Apple recently presented the M4 MacBook Air. WANT editor-in-chief Jeroen Kraak was allowed to test it and shares his findings with you.
Like every year, Apple is releasing a new MacBook Air. The main innovation is the M4 chip, and the front camera has also received an upgrade.
But who is this new version ideal for, and what else can you expect from the MacBook Air? I’ll go over it with you.
This is the new M4 MacBook Air
The MacBook Air is the entry-level model among Apple laptops. You can choose from three different versions. The cheapest model has a 10-core CPU, an 8-core GPU, 16 GB of central memory and 256 GB of SSD storage. The GPU, central memory and SSD storage are also expandable.
The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air I’m testing myself has a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, 16 GB of central memory and 1 TB of storage. This model costs $1,699, which is a hefty price tag. At 1,199 euros, the cheapest version is a lot more affordable and certainly not a bad choice.
(Image: WANT/Jeroen Kraak)
Indeed, the MacBook Air is the ideal laptop for most people. The more powerful Pro is often not even needed. Plus, it’s just a bit smaller and lighter, which makes it ideal for carrying around. A nice bonus: Apple has replaced the Space gray color with a new sky blue hue. While it’s a subtle difference from silver, it does look sleek.
What are the differences from the predecessor?
The new MacBook Air is not vastly different from its predecessor, and it doesn’t need to be. The previous version was already incredibly powerful and did exactly what it was supposed to do.
With the faster M4 processor, the new MacBook Air is better prepared for the future and has quite a bit of extra power. If you want just a little more graphics power, you can opt for a 10-core GPU instead of the 8-core GPU. Unlike the M3 MacBook Air, the entry-level version now has a 10-core CPU instead of an 8-core CPU. In addition, this is the first MacBook Air to offer up to 32 GB of internal memory.
Another upgrade is the camera. This model has a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, which you may know from the Pro models. This camera tracks you and automatically adjusts the image so you’re always in the center of the screen. Handy for video meetings. Now it’s just a matter of waiting for Apple to add Face ID to the MacBook Air. Until then, the Touch ID button still works just fine.
(Image: WANT/Jeroen Kraak)
Thanks to the two Thunderbolt 4 connectors and the M4 chip, it is now possible to connect two external monitors. Ideal if you use it in the office.
Strengths retained for the M4 MacBook Air
The MacBook Air’s battery life remains one of its biggest strengths. You can easily get through an entire work day with it. In fact, I only charge my laptop when I’m in the office. If I work on the train or spend a day at home, I still have plenty of power left over.
The M4 chip, as mentioned above, is impressive and in many cases is not inferior to the M4 MacBook Pro. Only in prolonged heavy tasks, such as video rendering, do you notice the difference. Because the Pro has a fan, it can cool better and maintain high performance for longer. For most users, however, this is not necessary.
If you want to play really heavy games, then a gaming laptop is a better choice. Still, Apple has recently invested heavily in gaming and persuaded several developers to make special versions for the Mac. So for the casual gamer, the M4 MacBook Air is just fine. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 runs surprisingly well on this laptop, which is impressive considering the game’s graphics requirements.
(Image: Jeroen Kraak/WANT)
The Liquid Retina display makes colors look fantastic while gaming. Worth noting, though: Apple is sticking to a 60 Hz refresh rate. For 120 Hz, you have to go to the Pro models’ XDR display.
Upgrade or wait?
If you have an M2 or M3 MacBook Air, then upgrading is not necessarily necessary. The M4 is faster, but the difference is not big enough to immediately buy a new model. However, if you are still using a MacBook with an M1 chip then it is a doubt although you will notice a significant difference. With an Intel processor, the M4 really is a giant leap forward. If your current MacBook feels too slow, then it’s definitely worth making the switch.
What’s extra nice: Apple has lowered the price of the MacBook Air. This model is 100 euros cheaper than the M3 MacBook Air at launch. At a time when everything is getting more expensive, this is a pleasant surprise. What is less favorable is the cost of additional storage or memory. For example, you pay an extra 250 euros to go from 256GB to 512GB storage. Most people don’t need it, however, and an iCloud subscription may be a more economical alternative.
M4 MacBook Air
Apple
9
Score
Plus points
Blazing fast through M4 Cheaper than last year Better suited for gaming Battery life New camera
Minuses
Little innovative
Well the new MacBook Air is not very innovative, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s still a great laptop that will really satisfy most people. The M4 chip is rock solid and games even now you can play even better on the device. Now that this model is also 100 euros cheaper, you get more for less. It is therefore
