MacBook Air M4: thin, quiet, and incredibly long-lasting
Review of the updated MacBook Air: new M4 chip, 18 hours of battery life, and the perfect keyboard for work.
MacBook Air M4, this is the case where Apple does what it does best: takes a great product and makes it even better. No revolutions, but noticeable improvements across the board.
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Is the MacBook Air M4 design still the best?
Externally, the Air M4 hasn’t changed much, it’s still the same recognizable aluminum body weighing 1.24 kg. But inside, there’s the M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU, delivering up to 20% performance improvement over the M3.
The midnight color is gorgeous but still a fingerprint magnet. If you care about that, go for the starlight or space gray options.
How good is the MacBook Air M4 display?
13.6 inches, Liquid Retina, 2560×1664, 500 nits brightness. The screen hasn’t gotten bigger, but billion-color support and True Tone technology make it excellent for photo and video work.
How fast is the M4 chip in daily use?
The M4 chip handles everything: from 4K editing in Final Cut to running dozens of tabs in Chrome. 16 GB of RAM in the base configuration is a good start. For heavy tasks, consider the 24 GB configuration.
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Does the MacBook Air M4 really last 18 hours?
This is where the magic happens. Apple promises 18 hours, and it’s not marketing. In real-world use with moderate workload, you get 15-16 hours. You can forget about the power outlet for the entire day.
Verdict
✅ Pros:
- Incredible battery life
- Completely silent (no fan at all)
- Excellent display
- Performance boost
❌ Cons:
- Base version starts with 256 GB SSD
- Webcam is still mediocre
- Expensive memory upgrades
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FAQ
Does the MacBook Air M4 really last 18 hours on battery?
Apple promises 18 hours and in real-world moderate use you get 15 to 16 hours. That is enough to work an entire day without reaching for the power outlet.
Is the MacBook Air M4 completely silent?
Yes. The Air has no fan at all. It relies on passive cooling, so it runs completely silent regardless of workload.
How much faster is the M4 chip compared to M3?
The M4 delivers up to 20 percent performance improvement over the M3 with a 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU. It handles 4K video editing, dozens of browser tabs, and demanding apps with ease.
What are the MacBook Air M4 downsides?
The base model starts with only 256 GB SSD, the webcam is still mediocre, and memory upgrades are expensive. The 24 GB RAM configuration is recommended for heavy tasks.
Is the MacBook Air M4 good for photo and video work?
Yes. The Liquid Retina display with 500 nits brightness and billion-color support is excellent for creative work. The M4 chip handles Final Cut Pro and photo editing smoothly.
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