Apple MacBook Air (M4) - Air by Name. Pro by Nature

Apple seems to be going hard-out in 2025. If the rumours are to be believed, by December Apple will have announced at least 20 devices.From what we've seen so far this can mean anything - from the predictable (yet still pleasing) iPad Air update from M2 to M3 I reviewed last week - to creating a whole new category of iPhone, with the introduction of the more budget-friendly member of the 16-series, the iPhone 16e.This year's shotgun launch approach seems to be partly due to the fact Apple now puts its own chips in things. What's more, those chips seem pretty amazing.So although Apple just launched a fistful of new computers, you may not even have heard about it. For some reason, these devices don't always get the same in-person, Tim Cook-led hype the flagship handsets do.But don't worry. Although I haven't been lucky enough to try the computer to end all computers; the new Mac Studio powered by the brain-bendingly powerful M4 Max, or even the one that runs on the M3 Ultra - which confusingly might be even MORE powerful - I have been sent something else to play with...The Apple MacBook Air (M4) looks exactly like its predecessor from last year. Except it's now available in a new colour, Sky Blue, replacing boring old Space Grey. This is in addition to Silver, Starlight and Midnight.Sky Blue is nice but let me be perfectly clear; it's not as blue as the sky. In fact, when I ask most people what colour the device is, they tell me it's silver. So... silvery-blue then, I guess.Other than that, physically the M4 MacBook Air looks the same as the last two.But it isn't.There are three important tweaks that make this one of the most desirable MacBooks now available and as such, one of the best portable computing devices on the market today.The first and most significant upgrade is of course, the M4 chip. I've used several devices running Apple's in-house M4 now and I can confidently attest to its speed and reliability. On paper, there are technical improvements in things like the number of cores, graphics performance and the various AI abilities of the 16-core Neural Engine.A list of specs is one thing. Real world performance is another. The M4 MacBook Air runs so faultlessly it's hard to imagine how much better it could get before it starts carving chunks from the market share of its more full-featured sibling, the MacBook Pro.Another physical change is, although there are still only two external ports - not counting the MagSafe charging socket of course - these are now both Thunderbolt 4 USB-C slots. This means much higher data transfer speeds and coupled with the M4 chip you can now connect to two external monitors while still using the built-in Liquid Retina display. Like everything else I tried with the MacBook Air, it ran three screens effortlessly.The last improvement Apple has made is adding Desk View to the built-in, 12MP Centre Stage camera. This is a new feature some Mac users have been trying in conjunction with Continuity Camera - the option to use your iPhone's camera as a wireless webcam. Now the MacBook Air can also show viewers a live feed of your physical desktop via your Zoom, Facetime, Webex or other video call. This means you can demonstrate using something in your hands without running a second camera feed. The quality is not as good as the usual Centre Stage video (which is truly excellent) but it's useful to have it as an option.If you're in any doubt how good that camera is, check out my video below. I think this is the best built-in camera/mic/speaker setup I've seen on any laptop I've ever reviewed.Never have I been more relieved to be reviewing a MacBook than last Friday morning. Due to an unfortunate series of unforeseeable events, I didn't have my security card with me when I arrived at work on Friday. That in itself is not an unsurmountable obstacle, even at 3:40AM. (I work in breakfast radio. Sounds fun, right?)Even in the middle of the night, there's a security guard on duty who can be persuaded to let an idiot like me in. (I've got form. He recognises me now)Unfortunately, the key to my personal locker is also attached to my security card. Really unfortunately, I'd locked my work laptop away the day before. Not something I'd normally do. But, like I say; an unfortunate series of unforeseeable events.Luckily, I had figured all this out the night before and even more luckily, I was reviewing this M4 MacBook Air.In just a few minutes I was able to load my work Wi-Fi profile and set up Adobe Audition (my preferred audio editor) so I could hit the ground running the moment I got into the studio the next morning.Thanks to macOS 15 (just upgraded to macOS 15.4 this week, in fact) connecting to the studio printer and even connecting to the network drives at work was simple and fast. Just like everything else about this device.I was able to run my radio show exactly as usual, without a hitch. In fact, the MacBook Air did such a good job I'm thinking of leaving my work laptop permanently locked away. It seems so clunky by comparison.I've covered off most of the latest Apple Intelligence features in other, recent Apple reviews but it's worth pointing out the latest update to macOS 15.4 introduces the option to let AI sort and summarise your emails for you. I've been using this on my iPhone for a while now and it's great to be able to see if there's anything that needs urgent action with a single glance at your inbox.I could spend all afternoon waxing lyrical about the myriad ways this year's MacBook Air has blown my socks off - but that would make for a very long read. I will just make a quick mention of its gaming abilities. Slowly but surely more and more AAA game releases are being ported across to macOS, if not being released on Mac day one. Even if they're not, the powerful M4 chip seems to have no trouble running emulators to play titles from other platforms and the Wi-Fi 6e connectivity has impressed me when streaming games as well.With a screen that looks this good and spatial audio that sounds this convincing, the MacBook Air is a superb multimedia entertainment device, in either the 13.6 or 15.3-inch display options.Intellectually, technically, I know the MacBook Pro is the superior device. And yet, while I type this, edit this and upload this using the MacBook Air, I can't quite remember why. Click here for more information and pricing on the Apple MacBook Air (M4).

Apple seems to be going hard-out in 2025. If the rumours are to be believed, by December Apple will have announced at least 20 devices. From what we've seen so far this can mean anything - from the predictable (yet still pleasing) iPad Air update from M2 to M3 I reviewed last week - to creating a whole new category of iPhone, with the introduction of the more budget-friendly member of the 16-series, the iPhone 16e.

This year's shotgun launch approach seems to be partly due to the fact Apple now puts its own chips in things. What's more, those chips seem pretty amazing. So although Apple just launched a fistful of new computers, you may not even have heard about it.

For some reason, these devices don't always get the same in-person, Tim Cook-led hype the flagship handsets do. But don't worry. Although I haven't been lucky enough to try the computer to end all computers; the new Mac Studio powered by the brain-bendingly powerful M4 Max, or even the one that runs on the M3 Ultra - which confusingly might be even MORE powerful - I have been sent something else to play with.

.. The Apple MacBook Air (M4) looks exactly like its predecessor from last year.

Except it's now available in a new colour, Sky Blue, replacing boring old Space Grey. This is in addition to Silver, Starlight and Midnight. Sky Blue is nice but let me be perfectly clear; it's not as blue as the sky.

In fact, when I ask most people what colour the device is, they tell me it's silver. So..

. silvery-blue then, I guess. Other than that, physically the M4 MacBook Air looks the same as the last two.

But it isn't. There are three important tweaks that make this one of the most desirable MacBooks now available and as such, one of the best portable computing devices on the market today. The first and most significant upgrade is of course, the M4 chip.

I've used several devices running Apple's in-house M4 now and I can confidently attest to its speed and reliability. On paper, there are technical improvements in things like the number of cores, graphics performance and the various AI abilities of the 16-core Neural Engine. A list of specs is one thing.

Real world performance is another. The M4 MacBook Air runs so faultlessly it's hard to imagine how much better it could get before it starts carving chunks from the market share of its more full-featured sibling, the MacBook Pro. Another physical change is, although there are still only two external ports - not counting the MagSafe charging socket of course - these are now both Thunderbolt 4 USB-C slots.

This means much higher data transfer speeds and coupled with the M4 chip you can now connect to two external monitors while still using the built-in Liquid Retina display. Like everything else I tried with the MacBook Air, it ran three screens effortlessly. The last improvement Apple has made is adding Desk View to the built-in, 12MP Centre Stage camera.

This is a new feature some Mac users have been trying in conjunction with Continuity Camera - the option to use your iPhone's camera as a wireless webcam. Now the MacBook Air can also show viewers a live feed of your physical desktop via your Zoom, Facetime, Webex or other video call. This means you can demonstrate using something in your hands without running a second camera feed.

The quality is not as good as the usual Centre Stage video (which is truly excellent) but it's useful to have it as an option. If you're in any doubt how good that camera is, check out my video below. I think this is the best built-in camera/mic/speaker setup I've seen on any laptop I've ever reviewed.

Never have I been more relieved to be reviewing a MacBook than last Friday morning. Due to an unfortunate series of unforeseeable events, I didn't have my security card with me when I arrived at work on Friday. That in itself is not an unsurmountable obstacle, even at 3:40AM.

(I work in breakfast radio. Sounds fun, right?) Even in the middle of the night, there's a security guard on duty who can be persuaded to let an idiot like me in. (I've got form.

He recognises me now) Unfortunately, the key to my personal locker is also attached to my security card. Really unfortunately, I'd locked my work laptop away the day before. Not something I'd normally do.

But, like I say; an unfortunate series of unforeseeable events. Luckily, I had figured all this out the night before and even more luckily, I was reviewing this M4 MacBook Air. In just a few minutes I was able to load my work Wi-Fi profile and set up Adobe Audition (my preferred audio editor) so I could hit the ground running the moment I got into the studio the next morning.

Thanks to macOS 15 (just upgraded to macOS 15.4 this week, in fact) connecting to the studio printer and even connecting to the network drives at work was simple and fast. Just like everything else about this device.

I was able to run my radio show exactly as usual, without a hitch. In fact, the MacBook Air did such a good job I'm thinking of leaving my work laptop permanently locked away. It seems so clunky by comparison.

I've covered off most of the latest Apple Intelligence features in other, recent Apple reviews but it's worth pointing out the latest update to macOS 15.4 introduces the option to let AI sort and summarise your emails for you. I've been using this on my iPhone for a while now and it's great to be able to see if there's anything that needs urgent action with a single glance at your inbox.

I could spend all afternoon waxing lyrical about the myriad ways this year's MacBook Air has blown my socks off - but that would make for a very long read. I will just make a quick mention of its gaming abilities. Slowly but surely more and more AAA game releases are being ported across to macOS, if not being released on Mac day one.

Even if they're not, the powerful M4 chip seems to have no trouble running emulators to play titles from other platforms and the Wi-Fi 6e connectivity has impressed me when streaming games as well. With a screen that looks this good and spatial audio that sounds this convincing, the MacBook Air is a superb multimedia entertainment device, in either the 13.6 or 15.

3-inch display options. Intellectually, technically, I know the MacBook Pro is the superior device. And yet, while I type this, edit this and upload this using the MacBook Air, I can't quite remember why.

Click here for more information and pricing on the Apple MacBook Air (M4)..