps most notably, Apple has integrated ChatGPT capabilities directly within Writing Abilities and Siri. This optional feature provides access to ChatGPT's knowledge base without requiring a separate account. Apple has implemented privacy protections such as IP address obscuring, and users maintain complete control over enabling this integration.

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Design and Build Quality

The MacBook Air M4 maintains the iconic thin profile and lightweight construction that has defined the Air lineup. The 13-inch model measures just 0.44 inches in thickness and weighs 2.7 pounds, while the 15-inch variant is slightly thicker at 0.45 inches and weighs 3.3 pounds.

Physical Dimensions and Fanless Design

Apple has primarily preserved the design language from the previous M3 model, focusing on internal upgrades rather than a visual overhaul. The fanless design continues to be a standout feature, ensuring completely silent operation even under demanding workloads.

Color Options and Build Materials

The new Sky Blue finish replaces Space Gray in the color lineup and offers a subtle yet distinctive option. It features a metallic light blue that displays a gentle gradient as light plays across its surface. Midnight, Starlight, and Silver options remain available for those who prefer the established aesthetic.

The build quality is consistent with previous models, featuring precise machining and high-quality materials throughout. The laptop feels solid when handled, with no flexing or creaking that might suggest compromised durability.

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Display, Keyboard, and Trackpad

Display Specifications

The MacBook Air M4 retains the vibrant Liquid Retina display. The 13-inch model features a 2560×1664 resolution, while the 15-inch version offers 2880×1864 pixels, delivering a crisp 224 pixels per inch density.

The display reaches 500 nits of brightness, making it usable even in well-lit environments. It supports the P3 wide color gamut for accurate color reproduction. Apple's True Tone technology automatically adjusts the color temperature based on ambient lighting conditions, reducing eye strain during extended use.

Keyboard and Input

The keyboard remains Apple's excellent Backlit Magic Keyboard, featuring a comfortable key travel distance and quiet typing experience. The Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button provides quick, secure authentication for logins and purchases.

The Force Touch trackpad offers a large surface area, precise tracking, and pressure-sensing capabilities. Multi-touch gestures work flawlessly, enhancing navigation throughout macOS.

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Performance Benchmarks and Real-World Usage

Benchmark testing shows the M4 MacBook Air delivers measurable performance improvements over previous generations, though results vary depending on the specific task.

CPU and Productivity Performance

In CPU-focused benchmarks like Cinebench R24, the M4 achieves approximately 30% higher scores than the M3 MacBook Air. When compared to Intel's latest Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) processors found in the 2026 Dell XPS 14, the M4 maintains competitive performance while delivering superior power efficiency. This translates to faster response times for everyday applications and improved multitasking capabilities.

Creative Workloads

Content creation tasks also show meaningful improvements. In PugetBench for Photoshop, the M4 MacBook Air outperforms its M3 predecessor, handling complex edits, filters, and layer manipulations with greater fluidity. Video editing is similarly improved, with faster rendering times and smoother timeline scrubbing.

AI and Gaming Performance

The M4 demonstrates significant advancements in AI-related tasks. Geekbench AI benchmark scores are substantially higher than previous generations, and configurations with 32GB of RAM can even run demanding AI models like Deepseek r1 at 32B parameters.

Casual gaming is certainly viable on the M4 MacBook Air. Titles like Wuthering Waves run smoothly, while more demanding games such as Total War: Warhammer 3 achieve playable frame rates around 30fps at medium settings.

Thermal Considerations

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Connectivity and Battery Life

Ports and Connectivity

The MacBook Air M4's port selection includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports that support USB 4, DisplayPort, and charging. These are complemented by a dedicated MagSafe 3 charging port and a 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones.

The MagSafe connection provides a magnetic safety feature that detaches if the cable is accidentally pulled. Having a dedicated charging port also means both Thunderbolt ports remain available for peripherals even while charging. For office setups, consider pairing the MacBook Air with a quality 4K monitor for improved productivity.

Wireless Standards

Wireless connectivity features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast Internet access and stable connections with wireless peripherals. While Wi-Fi 6E remains highly capable for most users, it's worth noting that many high-end Windows competitors in 2026—including the Dell XPS 14 (2026)—have moved to Wi-Fi 7, which offers higher theoretical speeds and improved performance in congested environments. For most practical use cases, Wi-Fi 6E provides sufficient bandwidth, though Wi-Fi 7 may offer better future-proofing.

Battery Performance

Battery capacity varies by model, with the 13-inch MacBook Air housing a 53.8Wh battery and the 15-inch version containing a larger 66.5Wh unit. Apple claims up to 18 hours of video playback and 15 hours of wireless web browsing—figures that have been largely supported by independent testing.

In real-world usage, most users can expect an entire workday of productivity without needing to recharge, even with mixed workloads.

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Comparison with Windows Laptops

The MacBook Air M4 faces competition from an increasingly capable range of Windows ultraportables in 2026, including those powered by Intel's latest Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) processors, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips, and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series.

Performance Comparison

Performance testing shows mixed results when comparing the M4 to competing processors. While the M4 delivers superior performance in specific tasks like photo editing in Photoshop, it doesn't consistently outperform all Windows alternatives across every benchmark. The Dell XPS 14 (2026) with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) offers competitive multi-core performance, while the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro with its Snapdragon X Elite chip presents robust competition in battery efficiency and AI workloads.

Display Technology

Display technology represents one area where Windows competitors have a clear advantage. The Dell XPS 14 (2026) features a superior OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, providing richer contrast, perfect blacks, and smoother animations compared to the M4's 60Hz Liquid Retina LCD. The Surface Laptop 7 also offers a high-refresh OLED option that surpasses the MacBook Air's display quality.

Battery Life and Efficiency

Battery life remains excellent on the M4 MacBook Air, though some Windows competitors with efficient ARM processors can deliver comparable endurance. The efficiency gap that Apple enjoyed when first introducing Apple Silicon has narrowed considerably as Windows manufacturers have embraced similar architectures and optimized their power management.

Ecosystem Differences

The operating system itself remains perhaps the most significant differentiator. macOS provides a tightly integrated software and hardware experience with exclusive features like Continuity and AirDrop. Windows offers broader compatibility with software and peripherals, more gaming options, and greater hardware customization. For a comprehensive comparison of Windows options, see our guide to the best business laptops.

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Pricing and Configurations

Apple has repositioned the MacBook Air M4 with a more accessible pricing structure while simultaneously increasing base specifications.

Base Configurations

The base configuration of the 13-inch model features the M4 chip with an 8-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and a 256GB SSD. The 15-inch base model includes the M4 with a more powerful 10-core GPU.

Upgrade Options

For users with more demanding needs, Apple offers several upgrade options:

• Memory: 24GB (+$200) or 32GB (+$400)
• Storage: 512GB (+$200), 1TB (+$400), or 2TB (+$800)

While these upgrade prices remain relatively high compared to market rates, the inability to upgrade after purchase means selecting the right configuration initially is important.

Recommended Configurations

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Pros and Cons

What Stands Out

• Lower starting price makes the MacBook Air more accessible
• 16GB RAM as standard addresses a long-standing limitation
• Performance improvements are substantial for upgrades from Intel or M1 models
• Dual external display support removes some limitations
• Battery life remains exceptional, lasting through a full workday
• Fanless design ensures silent operation

Areas for Improvement

• Display hasn't received meaningful upgrades in several generations
• 60Hz refresh rate falls behind competitors offering 90Hz or 120Hz panels
• Some Windows alternatives feature superior OLED displays
• Port selection remains limited to just two Thunderbolt ports
• Memory and storage upgrade pricing is significantly higher than market rates

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Recommended Accessories

To maximize your MacBook Air M4 experience, consider these accessories:

Display Setup

• Dell 27" 4K USB-C Monitor (S2725QC) - Single-cable connection with 65W charging, perfect for desk setups
• USB-C Cable 10ft - High-quality USB 3.2 Gen 2 cable for extended reach

Productivity & Storage

• CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock - Comprehensive docking solution with 18 ports
• External SSD - Expand storage affordably with a portable SSD (search Amazon for portable SSD)

Security

• 1Password - Secure password management across all your devices
• Malwarebytes - Additional malware protection for business use

For complete office setup guidance, see our IT setup assistance services.

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Conclusion: Who Should Buy the M4 MacBook Air?

Upgrade Recommendations

• From Intel or M1 MacBooks: The performance improvements will be immediately noticeable across virtually all tasks
• From M2 or M3 MacBooks: Consider if dual external display support or increased base memory addresses specific needs in your workflow
• Windows users: An excellent entry point to macOS, though expect an adjustment period
• Business users: For professional IT setup and configuration assistance in the Miami area, contact our team

Final Thoughts

The MacBook Air now serves as a capable primary computer for most users who don't require the additional power of the MacBook Pro 14. Whether you are working on documents at a coffee shop, editing photos on your commute, or connecting to multiple displays in your home office, the M4 MacBook Air handles these tasks efficiently.

The combination of performance improvements and a lower entry price makes the M4 Air more accessible than previous generations while maintaining the build quality and user experience expected from Apple products.