TechRadar Verdict
Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air remains my favorite laptop.
I appreciate the long battery life, bright, colorful screen, and clear audio.
macOS and the supporting Apple ecosystem are unparalleled.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is virtually indistinguishable from the M3 model.
weight is unchanged, and even the two Thunderbolt 4 ports are essentially the same.
Its a color that should sell out fast.
The other two significant changes are to the hardware.
Replacing the FaceTime camera is the new 12MP Center Stage Camera.
Theres also the M4 chip, which adds cores and performance over the M3 Apple silicon it replaces.
From one perspective, the biggest upgrade might be in the value space.
Thats a shocking, and very welcome, turn of events.
The best MacBook is now back to its preMacBook Air M3 price, and better value because of it.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
It really is hard to find any fault with the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4).
Its lightweight, attractive, powerful, easy to use, and up for anything.
Usually, we get the same or sometimes a little less for the money.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
That is not the case with the MacBook Air 13-inch M4.
The MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) comes in three base configurations.
Whichever option you go for, you’ve got the option to upgrade the RAM to 32GB.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Apple has discontinued Space Gray (for now).
That design remains so popular that the M1 model featuring it isstill a top seller at Walmart.
Everything about the MacBook Air M4 feels premium.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Its a finely machined, eye-catching piece of hardware, and few laptops can match its elegance.
It’s a small but clarifying change.
Theres ample room to rest your palms, and the glass-covered multi-touch trackpad is huge and responsive.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Ports and other elements are unchanged from the last two MacBook Air generations.
Next to those is the MagSafe charging port, and on the right side is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
The four-speaker stereo sound system is hidden in the hinge below the display.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Its a fantastic display for everything from gaming to streaming to content creation.
The notch also contains the new 12MP Center Stage Camera.
Then, as you move around, the frame moves around to keep you in the frame.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Compared to Microsofts excellentSurface Laptop 7, the screen is missing one feature: touch.
Apple has steadfastly resisted introducing touch on its MacBook line and Apple co-founderSteve Jobs didnt think it made sense.
It virtually never crashes, and its full of useful features.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Whats more, macOS makes excellent use of the M4s power.
MostWindows laptopsrunningCopilotcan do this.
It’s of limited utility to me.
At least Siri can now tap intoChatGPT(if you allow it) for more complex queries.
Safariis an excellent web app, but I still find myself using Chrome.
Of course, the world has not stood still.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
These are just numbers of course, and I prefer to rely on real-world performance.
In my tests, the MacBook Air 13 and its M4 chip handled everything I threw at it.
I often ran the game alongside multiple background apps, including Final Cut Pro.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Thats quite good for a hard day of work, and especially for such a thin and light laptop.
Should you buy the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)?
Display and Center Stage
Beautiful Liquid Retina Display, and the Center Stage camera upgrade is a welcome one.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Don’t buy it if…
You want a touchscreenApple may never introduce a touchscreen MacBook.
For that, look to the Surface Laptop, or an iPad Pro paired with a Magic Keyboard.
However, its prone to overheating, and the touch bar is divisive.
I’ve reviewed laptops of all stripes, including traditional clamshells and convertibles.
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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
