The M4 MacBook Air was launched by Apple in March 2025. At first glance, it may not seem revolutionary compared to its predecessor. Sure, it has a few new features like an upgraded FaceTime camera and better support for external displays, but it doesn’t have any jaw-dropping changes. However, the true charm of this laptop lies in its fantastic value. You can snag a brand new M4 MacBook Air for under $750, and the combination of power, efficiency, and overall quality for that price is impressive. Let’s break it down.
To really grasp the value of the M4 MacBook Air, let’s look at its features compared to the competition. At just $749, it comes with:
- M4 chip: 10-Core CPU, 8-Core GPU, 16-Core Neural Engine
- 16GB Unified Memory and 256GB SSD Storage
- 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display
- Lightweight Design: just 2.7 lbs with a premium unibody aluminum build
- MagSafe Charging
- Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C Ports
- Headphone Jack
- Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3
- Real-world Battery Life: Up to 14-16 hours
For context, while the M4 Mac mini might be a budget-friendly choice at $499, it lacks essential peripherals. In contrast, the M4 MacBook Air includes everything you need out of the box. Just to give you an idea, a basic Apple Magic Keyboard costs $100, and the Magic Trackpad is $119. By the time you purchase essential accessories, you’re close to the price of a MacBook Air!
I’ve been using my M4 MacBook Air mostly for everyday tasks. It handles communication apps like Gmail and Slack, as well as lots of web browsing and research. I can easily multitask with several tabs open and run apps like ChatGPT or Canva without a hitch. It performs well even when I push it with multiple Chrome tabs and various applications. For most users, this laptop will last for years.
Now, how does it fare for creators? If you need to edit videos, this laptop will serve you well. I tested it with 4K footage in apps like iMovie and Final Cut Pro, and it performed smoothly. Most creators will find it more than adequate. Just know that if you dive into 8K videos or use a lot of raw files, it may slow down a bit during rendering. The internal storage might be limited at 256GB, but using an external SSD will solve that issue.
The M4 MacBook Air is rated for 18 hours of video playback, though in real-world use, you can expect 12-14 hours. This means you could easily get through a full workday. For video editing, you still get about 8-10 hours, which is impressive compared to other high-end tablets that may offer less than half of that time.
Design-wise, the MacBook Air feels premium. It’s thin, lightweight, and as sturdy as laptops that cost significantly more. In fact, some plastic Windows laptops are priced twice as high!
However, it’s not without its flaws. The base storage of 256GB is low for 2026 standards, and you’ll primarily rely on external drives for larger files. The port options are limited to two high-quality Thunderbolt 4 ports, which means you’ll need adapters for other connections like HDMI or SD cards.
So, after using the M4 MacBook Air for several months, it still feels as fresh as day one. It’s sleek, powerful, and meets all my needs without a hiccup. Whether you’re a student, a remote worker, or someone with moderate creative demands, this laptop is one of the best deals currently available. If you need a larger display, check out the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air, also on sale for $950.
What about you? Are you considering the M4 MacBook Air, or do you already own one? Let’s chat about it!
For more insights on laptops, check out Consumer Reports.
