Introduction

Apple’s MacBook Air has long been the go-to choice for users seeking a balance of performance, portability, and price. With the introduction of the M4 MacBook Air, Apple refines an already popular formula, enhancing performance while keeping the price unchanged.

Tech reviewer Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) recently shared his insights on the new M4 MacBook Air, highlighting its improvements and potential drawbacks. This in-depth review covers the design, performance, value, display quality, and upgrade considerations to help you decide if this is the right laptop for you.

Design: A Familiar Look With Minor Tweaks

Apple has maintained its signature sleek, lightweight aluminum chassis, keeping the MacBook Air's ultra-portable form factor intact. The thin and light design continues to be a major selling point for students, professionals, and casual users alike.

Key Design Features:

• 12-inch and 15-inch models available

• MagSafe charging port for fast and secure charging

• Two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt support

• Headphone jack (a rare feature on modern ultrabooks)

• 60Hz LCD display with a notch for the webcam

Although the design remains largely unchanged, Apple has introduced subtle modifications, such as a redesigned mute button icon.

One of the most noticeable upgrades is the new 12MP Center Stage webcam. This feature improves video call quality and enables automatic framing adjustments, ensuring that users stay centered in the frame. While some users may disable this feature, the increased resolution is a welcome improvement.

Battery Life Improvement

The battery capacity has increased from 52.6 watt-hours to 53.8 watt-hours, which is about a 2% improvement. While this won’t dramatically extend usage time, it contributes to the already impressive battery life of up to 18 hours on a single charge.

New Color Option

Apple has introduced a Sky Blue color, replacing the traditional Space Gray. However, reviews suggest that the difference between Sky Blue and Silver is subtle, making it difficult to distinguish in certain lighting conditions.

Performance: The Power of the M4 Chip

The M4 chip is the highlight of this upgrade, delivering significant performance improvements over its predecessor. This chip, previously found in the iPad Pro and Mac Mini, brings:

• 16-core Neural Engine for enhanced AI and machine learning tasks

• Faster processing speeds for multitasking, video editing, and professional applications

• Improved GPU performance, making it more capable of handling graphics-intensive workloads

Real-World Performance Gains

Tech reviewers, including MKBHD, have tested the M4 MacBook Air in demanding scenarios:

• Final Cut Pro performance: Users can scrub through 4K and even 8K footage smoothly, with export times only slightly slower than the Mac Mini.

• AI-powered applications like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and machine learning tools run significantly faster.

• Multitasking is seamless, thanks to 16GB of unified memory (now standard in the base model).

One of the most notable improvements is the support for dual 6K external displays, a huge upgrade for professionals needing multi-monitor setups.

Value and Pricing: A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse

Despite its improvements, Apple has maintained the base price of $999, the same as the original M1 MacBook Air. Given the upgraded M4 chip, improved webcam, and base 16GB memory, this makes the new Air an exceptional value.

Base Configuration:

• M4 chip

• 16GB unified memory

• 256GB SSD storage

For most users, this configuration is more than sufficient for everyday tasks like email, web browsing, photo editing, and video conferencing.

However, storage and RAM upgrades remain expensive, which is a common criticism of Apple’s pricing strategy. If you work with large files or run heavy applications, upgrading to 512GB or 1TB SSD might be necessary.

Display: Still a Weak Point?

While the M4 MacBook Air’s display is good, it still lacks features found in higher-end MacBook Pro models.

What’s Missing?

• No Mini-LED or OLED technology – Blacks are not as deep, and contrast is lower than Pro models.

• No ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) – Limited to 60Hz, which makes scrolling and animations feel less smooth.

• No Nano-Texture coating – Can be reflective in bright environments.

If display quality is a top priority, users may find MacBook Pro models a better investment.

Should You Upgrade?

Who Should Buy the M4 MacBook Air?

Users with Intel-based MacBooks – The performance leap is substantial.
Students and professionals needing a budget-friendly Mac – Excellent performance at a reasonable price.
Those looking for a long battery life – Ideal for all-day use without needing to recharge.
Users who don’t need a high-end display – Perfect for casual users, content creators, and professionals who prioritize performance over screen quality.

Who Should Skip the Upgrade?

Owners of the M2 or M3 MacBook Air – The improvements may not be significant enough to justify upgrading.
Users needing a Pro-grade display – If Mini-LED, ProMotion, or a better screen is a must, the MacBook Pro is a better choice.
Those requiring more ports – The limited number of USB-C ports might be a downside for professionals needing multiple external devices.

Conclusion: A Refined Yet Powerful Upgrade

The M4 MacBook Air is not a revolutionary leap but an evolutionary upgrade that enhances an already excellent laptop.

The M4 chip delivers outstanding performance, making AI-driven and creative tasks faster.
Battery life remains among the best in its class, ensuring all-day use.
Apple has kept the price competitive, making this an excellent entry-level MacBook.

However, the display remains a weak point, lacking ProMotion, Mini-LED, or OLED technology. While this might not be a dealbreaker for most users, those seeking a high-end display experience may prefer the MacBook Pro.

For students, professionals, and everyday users, the M4 MacBook Air is one of the best laptops available in 2025, offering premium performance at a competitive price.

If you are looking to get your hands on the new M4 MacBook Air, check out the best deals and pricing on Amazon now! Click the link to explore your options and upgrade your tech experience today!

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