MacBook Air M4: Everything You Need to Know

Apple just dropped the MacBook Air M4, and it’s packing some serious upgrades. If you’ve been holding out for a lighter, faster, and smarter laptop, this might be the one.

The biggest change? The M4 chip—faster, more efficient, and built to handle everything from basic browsing to serious creative work. But that’s not all. Now, you can connect two external displays (finally!), the webcam got a huge upgrade, and there’s even a new Sky Blue color. Oh, and battery life? Up to 18 hours.

Apple also packed in some AI-powered features to make your life easier, and it’s clear they’re leaning into the future of smart computing. So, is this the MacBook Air you’ve been waiting for? Let’s break it all down.

M4 Chip: A Leap in Performance

At the heart of the MacBook Air M4 is, unsurprisingly, the M4 chip—Apple’s latest and greatest. If you thought the M2 or M3 were fast, the M4 takes things up a notch with a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU. That means better speed, improved multitasking, and more power for everything from casual web browsing to pro-level video editing.

One of the biggest benefits? Better efficiency. The M4 chip is designed to handle high-performance tasks while using less power, which helps extend battery life (more on that later). Plus, Apple has optimized the M4 for AI-powered features, making tasks like image generation and smart text editing smoother than ever.

How does it stack up against previous models? Compared to the M2, the M4 is noticeably faster, especially in graphics performance. Even compared to the M3, you’ll see gains in efficiency and speed, particularly in creative workflows like Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, and Xcode.

Bottom line: Whether you're working, creating, or just binge-watching your favorite shows, the M4 chip makes everything feel faster and smoother.

Dual External Display Support: A Game Changer

One of the biggest complaints about previous MacBook Air models? You could only connect one external display. That changes with the MacBook Air M4. Now, you can hook up two external monitors when the laptop is in clamshell mode—perfect for multitasking, creative work, or just having a more organized setup.

For professionals and students who rely on multiple screens, this is a huge upgrade. Whether you’re coding on one screen, researching on another, and writing on the main display, or editing videos with full-screen previews, this makes the MacBook Air feel more like a pro-level device.

Compared to older MacBook Air models (M1, M2, M3), which only supported one external monitor, this is a game changer for productivity. If you've been waiting for this feature, the M4 MacBook Air might finally be worth the upgrade.

12MP Center Stage Camera: Elevating Video Calls

Apple finally gave the MacBook Air’s webcam the upgrade it deserves. The M4 model now features a 12MP camera, a big jump from the 1080p cameras in previous models. Whether you’re on Zoom calls for work, FaceTiming friends, or recording content, you’ll get sharper video quality and better low-light performance.

But the real game-changer? Center Stage. This feature automatically keeps you in frame, even if you move around. It’s great for video calls where you don’t want to stay perfectly still or if you're giving a presentation and shifting positions.

Another bonus: Desk View. This feature gives an overhead perspective of your workspace, making it easier to share notes, sketches, or anything else on your desk during calls.

For remote workers, students, and content creators, this new camera makes a real difference—no more relying on an external webcam for high-quality video.

Sky Blue Color Option: A Fresh Look

Apple added a new Sky Blue color to the MacBook Air lineup, and it’s already turning heads. If you’re tired of the usual Space Gray, Silver, and Midnight options, this fresh shade gives the M4 MacBook Air a unique, modern look.

This isn’t Apple’s first attempt at blue—remember the iMac and iPhone in similar shades? But on a MacBook Air, it stands out in a way that feels premium yet subtle. Plus, it keeps the same anodized aluminum finish, so you don’t have to worry about fingerprints as much as on the Midnight version.

Apple has been leaning into more color choices lately, and Sky Blue might be a sign of what’s to come for future MacBooks. If you like your tech to have a bit more personality, this new color makes the M4 Air even more appealing.

Battery Life: Power That Lasts

Battery life has always been a strong point for the MacBook Air, and the M4 model takes it even further. Apple claims up to 18 hours on a single charge, which means you can easily go a full workday (or even two) without reaching for the charger.

What makes this possible? The M4 chip’s efficiency. It delivers more power while using less energy, so you get better performance without draining the battery as quickly. Whether you’re streaming videos, working on documents, or editing photos, you can expect all-day usage without interruption.

For comparison:

• M2 MacBook Air – Up to 18 hours (similar, but less efficient)
• M3 MacBook Air – Up to 15-17 hours, depending on the task
• MacBook Pro M3 – Up to 22 hours, but in a heavier package

Real-world usage will vary, but for most people, this means charging once a day—or even less often if you’re using it lightly. If battery life is a top priority, the M4 MacBook Air is one of the best laptops you can get.

Apple Intelligence: Smarter Features with AI

Apple is making a big push into AI, and the MacBook Air M4 is built to take advantage of it. Thanks to the power-efficient M4 chip, the laptop comes with Apple Intelligence, a set of AI-driven tools designed to make your workflow smoother and smarter.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• AI-powered writing assistance – Get real-time grammar, tone, and style suggestions across apps.
• Smart image generation – Create visuals on demand with Apple’s AI tools.
• Enhanced Siri interactions – A smarter, more conversational Siri that can handle more complex requests.

Apple is still rolling out its AI features, so expect more updates in the future. While the MacBook Air doesn’t have a dedicated neural engine like the MacBook Pro, it’s still optimized for on-device AI processing, keeping things fast and private.

If you’re someone who writes, designs, or just wants a smarter Mac experience, Apple Intelligence on the M4 Air makes everyday tasks easier and more intuitive.

Pricing and Availability

So, how much will the MacBook Air M4 set you back? Pricing stays mostly in line with previous models:

• 13-inch MacBook Air M4 – Starts at $1,099
• 15-inch MacBook Air M4 – Starts at $1,299

Of course, if you bump up the storage (up to 2TB) or RAM (up to 24GB), the price climbs higher.

When Can You Get It?

• Pre-orders opened right after the announcement.
• Shipping & in-store availability started within a couple of weeks, depending on region.

Apple also offers trade-in options, so if you’re upgrading from an older Mac, you might get a discount. Students and educators can also take advantage of Apple’s education pricing, which knocks $100-$150 off the retail price.

Overall, Apple is sticking to its usual pricing strategy—not cheaper, but also not more expensive than expected.

9. Should You Upgrade?

The MacBook Air M4 brings some solid improvements, but is it worth upgrading? That depends on what you're using now.

Upgrade if you have:

An M1 or Intel MacBook Air – The M4 chip is way faster, battery life is better, and you finally get dual external display support.
An M2 MacBook Air and need more power – If you multitask heavily or use AI-powered tools, the M4’s performance boost will be noticeable.
A laptop that struggles with battery life – The M4 Air lasts up to 18 hours, making it one of the longest-lasting ultrabooks out there.

Skip (for now) if you have:

An M3 MacBook Air – The jump from M3 to M4 isn’t huge unless you need the extra AI features.
A MacBook Pro – If you already have a Pro model, especially an M3 Pro or M3 Max, the Air won’t match that level of performance.

Final Verdict

The MacBook Air M4 is the best Air yet, no question. It’s faster, smarter, and more versatile, especially with dual monitor support and AI features. If you’re coming from an older Mac, the upgrade will feel huge. But if you just got an M3 Air, you’re probably fine holding off.

The MacBook Air M4 brings meaningful upgrades without changing what makes the Air great—it's still thin, light, and ultra-efficient, but now it’s smarter and more capable than ever.

With the M4 chip, you get faster performance and better battery life. The dual external display support makes it a real productivity machine, and the new 12MP Center Stage camera improves video calls. Apple is also pushing AI hard, and the Apple Intelligence features will only get better over time.

If you’re using an M1 or Intel MacBook Air, this upgrade is a no-brainer. Even M2 users will notice a difference. But if you already have an M3 Air, the changes might not be big enough to justify upgrading just yet.

Bottom line? The MacBook Air M4 is the best Air yet, and if you're in the market for a new laptop, this one should be at the top of your list.