When Apple announced the MacBook Air M4 in early 2025, I wasn’t sure I needed it. I already owned the M2 Air and was pretty satisfied. But as someone who spends 8+ hours a day working remotely, I caved.
Now, three weeks in, I’ve tested it for everything: work, photo editing, Zoom meetings, Netflix, and the occasional bit of gaming. Here’s my honest, real-life user review of the MacBook Air M4—what’s amazing, what’s average, and what still needs fixing.
1. First Impressions: It’s Shockingly Light
Apple somehow made the M4 Air even thinner and lighter than the M2. It weighs just under 2.5 pounds and is almost edge-to-edge with the display. The midnight blue color I chose looks stunning but picks up fingerprints fast.
🔍 In the Box:
The MacBook
Braided MagSafe charger
Apple sticker (still white, not color-matched—why?)
👍 Pros:
Super slim, super quiet
No fan = silent operation
Still feels premium despite being incredibly light
👎 Cons:
One less Thunderbolt port than the Pro models
Display hinge feels slightly looser than the M2
2. Performance: Apple M4 Chip = A Leap Forward
Let’s talk speed. The M4 chip absolutely flies.
I ran Photoshop, Lightroom, Chrome with 30 tabs, and Slack all at once—no stutters, no overheating. Compared to my M2 Air, the M4 handles heavier workloads more fluidly, especially multitasking and creative tasks like video editing in Final Cut Pro.
Benchmarks (Real-World):
4K video export: 19% faster than M2 Air
Battery life during editing: 11 hours
Battery during Netflix only: 17+ hours (yes, really)
If you’re a student, content creator, or just someone who hates spinning wheels, you’ll notice the difference immediately.
3. Display & Sound: Gorgeous but Not “Pro-Level”
The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning, bright enough for outdoor use, and super color-accurate. It doesn’t have ProMotion (120Hz refresh), but it’s crisp and more than enough for content consumption and casual editing.
🎧 Speakers are front-firing and support spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. I watched Dune Part Two and honestly didn’t feel like I needed headphones.
4. Keyboard & Trackpad: Still the Best
Typing on the MacBook Air M4 feels buttery smooth. Apple’s Magic Keyboard remains the best in the game, with just enough travel and no mushiness. The trackpad is massive, precise, and intuitive—great for gestures.
✍️ Typing speed: Up by 7% compared to my Dell XPS, thanks to key spacing and tactile feel.
5. Battery Life: Insanely Efficient
I went a full two days of moderate use—emails, editing, browsing—without needing to charge. Apple promised up to 18 hours, and it delivers.
🔋 Breakdown:
Video streaming: ~17 hours
Heavy creative workload: ~9–11 hours
Standby drain: Almost zero
Fast charging gets you to 50% in 30 minutes with a 67W charger (sold separately).
6. Downsides: A Few Caveats
No product is perfect. While the M4 Air excels in most areas, here are a few drawbacks:
👎 No Face ID (still!)
👎 Only two USB-C ports
👎 Base model starts at 256GB (not enough for many users)
👎 Not fan-cooled—can throttle under extreme continuous load
If you’re editing 8K video or doing heavy 3D work, you should probably get the MacBook Pro M4 instead.
Final Verdict: The Best Air Yet (for Most People)
If you’re a student, writer, business professional, or casual creator, the MacBook Air M4 is a dream. Lightweight, lightning-fast, ultra-quiet, and long-lasting—it nails the essentials better than any laptop in its class.
If you already have the M3 or even a late M2, the upgrade isn’t essential. But if you’re coming from Intel or older Apple Silicon, this is a game-changer.
TL;DR – MacBook Air M4 (2025) Summary
| Feature | Score (1–5) |
|---|---|
| Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Display & Sound | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Battery Life | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Keyboard & Trackpad | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Portability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
FAQs
Q: Can the MacBook Air M4 handle video editing?
A: Yes, easily—4K edits are smooth, and even 6K works fine for short clips.
Q: Does it support dual external monitors?
A: Not natively on the base model. You’ll need a DisplayLink dock for that.
Q: Is it worth upgrading from M2 Air?
A: Only if you need more power, better battery life, or want the latest chip for longevity.
