MacBook Air M4 Early 2025: Unveiled and Reviewed

Apple's annual refresh of the MacBook Air continues into 2025 with the introduction of the new MacBook Air 15, equipped with the latest M4 chip. This sleek laptop remains the go-to choice for professionals seeking a lightweight, portable device that excels in office work, boasting exceptional battery life and a stunning display.

While the MacBook Air 15 isn't designed to handle demanding PC games, it's perfectly tailored for everyday productivity and mobility. It's the ultimate companion for anyone needing to get things done on the go.

Purchasing Guide

The MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025) is now available, starting at $999 for the 13-inch model and $1,199 for the 15-inch model reviewed here. Apple offers various upgrade options, allowing you to customize your system. For instance, you can opt for a 15-inch MacBook Air with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD for $2,399.

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Design

The MacBook Air has become synonymous with the concept of a laptop, and it's easy to see why. The new MacBook Air 15 looks remarkably similar to its predecessors, maintaining its iconic thin and light profile at just 3.3 pounds. This lightweight design is achieved through its unibody aluminum chassis, which is less than half an inch thick. The thinness of the MacBook Air is a hallmark of its appeal, offering a refreshing change from bulkier devices.

The MacBook Air's design is not just about being thin; it's also incredibly clean. Unlike the MacBook Pro, the Air's speakers are cleverly integrated into the hinge, firing sound towards the display. This innovative approach enhances audio quality, utilizing the lid as a natural amplifier. The fanless configuration of the M4 chip allows for a seamless, closed-off design, with only four rubber feet on the bottom to prevent scratches.

The laptop features the same excellent keyboard as previous models, with deep key travel and a reliable TouchID sensor for swift and secure access. The spacious touchpad offers excellent palm rejection, ensuring smooth cursor control even during extended use. However, the port selection is somewhat limited, with two USB-C ports and a MagSafe connector on the left, and a headphone jack on the right. While the inclusion of a headphone jack is appreciated, additional ports like an SD card reader would have been a welcome addition.

Display

The MacBook Air 15's display, while not as advanced as the MacBook Pro's, is still impressive. The 15.3-inch, 1880p screen offers vibrant colors and good glare resistance, hitting 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 100% of sRGB. With a peak brightness of 426 nits, it's well-suited for indoor use and performs admirably in brighter environments. Though not an OLED panel, the display is more than sufficient for most users, making it an excellent choice for both work and entertainment.

Performance

Benchmarking a MacBook can be challenging due to the limited compatibility of traditional tests with macOS. However, the MacBook Air 15, with its fanless M4 chip, is not designed for gaming but excels in productivity tasks. In gaming tests, performance was limited, with Total War: Warhammer 3 achieving only 18 fps at Ultra settings and 34 fps at medium settings, while Assassin's Creed Shadows managed just 10 fps at Ultra and 19 fps at medium settings. Despite these limitations, the MacBook Air 15 is a powerhouse for everyday tasks.

With 32GB of RAM, the MacBook Air handled heavy multitasking effortlessly, even on battery power. It managed light Photoshop work well, though it struggled with more intensive tasks like noise filtering in Lightroom. This laptop's ability to handle daily work without issues, combined with its impressive battery life, makes it an ideal choice for professionals on the move.

Battery

Apple claims the MacBook Air can last up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of web browsing. In our tests, it exceeded expectations, lasting 19 hours and 15 minutes during local video playback. While streaming might slightly reduce this duration, the MacBook Air's battery life is exceptional, making it perfect for travel. With its compact charger, you can work for multiple days without needing to plug in, ensuring you stay productive wherever you are.