M4 MacBook Air Review: The Best Budget Mac Just Got Better

M4 MacBook Air Review: The Best Budget Mac Just Got Better

The M4 MacBook Air is here, and while it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does something arguably even better—it refines an already excellent laptop while making it more affordable.

With a powerful M4 chip, 16GB of RAM as standard, a slightly bigger battery, Thunderbolt upgrades, and even a new color option, this is the most capable MacBook Air yet. And the best part? The price drops back down to $999.

So, is the M4 MacBook Air the best budget Mac you can buy? Let’s break it down.

What's New? (And What's Not) 🔍

✅ The Big Upgrades

• M4 Chip → Faster performance, better AI capabilities
• 16GB Unified Memory (Base Model) → Huge upgrade over previous 8GB standard
• Slightly Larger Battery → 53.8Wh vs. 52.6Wh in the M2 model
• Improved Thunderbolt Support → Can now handle dual 6K external displays
• 12MP Center Stage Webcam → Auto-tracking for video calls
• New Sky Blue Color → A soft, subtle blue (but it mostly looks silver)

❌ What's the Same

• Same thin & light aluminum design
• Same keyboard & port layout (MagSafe, 2x USB-C, headphone jack)
• Still a 60Hz LCD screen (no ProMotion, no mini-LED)
• Still fanless (so sustained performance is lower than MacBook Pro)

It’s a refinement, not a revolution—but it’s a refinement that matters.

Performance: M4 Chip Brings the Heat 🔥

The M4 chip is the biggest reason to upgrade. Built on Apple’s latest 3nm process, it delivers:
✔️ Faster CPU & GPU performance
✔️ Better battery life efficiency
✔️ Stronger AI processing with an improved Neural Engine

Real-World Performance Tests:

📂 Multitasking: Flawless with 16GB RAM—20+ Safari tabs, video calls, and apps all open with no slowdowns.
🎥 Video Editing: Handles 4K & 8K footage in Final Cut Pro smoothly at quarter-resolution playback.
🎮 Gaming: Some AAA titles (like Resident Evil Village) run decently, but it’s still not a gaming laptop.
🤖 AI & Machine Learning: Features like on-device image generation & background cutouts are much faster.

Bottom Line: If you’re upgrading from an Intel Mac or even an M1 MacBook Air, the difference is huge.

Battery Life: Slightly Bigger, Still Amazing 🔋

The battery increased from 52.6Wh to 53.8Wh, which is a tiny upgrade, but thanks to the efficiency of the M4 chip, the battery life is still among the best in any laptop.

📌 Apple’s Official Estimate: Up to 18 hours of web browsing
📌 Real-World Testing: 14-16 hours of mixed use (video editing drains it faster)

For a thin, fanless laptop, the M4 MacBook Air’s battery life is unbeatable.

Sky Blue: The Most Subtle "New" Color 🎨

Apple’s new Sky Blue color replaces Space Gray, but… it’s barely blue.

• Against white backgrounds: It looks slightly blue.
• Against actual blue objects: It looks silver again.
• Final Verdict: Apple should have called it "Barely Blue."

Still, it’s a nice touch for those looking for a fresh aesthetic.

The One Weak Spot: The Display 📺

The M4 MacBook Air still has a good but not great screen.

• 13.6-inch & 15.3-inch options
• Liquid Retina LCD (2560×1664 resolution)
• 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion, no mini-LED)

If you’re coming from a MacBook Pro with mini-LED & 120Hz, this display might feel dated.

🔹 What We Wish It Had: Higher brightness, mini-LED, or at least a 90Hz refresh rate option.

But for most people? It’s totally fine.

Pricing & Value: Apple Finally Got It Right 💰

The biggest surprise? The base model is back to $999.

• M2 MacBook Air (2022): Started at $1,199
• M4 MacBook Air (2025): Now back to $999! 🎉

For $999, you get:
✅ M4 chip
✅ 16GB RAM (instead of 8GB)
✅ 256GB storage (expandable, but pricey)

Best Buy Bonus: The M2 MacBook Air (8GB RAM) is now $799, making it a great budget option.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the M4 MacBook Air?

✅ Buy It If You:

✔️ Want the best lightweight Mac laptop at a great price
✔️ Need 16GB RAM standard for better multitasking
✔️ Care about long battery life & fanless performance

❌ Skip It If You:

✖️ Need a Pro-level screen (stick to MacBook Pro for mini-LED & 120Hz)
✖️ Require heavy sustained performance (MacBook Pro has active cooling)
✖️ Are okay with the M2 MacBook Air (now $799) for casual use

Final Rating: 9/10 ⭐

The M4 MacBook Air takes an already excellent laptop and makes it better & cheaper.
✔️ Same great design
✔️ Faster M4 performance
✔️ 16GB RAM standard
✔️ Lower price

The only thing missing is a better display, but for most people, this is the best everyday MacBook you can buy.

💬 What do you think? Is the M4 MacBook Air worth the upgrade?

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