So, the MacBook Air M4 is here, and naturally, everyone’s buzzing about it. Faster chip? Check. Better battery life? Double-check. New colors? Oh yeah. But hold on—should you really spend your hard-earned cash, or is your current MacBook good enough to handle another year of intense typing and casual Netflix binges? Let’s break it down in plain, relatable terms. No tech jargon, I promise.
MacBook Air M4 (2025) specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M4 chip (10-core CPU: 4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores) |
| Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina (IPS LCD), 500 nits brightness, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| RAM | 16GB Unified Memory (Base variant, configurable up to 32GB) |
| Storage | 256GB SSD (Upgradeable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB) |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours video playback |
| Charging | 35W Dual-Port Adapter (Base Variant) / 70W Fast Charger (Higher Variant) |
| Ports | 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), MagSafe Charging, 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| Weight | 1.22 kg (13-inch model) |
| OS | macOS Sequoia with Apple Intelligence |
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage Camera |
| Audio | Six-speaker system with Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Color Options | Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Silver |
| Price | Starts at $999 / ₹99,900 (With offers, ₹75,000-₹80,000) |
Design: Sky Blue or “Did They Really Call This Blue?”
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—Apple’s so-called “Sky Blue” color. Look, I’m not saying it’s bad—it’s elegant and classy—but it’s more “silver with a hint of shy blue” than an actual bold blue. If you’re looking to make a statement, this one might not scream, “Hey, I’m exciting!”
Beyond the color, the design sticks to Apple’s signature why-fix-what’s-not-broken approach. It’s thin, it’s light, and at just 1.22kg (13-inch model), it’s perfect if your idea of “work” involves hopping between coffee shops or shoving it in your bag before you sprint to your next class.
Performance: The M4 Chip Brings the Heat (Figuratively)
The M4 chip is the star of this show, and, boy, does it deliver. Apple claims it’s 15-20% faster than its M3 sibling, and honestly, that sounds about right. Everything feels instant—whether it’s loading 50 Chrome tabs (don’t act like you don’t do this) or editing videos like a pro.
Here’s where it truly shines:
- Casual multitasking? Effortless.
- Heavy-duty stuff like 4K video editing or running coding environments? This thing doesn’t flinch.
- Gaming? Okay, let’s not get too excited. It’ll handle popular titles decently, but let’s just say the MacBook Air was never meant to be your gaming rig.
Benchmark Scores (Geekbench)
- Single-Core: 3,700 (Faster than Snapdragon X Elite)
- Multi-Core: 15,000
Benchmark Scores (Compared to Previous Models)
| Test | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench (Single-Core) | 3,680 | 2,600 | 2,200 |
| Geekbench (Multi-Core) | 14,924 | 10,100 | 9,000 |
| Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core) | 11,711 | 9,200 | 8,100 |
For everyday users, this means blazing-fast performance with no lag. You can have 20+ Safari tabs open, edit photos in Photoshop, and run Final Cut Pro smoothly.
Basically, unless you’re running a secret NASA mission from your dorm room, the M4 will handle anything you throw at it with ease.
Battery Life: All Day, Every Day
Apple claims 18 hours, but let’s be real—you’ll likely get around:
- 12-14 hours for light work like sending emails, browsing, and streaming.
- 8-10 hours if you’re doing heavy tasks like editing photos or crunching data.
- 5-6 hours if you’re pushing it with gaming or 4K video edits.
Charging Options
- 35W Dual-Port Adapter (Included in the box)
- 70W Fast Charger (For higher models)
Still, that’s solid. Forget lugging around chargers; this laptop laughs in the face of battery anxiety.
Display: Bright and Beautiful, but No 120Hz
The Liquid Retina Display is as gorgeous as ever. Watching movies or working on creative projects? You’ll be blown away by the vibrant colors, HDR support, and 500 nits of brightness (read: it’s great outdoors).
But, here’s the kicker: No 120Hz refresh rate. If you’ve ever scrolled on a ProMotion display, you’ll know what I’m talking about. For most of us, it’s not a deal-breaker, but if you’re into buttery-smooth visuals, this might sting.
Ports: The Dongle Dilemma
Here’s the port situation:
- 1 MagSafe for charging
- 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 4
- 1 headphone jack
And…that’s it. Need HDMI? An SD card slot? Yeah, you’re gonna need a dongle or hub. But hey, at least you can now connect two external 6K displays, which is a big win for the MacBook Air lineup.
Webcam & Audio: The Little Things That Matter
Remote work warriors, rejoice: The 12MP Center Stage Webcam finally makes Zoom calls less painful. You’re always in frame, even if you’re pacing your living room mid-meeting, and it’s great in low light, too.
The sound system has also been leveled up. With six speakers and Dolby Atmos, your Spotify playlist has never sounded better. No visible speaker grilles—just a smooth design delivering great audio.
Pros & Cons: Let’s Wrap It Up
Why You’ll Love It:
- The M4 chip is insanely fast.
- 16GB RAM is now standard, so multitasking is a breeze.
- Battery life? A+ for long days.
- Webcam upgrades and better sound make work and play better.
- Oh, and let’s not forget the sleek, lightweight build.
Why You Might Hold Off:
- Still no 120Hz display.
- Limited ports mean dongles are your best friend.
- Base storage (256GB) feels stingy.
- No earth-shattering design changes.
So…Should You Buy It?
If you’re rocking an M1 or M2 MacBook Air, this is an upgrade worth considering. The improved RAM, faster chip, and better webcam are noticeable. But if you’ve got the M3, you might want to sit tight—this isn’t a revolutionary jump, and you could save your money for whatever Apple cooks up next.
For students, professionals, and casual users, though? This is as good as it gets in the ultraportable category. Just don’t forget that dongle, and maybe temper your expectations about its “Sky Blue” ambitions.
| Best For | Not Ideal For |
|---|---|
| Students & Professionals (Best value MacBook) | Hardcore Gamers (Limited to 30-40 FPS) |
| Content Creators (Great for editing & multitasking) | Users Who Need 120Hz Display |
| Developers (Handles coding smoothly) | People Requiring More Than 256GB Storage (Expensive upgrades) |
| Frequent Travelers (Ultra-portable & long battery) |
Final Thoughts: It’s sleek, it’s fast, and yes, it’s worth bragging about. The MacBook Air M4 might not reinvent the wheel, but it sure polishes it to near perfection.
FAQs
What’s new in the MacBook Air M4?
The M4 chip offers 15-20% faster performance, 16GB RAM as standard, better battery life, a 12MP webcam, and a new “Sky Blue” color.
Is it worth upgrading from the M2 or M3?
If you have the M2, it’s a solid upgrade. For M3 users, it’s not a huge leap unless you need extra RAM or faster performance.
How’s the battery life?
Up to 18 hours, but realistically 12-14 hours for light use and 8-10 hours for heavy tasks.
Does it support gaming?
It’s fine for casual gaming but not ideal for demanding games.
What’s missing?
No 120Hz display and limited ports, so you’ll likely need a dongle.
How much does it cost?
Starts at $999 (₹99,900 in India), with offers bringing it down to around ₹75,000-₹80,000.
Who should buy it?
It’s great for students, professionals, and creators who need performance and portability. Gamers and users needing more ports might look elsewhere.