M4 MacBook Air Review Is It Worth the Upgrade?
Apple has done it again! The M4 MacBook Air is here, bringing cutting-edge performance, a sleek design, and an even better price point. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone looking for a reliable laptop, this ultra-thin, ultra-powerful MacBook Air is a game-changer. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the latest MacBook Air with the M4 chip.
1. Unboxing & Design: A Familiar but Subtle Refresh
At first glance, the new M4 MacBook Air looks quite similar to its predecessors. It maintains its ultra-slim profile, making it perfect for portability. However, Apple has introduced a fresh Sky Blue color, replacing the old Space Gray option. The color is subtle, almost silver in certain lighting conditions, but it gives the laptop a unique and premium feel.
Inside the box, you get:
✔ MacBook Air M4 (available in 13-inch & 15-inch models)
✔ Matching USB-C to MagSafe charging cable
✔ 35W dual-port charger (upgradeable to 70W)
✔ Standard Apple documentation
2. Display & Build Quality
The M4 MacBook Air retains the Liquid Retina Display (IPS panel), offering vibrant colors and crisp visuals. However, unlike the MacBook Pro, it still lacks ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) and Mini-LED technology. Still, for everyday users, this display remains one of the best in its category.
🔹 Thin and lightweight – Perfect for students and travelers
🔹 13-inch & 15-inch screen options
🔹 Sleek aluminum body with Apple’s signature premium build
🔹 Large trackpad & chiclet-style keyboard for a smooth typing experience
3. Performance: M4 Chip Takes It to the Next Level
The biggest upgrade in this MacBook Air is its M4 chip, which doubles the speed of M1 and outperforms even some M2 and M3 models. It brings:
⚡ Faster AI processing for Apple Intelligence and on-device tasks
💻 16GB RAM standard (unlike previous models starting at 8GB)
🔥 Better power efficiency, improving battery life
For everyday users, this means:
✅ Effortless multitasking – Run multiple apps without lag
✅ Great for students & professionals – Smooth performance for office work, content creation, and casual video editing
✅ 4K video editing capable – Works well for social media content creators
✅ Gaming performance boost – Handles casual Mac-supported games better than previous models
If you’re a heavy video editor or graphic designer, you might still prefer the MacBook Pro for its higher GPU performance and better cooling system. But for 90% of users, the M4 MacBook Air delivers more than enough power.
4. Webcam & Battery Life: Small but Important Upgrades
📸 12MP Webcam with Center Stage – Auto-tracks your movement during video calls, providing a dynamic experience
🔋 18-hour battery life – Slightly improved efficiency, keeping you powered throughout the day
Whether you’re a student attending virtual classes or a remote worker hopping on Zoom calls, the webcam upgrade is a welcome addition.
5. Ports & Storage: The Only Downsides?
While the M4 MacBook Air is a fantastic device, it still has some limitations:
✖ Base model comes with only 256GB storage (Upgrade is costly)
✖ Lacks ProMotion (120Hz) & Mini-LED display (MacBook Pro exclusive)
💡 Best Storage Hack – Instead of paying Apple’s high SSD upgrade prices, consider getting a high-speed external SSD for a more affordable storage solution.
6. Pricing & Should You Upgrade?
💰 Pricing (Base Model):
✔ $999 USD (Regular Price)
✔ $899 USD (Student Discount)
🔼 Who Should Upgrade?
✔ Coming from an Intel MacBook or Windows laptop? ✅ Yes, this is a no-brainer upgrade!
✔ Still using an M1 MacBook Air? 🤔 Maybe, but not essential unless you need more AI power.
✔ Have an M2 or M3 MacBook Air? ❌ Probably not worth upgrading.
Final Verdict: Is the M4 MacBook Air Worth It?
The M4 MacBook Air is hands-down one of the best lightweight laptops of 2024. It brings faster performance, longer battery life, a better webcam, and a lower price point. If you're looking for a powerful yet portable laptop that won’t break the bank, this is the one to get.
🎯 Best for: Students, professionals, content creators, and casual users.
❌ Not for: Hardcore video editors, developers, or power users (get the MacBook Pro instead).
💬 What do you think of the new M4 MacBook Air? Let us know in the comments!
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