Apple’s newest MacBook Air, powered by the M4 chip, is not just an incremental update — it’s a major leap forward for everyday computing. Available in both 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, the M4 MacBook Air is faster, smarter, more power-efficient, and surprisingly affordable for a premium ultrabook. Here’s an in-depth look at everything that makes the M4 MacBook Air one of the most compelling laptops you can buy in 2025.
M4 Chip – A Giant Leap in Everyday Performance
At the heart of the 2025 MacBook Air is Apple’s new M4 chip, built on a second-generation 3nm process. It features a 10-core CPU (4 performance cores + 6 efficiency cores) and up to a 10-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and dynamic caching — features borrowed from the M3 Pro/M3 Max but now brought to Apple’s most lightweight Mac.
According to Apple, the M4 chip delivers:
- Up to 2x faster CPU performance compared to the original M1.
- More powerful AI capabilities via a 38 TOPS Neural Engine.
- Better sustained performance thanks to improved thermal design.
Whether you’re editing 4K video in Final Cut, compiling code in Xcode, or using multiple creative apps, the M4 ensures seamless, lag-free multitasking — all without a fan.
Unified Memory & Storage – Smarter, Faster, More Efficient
For the first time, the base configuration starts at 16GB of unified memory, double that of the M2 and M3 base models. This is a huge win for students, professionals, and creatives alike.
You can configure up to 24GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage, and thanks to the unified architecture, memory is shared efficiently between the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, minimizing data movement and speeding up AI and creative workloads.
Display – Bright, Sharp, and Easy on the Eyes
The MacBook Air’s Liquid Retina display remains one of the best in its class:
- 500 nits brightness
- P3 wide color gamut
- True Tone technology
The 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch displays offer immersive visuals with ultra-slim bezels. While there’s no touch support (as Apple keeps touch reserved for iPad), the screen’s clarity and color fidelity are ideal for content creators and binge-watchers alike.
Webcam & Audio – Better Calls and Media Experiences
Apple upgraded the webcam to a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage. This feature keeps you centered during video calls — great for FaceTime, Zoom, and Google Meet.
Audio is equally strong:
- Four-speaker sound system
- Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
- Three-mic array for crystal-clear recordings and calls
Combined with the M4’s AI processing, the MacBook Air delivers an excellent experience for creators, remote workers, and students.
Battery Life – Up to 18 Hours of All-Day Use
One of the MacBook Air’s biggest strengths has always been battery life, and the M4 takes it even further. You get:
- Up to 18 hours of Apple TV playback
- 15+ hours of web browsing
- MagSafe 3 fast charging, plus two Thunderbolt 4 ports for accessories
Thanks to the chip’s 3nm efficiency and smart macOS Sequoia power management, you can leave your charger at home for most days.
Connectivity & Expansion
The MacBook Air M4 supports:
- Wi-Fi 6E for blazing-fast wireless speeds
- Bluetooth 5.3 for low-latency peripherals
- Dual external display support (up to 6K each — a first for MacBook Air)
This fixes one of the biggest complaints about older Airs, which previously supported only one external monitor.
Design – Sleek, Colorful, and Travel-Ready
Apple kept the fanless, unibody aluminum chassis and added a fresh Sky Blue color option alongside Midnight, Starlight, and Silver. The finish is fingerprint-resistant, and the entire device weighs just:
- 2.7 pounds (13-inch)
- 3.3 pounds (15-inch)
You also get the industry-best Force Touch trackpad, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, and robust durability.
Deals & Pricing
Despite being one of Apple’s most advanced laptops, the M4 MacBook Air is competitively priced:
13-inch Deals (as of June 2025):
- 16GB RAM / 256GB SSD: $837.19 (was $999)
- 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD: $1,001.76
- 24GB RAM / 512GB SSD: $1,189.95
15-inch Deals:
- 16GB RAM / 256GB SSD: $1,011.45
- 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD: $1,225.17
- 24GB RAM / 512GB SSD: $1,338.62
These discounts on Amazon and Apple-authorized resellers make the M4 Air one of the best value premium laptops right now.
Reviews & Reception
Tom’s Guide praised the MacBook Air M4’s “stunning display, blazing performance, and impressive battery life,” calling it the best Air yet.
Laptop Mag awarded it 5/5 stars for “balancing power, portability, and elegance in a way no other laptop can.”
Even tech forums and Reddit communities are hailing it as “the only laptop most people need.”
Who Is the M4 MacBook Air For?
This machine is ideal for:
- Students who need performance, portability, and long battery life
- Professionals in writing, coding, design, or content creation
- Anyone in the Apple ecosystem who wants continuity with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
With its powerful M4 chip, premium build, and approachable price, the MacBook Air M4 is the new gold standard for ultrabooks in 2025.
MacBook Air M4 vs Surface Pro (2025 Update)
Choosing between Apple’s latest M4-powered MacBook Air and Microsoft’s Snapdragon-based Surface Pro 11 in 2025 is more than a matter of preference — it’s about picking a device that best fits your workflow. Apple continues refining its ultraportable laptop formula with exceptional battery life and performance-per-watt efficiency, while Microsoft pushes versatility and AI acceleration with a 2-in-1 hybrid form factor. The MacBook Air now offers up to 18 hours of battery life, while the Surface Pro 11 introduces a vivid OLED display with touch, pen support, and up to 32GB RAM.
Functionally, the two devices diverge: the MacBook Air is a pure laptop built for traditional computing, while the Surface Pro 11 transforms from tablet to laptop, ideal for artists, students, and mobile professionals. Apple users benefit from ecosystem cohesion; Windows fans get unmatched software compatibility and flexibility.
Below is a breakdown of the most critical differences in 2025:
| Feature | MacBook Air (M4, 2025) | Surface Pro 11 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M4 (10-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU) | Snapdragon X Plus or Elite |
| Display | 13.6″ / 15.3″ Liquid Retina (500 nits, no touch) | 13″ OLED, 2880×1920, 120Hz touch |
| RAM | 16GB / 24GB unified memory | 16GB / 32GB LPDDR5x |
| Storage | 256GB – 2TB SSD | 256GB – 1TB SSD |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 15 hours (real-world use) |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (13″) / 3.3 lbs (15″) | 1.95 lbs (tablet only) |
| Touchscreen & Pen | No / Not supported | Yes / Surface Slim Pen 2 |
| Keyboard | Integrated Magic Keyboard | Optional detachable keyboard |
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage | 1440p front + 10MP rear |
| Audio | Four-speaker system, Dolby Atmos | Dual speakers, Dolby Audio |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, headphone jack | 2x USB4, Surface Connect, headphone jack |
| OS | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Copilot+ |
| Starting Price | $1,099 | $999 (keyboard sold separately) |
Key Takeaways:
- The MacBook Air M4 delivers incredible battery life, premium build quality, and seamless macOS integration.
- The Surface Pro 11 excels in versatility with a tablet-first design, touch input, stylus support, and AI-powered Windows 11 features.
- Both now use ARM chips, and while the MacBook excels in performance-per-watt, Surface Pro offers more input methods and flexibility for mobile creatives.
Ultimately, your choice hinges on your priorities: If you want the best performance, battery life, and build quality in a traditional laptop, the MacBook Air M4 is unmatched. If you value a detachable touchscreen, stylus input, and 2-in-1 functionality, the Surface Pro 11 is a better fit — especially for note-taking, design, and on-the-go productivity.
