Apple’s latest MacBook Air, now powered by the M4 chip, continues to blur the line between lightweight laptops and high-performance machines. The M2 set the bar, the M3 raised it, and now the M4 quietly but confidently cements the Air’s dominance in the ultraportable space.

Performance: Surprisingly Strong for a Fanless Machine

The M4 chip is a beast in disguise. For a machine without a fan, the Air handles multitasking, 4K video editing, and even light 3D work without breaking a sweat. Benchmarks show a decent jump in CPU and GPU performance over the M3, especially in sustained workloads. And thanks to Apple’s continued focus on efficiency, it does all this while sipping power.

Design: Still Stunning, Still Familiar

Not much has changed physically—and that’s not a bad thing. The razor-thin, minimalist design remains one of the best in the industry. Available in the usual sleek color options (Midnight still looks stunning but smudges), the build quality is classic Apple: solid, premium, and precise.

Battery Life: All-Day and Then Some

With the M4’s improved efficiency, the MacBook Air delivers up to 18–20 hours of battery life, depending on use. That’s not just marketing—it holds up in real-world usage, making it one of the best travel companions out there.

Display, Keyboard, and Trackpad: Still the Gold Standard

The Liquid Retina display is sharp, vibrant, and bright enough for most environments. No ProMotion or HDR like the MacBook Pros, but for the Air’s target audience, it’s more than sufficient. The keyboard is satisfying, and the trackpad is still best-in-class—precise, responsive, and huge.

Who Should Buy It?

If you’re a student, creative on the go, or someone who just wants a reliable, ultra-portable laptop that punches well above its weight, the MacBook Air M4 is hard to beat. Power users might still prefer the MacBook Pro lineup, but the Air M4 closes the gap further than ever.