Apple MacBook Air M4 review: Is the Air M4 more than just a spec bump?

Why you can trust this MacBook Air M4 review

At Back Market, we have a single goal — to make tech affordable, reliable, and sustainable. To this end, we have created this MacBook Air M4 review to tell you everything you need to know about Apple's latest ultraportable. This review is based on thorough research, expert insights, and a deep knowledge of Apple's product lineup. In this review, we have analyzed key upgrades, compared them to previous models, and considered their real-world usability to give you a clear picture of the latest Air models. This MacBook Air M4 review is for you if you're upgrading from an older MacBook or considering your first. You will find everything you need to know to make an informed decision here.

MacBook Air M4 specifications 

Debuting a day after the updated iPad Air, the MacBook Air M4 introduces some useful hardware upgrades, with the M4 chip headlining. The Air M4 has also introduced a more powerful webcam, support for Thunderbolt 4, and 16GB RAM, which is now standard. Sky Blue is now part of the color options, and like last year, there's a 13-inch and 15-inch version of the MacBook Air M4. Here's an overview of the MacBook Air M4 specifications:

We've seen this design before

If you were expecting design changes to the MacBook Air M4, you'll have to wait another year. The Air M4 retains the 2022 design, meaning it looks identical to the Air M2 and Air M3. You'll still have the familiar 13- and 15-inch sizes, a 60Hz IPS screen, and no fan. You can’t fault Apple for not updating the MacBook Air as the design just works — every single time. At just 0.44 in in depth and 2.7 lbs, the 13-inch Air is probably the thinnest laptop available. Sporting a single-block aluminum finish, the Air M4 exudes quality. There are two USB-C ports and a MagSafe charging port on the left, with the right side reserved for a 3.5mm headphone jack. Apple has also updated the color options for the Air M4 with the introduction of Sky Blue — a silvery light blue hue that gives the Air M4 a sleek, modern look.

The display could be better, but the audio is great

The MacBook Air M4 uses a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display with a 2560 x 1664 pixel resolution (or a 15.3-inch with a 2880 x 1864 pixel resolution) and can go up to 500 nits of brightness. It has the same display as the previous MacBook Airs. It only offers a 60Hz refresh rate, with ProMotion's 120Hz refresh rate saved for the Pro-level ultraportables. This Air also only supports 500 nits of peak brightness, which is low compared to the 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness you get on the MacBook Pro. However, this isn't an issue unless you plan on using your laptop outdoors in bright sunlight doing critical color work. Indoors, the Air M4's screen is more than capable and should easily handle productivity and creative tasks.

Regarding external display support, the new Air M4 can connect to two monitors to go with the internal display. This is still less than what modern Windows laptops can achieve, but it is a good improvement. The four-speaker sound system on the 13-inch Air M4 is one of the best on a 13-inch laptop. Two force-canceling woofers and two tweeters provide excellent sound quality, but the 15-inch's six-speaker sound system is much better.

Faster performance and the same long battery life

Once again, the MacBook Air's battery and performance remain impressive. The Air M4 offers a faster processor speed and a boost in graphics performance over the M3. The improvement isn’t as much as when compared to the M1, but it isn't nonexistent either. If you're still using the M1, this is the time to upgrade, as the M4 makes everyday tasks and apps run much faster. You will notice a difference when working with a single program and an even more significant difference when multiple apps are open simultaneously. The graphics performance is also better than what's offered in some of the latest Snapdragon X Elite laptops, and if you're looking for a laptop for creative work and gaming, the Air M4 can handle it. You might need to adjust the graphics settings on some demanding titles, but expect outstanding performance on less demanding games. 

As for battery, Apple claims that the Air M4 can last up to 18 hours on video playback or 15 hours of web use. This is no different from what the M3 promised, but battery life will depend on the programs you're running, screen brightness, audio level, and more. All in all, the M4 should easily get through a work day on a single charge.

A new 12MP camera

One of the main additions to the MacBook Air M4 is the 12MP webcam, which now supports Center Stage and Desk View. Center Stage support means the camera will ensure you're always centered in the frame, even when you move around during video calls. It is an excellent feature for anyone who spends a lot of time in video meetings. The other added feature is Desk View, giving a top-down view of the area in front of the laptop's keyboard. This is an excellent feature for demonstrations, and although it is low-res at the moment, it still works, and that's all that matters. Webcams are a feature that has been historically neglected by many laptop makers, but with these new additions, it looks like Apple is finally taking them seriously.

Thunderbolt 4 and memory

The upgrade from USB 4 to Thunderbolt 4 was long overdue. The MacBook Air M4 has included two Thunderbolt 4 ports, meaning faster data transfer speeds and the ability to support two 6K external monitors. This is a welcome addition to anyone needing multiple displays, as you can now run three screens simultaneously — the built-in display along with two 6K external monitors. The MacBook Air M4 also comes with 16GB of memory as standard. Apple has done away with the 8GB memory previously offered in the base model — a change that's significant for future-proofing your laptop.

Keyboard and trackpad are still great

Apple's Magic Keyboard is one of the best in the game, and even since they moved away from the butterfly switches, they haven't put a foot wrong. The MacBook Air M4 doesn't change anything about the keyboard and trackpad, and that's a good thing. The Air M4 retains the M3's well-designed keyboard with well-spaced keys, large keycaps, and responsive switches for easy typing. The Force Touch trackpad is equally impressive, offering enough room with precise haptics, fast response times, and additional functionality through Force Click. With such an intuitive trackpad, it's no wonder a touchscreen display isn't needed on the MacBook Air.

The MacBook Air M4 pros and cons

The MacBook Air M4, like any other device, has its strengths and weaknesses. One of its biggest strengths is that it offers power and portability unlike any other laptop. Not only is it compact and lightweight, but the M4 chip also makes it one of the fastest laptops available. However, little has changed compared to the M3. Here are the reasons to either buy or avoid the MacBook Air M4. 

How to buy an affordable MacBook Air M4 

The MacBook Air M4 is an outstanding laptop, especially if you're upgrading from the older M1 or Intel models. If you're looking to get one at an affordable price, you have several options. You can wait for sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday to grab it from your favorite retailers at a discount, wait one more year for a newer model to be released to take advantage of older discounted models, or buy a verified refurbished one from Back Market right now. All three options save you a buck, but the Back Market option is the most convenient and the only one available right now. Because we sell Verified Refurbished devices, our deals are available every day of the year, including today. There are no gimmicks, just actual savings. Here's what a customer who gave us a 5/5 rating had to say about us:

"I am highly satisfied with my MacBook Air and will most certainly return for the purchase of other items! Product was refurbished, but you could not tell it at all. No dings, no scratches, works great, long battery life and came with a new charger and cube! A+++"

Stacy H. - Purchased on February 1, 2025

Why buy refurbished

Buying a refurbished device is simply a smart choice. A refurbished device offers premium quality and is more affordable and sustainable than a new one. At Back Market, we sell Verified Refurbished devices. These are pre-owned devices that have been restored to full functionality by industry professionals. Each device undergoes a thorough refurbishment process, ensuring it meets strict performance and reliability standards. In addition, with every purchase from Back Market, you get a 30-day return period and a 1-year warranty for your peace of mind. Beyond the savings, buying refurbished devices is also more sustainable. A refurbished device reduces the need for new manufacturing (80% of a smartphone's CO2 emissions come from manufacturing) and keeps e-waste out of landfills, actively combating climate change. Here's what people are saying about us on Reddit:

"Yes. I buy almost exclusively from Back Market, and have yet to be disappointed. I have bought an iPad, 2 Macbook Pros (one for me, one for a nonprofit I work with, and my husband has bought 2 also from them), and a high-end iMac for my office. I am about to buy 2 Macbooks for grandkids from them. I have sent friends to buy from them, and they too have been quite happy."

- Reddit User

Trade in your old tech for cash

Do you have tech that's gathering dust and cluttering your home? Back Market's Trade-in program offers a simple and sustainable way to part with your old devices. The process is simple and includes three easy steps — you will love the final step. First, complete an online assessment and get an instant quote. If you're happy with the quote, ship your device to us for free. Finally, once your device is verified, you get paid. It's a win for us, a win for you, and a win for the planet. 

*Trade-in values taken at the date of publication – these are subject to change.

Price and availability

The price of a new MacBook Air M4 is $999 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch model. The laptop is available in four hues: Starlight, Midnight, Silver, and Sky Blue. The base models offer 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, configurable up to 32GB and 2TB, respectively. Only the 13-inch base model features an 8-core GPU version of the M4, which is also upgradable to the 10-core. You can get more affordable verified refurbished MacBook Airs on Back Market. Here are some of the available models:

*Back Market prices taken at the date of publication – these are subject to change.

Final thoughts: A solid step towards perfect

As much as the MacBook Air M4 is a spec bump, it is on its way to becoming the perfect laptop. It gets all the basics right, delivering outstanding performance in a light and compact body. Its battery life is equally impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, ensuring productivity won't be an issue with the Air M4. Memory (RAM) has also been improved, with 16GB now offered as standard, while storage options range from 256GB to 2TB. The new 12MP Center Stage webcam signals that Apple is finally taking webcams seriously, and with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, the Air M4 can support up to three screens simultaneously. 

The M4 MacBook Air retains its sleek aluminum build, and the addition of the Sky Blue finish has elevated its premium look. However, the display still leaves room for improvement, and we hope to see a 120Hz refresh rate in future models. The Air M4 is a no-brainer recommendation for anyone upgrading from the older M1 and Intel Airs. That said, you're good for another year if you already own an M2 or an M3.