MacBook Air M4 Early 2025: In-Depth Review

Apple consistently refreshes its MacBook Air lineup annually, and 2025 is no exception with the introduction of the MacBook Air 15 featuring the latest M4 chip. This sleek laptop continues to excel in handling everyday office tasks with exceptional battery life and a stunning display. While it's not designed to run PC games efficiently, the MacBook Air remains the go-to choice for users seeking a portable, reliable device for everyday productivity.

Purchasing Guide

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

MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos

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Design

The MacBook Air epitomizes what many envision when thinking of a laptop. Its design remains consistent with recent models, offering an ultra-thin and lightweight form factor at just 3.3 pounds, making it remarkably portable for a 15-inch device. The unibody aluminum chassis, less than half an inch thick, not only contributes to its lightweight nature but also enhances its clean aesthetic.

Unlike the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air's speakers are cleverly integrated into the hinge, directing sound towards the display. This innovative placement, combined with the fanless M4 chip, allows the laptop's lid to act as a natural amplifier, resulting in surprisingly robust audio. The fanless design further enhances the laptop's sleek appearance, with only small rubber feet on the bottom to prevent scratching.

The MacBook Air maintains its excellent keyboard, offering deep key travel despite the laptop's thin profile, and the TouchID sensor ensures quick and secure access. The spacious touchpad provides excellent palm rejection, making it ideal for extended use. On the connectivity front, the laptop includes two USB-C ports and a MagSafe connector on the left, and a headphone jack on the right, although additional ports would have been a welcome addition.

Display

While not aimed at professional creatives like the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air's display is impressive nonetheless. The 15.3-inch, 1880p screen covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 100% of sRGB, making it ideal for general use. With a peak brightness of 426 nits, it's well-suited for indoor use and decently visible in brighter environments. Although it doesn't match the quality of an OLED display, it's more than sufficient for most users, providing an enjoyable viewing experience for movies and shows.

Performance

Benchmarking a MacBook can be challenging due to the limited compatibility of standard tests with macOS. However, the MacBook Air's fanless M4 chip is not designed for intensive gaming. In games like Total War: Warhammer 3 and Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it struggles at 1080p, even on medium settings. Yet, this laptop shines as a productivity machine, effortlessly handling multitasking with 32GB of RAM and performing well with everyday tasks like browsing and light photo editing. Its ability to manage a heavy workload while maintaining impressive battery life is a testament to its efficiency.

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 surpassed the video playback claim, lasting 19 hours and 15 minutes with local video. Although streaming might slightly reduce this duration, the MacBook Air's battery life is exceptional, making it perfect for travel and extended use away from an outlet. Its compact charger further enhances its portability, allowing you to work on the go without constantly seeking a power source.