MacBook Air M4 review

Apple’s MacBook Air is known for its sleek design and powerful performance in a portable package. Over time, the MacBook Air has evolved with the introduction of Apple Silicon chips. After the M1 and M2 chips, the latest M4 version brings even better performance. In this review, we will compare the MacBook Air M4 with M2, focusing on design, performance, battery, life, pricing, and features, especially for Indian consumers. By the end, you will know which one is best for you.

Design and Display: Sleek and Stylish

MacBook Air M4 Review (13.6-inch)

MacBook Air M4 is ultra-thin, with a slim profile of just .44 inch at its thickest. It features a 13.6-inch liquid retina display, which is slightly bigger than the M2’s 13.3-inch screen. This larger display provides a better viewing experience. With 500 minutes of brightness, the M4’s screen is bright enough for use in any lightning condition. The display also has excellent color accuracy, making it a good choice for creative work like photo and video editing.

For color options, M4 introduces a new SKY BLUE along with MIDNIGHT. STARLIGHT and SILVER.

MacBook Air M2 Review (13.6-inch)

The MacBook Air M2 also has a 13.6-inch liquid Retina display, but its brightness is slightly lower at 400 nits. While still good for regular use, it’s not as bright as the M4’s display, which may matter if you work in bright settings.

Color options include SPACE GREY, SILVER, MIDNIGHT, and STARLIGHT, and there is no sky blue option available

Verdict:

Both models have a similar design, but the M4 stands out with a brighter and slightly larger display. If you need better visibility and vibrant colors, the M4 would be a better choice.

Performance: Speed and Power

MacBook Air M4

M4 chip is built on advanced 3-nm technology with a 10-core CPU, 12-core GPU, and an Advanced 16-core neural engine. This makes the M4 a powerhouse with up to 23 times faster performance compared to Intel chip-based MacBook Airs. It’s great for demanding tasks like video editing, graphics, designing, and even light gaming. The M4 also has better graphics performance, which is ideal for creative professionals.

The M4’s graphics performance is considerably stronger with its 12-core GPU, making it a deal for professionals who work in fields like video editing, photo editing, and 3-D modeling. Whether you are working with Final Cut Pro, Adobe, Premiere Pro, or any other creative suite, the M4 will provide a smooth and fast editing experience.

The 16-core neural engine in the M4 also boosts performance in machine learning tasks, making it faster and more efficient at tasks like facial recognition, natural language processing, and more. With up to 32 GB of unified memory and faster memory bandwidth, the M4 is a highly future-proof machine that will handle even the most demanding tasks for years to come.

MacBook Air M2

M2 chip as an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and a 16-core neural engine, while it’s faster than the M1, it does not match the power of the M4. The M2 is suitable for regular tasks like browsing and media consumption, but it may struggle with most and extensive tasks.

While the M2 chip is an improvement over the M1, its 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU make it suitable for general productivity tasks like word processing, web browsing, and media consumption, but it lacks the raw power of the M4. If you are a content creator or professional, the M2 will handle more tasks well, but it might struggle with more demanding applications compared to the M4.

Verdict:

The M4 wins in performance. If you need a laptop for heavy tasks like video editing or gaming, the M4 will give you the best experience. The M2 is great for everyday tasks, but it is not as powerful as the M4.

Battery Life: All Day Use

MacBook Air M4

Thanks to the energy efficiency of the MacBook M4 chip, MacBook Air M4 offers up to 18 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video playback. The battery life is impressive, and it also supports fast charging, reaching 50% in just 30 minutes.

MacBook Air M2

M2 also offers 18 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video playback. However, due to M2, slightly lower performance, efficiency, and power efficiency, you may notice a bit less battery life under heavy use compared to the M4.

Verdict:

Both models offer great battery life, but the M4 has a slight edge in efficiency, lasting a bit longer on battery during demanding tasks

Pricing in India: Which one is better for your budget?

MacBook Air M4

13.6-inch model

16 GB RAM/ 256 GB SSD: ₹ 99,900
16 GB RAM/ 512 GB SSD: ₹ 1,19,900
24 GB RAM/ 512 GB SSD: ₹ 1,39,900

15.3-inch model

16 GB RAM/ 256 GB SSD: ₹ 1,24,900
16 GB RAM/ 512GBSSD: ₹ 1,44,900
24 GB RAM/ 512GBSSD: ₹ 1,64,900

MacBook Air M2, 2022

13.6-inch model

16 GB RAM /256 GB SSD: ₹85,900

Verdict:

The M4 is priced higher than the M2, reflecting its better performance. The M4 starts at ₹99,900, while the M2 is affordable at 85,900. If you need the latest features and performance, the M4 is worth the extra cost. If you are on a budget, the M2 still offers great value.

Which one should you buy?

Choose the MacBook Air M4 if:

You need top-tier performance for tasks like video editing, software development, or gaming
You want future-proof technology with the latest chip
You work in a creative field, where high-performing graphics are required
You’re willing to pay a bit more for better performance and features.

Choose the MacBook Air M2 if:

Your needs are more basic – like browsing, word processing, and media consumption
You want an affordable option that still delivers good performance
You already own an M1 or M2 MacBook, and don’t need the latest info technology

Apple Intelligence: Smarter Computing

The MacBook Air M4 introduces Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-driven features designed to make your Mac smarter and more intuitive. Leveraging the power of the M4 chip’s 16-core Neural Engine, Apple Intelligence enables on-device machine learning, ensuring that tasks are processed quickly and securely without relying on cloud services.

Key features include:

Enhanced Siri: More natural and context-aware interactions, with ChatGPT integration for complex queries.
Real-Time Language Translation: Instant translation of text and speech across various applications.
Smarter Photo and Video Editing: AI-driven suggestions and enhancements for media projects.
On-Device Machine Learning: Efficient processing of tasks like facial recognition and predictive text.
Intelligent Writing Assistance: Advanced tools to improve grammar, style, and tone in your writing.

These capabilities enhance productivity, creativity, and user experience, all while maintaining Apple’s commitment to privacy and security.

M-Series Chipset Compatibility.

The MacBook Air M4 is part of Apple’s M-series lineup, which includes the M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips. These chips share a common architecture, ensuring compatibility across various Mac models. This means that applications optimized for M-series chips will run seamlessly on the M4, providing a consistent and efficient user experience.

Additionally, macOS is built to work perfectly with M-series chips, boosting performance and ensuring smooth operation of apps. The transition from Intel-based Macs to M-series chips has been facilitated by Rosetta 2, allowing users to run older x86 applications on M-series Macs without issues.

Conclusion

The MacBook Air, M4, and M2 are excellent laptops, each suited for different users and different purposes. The M4 is perfect for power users who need the latest and best technology for demanding tasks, offering superior performance and graphics. On the other hand, the M2 provides excellent value for every data, offering solid performance without the higher price tag.

Your choice will depend on your needs and budget. If you need the latest technology and better performance, use the MacBook Air M4. If you are looking for an award-winning yet powerful laptop for casual use, the MacBook M2 is still a fantastic option.

Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change. Always check the official Apple website for the latest details.