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Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4): Two-minute assessment
The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is the most recent version of Apple’s large-screen skinny and lightweight laptop computer, launched alongside the smaller MacBook Air 13-inch (M4). Many people have been ready for Apple’s hottest laptops to get the highly effective M4 chip because it debuted last year with the iPad Pro.
Since then, we’ve had M4 variations of the MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini, which has left MacBook Air followers (and there are quite a lot of them, with the MacBook Air being the most well-liked Mac product) ready for his or her flip.
It’s maybe comprehensible that some individuals may really feel just like the M4 MacBook Airs are an afterthought, with Apple taking so lengthy to deliver its newest chip to its most reasonably priced laptops, nevertheless it appears Apple has settled into this launch schedule. In any case, the M3 MacBook Air (in each 13-inch and 15-inch configurations) launched just about precisely a yr in the past, in March 2024.
It appears Apple doesn’t need to get into one other controversy by releasing a brand new MacBook mannequin lower than a yr after the earlier one. It did that with the MacBook Pro M3, which launched round 9 months after the MacBook Pro M2, and it bought quite a lot of flak for that.
By spacing the launches out for a yr, it’s much less prone to annoy individuals who have purchased the earlier mannequin, and I get the sensation that Apple’s made the calculation that as a result of the MacBook Air is geared toward a extra informal, mainstream viewers, there’s much less clamor to get the most recent and biggest {hardware}.
To be truthful, that’s most likely the precise name, and nobody who has an M3 MacBook Air ought to really feel the necessity to improve to the M4 mannequin. We go into extra depth about what the M4 brings to the MacBook Air in our MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) assessment, however this launch is extra of a refinement than an entire reimagining.
When a laptop computer is nearly as good because the MacBook Air (in both measurement), then that’s no unhealthy factor in any respect, and should you’re on the lookout for a brand new laptop computer, particularly coming from a a lot older MacBook or Home windows laptop computer, then there’s an excellent likelihood that you simply’ll completely love the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4).
With a beginning worth of $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,099, Apple gave us all a nice shock, as just like the 13-inch mannequin, the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) has really had a worth minimize, as the bottom mannequin of the 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 began at $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,199.
A greater mannequin for much less cash is implausible to see, particularly as of late the place issues appear to be getting ever costlier, and I’ve bought to present Apple credit score for this. Top-of-the-line issues concerning the MacBook Air is its affordability in comparison with laptops of an identical spec, and it’s nice to see that Apple understands this.
This cheaper price does come at some price, nonetheless, as in contrast to with earlier generations, Apple is not formally promoting any of the older MacBook Airs. When the MacBook Air M2 got here out, for instance, Apple diminished the worth of the M1 mannequin and offered it as a extra reasonably priced choice, and the identical factor occurred with the M3 mannequin (the M2 mannequin bought a worth minimize).
As a substitute, Apple is just promoting the M4 fashions of the brand new MacBook Airs, so if you wish to purchase direct from the corporate, there’s no cheaper choice out there. Nevertheless, third social gathering retailers will proceed to promote older MacBook Airs as they clear their stock, and we’ve already seen some impressive MacBook Air deals because the announcement of the M4 mannequin.
The bottom mannequin of the 15-inch MacBook Air comes with the M4 chip with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified reminiscence and 256GB of SSD storage – the identical as the bottom mannequin of the brand new 13-inch MacBook Air.
Actually, in some ways, the M4 MacBook Air 15-inch is similar because the 13-inch mannequin, however with a bigger display screen, and subsequently bigger total measurement. Even the sharpness of the 2 screens are basically the identical, because of the bigger 15.3-inch display screen coming with a better decision of 2880 x 1864 which works out at 224 pixels per inch, in comparison with the 13.6-inch display screen’s 2560 x 1664 decision, which additionally affords 224 pixels per inch.
This implies the screens supply the identical degree of sharpness, and with the opposite similarities of the {hardware}, it actually boils all the way down to which display screen measurement you’d desire. The 15-inch MacBook Air affords a bigger display screen that some individuals will discover extra comfy to work on, whereas the 13-inch mannequin’s smaller measurement will attraction extra to individuals who need a laptop computer they’ll depend on whereas touring.
One massive distinction between the 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Airs is that the bigger MacBook comes with six built-in audio system with force-cancelling woofers, whereas the smaller laptop computer makes do with 4 audio system, and no force-cancelling.
So, the 15-inch MacBook Air with M4 affords a a lot richer and extra immersive sound expertise, whereas the woofers supply deeper bass with out shaking or vibrating the MacBook. The sound is actually spectacular contemplating the skinny and lightweight design of the 15-inch MacBook Air – it’s actually probably the greatest sounding laptops you should buy, and if audio high quality is of the utmost significance to you, then you’ll doubtless be higher off shopping for the 15-inch mannequin fairly than the 13-inch.
There have additionally been some slight design tweaks because the final technology of MacBook Airs. The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) (as with the 13-inch mannequin) now comes with a 12MP Heart Stage webcam. When broadcasting, you possibly can transfer round and the Heart Stage digicam will hold you in body (inside cause – you possibly can’t transfer too far). It does a good job, and the video high quality is clear and crisp.
The brand new webcam additionally helps Desk View, which cleverly retains you in shot, whereas additionally displaying your desk in one other shot. This may be helpful should you’re demonstrating one thing to an viewers, and beforehand you’d want two cameras to attain the identical impact – one to shoot you from the entrance, the second angled to shoot your palms.
Whereas not everybody goes to utilize this function, it’s fairly intelligent, and works effectively. The brand new webcam additionally makes use of the M4 chip to supply machine learning-enhanced video results similar to Studio Mild, which adjusts the lighting, brightness and distinction of your footage to present you a extra skilled look. It’s just like the Home windows Studio Results instrument present in Windows 11 laptops which include AI-capable processors.
The brand new M4-powered MacBook Airs additionally include a brand new shade selection: Sky Blue. Don’t go pondering it is a vibrant, iMac-like hue, nonetheless. It’s a extra refined, metallic shade with a touch of blue, and whereas understated, I do prefer it (Apple was sort sufficient to ship me a assessment unit within the new shade). The MagSafe cost cable is available in a shade that matches the colour of the MacBook Air, which is a pleasant contact.
Total, the brand new MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is a wonderful skinny and lightweight laptop computer, and probably the greatest 15-inch laptops you possibly can at present purchase. Nevertheless, when you have an M3, and even M2, model, there’s not a lot totally different that may make you’re feeling the necessity to improve. That’s no specific slight on the M4 chip, however fairly a testomony to how good the M2 and M3 stay.
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) assessment: Worth and availability
In a really welcome transfer, Apple has launched the brand new MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) at a cheaper price than the M3 mannequin launched at, starting at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,099, which supplies you an M4 chip with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified reminiscence and 256GB of SSD storage.
After getting an rising quantity of flak for launching trendy MacBook Airs with 8GB of reminiscence and 128GB SSDs, which isn’t sufficient as of late, Apple – to its credit score – doubled the base amount of memory and storage without increasing the price of the M3 model, and I’m happy to see that it has continued to supply 16GB and 256GB as its minimal configuration.
If you happen to’re a pupil, then you will get an additional worth minimize which makes the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) significantly better worth, and even with out that low cost, you’ll be laborious pushed to discover a 15-inch laptop computer that provides the identical degree of efficiency, design and construct high quality for the same worth. A latest mannequin of the Dell XPS 15, for instance, launched at $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,498.
Actually, the one competitors the 15-inch MacBook Air with M4 has is… the 13-inch mannequin, which affords the identical degree of efficiency, however with a smaller display screen and fewer built-in audio system, and begins at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699. As impressed as I’m with the worth of the 15-inch MacBook Air, I’m undecided the bigger display screen and higher sound justify the additional $200 / £200 / AU$400.
Not like with earlier generations, the place Apple continued promoting an earlier mannequin as a extra reasonably priced choice, it’s no longer selling M2 or M3 MacBook Airs, and whereas third social gathering retailers will proceed promoting these fashions while inventory lasts, the M4 fashions at the moment are the one choice in the stores direct from Apple, which suggests you’ve got much less selection if you wish to get a less expensive MacBook.
The excellent news is that because the launch of the M4 MacBook Airs, we’ve seen some implausible offers on the older fashions already.
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) assessment: Specs
Listed here are the specs for the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) at a look.
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Base Mannequin |
Evaluate Unit |
High Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
$1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,099 |
$1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,399 |
$2,399 / £2,399 / AU$3,899 |
|
CPU |
M4 10-core |
M4 10-core |
M4 10-core |
|
GPU |
10-core |
10-core |
10-core |
|
RAM |
16GB unified reminiscence |
16GB unified reminiscence |
32GB unified reminiscence |
|
Storage |
256GB SSD |
512GB SSD |
2TB SSD |
|
Ports |
MagSafe 3 charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack, 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) |
MagSafe 3 charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack, 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) |
MagSafe 3 charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack, 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) |
|
Wi-fi |
Wi‑Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 |
Wi‑Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 |
Wi‑Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 |
|
Weight |
2.7lbs / 1.24kg |
2.7lbs / 1.24kg |
2.7lbs / 1.24kg |
|
Dimensions |
0.45 x 13.4 x 9.35 inches / 1.15 x 34.04 x 23.76 cm |
0.45 x 13.4 x 9.35 inches / 1.15 x 34.04 x 23.76 cm |
0.45 x 13.4 x 9.35 inches / 1.15 x 34.04 x 23.76 cm |
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) assessment: Design
- New Sky Blue shade
- Upgraded webcam
- In any other case identical design
Since getting a significant design overhaul with the M2 mannequin again in 2022, Apple has just about caught to the identical design for its MacBook Air releases, with the 15-inch mannequin basically wanting an identical to the 13-inch mannequin – simply bigger.
That is just about true with the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4), which largely retains the look of the M3 mannequin, however with just a few welcome tweaks. The shortage of a significant new look isn’t an excessive amount of of a difficulty, because the design stays fashionable and trendy.
With dimensions of 0.45 x 13.40 x 9.35 inches (1.15 x 34.04 x 23.76cm) and a weight of three.3lbs (1.51kg), it stays an impressively slim and lightweight 15-inch laptop computer, although the smaller dimensions of the 13-inch MacBook Air imply that’s the laptop computer I’d suggest to individuals who need essentially the most moveable machine.
Whereas some rival laptop computer makers are placing out fashionable and extremely gentle laptops, particularly LG with its ‘gram’ lineup of laptops, the 15-inch MacBook Air is unmistakably a premium Apple product with a trendy design and stable construct high quality.
On the left-hand aspect are two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe 3 charging port (which incorporates magnets which makes plugging and unplugging the ability connector handy – and protects the MacBook from injury ought to the cable be yanked out by chance), and on the right-hand aspect is a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The Thunderbolt 4 ports supply speeds of as much as 40Gb/s, and whereas it could have been good to have sooner Thunderbolt 5 ports, for most individuals this will probably be a lot quick sufficient for transferring giant recordsdata to and from an exterior laborious drive.
It’s not one of the best choice of ports, and we’ve seen rival skinny and lightweight laptops function a better array of ports, similar to HDMI, with out sacrificing their svelte appears, however not less than the inclusion of the MagSafe 3 port means you don’t have to surrender one of many Thunderbolt 4 ports when charging (although you possibly can nonetheless use a USB-C charger to high up the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)’s battery should you depart your MagSafe charger at house.
There have been just a few adjustments to the design, nonetheless. For a begin, the webcam is now a 12MP Heart Stage digicam which additionally affords the Desk View function, which successfully splits your footage into two – a front-on portrait shot, and a large angled view of your palms and desk. The picture high quality is great (boosted by the M4 chip), although the divisive ‘notch’ that surrounds the webcam and dips down into the display screen stays.
This has been part of the MacBook Air’s design for 3 years now, so most individuals who had an issue with this have doubtless made peace with its inclusion, and I’ve by no means had a difficulty with it, nevertheless it’s price declaring, particularly as there are rival Windows 11 laptops that embody simply nearly as good a webcam into skinny bezels while not having a notch.
One other very minor design change is with the keyboard. It stays backlit, with a Contact ID button for rapidly logging into macOS or confirming Apple Pay funds utilizing a fingerprint, and is comfy to make use of (and not suffering from caught keys, which older MacBooks typically suffered from). What’s modified, nonetheless, is the mute icon on the F10 key, which has modified from an emblem of a speaker to an emblem of a speaker with a line by way of it.
This may look like a minor change, nevertheless it’s really one I welcome, because it means the image now matches the icon that seems on display screen whenever you mute the sound of the laptop computer. It additionally matches what most different gadgets use as a mute image, and in addition means the mute button and the amount down button (which additionally has a speaker icon) are much less simply confused, as they now look extra distinct.
The most important design change, nonetheless, is the brand new Sky Blue shade. Apple despatched me the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) on this shade, and also you’ll have the ability to see what it appears like within the pictures that accompany this assessment. It’s a refined, metallic shade meaning it doesn’t look misplaced subsequent to the prevailing Midnight, Starlight and Silver colours, and whereas it’s not as vibrant because the iMac colours, it does imply it appears skilled, whereas providing a touch of persona. It’s all the time good to see the braided MagSafe cable that’s included within the bundle match the colour of the MacBook Air you select as effectively.
Total, the design of the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) stays fashionable, skinny and moveable. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a 15-inch laptop computer with a premium look, then you definitely’ll be very pleased with the design of this machine.
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) assessment: Efficiency
- Excellent efficiency
- M4 stays spectacular
- Huge leap over Intel Macs
Whereas the design of the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) seems like an iterative replace over the earlier mannequin, the {hardware} and efficiency of the brand new MacBook Air… additionally seems like a restricted leap fairly than a generational one.
In some methods that is to be anticipated resulting from Apple’s yearly launch schedule for its M-class chips. There’s solely so many enhancements and refinements you can also make, and in contrast to with an iPhone, you’re unlikely to need to improve your laptop computer yearly or so.
What this implies is that should you already personal an M3-powered MacBook Air, the efficiency improve you’re going to get by shifting to the M4 isn’t going to be big.
That is why in most of Apple’s advertising and marketing and documentation for the brand new MacBook Air 15-inch (M4), the corporate highlights the efficiency positive aspects over the 13-inch MacBook Air with an Intel Core i7 processor from round 2020.
In keeping with Apple, the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) affords round 20 instances the efficiency of the Intel MacBook Air in sure duties. In the meantime, the distinction between the M3 and M4 MacBook Air, in keeping with Apple’s personal figures, is rather more modest (I’m speaking single digit will increase).
Having used each the M2 and M3 MacBook Airs extensively, in addition to my time testing the M4 MacBook Air, I’ve to say that there was little noticeable efficiency distinction. Just about each app, and the macOS operating system itself, ran easily, and virtually each main utility now helps the Arm-based M4 chip natively, which meant I didn’t have to depend on the Rosetta 2 instrument which permits apps designed for Intel Macs to run (which comes with a slight hit to efficiency).
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) benchmarks
Here is how the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) carried out in our suite of industry-standard benchmarks and recreation exams.
Geekbench 6.4:
Single – 3,799
Multi – 14,921
Blackmagic Disk Velocity Take a look at:
Learn: 3,012.5MB/s
Write: 3,335.1MB/s
Cinebench:
Single-core – x
Multi-core – 904
GPU – 3,860
Battery life take a look at:
15 hours 14 minutes
Extra intensive duties, similar to modifying 4K uncooked footage in Premiere Professional, noticed an even bigger enchancment, however, once more, not sufficient to warrant upgrading from the M3. Most individuals seeking to purchase a MacBook Air received’t be performing heavy obligation duties with it, however for day-to-day use, the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is actually wonderful. The effectivity of the M4 chip signifies that it is usually as soon as once more fanless, so the MacBook Air stays silent all through use – a stunning change from many Home windows 11 laptops that wish to whirr up their followers seemingly on the drop of a hat.
The display screen stays wonderful, with vibrant, vivid colours, although an rising variety of rivals, such because the Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ threaten to beat Apple right here with help for OLED display screen expertise which makes an enormous distinction to picture high quality. We’re additionally seeing an rising variety of 4K laptops that provide sharper resolutions as effectively.
That’s to not say that the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)’s display screen is unhealthy – removed from it – however rivals are catching up quick at this worth level. A brand new function with the M4 chip is that the MacBook Air can now help two exterior shows without delay, whereas additionally powering its built-in display screen as effectively – a welcome tweak that individuals who like to make use of a number of displays without delay will probably be more than happy with.
The place the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) stays a pacesetter in its class is with the audio. Watching exhibits and flicks in Apple TV+ seemed good, however sounded even higher due to the six-speaker sound system affords a depth and readability that different skinny and lightweight laptops can’t match. In motion pictures particularly, the six audio system supply a large soundstage, with sound results coming from both aspect of the display screen. Apple additionally talks up the spatial audio talents of the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)’s audio system, and whereas it doesn’t evaluate to my bodily Dolby Atmos house theatre setup, there are nonetheless moments of spectacular immersion because the sound envelops you. Contemplating the slimline design of the 15-inch MacBook Air, that is very spectacular.
What does disappoint, barely, is that Apple has caught with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wi-fi networking and peripheral connections, two last-gen applied sciences that lack a few of the options and efficiency that Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 supply.
Total, the efficiency of the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is excellent for the worth, and should you’re coming from an Intel-based MacBook, or perhaps a conventional Home windows 11 laptop computer, then you definitely’re going to be very impressed with what the brand new MacBook Air affords.
Nevertheless, if you have already got an M2 or M3 MacBook Air, I don’t suppose there’s sufficient of a efficiency leap to justify upgrading simply but – and I’d suggest holding out for the (virtually) inevitable M5-powered MacBook Air which might land someday subsequent yr.
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) assessment: Battery life
- Apple guarantees 18 hours
- We discovered it lasted over 15 hours
- Barely longer battery life than the 13-inch mannequin
Ever since Apple switched from Intel {hardware} to its personal Arm-based M-series chips, I’ve been extremely impressed with the ability effectivity of the MacBook Air. Even when performing complicated duties, the efficiency of the brand new MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) didn’t drop when on battery energy (some laptops will throttle efficiency to extend battery life), and in our battery life benchmark exams, it simply cleared 15 hours of steady use.
This implies you possibly can confidently use the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) for a number of work days with out worrying about plugging it in – one thing I did myself whereas testing.
Due to the larger physique, Apple has added a bigger battery to the 15-inch MacBook Air in comparison with the 13-inch mannequin, and this resulted in a barely longer battery life for the 15-inch MacBook Air, although the additional vitality wanted to energy the bigger display screen means there’s not an enormous quantity in it.
Must you purchase the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Ranking |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
Now with a brand new, cheaper price, the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) affords wonderful worth for cash. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Design |
The design stays the identical, however that is not a nasty factor – it is a fashionable skinny and lightweight 15-inch laptop computer. Nevertheless, rivals are starting to catch up. |
4 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is a stable performer that may deal with any everyday job you throw at it. It isn’t a significant leap from the M3 mannequin, nonetheless. |
4 / 5 |
|
Common ranking |
The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is one of the best 15-inch laptop computer you should buy, particularly resulting from its new cheaper price, which makes it higher worth than ever. |
4.5 / 5 |
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Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4): Additionally think about
How I examined the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)
- I used the brand new MacBook Air for round every week
- I ran a number of benchmarks
- I used it as my each day work laptop computer
I’ve used the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) over the previous week as my predominant work laptop computer, writing most of this assessment on it, in addition to looking the net, attending conferences through video name and operating our suite of benchmarks. I additionally performed round with video and picture modifying throughout my time with the laptop computer. I have been reviewing MacBooks for TechRadar for effectively over a decade, and have extensively used and examined all fashions of Apple’s M-series chips.
- First reviewed: March 2025