MacBook Air M4 (Early 2025) Unveiled: Full Review

Apple continues its tradition of annual updates with the 2025 MacBook Air 15, featuring yet another upgrade to the System on a Chip (SoC). The new MacBook Air 15, powered by the M4 chip, remains a sleek and portable laptop ideal for office work, boasting impressive battery life and a stunning display. While it may not be suited for PC gaming, the MacBook Air excels in its primary role as a versatile, on-the-go productivity tool.

The MacBook Air is designed for those who need a reliable laptop to get things done efficiently, whether at a coffee shop, on a plane, or in the office. Its lightweight and compact design make it the perfect companion for professionals and students alike.

Purchasing Guide

The MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025) is now available, with the 13-inch model starting at $999 and the 15-inch model, which I reviewed, at $1,199. Apple offers various customization options, allowing you to upgrade to a 15-inch MacBook Air with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD for $2,399, catering to those who need more power and storage.

MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos

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Design

The MacBook Air has become synonymous with the term "laptop" due to its iconic design. The 2025 model maintains the same sleek look as its predecessors, weighing just 3.3 pounds and featuring an ultra-thin unibody aluminum chassis less than half an inch thick. This design not only contributes to its portability but also enhances its aesthetic appeal with a clean, minimalist look.

The MacBook Air's speakers are cleverly integrated into the hinge, firing towards the display. This innovative design, made possible by the fanless M4 chip, utilizes the laptop's lid as a natural amplifier, resulting in surprisingly robust sound quality. The fanless design also contributes to a seamless and elegant exterior, with only four small rubber feet on the bottom to prevent scratching.

The keyboard remains a highlight, offering deep key travel and a reliable TouchID sensor for quick and secure access. The spacious touchpad, known for its excellent palm rejection, ensures smooth navigation and control. However, the port selection is somewhat limited, with two USB-C ports and a MagSafe connector on the left, and a headphone jack on the right. While the inclusion of a headphone jack is appreciated, additional ports like an SD card reader would have been a welcome addition.

Display

The MacBook Air's display, while not as advanced as the MacBook Pro's, is still impressive. The 15.3-inch, 1880p screen covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 100% of sRGB, making it ideal for everyday tasks and entertainment. With a peak brightness of 426 nits, it performs well in various lighting conditions, though it excels indoors. The display's color accuracy and brightness make it a great choice for streaming shows and movies, enhancing the viewing experience significantly.

Performance

Benchmarking a MacBook can be challenging due to the limited compatibility of standard tests with macOS. However, the MacBook Air's performance is tailored for productivity rather than gaming. In games like Total War: Warhammer 3 and Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the laptop struggles at 1080p, but this is not its intended use. Instead, it excels in multitasking and productivity, handling multiple Safari tabs and background music with ease, thanks to its 32GB of RAM.

The MacBook Air also manages light Photoshop work well, though it may struggle with more demanding tasks like noise filtering in Lightroom. Its ability to handle daily tasks efficiently, combined with its thin and light design, makes it an excellent choice for professionals on the go.

Battery

Apple claims the MacBook Air can last up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of web browsing. In my testing, the laptop exceeded these claims, lasting 19 hours and 15 minutes on local video playback. While streaming might slightly reduce this duration, the MacBook Air's battery life is exceptional, making it ideal for long work sessions and travel. The included charger is compact, adding to the laptop's portability and convenience.