We may have spoken too soon about Apple’s decision to present us with the iPad Air M3 instead of announcing the MacBook Air M4’s release because the new laptop is now available for preorder. Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted an abstract “Something in the air,” message to followers, and while we had assumed that we were set to see the MacBook Air M4 the announcement of the iPad Air a day earlier took us by surprise. We weren’t too disappointed with what the tablet had to offer either, but it was still unexpected.
Now, the MacBook Air M4 release date on March 12 has allowed users to place their orders and prepare to acquire the new system. The most interesting aspect of the MacBook Air M4 is its price, as Apple has decided to make the entry model $100 cheaper than the M3. Going lower on the pricing is not a strategy we thought Apple was familiar with, but making this the cheapest MacBook Air in 2025 is definitely a decision we can get behind.
Image: The MacBook Air M4 specs aren’t too different from the M3 but it’s still a great option for those thinking of buying a laptop.
Apple MacBook Air M4 Release: Is It Better than the M3?
The announcement for the MacBook Air M4 was released on March 5, 2025, and is all set to become available next week on March 12, 2025. The MacBook Air M4 specs are a minor upgrade from its predecessor, which came out around the same time last year, March 2024. As the name suggests, the MacBook Air has been updated with the M4 chip, which is the most advanced silicon Apple has to offer right now.
The sizes remain unchanged and users have a choice between a 13-inch and 15-inch variant. Apple Intelligence is obviously a key feature of the device, and the Air’s fanless cooling design has not been changed either. This isn’t ideal but it is expected. For superior cooling systems, you’ll have to turn to the MacBook Pro.
Apple MacBook Air M4 Specs—What Hardware Improvements Did Apple Make?
The M4 chip which powers the MacBook Air M4 specs has a 10-core CPU, and a 8-core GPU but a more advanced version with a 10-core GPU and better memory is also available. Apple states the M4 is 2x faster than the M1 model and offers 23x faster performance compared to the Intel-based MacBook Air. The company did not reveal how the M4’s performance on the MacBook Air compares to the M3, but it is expected to be faster.
It has a 16-core Neural Engine to support all the AI processing and offers 16GB unified memory configurable to 24GB or 32GB. Storage options include either a 256GB or a 512GB version, but it is configurable to storage of up to 2TB. There’s also an ultrawide 12-megapixel Center Stage camera with Desk View that’s borrowed from the Pro model to support all your video calling activities that hopefully don’t involve Skype because the platform is shutting down.
Image: The sky blue variant seen with the MacBook Air M4 release is set to be a crowd favorite.
Apple MacBook Air M4 Display and Design—How Do You Feel About the New Sky Blue Color?
The Apple MacBook Air M4 has a Liquid Retina display with 2560 x 1664 native resolution at 224 ppi. The True Tone technology and the support for 1 billion colors make the screen crystal clear, but you only get 500 nits brightness on it. For a display of this size, it is typically enough.
The design aesthetic remains unchanged from the MacBook Air M3 and you still have two size options—13 inches and 15 inches. Apart from the Silver, Starlight, and Midnight variants, you also get a nice Sky Blue option at no extra cost. The metallic light blue provides a gradient effect depending on how the light hits the surface, which is a pleasing touch. Apple calls this its “brilliant array of color choices” but while that might be an exaggeration, the laptops still look great.
Macbook Air M4
This colour is just a eye candy pic.twitter.com/abpoT5FIKX— Clement (@_prophet_futu) March 6, 2025
Closed up, the device is only 0.44 inches (1.13 cm) thick, so it is extremely sleek. When paired with its 2.7-pound (1.24 kg) weight, it is extremely convenient to carry around. The fanless design might be a drawback for some, but Apple considers it an advantage in its noise-free design.
Apple MacBook Air M4 Battery and Connectivity—No Major Upgrades Here
The MacBook Air M4 release notes promise up to 18 hours of battery life, which was the same commitment made with last year’s release. The battery does, however, last six hours longer than an Intel-based MacBook Air. It isn’t a bad deal for a laptop to be fair, but it doesn’t offer any more than its predecessor in this regard.
You have a 3.5mm headphone jack, a MagSafe charging port, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. It can connect up to two external displays if you like to expand on your workspace while you use your system. The MacBook M3 also allowed connectivity to two external displays but you could not use your laptop screen as well for a third display. This has changed with the M4 MacBook Air.
Apple also states that its “Wi‑Fi 6E provides up to 2x faster throughput compared with Wi‑Fi 6.” You also have TouchID for easy unlocking, but none of these are new features either.
Image: The MacBook Air M4 price drop is an impressive move from Apple.
Apple MacBook Air M4 Price—How Much Does It Cost?
Is this the cheapest MacBook Air in 2025? Not exactly because you can buy an older model on sale to get a better deal, but we are still impressed with the 13-inch MacBook Air M4’s release price of $999/£999. This makes it $100 cheaper than the previous model, which started at $1,099, or even the M2 model, which started at $1,199. This gets you 16GB of RAM and a 256GB solid-state drive.
The 256GB is quite a disappointment in the base model of the laptop in 2025, but this is probably an incremental update saved for next year’s release. For a 10-core GPU and 512GB of storage, you’ll have to pay for the $1,199 version of the MacBook Air M4. There is also a $1,399 model with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage if you’re interested.
The 15-inch MacBook Air M4 is priced at $1,199 and it is also $100 cheaper than the $1,299 MacBook Air M3. With other devices, it is usually more affordable to buy a previous year’s release to save money, but with the MacBook Air M4, there is no real reason to buy the older model when you can just get the latest device.
Is the Apple Macbook Air M4 Better than the M3?
The MacBook Air M4 vs the M3, which should you buy? In terms of pricing that’s an easy decision considering Apple did cut down on how much it was asking for the base version of the new device. However, there are a few minor upgrades to also consider. Here’s what stands out with the MacBook Air M4 release:
- The M4 chip is superior to the M3, even if the difference is marginal and won’t stand out during active use
- The M4 models have the 12-megapixel Center Stage camera from the MacBook Pro range compared to the
- There’s a new sky blue color for those who want something different with the M4
- The $100 difference in price gives you the chance to get the 512GB storage variant for the same price as the 256GB M3
- The MacBook Air M3 can support two external displays when the laptop lid is closed but the MacBook Air M4 does not need you to close your laptop to support two external displays, which means access to three screens at once
- Easier access to Apple Intelligence features due to the more capable M4 chip, although the MacBook M3 Air performs just fine
Image: Apple’s newly released MacBook Air M4 is good value for money.
Should I Upgrade to a MacBook Air M4?
The much-awaited MacBook Air M4 release is not ground-breaking but if you have held off on purchasing a laptop, this is a good time to invest in the new model. Whether you want to use the device for AI tools or gaming, the M4 chip is quite a reliable companion for it, with the 16GB RAM doing its part to support your tasks. The 18-hour battery life can also get you comfortably through a workday without a hassle, even if you can’t stay connected the whole time.
Apple introduced a New M4 MacBook Air for $999 creating one of the best values in the laptop industry.
Combined with the Mac Mini, Apple now offers two of the best values in the industry. pic.twitter.com/lf0I8KyGat
— Jason C. (@_JasonRyan) March 5, 2025
The new prices don’t make the MacBook Air M4 cheap but they do make it more affordable when you take the other Apple alternatives into account. If you have an older MacBook model, the M4 chip being twice as fast as the M1 should give you an estimate of how much faster you can expect the new device to be, especially compared to an Intel MacBook.
When it comes to the MacBook Air M4 vs M3, the M4 wins but by a small margin. At the prices that have been set, there are practically no reasons to settle for the M3 when you can push your MacBook M4 to keep up with the latest tech a little longer.
The MacBook Air M4 release has not changed too much about the system from the last generation, but it’s a better investment than buying a MacBook Air M3 right now. What do you think? Let us know. Subscribe to Technowize so you never have to miss out on Apple-centric updates or on the ongoing of the tech world in general.