A Perfect Computer? Apple M4 MacBook Air Review
The M4 MacBook Air is shaping up to be the perfect computer for almost anyone in 2025. As the best MacBook Air Apple has ever released, it combines sleek design, powerful performance, and thoughtful features in a lightweight package. After spending several weeks with the M4 MacBook Air, I've gathered my experiences, highlighting what works brilliantly and what could be improved for the upcoming M5 generation.
Striking Sky Blue and Dual Display Support
One of the first things that caught my eye was the new sky blue color option. Initially, I almost didn't pick it, but it really grows on you. The color shifts depending on your room's lighting and the angle you view the laptop—from silver to a dark silver with a subtle blue tint. Apple nailed the aesthetics here, giving the MacBook Air a fresh and modern look.
Another notable feature that hasn't gotten much attention yet is the ability to use two external displays along with the built-in screen simultaneously. This was a limitation in past MacBook Air models but is now a fantastic productivity boost for users who rely on dual monitors while keeping the laptop's screen open for additional tasks.
Lightweight Design with Fanless Operation
The MacBook Air continues to impress with its incredibly lightweight design. Even after years of iteration, Apple hasn't sacrificed typing comfort or day-to-day usability. The keyboard feels great, and the overall experience remains snappy and reliable.
Importantly, the M4 MacBook Air retains its fanless design, which keeps your workspace quiet. Gone are the days of loud fan noise distracting you during work sessions. However, this fanless design comes with a trade-off: if you push the machine hard with demanding workloads, thermal throttling can occur, which I'll dive into shortly.
Performance and Storage: What You Need to Know
Apple finally updated the base model MacBook Air to include 16GB of RAM, a much-needed improvement that makes multitasking and running heavier apps more comfortable. This is a welcome change that many users will appreciate.
However, the base model still comes with only 256GB of storage, which I find frustrating. For anyone planning to install more than just cloud-based apps or do serious work, 256GB fills up quickly. That’s why I opted for the 512GB model, which strikes a better balance for most users.
Screen Size and Display Quality
If you’re used to the larger 14, 15, or 16-inch MacBook Pros, the 13-inch screen on the Air might feel a bit cramped. This was especially noticeable when using apps like Final Cut Pro, where multiple browsers and clip windows demand more screen real estate. You might find yourself getting creative with workspace management or prefer pairing the Air with an external monitor—which is how I use it most of the time.
The display itself is sharp and bright, a hallmark of Apple’s quality. However, it’s an LED display that tops out at 500 nits of brightness. This is usually sufficient, but I noticed some difficulty seeing the screen clearly in direct sunlight near a window. If you frequently work outdoors or in bright environments, the MacBook Pro’s brighter screen might be a better choice.
Ports and Keyboard Features
The M4 MacBook Air comes equipped with a MagSafe charging port, two USB-C ports running at Thunderbolt 4 speeds, and a headphone jack on the right side. While Thunderbolt 4 is great for most peripherals, the absence of Thunderbolt 5 means future-proofing isn't quite as strong as it could be. Still, most users won’t notice this limitation.
The keyboard retains the function row for easy access to essential controls and includes a Touch ID button that continues to work flawlessly. These features contribute to a smooth and efficient typing and security experience.
Webcam and Center Stage Demo
Apple upgraded the webcam on the M4 MacBook Air, introducing Center Stage—a feature that automatically keeps you centered in the frame as you move. While it can look a bit cheesy or funny depending on your distance from the camera, it’s a neat addition for FaceTime calls and group video chats.
Here’s a quick test of the webcam in action with Center Stage enabled and disabled, so you can see the difference yourself.
Speaker Quality and Fanless Limitations
The MacBook Air’s speakers sound pretty good, but if you’re used to the richer, louder audio of the 14 or 16-inch MacBook Pro models, you might find the Air’s built-in speakers a bit underwhelming. For power users who want top-notch sound quality, I recommend using AirPods, wired headphones, or external desktop speakers.
Thanks to the fanless design, your workspace stays quiet, which is a huge plus. However, if you push the MacBook Air with intensive tasks like heavy video editing or working in Lightroom, the machine can heat up and experience thermal throttling. This means it will slow down to avoid overheating.
When editing video, I found it helpful to use an external keyboard and mouse, allowing me to keep the laptop a little further away and avoid discomfort from the warmth on the keyboard deck. While the device never got dangerously hot, it was noticeable during longer editing sessions.
Real-World Performance: Video Editing and Beyond
The MacBook Air used to be seen primarily as a productivity machine for students or office work, but the M4 chip has changed the game. I’ve been using base model M-series Macs for years on tasks like multi-track recording, video editing, and various production workflows—and the M4 MacBook Air can handle pretty much anything you throw at it.
In fact, I was able to edit multi-cam projects using multiple 6K clips smoothly. Exporting a seven-minute video took just under four minutes, which is impressive for a MacBook Air. The computer shines at handling heavy tasks in short bursts.
For my heavier, sustained workloads like exporting tons of videos daily, I opted for a Mac Studio desktop, but for day-to-day video editing in Final Cut Pro, the Air is incredibly smooth. Skimming through footage was fluid, with no dropped frames.
When pushing the machine to its limits, switching from “better quality” to “better performance” mode noticeably improved responsiveness. Apple’s machine learning features in Final Cut Pro leverage the GPU and CPU effectively, making rendering faster than on older MacBook Pros.
For everyday tasks like email, documents, and web browsing, the MacBook Air runs cool and quiet with excellent battery life. It’s a fantastic all-around performer for most users.
Port Limitations and Dongle Usage
One downside is the limited port selection. The MacBook Air lacks an SD card slot and a built-in HDMI port. There’s also only one Thunderbolt port on the left side, with just a headphone jack on the right. This means you’ll likely need dongles or hubs to connect multiple accessories simultaneously.
On the bright side, MagSafe charging lets you free up the USB-C ports for peripherals. This makes it easier to use docks, Apple Studio displays, or USB-C monitors that provide power.
Charging Options and Recommendations
The M4 MacBook Air supports 70-watt fast charging, a significant upgrade from the previous 30-watt limit. You can choose between a compact dual USB-C charger or a 70-watt single-port charger. I recommend the 70-watt charger for faster charging, but there are also excellent third-party options, like chargers from Anker, if you want to power multiple devices efficiently.
What Could Be Better? Suggestions for the M5 MacBook Air
While the M4 MacBook Air is nearly perfect, there are a few areas where Apple could improve for the next generation:
Display: A brighter, higher-quality screen would be a welcome upgrade. The MacBook Pro’s brighter display and ProMotion smooth scrolling make a noticeable difference, especially in bright environments.
Ports: Adding an SD card slot and an HDMI port would enhance convenience, especially for presentations and media professionals.
Base Storage: Getting rid of the 256GB base storage in favor of 512GB as the standard would be a game-changer, much like the RAM upgrade Apple recently made.
LTE Modem: Including built-in LTE for mobile connectivity would be a nice-to-have feature for travelers and mobile professionals, though hotspotting via phone remains a good alternative for most.
13-inch vs. 15-inch MacBook Air
Apple also offers a 15-inch MacBook Air, which provides more screen real estate without jumping into MacBook Pro pricing. I personally prefer the 13-inch model for its portability, but if you want a larger display without the Pro’s cost, the 15-inch Air is a solid choice.
Final Thoughts: Is the M4 MacBook Air Right for You?
Overall, the M4 MacBook Air is an amazing computer that hits the sweet spot for most users. It’s lightweight, fast, and reliable, with excellent battery life and all the great Apple features we love.
If your workload is mostly productivity, photo editing, or moderate video editing, this is the computer to get. For sustained heavy workloads like prolonged video editing, 3D rendering, or music production, consider a MacBook Pro or a desktop solution like the Mac Studio.
For portability and versatility, the MacBook Air remains unmatched. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a powerful, all-around laptop in 2025.
Looking for personalized Mac recommendations or accessories? Check out my favorite MacBook Air configurations and accessories through the links provided below. If you need help choosing the perfect Mac, visit my website and fill out a form—I’ll get back to you with tailored advice.
