Headline: Apple MacBook Air M4: A Value-Driven Upgrade in Ultraportability

As I may have already mentioned in the reviews for Engadget’s MacBook Air M1, M2 and M3, the MacBook Air equipped with the M4 chip is almost a perfect ultraportable device. Even more appealing is its new starting price of $999, which is $100 lower than its predecessor. Although I would still prefer additional ports and a higher screen refresh rate, the MacBook Air continues to stand out distinctly against its rivals. When other brands attempt to rival Apple’s offerings, such as ASUS’s 2.2-pound Zenbook A14, it only highlights how superior Apple’s design truly is.

The MacBook Air’s longevity in the market can sometimes lead to it being undervalued, especially since its design has remained unchanged since the M2 model’s debut in 2022. Nonetheless, it remains an extraordinary machine that is quick, lightweight, and built to last. The primary drawback is a slight adjustment period for Windows users transitioning to macOS. However, outside of that, the MacBook Air is an obvious choice if you’re in the market for a new ultraportable.

Apple

92100Expert Score

MacBook Air M4

Apple’s MacBook Air continues to be the quintessential ultraportable for the average user. With the M4 chip, it’s slightly swifter and comes in at a new price point of $999.

Pros

• Swift performance
• Sleek and lightweight design
• Exceptional keyboard
• Top-tier touchpad
• Outstanding battery longevity

Cons

• More ports would be beneficial
• 60Hz refresh rate on the screen

$974 at Amazon

Hardware

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch variations of the MacBook Air maintain an impressively slim profile (0.44 inches thick) and a lightweight appeal, weighing 2.7 pounds and 3.2 pounds, respectively. Last year, I remarked, «Its unibody aluminum casing has the smoothness of a river stone but the durability of a boulder. It’s a device I simply love to hold.» This statement remains true with the M4 versions.

It’s truly remarkable that Apple maintains such a strong lead in design even as competitors have made strides to catch up. Despite admiration for the Surface Laptop, XPS 13, and ASUS’ Zenbook S14, Apple’s level of refinement remains unmatched by PC manufacturers. The MacBook Air features a more luxurious casing, an exceptional typing experience, and one of the finest trackpads available. (And before anyone labels me as an Apple enthusiast, I am mainly a Windows desktop user.)

The key advancement in the new MacBook Air models is Apple’s M4 chip, featuring a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine (similar to an NPU in PC terminology). It is important to note that the base $999 13-inch model comes with a somewhat less powerful 8-core GPU, which may limit gaming and media creation performance. Apart from the introduction of a new Sky Blue color, there are no significant physical updates. Moreover, the upgraded webcam now boasts a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, which can be quite useful for showcasing your workspace. (More details to come.)

The 13-inch MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, which effectively feels closer to a 14-inch size, while the larger variant sports a 15.3-inch display. Although both screens are limited to 60Hz—a mild inconvenience given that many competing ultraportables are now featuring higher refresh rates—they are nonetheless impressive with support for the P3 wide color gamut and a billion colors. Both displays can also achieve brightness levels of up to 500 nits, making them usable in bright environments.

In use: Fast and lightweight

The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs managed my typical workflow effortlessly: switching between browsers loaded with numerous tabs, Slack, Spotify, messaging applications, and the Pixelmator photo editor. Given that previous versions had similar responsiveness, this didn’t come as a surprise. However, after recently testing the sluggish Zenbook A14, it was exhilarating to work with laptops that responded so eagerly.

I didn’t perceive much of a difference with the upgrade to the M4 chip, but according to the Geekbench 6 benchmark, its single-threaded performance exceeds the M3 by 19.5 percent, and multi-threaded tasks show a 21 percent improvement. This is a typical incremental enhancement, so I won’t hold Apple accountable for it. The gains from the M4’s GPU were considerably subtler, yielding a mere 6 percent improvement over the M3 in the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme benchmark, and 16.3 percent better performance in the Geekbench GPU test.

While the MacBook Air may not be the ideal choice for more intensive creative tasks, it still manages to deliver decent performance under pressure. I was able to transcode a 4K video to 1080p in 27 seconds using the M4’s CPU, while the GPU achieved the same task in just 17 seconds. By contrast, the Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ system required 32 seconds with its CPU and 24 seconds with its GPU.

The graphically demanding game Lies of P achieved a consistent 60 fps at 1080p on high settings. This was also the case with the M3 MacBook Air, but this time the performance felt more stable. While I wouldn’t recommend using a MacBook Air specifically for gaming, it’s reassuring that it can accommodate some casual gaming.

Moving between the two sizes, I appreciated both models. The 13-inch version is definitely more portable, while the 15-inch provides a more immersive visual experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two will hinge on what features matter most to you.

While the upgrade to a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera isn’t revolutionary, I appreciated the enhanced video quality during conference calls. Typically, I disable the Center Stage feature on Macs, but it can be beneficial for users seeking to maintain focus while moving within a room. The new camera supports Desk View, capturing a somewhat angled view of the area right in front of the MacBook Air.

On the topic of battery life, both MacBook Air models exceeded 18 hours of playback on HD videos. The 13-inch variant lasted 18 hours and 15 minutes, while the 15-inch model lasted 18 hours and 23 minutes.

Enhancements for the MacBook Air

Despite my fondness for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, there are several aspects Apple could improve in the future. As I mentioned previously, higher refresh rate displays would be a welcome addition, as they greatly enhance document scrolling for user comfort. While I don’t expect Apple to completely overhaul their port configuration, having at least one USB-C port on the right side for easier charging would be advantageous. Currently, the setup includes a MagSafe charging port alongside two USB-C ports on the left side.

Of course, I don’t anticipate Apple making these changes anytime soon. I suspect the company will encourage more demanding users to consider the $1,599 14-inch MacBook Pro, which offers a range of ports and a high refresh rate ProMotion display. Still, one can always hope for improvements.

Is the M4 MacBook Air Worth It?

If you haven’t grasped it yet, I believe both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air are the optimal ultraportables for the average consumer. Therefore, if you’re searching for a stylish laptop, these models are certainly worth your consideration. Additionally, if you’re a Windows user contemplating the switch, I’d encourage you to give the Air a try. Mastering the fundamentals of macOS isn’t overly challenging, and if it doesn’t meet your expectations, returning it is always an option (just ensure you check the return policies of the retailer).

While I think most consumers would find the base $999 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage satisfactory, it might be wise to upgrade to the $1,199 version with a 10-core GPU and 512GB SSD if you intend to engage in light media tasks. Alternatively, you could opt for the $1,199 15-inch model, also equipped with a 10-core GPU.

As always, I would advise against paying Apple’s exorbitant fees for component upgrades. If you’re contemplating spending an additional $400 for 32GB of RAM, you might want to consider the MacBook Pro instead. For those looking to save money, numerous retailers are still offering the M2 MacBook Air at a significant discount of $700. While it may feature an older chip, that model can still serve the needs of most users effectively for years (just ensure it has 16GB of RAM).

Conclusion

In summary, the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air exemplify everything one would desire from ultraportable notebooks. They’re responsive, incredibly light, and offer battery life that extends well beyond a full day of usage. Although the M4 chip isn’t a groundbreaking upgrade, it allows Apple to stay in line with the advancements in PC laptop processors. With the new starting price of $999, even users of Windows should consider switching to a MacBook Air.