Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook Air 13.6" with M4 Chip, Early 2025, Review

The M4 MacBook Air is the laptop most people should buy, but you have to get the right config. That 256GB of storage is a trap. It's fine for a year, but then you'll be constantly managing files. The M4 chip is a beast for everyday stuff, and the build quality is in the 96th percentile for reliability. It's the ultimate 'it just works' machine for anyone not pushing it to the limit.

The M4 CPU is fast, landing in the 66th percentile, which means it breezes through web browsing, office apps, and even light photo editing. But the GPU is its weak spot, sitting in the 18th percentile. That's why it scored a 16/100 for gaming. It can handle some indie titles, but forget about modern AAA games. The real surprise is how cool and quiet it stays while doing all that. No fans, no noise.

At $949, it's a compelling price for an M4 MacBook. But that value evaporates if you need more storage or RAM. You're paying for the Apple ecosystem, the killer design, and that legendary reliability. If those are your top priorities, it's worth it. If you need power or flexibility, look elsewhere.

The obvious competitor is the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Max. It's in another league for power, has a 120Hz screen, and more ports, but it costs way more and is heavier. For Windows users, the ASUS Zenbook Duo offers wild dual-screen flexibility and often similar performance for creative work, though it lacks the Air's seamless polish. And if gaming is a priority, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i smokes this Air for a similar price, but you trade all the portability and battery life.

Buy the MacBook Air M4 if you want a beautiful, reliable, and supremely portable laptop for everyday tasks, school, or business on the go. Just budget for at least 512GB of storage. Do not buy it if you game, do serious video editing, or need lots of ports without an adapter. For most people, it's the best laptop Apple makes.