Apple MacBook Air M4: Minor Enhancements, Major Value — A Smart Choice for Ultraportable Lovers

Risking redundancy from my reviews of Engadget’s MacBook Air M1, M2 and M3: The MacBook Air with M4 is practically a perfect ultraportable. What’s more, it now starts at $999, which is a $100 reduction from its previous price. Although I’d appreciate more ports and a higher refresh rate for the screen, the MacBook Air undeniably stands out as superior to its competitors. When brands like ASUS attempt to rival Apple, as seen with the 2.2-pound Zenbook A14, it merely illustrates how well-crafted Apple’s designs are.

It’s easy to overlook the MacBook Air since its design has remained unchanged since the M2 model was launched in 2022. Even today, it’s an impressive machine that boasts speed, lightweight construction, and solid build quality. The main drawback is that there’s a slight learning curve for Windows users switching to macOS. However, aside from that, the MacBook Air is an easy choice for anyone searching for a new ultraportable.

Apple

92100Expert Score

MacBook Air M4

Once more, Apple’s MacBook Air stands out as the quintessential ultraportable for the majority. It’s a touch quicker, thanks to the M4 chip, and now comes with a lower price point of $999.

Pros

• Rapid performance
• Sleek and light design
• Excellent keyboard
• Top-notch touchpad
• Outstanding battery life

Cons

• More ports would be beneficial
• Display refresh rate is only 60Hz

$998 at Amazon

Hardware

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models feel remarkably slim (at 0.44 inches thick) and lightweight, weighing 2.7 pounds and 3.2 pounds, respectively. I previously remarked, «Its unibody aluminum shell is as smooth as a river stone while being as robust as a boulder. It’s a device I simply enjoy touching.» This still rings true for the M4 models.

In fact, it’s even more remarkable that Apple possesses such a significant edge in design despite competitors having had time to catch up. Although we appreciate the Surface Laptop, XPS 13, and ASUS’ Zenbook S14, Apple persists in delivering a refinement that PC manufacturers have yet to match. The case of the MacBook Air feels more premium than others, its keyboard is a pleasure to use, and it boasts an outstanding trackpad. (And for those who may label me an Apple enthusiast, I’m primarily a Windows desktop user.)

The M4 chip from Apple—featuring a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine (akin to an NPU in a PC)—represents the key upgrade in these new MacBook Air models. It’s also important to note that the base $999 13-inch variant has a slightly slower 8-core GPU, which may limit gaming and media creation capabilities. In addition to a new Sky Blue hue, there are no other significant design alterations. Apple has also enhanced the webcam, equipping it with a 12-megapixel Center Stage sensor, which could prove particularly useful for showcasing your desk’s contents. (More on that shortly.)

The 13-inch MacBook Air boasts a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display that looks practically like a 14-inch screen, while the larger version features a 15.3-inch display. Unfortunately, they are both limited to a 60Hz refresh rate—somewhat disappointing as numerous PC ultraportables come with faster screens—but nonetheless, these displays are quite impressive, supporting the P3 wide color spectrum and 1 billion colors. Both screens can also achieve up to 500 nits of brightness, making them usable even in bright sunlight.

In practice: Quick and lightweight

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air handled my standard workflow effortlessly: managing multiple browsers with numerous tabs open, Slack, Spotify, messaging apps, and the Pixelmator photo editing software. This wasn’t unexpected, as prior models showcased similar agility. Yet, after testing the sluggish Zenbook A14 recently, it felt rejuvenating to work on laptops that eagerly tackle tasks.

I couldn’t genuinely perceive a difference with the transition to the M4 chip, but based on Geekbench 6 tests, it’s 19.5% quicker than the M3 for single-threaded tasks and 21% faster for multi-threaded tasks. This increment is typical for CPU enhancements, so I won’t criticize Apple too harshly on this front. The GPU improvements of the M4 were much less substantial, achieving just a 6% boost over the M3 in the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme test and 16.3% better in the Geekbench GPU assessment.

Serious creative tasks on the MacBook Air may be limited, especially due to the absence of a fan for cooling. However, you can still extract some performance when necessary. I was able to transcode a 4K video to 1080p in 27 seconds using the M4’s CPU via Handbrake, while utilizing the GPU reduced that time to just 17 seconds. For comparison, the Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ system completed the task in 32 seconds with its CPU and 24 seconds with its GPU.

The graphically demanding Lies of P ran smoothly at 60 fps in 1080p settings. This performance was also observed with the M3 MacBook Air, but it felt slightly more stable this time. While I wouldn’t recommend purchasing a MacBook Air for gaming purposes, it’s reassuring that it can accommodate some casual gaming.

Switching between the 13-inch and 15-inch models showcased the strengths of both. The smaller version is certainly more portable, but the 15-inch version offers a more immersive display. Ultimately, the decision between the two depends on your specific preferences.

While the switch to a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera isn’t particularly groundbreaking, I found the improved image during video calls to be a nice touch. I typically disable the Center Stage feature on Macs, but some may find its room-tracking capability beneficial. The new camera also supports Desk View, providing a slightly skewed perspective of the area directly in front of the MacBook Air.

Regarding battery life, both MacBook Air variants managed more than 18 hours when streaming HD video. The 13-inch model lasted for 18 hours and 15 minutes, while the 15-inch variant lasted for 18 hours and 23 minutes.

Areas for Improvement for the MacBook Air

Despite my admiration for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, there are numerous ways Apple could enhance them in the future. As previously mentioned, a higher refresh rate display would be beneficial, making document scrolling much easier on the eyes. While I don’t expect Apple to overly expand the port selection, adding a single USB-C port on the right side would facilitate easier charging. Currently, users have to rely on a MagSafe charging port and two USB-C ports located solely on the left side.

Of course, I don’t truly expect Apple to implement these enhancements anytime soon. I suspect the company would prefer higher-end users to consider the $1,599 14-inch MacBook Pro, which features a wide variety of ports and a high refresh rate ProMotion display. Nevertheless, one can always hope.

Is the M4 MacBook Air Worth Buying?

If it isn’t already clear, I regard the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air as the top choice for most users seeking ultraportables. Thus, if you’re looking for a stylish laptop, they are certainly worth your attention. And if you are a Windows user hesitant to switch, I suggest giving an Air a try. The fundamentals of macOS aren’t overly complicated, and if it doesn’t meet your expectations, you could always return it (just confirm return policies with the retailer).

Most users would likely find the base $999 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage to be adequate, although upgrading to the $1,199 model with a 10-core GPU and 512GB SSD may be beneficial if you engage in light media tasks. Alternatively, you could directly opt for the $1,199 15-inch version that includes a 10-core GPU.

As always, I would advise against paying Apple’s excessive fees for internal upgrades. If you’re considering spending an additional $400 for 32GB of RAM, you might want to explore the MacBook Pro instead. To save some money, a variety of retailers continue to offer the M2 MacBook Air at a significant discount of $700. Even though it features an older chip, that laptop can still serve most users effectively for several years (provided you opt for 16GB of RAM).

Conclusion

Once again, the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models are everything we desire from ultraportable laptops. They offer remarkable speed, exceptional lightness, and can easily last more than a full day’s work. While the M4 chip isn’t a revolutionary upgrade, it helps Apple stay competitive with advancing PC laptop processors. With the MacBook Air now beginning at $999, even those who use Windows should contemplate making the switch.