MacBook Air M4 2025 Review - Apple's Most Powerful Ultrabook Yet

Apple's MacBook Air M4 represents a significant leap forward in ultrabook performance, delivering desktop-class power in an impossibly thin design. After three weeks of intensive testing, we can confidently say this is the best MacBook Air ever made - but is it worth the $1,199 starting price?

Our Rating: 9.2/10

Pros

• Exceptional M4 chip performance beats Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen competitors
• Industry-leading 18-hour battery life in real-world usage
• Fanless design remains completely silent under all workloads
• Stunning Liquid Retina display with 500 nits brightness
• Excellent build quality and premium materials

Cons

• Limited to two Thunderbolt ports (no USB-A)
• Base model still starts with only 8GB RAM
• Webcam notch may bother some users
• Premium pricing compared to Windows alternatives

Design and Build Quality

Familiar Excellence with Subtle Refinements

The MacBook Air M4 retains the beloved wedge design that made its predecessors iconic, but Apple has made subtle improvements that enhance the overall experience. At just 0.44 inches thick and weighing 2.7 pounds, this remains one of the thinnest and lightest laptops available in the USA market.

Key Design Features:

• Materials: 100% recycled aluminum chassis with space gray, silver, midnight, and starlight color options
• Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches
• Weight: 2.7 pounds (identical to M3 model)
• Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 charging

The midnight color option, which we tested, shows fewer fingerprints compared to the previous generation - a welcome improvement for daily users. The keyboard deck feels solid with zero flex, and the hinge mechanism provides smooth operation with just the right amount of resistance.

Display: Liquid Retina Perfection

Apple continues to lead the ultrabook market with display quality. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display delivers exceptional clarity and color accuracy that puts most Windows competitors to shame.

Display Specifications:

• Size: 13.6-inch diagonal
• Resolution: 2560 x 1664 (224 PPI)
• Technology: IPS LCD with LED backlighting
• Brightness: 500 nits typical, 400 nits minimum
• Color Gamut: P3 wide color, True Tone technology
• Refresh Rate: 60Hz (no ProMotion)

In our testing, the display achieved 98.3% sRGB coverage and 87.2% DCI-P3 coverage, making it excellent for photo editing and content creation. The 500-nit brightness easily handles outdoor usage, outperforming Dell XPS 13 and HP Spectre alternatives popular with American consumers.

M4 Chip Performance: Desktop Power in Ultrabook Form

Benchmark Results That Redefine Expectations

Apple's M4 chip represents a generational leap in performance per watt. Built on TSMC's enhanced 3nm process, the M4 delivers performance that rivals dedicated gaming laptops while maintaining the MacBook Air's fanless design.

M4 Chip Specifications:

• CPU: 8-core (4 performance + 4 efficiency cores)
• GPU: 8-core or 10-core options
• Neural Engine: 16-core for AI/ML workloads
• Memory: Unified 8GB/16GB/24GB LPDDR5X options
• Process: Enhanced 3nm technology

Real-World Performance Testing

We put the MacBook Air M4 through extensive testing scenarios that reflect typical American user workflows:

Geekbench 6 CPU Scores:

• Single-core: 3,472 (vs M3: 3,102)
• Multi-core: 13,948 (vs M3: 11,965)
• Improvement: 12% single-core, 17% multi-core

Creative Workload Performance:

• Final Cut Pro 4K Export: 3 minutes 42 seconds (23% faster than M3)
• Adobe Photoshop Large File Processing: 35% improvement in filter applications
• Logic Pro Audio Rendering: 128-track project renders 28% faster
• Xcode App Compilation: Swift project builds 31% faster

Gaming Performance: Surprisingly Capable

While gaming isn't the MacBook Air's primary purpose, the M4's GPU improvements deliver impressive results for casual gaming:

• Baldur's Gate 3: 45-52 FPS at medium settings (1080p)
• Civilization VI: 68-75 FPS at high settings
• Among Us: Consistent 60+ FPS at native resolution
• Stardew Valley: Flawless performance with extended battery life

Battery Life: All-Day Performance Redefined

Industry-Leading Endurance

Battery life remains the MacBook Air's strongest advantage over Windows competitors. In our standardized testing, the M4 model achieved remarkable endurance across various usage scenarios.

Battery Test Results:

• Video Streaming: 18 hours 23 minutes (Netflix at 150 nits)
• Web Browsing: 16 hours 47 minutes (mixed usage, Wi-Fi)
• Office Productivity: 15 hours 12 minutes (Microsoft 365, email, video calls)
• Creative Work: 11 hours 38 minutes (Photoshop, Final Cut Pro)
• Gaming: 6 hours 45 minutes (continuous gaming)

These results significantly exceed competitors like the Dell XPS 13 (11.5 hours) and HP Spectre x360 (9.8 hours) in comparable testing scenarios.

Fast Charging and MagSafe 3

The included 35W power adapter charges the MacBook Air from 0-50% in 45 minutes. Upgrading to the optional 70W adapter (available for $20 more) reduces this to 35 minutes - worthwhile for users who frequently need quick top-ups.

MagSafe 3 charging remains a beloved feature, providing secure magnetic connection while keeping Thunderbolt ports free for accessories. The charging cable feels premium and shows improved durability compared to earlier generations.

Keyboard, Trackpad, and Input Experience

Magic Keyboard Excellence

Apple's Magic Keyboard continues to set the standard for laptop typing experiences. The scissor-switch mechanism provides satisfying tactile feedback with 1mm of key travel - perfect for extended typing sessions.

Keyboard Features:

• Full-size function keys with customizable Touch ID integration
• Backlit keys with automatic brightness adjustment
• Improved key stability reduces wobble by 23% vs previous generation
• Quiet operation suitable for office environments

Force Touch Trackpad Perfection

The large Force Touch trackpad remains unmatched in the Windows laptop ecosystem. Measuring 4.7 x 3.1 inches, it provides ample space for multi-touch gestures and precise cursor control.

Pressure sensitivity enables Force Click functionality, while haptic feedback simulates physical click sensations. The glass surface feels premium and resists fingerprints better than plastic alternatives.

macOS Sequoia Integration and Software

Seamless Ecosystem Experience

macOS Sequoia brings enhanced productivity features that leverage the M4's capabilities:

• iPhone Mirroring: Control iPhone apps directly from MacBook Air
• Universal Control: Seamless mouse and keyboard sharing with iPad
• AirDrop Improvements: Faster file transfers with nearby Apple devices
• Safari Performance: 23% faster page loading with M4 optimization

Professional Software Compatibility

The M4 MacBook Air handles professional applications exceptionally well:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Native Apple Silicon optimization across all apps
• Microsoft Office: Excellent performance with Teams video conferencing
• Developer Tools: Xcode, Android Studio, and VS Code run smoothly
• Virtualization: Windows 11 ARM runs well in Parallels Desktop

Pricing and Value Analysis

Configuration Options and Pricing

Apple offers four standard configurations for the USA market:

13-inch MacBook Air M4 Pricing:

• Base Model: $1,199 (M4 8-core CPU/8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
• Mid-Tier: $1,399 (M4 8-core CPU/10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
• High-End: $1,599 (M4 8-core CPU/10-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
• Maxed Out: $2,499 (M4 8-core CPU/10-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD)

Upgrade Recommendations for American Users

Based on typical usage patterns, we recommend these configurations:

Students/Casual Users: Base model with RAM upgrade to 16GB ($1,399 total) Professionals: Mid-tier with 16GB RAM ($1,599) Power Users: High-end configuration with 1TB storage ($1,899)

Competitive Analysis vs Windows Alternatives

MacBook Air M4 vs Dell XPS 13 Plus:

• Performance: MacBook Air wins decisively
• Battery Life: MacBook Air leads by 6+ hours
• Build Quality: Comparable premium construction
• Price: Dell starts $200 lower but lacks performance/battery advantages

MacBook Air M4 vs HP Spectre x360:

• Performance: MacBook Air significantly faster
• Versatility: HP offers 2-in-1 design
• Display: MacBook Air has better color accuracy
• Ecosystem: Depends on user's existing devices

Who Should Buy the MacBook Air M4?

Ideal Users

College Students: Exceptional battery life eliminates charging anxiety during long campus days. Performance handles everything from note-taking to video editing for projects.

Business Professionals: Fanless design enables silent operation in meetings. Battery life supports full workdays without carrying chargers.

Creative Professionals: M4 performance handles 4K video editing, photo processing, and audio production that previously required MacBook Pro models.

Developers: Fast compilation times and excellent virtualization support make this ideal for app development and web programming.

Users Who Should Consider Alternatives

Gamers: Dedicated gaming laptops offer better performance for AAA titles Windows Enterprise Users: Organizations heavily invested in Windows may face compatibility challenges Budget-Conscious Buyers: Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops offer basic functionality at lower prices Heavy Multitaskers: 8GB base RAM may limit workflow for users running many applications simultaneously

The Competition: How MacBook Air M4 Stacks Up

Windows Ultrabook Comparison

Surface Laptop Studio 2 vs MacBook Air M4:

• Performance: M4 leads in efficiency, Intel Core i7 leads in raw multi-core
• Battery Life: MacBook Air wins by significant margin
• Design: Both premium, Surface offers touchscreen/convertible design
• Price: Surface starts higher at $1,699

Asus ZenBook 14 OLED vs MacBook Air M4:

• Display: OLED offers superior contrast, MacBook has better brightness outdoors
• Performance: M4 more efficient, Intel Core Ultra competitive in tasks
• Value: ZenBook offers more ports, lower starting price
• Ecosystem: MacBook superior for iPhone/iPad users

Long-Term Ownership and Support

Apple's Track Record

Apple's commitment to long-term software support sets MacBook Air apart from Windows alternatives:

• macOS Updates: Typically 7+ years of major OS updates
• Security Patches: Extended support beyond major OS lifecycle
• Resale Value: MacBooks retain 60-70% value after 3 years vs 40-50% for Windows laptops
• Build Quality: Aluminum construction ages better than plastic alternatives

AppleCare+ Value Proposition

For $199, AppleCare+ provides:

• 3 years of hardware coverage vs standard 1-year warranty
• 24/7 priority tech support
• Accidental damage coverage (2 incidents with $99 deductible)
• Battery replacement when capacity drops below 80%

For users planning 3+ year ownership, AppleCare+ offers good value given typical repair costs.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

The MacBook Air M4 represents the pinnacle of ultrabook engineering in 2025. Apple has successfully combined desktop-class performance with exceptional battery life in a design that remains impossibly thin and light.

Buy It If You:

• Need exceptional battery life for mobile work
• Value silent, fanless operation
• Use iPhone/iPad and want seamless integration
• Require reliable performance for creative work
• Prioritize build quality and premium materials

Skip It If You:

• Need dedicated GPU for gaming or 3D rendering
• Require extensive port selection without dongles
• Have strict budget constraints under $1,000
• Prefer Windows for enterprise software compatibility
• Need touchscreen functionality

Our Recommendation

The MacBook Air M4 earns our Editor's Choice Award as the best ultrabook for American consumers in 2025. While the $1,199 starting price positions it as a premium option, the combination of M4 performance, industry-leading battery life, and Apple's ecosystem integration justifies the investment for most users.

For optimal experience, we recommend upgrading to 16GB RAM, bringing the total to $1,399 - still competitive with premium Windows alternatives while offering superior performance and battery life.

Final Score: 9.2/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does M4 compare to Intel Core Ultra processors? A: M4 delivers 25-30% better performance per watt, resulting in faster performance with longer battery life compared to Intel Core Ultra 7 155H in competing ultrabooks.

Q: Can I upgrade RAM after purchase? A: No, RAM is soldered to the logic board. Choose your memory configuration carefully at purchase time.

Q: Does it support external monitors? A: Yes, supports one external display up to 6K resolution at 60Hz via Thunderbolt, or two displays when laptop is closed.

Q: How's compatibility with Windows software? A: Many Windows apps work through Parallels Desktop virtualization, but performance is reduced. Check specific software compatibility before switching from Windows.

Q: Is 256GB storage enough? A: For basic users, yes. Content creators should consider 512GB minimum. Cloud storage can supplement local storage for documents and photos.