Rating: 4/5
With every iteration, Apple ’s MacBook Air M4 brings a substantial advancement in performance and features. Apple keeps the design formula simple: thin and lightweight. The latest MacBook Air comes equipped with the potent new M4 chip, expanded memory options, and an impressive Liquid Retina display. Catering to students, professionals, and casual users alike, the MacBook Air M4 combines speed, portability, and elegance.
However, the question remains: does it make sense to upgrade from an M1 or M2 MacBook Air? Is it a machine that will tempt Windows PC users to jump ship? Here’s our detailed review of Apple’s new MacBook Air.
DesignMaintaining its signature minimalist aesthetic, the MacBook Air M4 boasts a slim profile at just 0.44 inches thick and weighs approximately 1.24 kg, making it exceptionally portable. The introduction of the Sky Blue colour option adds a fresh touch to the lineup, alongside the classic Silver, Starlight, and Midnight finishes. The unibody construction, crafted from 100% recycled aluminum, exudes durability and environmental consciousness. The device features two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left side, capable of supporting up to two external displays, alongside a MagSafe charging port. On the right, a 3.5mm headphone jack remains available. While the design hasn't changed from its predecessors, the build quality and aesthetics continue to impress.
Apple's Magic Keyboard on the MacBook Air M4 offers a comfortable typing experience with well-spaced keys and excellent tactile feedback. The backlit keys facilitate ease of use in various lighting conditions, and the inclusion of a Touch ID sensor in the power button enhances security and convenience. Just below the full-size Magic Keyboard, you will find the large Force Touch trackpad. The trackpad on the Apple MacBook Air M4 is large, responsive, and precise, making it a joy to use for gestures and navigation. Undoubtedly, the keyboard and trackpad combination remains one of the best in the industry.
DisplayThe Apple MacBook Air M4 is available in two distinct display sizes—13.3 inches and 15.3 inches—catering to varied user preferences for portability or a larger viewing experience. The model reviewed here features the impressive 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, boasting a high resolution of 2880×1864 pixels. The display offers up to 500 nits of brightness, support for over 1 billion colors, and an impressive resolution that doubles that of comparable PC laptops. The display excels in delivering vibrant colors and sharp, lifelike details, making it ideal for tasks ranging from casual browsing to professional video editing. The high brightness levels ensure visibility in different lighting conditions, making it suitable for both indoor use and bright outdoor settings. True Tone and P3 wide color gamut support further enhance the viewing experience, providing natural color adjustments and a richer palette for creative work.
However, while the display delivers stunning visual performance, it does lack an anti-glare option. This omission might pose challenges in environments with strong light sources or reflective surfaces, where glare can occasionally affect visibility. Despite this minor drawback, the spacious 15.3-inch display of the MacBook Air M4 remains a standout feature, providing users with an immersive and highly satisfying viewing experience. Whether for work or leisure, this display is a testament to Apple's commitment to quality and precision.
Performance and batteryPowered by the cutting-edge M4 chip, built on a state-of-the-art 3-nanometer process, the Apple MacBook Air M4 delivers substantial performance advancements over its predecessors. Apple offers multiple variants of the 15.3-inch MacBook Air equipped with the M4 chip, and we had the opportunity to test the model featuring 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD. This laptop stands out with computing capabilities that outshine many competitors in the market. The M4 chip integrates a potent 10-core CPU, up to a 10-core GPU, and supports up to 32GB of unified memory, making the MacBook Air M4 up to twice as fast as the M1 version. This remarkable processing power ensures instantaneous application launches and seamless multitasking. The chip excels in managing resource-intensive tasks like 4K video editing, graphic design, and software development, providing a smooth and efficient experience. Enhanced by its neural engine, the M4 chip also optimizes machine learning operations. The laptop's fanless design complements these features by maintaining whisper-quiet operation even under heavy workloads, adding to its appeal.
In addition to its performance capabilities, the MacBook Air M4 boasts a 12MP Center Stage camera, designed to enhance video quality significantly. Center Stage ensures that users remain perfectly framed during calls, even as they move, and introduces Desk View—a feature that simultaneously displays both the user and an overhead view of their workspace. This functionality is ideal for showcasing DIY projects or presenting prototypes during video meetings, adding versatility to virtual interactions.
Furthermore, the MacBook Air M4 delivers an impressive audio experience. Its immersive sound system supports Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, creating a rich, three-dimensional soundstage for music and movies. Whether it's work or entertainment, the laptop's superior sound quality enhances the overall user experience, cementing its position as a well-rounded, high-performance device.
macOS Sequoia, the latest operating system for the MacBook Air M4, introduces a suite of smart and subtle upgrades that enhance the overall user experience. Among its standout features is iPhone Mirroring, which allows seamless control of an iPhone directly from the Mac, bridging the gap between devices. The new Passwords app simplifies password management, offering a secure and intuitive solution. Enhanced split-screen window management and improved Notes functionality further streamline productivity, making multitasking more efficient. While the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence suite of AI features is still in development, the current iteration of macOS Sequoia delivers a polished and user-friendly experience, solidifying its position as a must-have upgrade for Mac users.
Along with this, the Apple Intelligence features on the MacBook Air M4 elevate its functionality. These features seamlessly integrate machine learning capabilities into everyday tasks, enhancing productivity and user experience. For instance, the system intelligently optimises performance based on usage patterns, ensuring efficient multitasking and resource allocation. Additionally, advanced tools like real-time transcription, smart photo editing, and predictive text input showcase the potential of AI to simplify complex workflows. With ChatGPT seamlessly integrated into Writing Tools and Siri, you can harness its expertise to accomplish tasks more efficiently. The service is available for free, with no account creation required. Privacy is a key focus—IP addresses are masked, and OpenAI does not retain user requests. Additionally, you have full control over enabling ChatGPT integration, deciding when to use it, and managing what information is shared.
Battery performance is one of the standout aspects of the Apple MacBook Air M4, making it a reliable companion for all-day use. The laptop boasts an impressive capability of providing up to 15 hours of uninterrupted web browsing or 18 hours of video playback on a single charge. Whether you're working remotely, binge-watching your favorite shows, or tackling demanding tasks, the MacBook Air M4 delivers on its promise of endurance and reliability.
VerdictThe Apple MacBook Air M4 is a compelling upgrade, especially for those coming from older models like the M1. It combines powerful performance, exceptional battery life, and a stunning display in a lightweight and portable package. While the design remains largely unchanged, the addition of the M4 chip and increased base memory make it a versatile and future-proof choice. Despite lacking some premium features found in the MacBook Pro lineup, such as brighter displays or higher refresh rates, the MacBook Air M4 offers excellent value. Priced at Rs 99,900, it is a strong choice for students, professionals, and casual users seeking a reliable and stylish device.
With every iteration, Apple ’s MacBook Air M4 brings a substantial advancement in performance and features. Apple keeps the design formula simple: thin and lightweight. The latest MacBook Air comes equipped with the potent new M4 chip, expanded memory options, and an impressive Liquid Retina display. Catering to students, professionals, and casual users alike, the MacBook Air M4 combines speed, portability, and elegance.
However, the question remains: does it make sense to upgrade from an M1 or M2 MacBook Air? Is it a machine that will tempt Windows PC users to jump ship? Here’s our detailed review of Apple’s new MacBook Air.
DesignMaintaining its signature minimalist aesthetic, the MacBook Air M4 boasts a slim profile at just 0.44 inches thick and weighs approximately 1.24 kg, making it exceptionally portable. The introduction of the Sky Blue colour option adds a fresh touch to the lineup, alongside the classic Silver, Starlight, and Midnight finishes. The unibody construction, crafted from 100% recycled aluminum, exudes durability and environmental consciousness. The device features two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the left side, capable of supporting up to two external displays, alongside a MagSafe charging port. On the right, a 3.5mm headphone jack remains available. While the design hasn't changed from its predecessors, the build quality and aesthetics continue to impress.
Apple's Magic Keyboard on the MacBook Air M4 offers a comfortable typing experience with well-spaced keys and excellent tactile feedback. The backlit keys facilitate ease of use in various lighting conditions, and the inclusion of a Touch ID sensor in the power button enhances security and convenience. Just below the full-size Magic Keyboard, you will find the large Force Touch trackpad. The trackpad on the Apple MacBook Air M4 is large, responsive, and precise, making it a joy to use for gestures and navigation. Undoubtedly, the keyboard and trackpad combination remains one of the best in the industry.
DisplayThe Apple MacBook Air M4 is available in two distinct display sizes—13.3 inches and 15.3 inches—catering to varied user preferences for portability or a larger viewing experience. The model reviewed here features the impressive 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, boasting a high resolution of 2880×1864 pixels. The display offers up to 500 nits of brightness, support for over 1 billion colors, and an impressive resolution that doubles that of comparable PC laptops. The display excels in delivering vibrant colors and sharp, lifelike details, making it ideal for tasks ranging from casual browsing to professional video editing. The high brightness levels ensure visibility in different lighting conditions, making it suitable for both indoor use and bright outdoor settings. True Tone and P3 wide color gamut support further enhance the viewing experience, providing natural color adjustments and a richer palette for creative work.
However, while the display delivers stunning visual performance, it does lack an anti-glare option. This omission might pose challenges in environments with strong light sources or reflective surfaces, where glare can occasionally affect visibility. Despite this minor drawback, the spacious 15.3-inch display of the MacBook Air M4 remains a standout feature, providing users with an immersive and highly satisfying viewing experience. Whether for work or leisure, this display is a testament to Apple's commitment to quality and precision.
Performance and batteryPowered by the cutting-edge M4 chip, built on a state-of-the-art 3-nanometer process, the Apple MacBook Air M4 delivers substantial performance advancements over its predecessors. Apple offers multiple variants of the 15.3-inch MacBook Air equipped with the M4 chip, and we had the opportunity to test the model featuring 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD. This laptop stands out with computing capabilities that outshine many competitors in the market. The M4 chip integrates a potent 10-core CPU, up to a 10-core GPU, and supports up to 32GB of unified memory, making the MacBook Air M4 up to twice as fast as the M1 version. This remarkable processing power ensures instantaneous application launches and seamless multitasking. The chip excels in managing resource-intensive tasks like 4K video editing, graphic design, and software development, providing a smooth and efficient experience. Enhanced by its neural engine, the M4 chip also optimizes machine learning operations. The laptop's fanless design complements these features by maintaining whisper-quiet operation even under heavy workloads, adding to its appeal.
In addition to its performance capabilities, the MacBook Air M4 boasts a 12MP Center Stage camera, designed to enhance video quality significantly. Center Stage ensures that users remain perfectly framed during calls, even as they move, and introduces Desk View—a feature that simultaneously displays both the user and an overhead view of their workspace. This functionality is ideal for showcasing DIY projects or presenting prototypes during video meetings, adding versatility to virtual interactions.
Furthermore, the MacBook Air M4 delivers an impressive audio experience. Its immersive sound system supports Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, creating a rich, three-dimensional soundstage for music and movies. Whether it's work or entertainment, the laptop's superior sound quality enhances the overall user experience, cementing its position as a well-rounded, high-performance device.
macOS Sequoia, the latest operating system for the MacBook Air M4, introduces a suite of smart and subtle upgrades that enhance the overall user experience. Among its standout features is iPhone Mirroring, which allows seamless control of an iPhone directly from the Mac, bridging the gap between devices. The new Passwords app simplifies password management, offering a secure and intuitive solution. Enhanced split-screen window management and improved Notes functionality further streamline productivity, making multitasking more efficient. While the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence suite of AI features is still in development, the current iteration of macOS Sequoia delivers a polished and user-friendly experience, solidifying its position as a must-have upgrade for Mac users.
Along with this, the Apple Intelligence features on the MacBook Air M4 elevate its functionality. These features seamlessly integrate machine learning capabilities into everyday tasks, enhancing productivity and user experience. For instance, the system intelligently optimises performance based on usage patterns, ensuring efficient multitasking and resource allocation. Additionally, advanced tools like real-time transcription, smart photo editing, and predictive text input showcase the potential of AI to simplify complex workflows. With ChatGPT seamlessly integrated into Writing Tools and Siri, you can harness its expertise to accomplish tasks more efficiently. The service is available for free, with no account creation required. Privacy is a key focus—IP addresses are masked, and OpenAI does not retain user requests. Additionally, you have full control over enabling ChatGPT integration, deciding when to use it, and managing what information is shared.
Battery performance is one of the standout aspects of the Apple MacBook Air M4, making it a reliable companion for all-day use. The laptop boasts an impressive capability of providing up to 15 hours of uninterrupted web browsing or 18 hours of video playback on a single charge. Whether you're working remotely, binge-watching your favorite shows, or tackling demanding tasks, the MacBook Air M4 delivers on its promise of endurance and reliability.
VerdictThe Apple MacBook Air M4 is a compelling upgrade, especially for those coming from older models like the M1. It combines powerful performance, exceptional battery life, and a stunning display in a lightweight and portable package. While the design remains largely unchanged, the addition of the M4 chip and increased base memory make it a versatile and future-proof choice. Despite lacking some premium features found in the MacBook Pro lineup, such as brighter displays or higher refresh rates, the MacBook Air M4 offers excellent value. Priced at Rs 99,900, it is a strong choice for students, professionals, and casual users seeking a reliable and stylish device.
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