Apple MacBook Air Apple 13" MacBook Air (M4, Sky Blue) Review

This MacBook Air M4 is a 1.24kg featherweight that punches well above its class. With 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD, it's built for serious work on the go, landing in the 91st percentile for portability and the 93rd for storage. That's a lot of power in a package you barely notice in your bag. And Apple's reputation for reliability shows here, with a 96th percentile score. It's not a gaming machine, but for students and business users, its scores of 94 and 93.7 out of 100 tell you exactly where it shines.

The M4 chip's 10-core CPU lands in the 66th percentile. That's solid, but the real story is how it uses that power. Paired with 32GB of unified memory, this thing flies through everyday tasks, web apps, and even some light creative work without breaking a sweat. The 2TB SSD is blazing fast, making file transfers and app launches feel instant. Just know the GPU sits at the 18th percentile. You can play some casual games, but this isn't the laptop for demanding titles. It's built for efficiency, not frame rates.

At $2199, you're paying a premium, but you're getting a very specific package. The value is in that perfect blend of serious specs (32GB RAM, 2TB SSD) in an ultra-portable, ultra-reliable form factor. You won't find this exact combination from a Windows competitor. If your top priorities are portability, build quality, and that seamless Apple ecosystem, the price makes sense. If raw performance per dollar is your main goal, there are better deals elsewhere.

Compared to the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 Max, you give up significant CPU, GPU, and screen quality for about half the weight and a much lower price. The Pro is a powerhouse, but the Air is the practical choice. Against a Windows ultraportable like the ASUS Zenbook Duo, you trade the dual-screen novelty and potentially better value for Apple's reliability and macOS. And next to gaming beasts like the MSI Vector or Gigabyte AORUS, there's no contest for gaming, but you'd crush them on battery life and portability. This Air carves its niche by being the most powerful, spec'd-out ultraportable in the Apple lineup.

If you're a student or professional who needs a ton of RAM and storage in the most portable, reliable package possible, this MacBook Air M4 is a fantastic, data-backed choice. Its high scores in compactness, storage, and reliability are the proof. Just don't buy it for gaming. For everyone else, especially those who want more screen or more graphics power for the money, the competition offers compelling alternatives. This is a specialist tool, and it's excellent at its specific job.