Apple's latest iteration of the MacBook Air has arrived with the new M4 chip, bringing improved performance and features while surprisingly dropping the price compared to previous generations. The MacBook Air has long been a favorite among professionals and casual users alike, and this latest version aims to cement its position as one of the best ultraportable laptops on the market.
Price and Value Proposition
The MacBook Air M4 launched with a welcome surprise: a USD $100 price reduction compared to last year's M3 model. The 13-inch version now starts at USD $999, and it's already seeing discounts bringing it down to USD $949 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. The 15-inch model, which offers more screen real estate, starts at USD $1,199 and has also seen early discounts bringing it to USD $1,139. This aggressive pricing strategy positions the MacBook Air M4 as a compelling value proposition in the premium laptop market, especially considering the performance improvements and feature enhancements that come with it.
Performance Upgrades
The M4 chip represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor, featuring a 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU in its base configuration, compared to the 8-core CPU in the base M3 model. This translates to snappier performance across everyday tasks and improved capabilities for more demanding workloads. Users can expect smooth multitasking, quick application launches, and enough power for photo and video editing. The M4 chip also handles gaming surprisingly well, with titles like Lies of P running at smooth frame rates with solid graphics. Apple continues to build its gaming library, making the MacBook Air increasingly viable as a casual gaming machine.
Display Excellence
Both the 13-inch and 15-inch models feature Apple's Liquid Retina display, which continues to impress with its color accuracy, brightness, and clarity. The 15-inch model's 15.3-inch display offers a resolution of 2880 x 1864 and supports 1 billion colors, making it excellent for content consumption and creative work. Text appears crisp and well-defined, videos are smooth and vibrant, and the overall visual experience is top-notch. With brightness levels approaching 500 nits, the display remains visible even in well-lit environments.
Enhanced Productivity Features
The MacBook Air M4 introduces several productivity enhancements that elevate the user experience. Perhaps most notably, it now supports connecting to two external monitors simultaneously with the laptop lid open, a feature previously reserved for the MacBook Pro line. This multi-display capability significantly boosts productivity for professionals who need expanded screen real estate. The improved window tiling and management features also make organizing your workspace more intuitive and efficient.
Webcam and Video Conferencing
One of the standout improvements in the MacBook Air M4 is the upgraded 12MP webcam, which delivers noticeably better image quality than most competitors. Video calls appear crisp, smooth, and well-lit, with excellent audio quality to match. The new Center Stage feature automatically keeps you centered in the frame during video calls, even as you move around. Another welcome addition is the Presenter Preview function, which allows you to see how your screen share will appear to others before you actually share it. These enhancements make the MacBook Air M4 an excellent choice for remote workers and anyone who regularly participates in video conferences.
Battery Life and Portability
The MacBook Air M4 maintains the excellent battery life that Apple's M-series chips have become known for, with testing showing nearly 15 hours of continuous use. While this is slightly less than some might hope for, it's still among the longest-lasting laptops available and easily covers a full day of work for most users. The device remains incredibly portable, with the 13-inch model being particularly travel-friendly. While competitors like the LG Gram Pro 16 may offer larger screens in similarly lightweight packages, the MacBook Air's combination of performance, display quality, and battery life still makes it a top contender in the ultraportable category.
Connectivity and Memory
The MacBook Air M4 features two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, which provide versatile connectivity options for peripherals and external displays. One notable omission is Wi-Fi 7 support, with the device sticking with Wi-Fi 6E instead. Memory configurations now start at 16GB of unified memory in the base model, a welcome upgrade that helps future-proof the device and ensures smooth performance even with multiple applications running simultaneously. Storage starts at 256GB SSD, though some users have noted that the base storage speed could be faster.
MacBook Air M4 Key Specifications:
- Processor: Apple M4 chip (10-core CPU, 8-core GPU in base model)
- Memory: 16GB unified memory (base model)
- Storage: 256GB SSD (base model)
- Display:
- 13-inch model: Liquid Retina display
- 15-inch model: 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display (2880 x 1864)
- Camera: 12MP webcam with Center Stage
- Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E
- Battery Life: Nearly 15 hours in testing
- Starting Price:
- 13-inch: USD $999 (currently USD $949 on sale)
- 15-inch: USD $1,199 (currently USD $1,139 on sale)
- New Features: Support for dual external monitors, Presenter Preview for video calls
Conclusion
The MacBook Air M4 represents a thoughtful evolution of Apple's most popular laptop. While it maintains the same external design as its predecessor, the internal upgrades, new features, and lower starting price make it an even more compelling option than before. For productivity-focused users, creative professionals who don't need the absolute highest performance, and everyday computing, the MacBook Air M4 offers an excellent balance of power, portability, and value. Whether you're a longtime Mac user or considering switching from Windows, the MacBook Air M4 delivers a refined, capable computing experience that's hard to beat at its price point.