An in-depth look at the new MacBook Air M4, comparing its features and performance to previous models. Covers design, display, performance, battery life and more.
Introduction
Apple’s latest MacBook Air featuring the M4 chip has generated significant buzz in the tech world. As one of the most anticipated laptop releases of 2025, the MacBook Air M4 promises improved performance and capabilities over its predecessors. In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the design, features, performance, and overall user experience of the new MacBook Air M4.
Design and Build Quality
The MacBook Air M4 retains Apple’s signature minimalist aesthetic while introducing some subtle refinements:
- Sleek aluminum unibody construction
- Available in multiple color options, including a new Midnight finish
- Weighs just 1.24 kg, making it extremely portable
- Slightly curved edges for improved ergonomics when carrying
The build quality is excellent as expected from Apple, with premium materials and precise manufacturing. The new Midnight color looks striking, though it may be prone to showing fingerprints more easily than lighter finishes.
Display
The MacBook Air M4 features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display:
- 2560 x 1664 resolution
- 500 nits brightness
- P3 wide color gamut support
- True Tone technology
While still 60Hz, the display appears slightly improved over previous models in terms of color and overall quality. It provides an excellent viewing experience for productivity tasks, content consumption, and light creative work.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The Magic Keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience:
- Backlit keys with good travel and tactile feedback
- Large Force Touch trackpad with excellent gesture support
- Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button
The keyboard feels slightly softer and more refined compared to previous generations. The expansive trackpad remains one of the best available on any laptop.
Ports and Connectivity
Port selection on the MacBook Air M4 includes:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 ports
- MagSafe 3 charging port
- 3.5mm headphone jack
The Thunderbolt ports support charging, DisplayPort, and data transfer up to 40Gbps. The laptop can drive up to two external displays.
Wireless connectivity options:
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.3
Performance
The M4 chip brings significant performance improvements over previous generations:
- 8-core CPU (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores)
- 10-core GPU
- 16-core Neural Engine
Benchmark results show impressive gains:
- Single-core performance improved by ~15% over M1
- Multi-core performance up by ~40% compared to M1
- GPU performance increased by ~30%
Real-world performance is excellent for everyday tasks, productivity work, and even demanding creative applications. The MacBook Air M4 can handle 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro, though very complex timelines may benefit from a MacBook Pro or Mac mini with active cooling.
For most users, the M4 chip provides more than enough power for years to come. It offers a significant upgrade for those coming from Intel-based Macs or older M1 models.
Battery Life
Apple claims up to 18 hours of battery life. In our testing, we achieved:
- 12 hours 19 minutes of mixed usage
- Excellent standby time
The 52.6 Wh battery coupled with the energy-efficient M4 chip delivers all-day battery life for most users. The included 35W dual USB-C charger can fast charge the MacBook Air to 50% in about 30 minutes.
Software and Ecosystem
macOS continues to offer a polished, intuitive user experience with tight integration across Apple devices. Some key software features:
- Continuity for seamless workflows across Apple devices
- Universal Control for using a single keyboard/mouse across Mac and iPad
- AirDrop for easy file sharing
- iCloud integration for syncing data and passwords
The M4 chip enables running iOS/iPadOS apps natively on macOS, further expanding the software ecosystem.
Webcam and Audio
The MacBook Air M4 features an upgraded 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a significant improvement over previous 720p offerings. While audio quality from the built-in microphones is decent, it may not match dedicated external mics for professional use.
The four-speaker sound system delivers rich, full audio for a laptop of this size. It supports spatial audio when playing compatible content.
Who Should Buy the MacBook Air M4?
The MacBook Air M4 is an excellent choice for:
- Students and professionals who prioritize portability
- Users upgrading from much older Macs or Windows laptops
- Anyone seeking a powerful, efficient laptop for everyday use and light creative work
It may not be the best fit for:
- Power users who need sustained high performance for demanding tasks
- Gamers (consider a Windows gaming laptop or desktop instead)
- Users who require a larger display or more ports without dongles
Also Check: Mac Mini M4: Compact for Productivity and Creativity
Value and Pricing
The MacBook Air M4 starts at ₹99,900 for the base model with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. While not inexpensive, it offers good value considering the performance, build quality, and longevity typical of Apple products. Educational discounts and occasional promotions can help reduce the cost.
Conclusion
The MacBook Air M4 represents a significant leap forward in Apple’s ultraportable lineup. It offers substantial performance gains, excellent battery life, and the refined user experience macOS is known for, all in a sleek, lightweight package. While not without its limitations, the MacBook Air M4 is a compelling option for a wide range of users seeking a premium, long-lasting laptop.
For those invested in the Apple ecosystem or looking to switch from Windows, the MacBook Air M4 provides a fantastic balance of power, portability, and user experience that should serve well for years to come. Its improved performance and efficiency make it a worthy upgrade even for users of recent MacBook Air models, particularly those still on Intel-based machines.
Ultimately, the MacBook Air M4 continues Apple’s tradition of delivering a polished, capable ultraportable that sets the standard for the category. Its blend of performance, battery life, and build quality make it easy to recommend for anyone in the market for a premium laptop in 2025.