After a perfunctory campaign ahead of the launch, Apple has released the M4 MacBook Air. While it carries many of Apple’s innovations, Tim Cook and his team have opted for a straightforward upgrade rather than disrupt the consumer-focused laptop brand.
MacBook Air M4 Features
Highlights include the aforementioned M4 chipset, doubling the RAM on all models to 16 GB, supporting two external displays, and a price drop on the entry-level models to $999 for the 13-inch and $1,199 for the 15-inch.
While the Apple community will welcome these features, it’s notable that they are all readily available on the current MacBook Pro models. The increase in RAM in the base model will help support Apple Intelligence and echoes the RAM increase seen in the entry-level iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus from 6 GB to 8GB. Being able to drive two external displays, in addition to the laptop screen, will boost productivity for many, and by introducing this new MacBook Air at the totemic $999, the rest of the portfolio can be trimmed.
The built-in webcam has been upgraded from 1080p to 12 megapixels and carries the CenterStage Camera branding, which will use software to push you towards the centre of the frame if you are pacing by your laptop.
Finally, the M4 chipset debuted some ten months ago in May 2024, and has already featured in the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini and Mac Studio. The MacBook Air is still picking up the M4 while it is current, but with the M5 expected to launch at WWDC in May 2025, the Air will be a generation behind in short order.
Perhaps that’s why the price can be brought down to $999.
What’s New In The MacBook Air M4
And that’s it for new features. While the MacBook Pro pushes ahead with innovation, the MacBook Air has addressed some of the pain points—but not all of them, it comes with just two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left-hand side—but does not little to advance the design and forward-looking nature the Apple brand came to be known for.
Oh, and it comes in Sky Blue now, which makes the upgrade worthwhile. Doesn’t it?
Now read why Apple’s delayed introduction of the M4 MacBook Air benefits the portfolio…
