Apple MacBook Air (13.6″, M4) review – The Silent King of Efficiency
With any new machine from the Californian giant, everything appears incredibly simple and effortless, and the new M4 MacBook Air is no exception. But as with its predecessors, beneath the polished surface lie hidden pitfalls that you can only uncover in a detailed, independent review like ours. Of course, the machine is fantastic, but from its official presentation, no matter how detailed it may seem, you won’t learn about its downsides, or more importantly, how to configure it to get the absolute most for your money.
One piece of truly great news is that Apple has finally addressed a major, long-standing issue. The base configuration now comes with 16GB of RAM, which is wonderful for a machine that cannot be upgraded. The days of 8GB are thankfully behind us. This was a critical flaw in previous generations, as filling that limited memory forced the system to use the SSD as swap space – a solution that not only hits performance but also causes unnecessary wear on the drive over the long term. With that problem solved, we can now ask: is this the perfect ultrabook, or are there still critical trade-offs to consider?
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/apple-macbook-air-13-early-2025/
Contents
Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
Apple MacBook Air 13 (Early 2025) - Specs
- Display
- 13.6", (2560 x 1664), IPS
- HDD/SSD
- up to 2000GB SSD
- RAM
- up to 32GB
- OS
- macOS, Chrome OS
- Dimensions
- 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97" x 8.46" x 0.44")
- Weight
- 1.24 kg (2.7 lbs)
- Ports and connectivity
- 2x USB Type-C
- 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery (PD), DisplayPort
- Card reader
- Ethernet LAN
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Audio jack
- 3.5mm Combo Jack
- Features
- Fingerprint reader
- Web camera
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera with Advanced image signal processor with computational video
- Backlit keyboard
- optional
- Microphone
- Three-mic array with directional beamforming, Dolby Atmos
- Speakers
- 4x Surround Speakers with support for Spatial Audio
- Security Lock slot
All Apple MacBook Air 13 (Early 2025) configurations
What’s in the box?
Unpacking a new MacBook Air is always a satisfying experience, and the attention to detail from Apple is immediately apparent.
Inside the box, you’ll find the 2-meter USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable, along with a power adapter that varies depending on your chosen configuration.
The base M4 model with an 8-core GPU includes a 30W USB-C Power Adapter, while models with the 10-core GPU are upgraded to the more versatile 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter.
Design and construction
Unboxing the Apple MacBook Air (13.6″, M4) is to be greeted by a familiar yet undeniably refined piece of technology. It is an exceptionally elegant and exquisitely thin slab of metal, a testament to Apple’s long-standing design prowess. It’s available in four colors – Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight. Our unit is the Starlight model, which presents as a soft, gentle gold that’s sophisticated rather than ostentatious.
The enclosure is crafted from 100% recycled aluminium, a laudable choice that doesn’t compromise on feel or structural integrity. As you’d expect from Apple, the build quality is top-tier; the chassis feels incredibly solid, with no flex or creaks to be found. The finish also does an excellent job of resisting fingerprints; even after several weeks of intentional non-cleaning, any smudges that appeared were barely noticeable.
The “Air” moniker has never felt more appropriate. This machine is exceptionally thin and light, measuring just 1.13 cm (0.44 inches) thick and weighing a mere 1.24 kg (2.7 pounds). To put that into perspective, a competitor like the Dell XPS 13 9345 (detailed review), with a slightly smaller screen, weighs about the same but is roughly 30% thicker. The MacBook Air’s slim profile is something you truly feel and appreciate when carrying it around. This premium experience extends to the hinge mechanism, which is perfectly calibrated for a smooth, satisfying one-handed open – a hallmark of Apple craftsmanship we’ve come to expect.
Once open, the display is framed by thin bezels measuring just 6.5 mm (approximately 0.26 inches), but your eyes are immediately drawn to the central “notch.” It’s the same style as the one on the standard iPhone 15, not the more modern “pill” from the Pro models. One can’t help but speculate that Apple could have used the newer design, but perhaps they are saving that particular upgrade for a future iteration. Housed within this notch is a very capable 12MP Center Stage camera with an advanced image signal processor, computational video, and support for features like Desk View.
Now, about privacy: there is no physical camera shutter. However, we’re less concerned here for a few specific reasons. First, the green indicator LED is hardwired to the camera’s power line, making it impossible for the camera to be active without the light turning on. Second, closing the lid electrically disconnects the microphone at a hardware level, preventing even a root-level hack from listening in. Finally, macOS itself is an exceptionally secure operating system.
The screen opens to a maximum angle of about 130 degrees; it doesn’t lay flat, but since this isn’t a touchscreen device, that functionality isn’t missed.
The keyboard deck is clean and spacious, with no NumPad as expected for this form factor. The keys are backlit and, in a classic Apple touch that we remember from MacBook Pros from two decades ago, an ambient light sensor allows the backlight to activate automatically when needed. For biometric login, Touch ID is integrated into a key in the top right corner, providing fast and reliable fingerprint authentication. Below the keyboard lies the legendary Force Touch trackpad. Measuring approximately 12.7 x 8 cm (5 x 3.14 inches), it’s very large relative to the laptop’s body and feels fantastic to use. This isn’t just a simple clickpad; its pressure-sensing capabilities allow for precise cursor control and enable a range of Multi-Touch gestures, Force clicks, and even pressure-sensitive drawing, making it one of the most versatile and intuitive trackpads on the market.
Ports and Connectivity
The Apple MacBook Air (13.6″, M4) continues the brand’s tradition of a minimalist port selection, with all high-speed I/O located on the left side. Here you’ll find the dedicated MagSafe 3 charging port, a welcome feature as it frees up the other ports for data and display. Alongside it are two versatile Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 ports. These USB-C connections support charging, high-speed data transfer up to 40Gb/s, and video output via DisplayPort. While you can charge the laptop through either of the Thunderbolt ports, this does occupy one of your only two high-speed connections. During our own stress testing, we also observed that under maximum load, charging via USB-C couldn’t quite keep up with power consumption, resulting in a 13% drop in battery level over 30 minutes. This is an important consideration for power users who might rely on a single-cable USB-C dock for everything.
The right side of the device is even simpler, housing only a 3.5mm headphone jack, a legacy connection that many users will be glad to see retained. A significant upgrade with the M4 chip is the laptop’s ability to natively support up to two external displays simultaneously (when the laptop lid is closed), each with a resolution up to 6K at 60Hz. This is achieved through the Thunderbolt 4 ports, which utilize the DisplayPort 1.4 standard for video output.
When it comes to wireless connectivity, the MacBook Air is equipped with Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. In what might be a surprise for a device launching in this cycle, it does not feature the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard. With other devices, potentially including Apple’s own upcoming iPhones, adopting Wi-Fi 7, its absence here is notable for those seeking the absolute latest in wireless technology. While Wi-Fi 6E remains a very fast and capable standard, for users looking to maximize the efficiency and future-proofing of their wireless setup, this is a point worth considering, as the performance differences can be significant on compatible networks.
Read our Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6E: Learn the Key Differences in 10 Seconds article.
Display and Sound Quality, Display Profiles
| Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) | |
| Diagonal | 13.6 inches (34.5 cm) |
| Panel Type | IPS „Liquid Retina“ display |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 pixels |
| Max Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 14:9 |
| Pixel Density | 224 PPI |
| ‘Retina’ Distance | Greater than or equal to 39 cm |
Viewing Angles
Viewing angles are good. We take photos from different angles to evaluate the quality.
Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.
Color Coverage
The whole “sail-shaped” map below (Fig. 1) consists of all the colors we can see, while the black crooked line shows all the colors from real-world scenes and nature around us.
Then, we’ve drawn some of the most important and interesting color spaces, compared to the colors the panel of Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) can show:
Standard/For Web: sRGB – widely used color space for most consumer devices, ideal for Web design and development
For Print: AdobeRGB – used in professional photo editing, graphic design, and print
For Photographers/Video Editors: DCI-P3 – used in high-end film production, post-production, and digital cinema
Premium HDR: Rec.2020 – the widest consumer ITU color standard, covering a massive 75.8% of the visible spectrum, a benchmark for premium HDR content
Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025): the yellow dashed triangle (– – – – – –) represents the range of colors this monitor can display.
In our tests, we calculated the total color coverage of the monitor at 100% of the sRGB color gamut and 100% of the Display P3 color gamut.
(Fig.2) Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) covers 100% of the Display P3 gamut
When the user opens a web page in a browser on the Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) screen, the content is typically displayed in the sRGB color space by default, although the native coverage is Display P3.
(Fig.3) sRGB
The display on the Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. This ensures a high-quality viewing experience with vibrant colors and enhanced contrast.
Brightness and Contrast
The maximum brightness in SDR mode is 518 cd/m² in the center of the screen and 493 cd/m² averaged across the surface with a maximum deviation of 7%.
The Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) on a white screen at maximum brightness is 6790K.
Uniformity: Luminance, Contrast, and Color Deviation
The figure below shows the results from our uniformity test across different sections of the screen. It’s measured at 183 nits (Windows slider = 58%) — a brightness level we consider typical for standard working conditions.
DeltaE values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users. For those working with colors, screens with DeltaE values no higher than 2.0 are recommended.
Color Accuracy
Let’s check the difference between real colors and those you’ll see on the Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025). We measure that distance in DeltaE – the higher the number, the more different they look.
Values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users, while values below 2.0 are suitable for color-sensitive work. A value below 1.0 means the difference is indistinguishable to the naked eye.
For the next graph, we’ve selected 24 common colors, including dark/light skin, blue sky, green grass, etc.
Below are the results of the Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) in its factory condition compared to sRGB color spaces (True tone – off).
Response time (Gaming capabilities)
We test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” method from 10% to 90% and vice versa.
We recorded Fall Time + Rise Time = 22.7 ms. Short pixel response time is a prerequisite for a smooth picture in dynamic scenes.
After that, we test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “Gray-to-Gray” method from 50% White to 80% White and vice versa between 10% and 90% of the amplitude.
Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)
Some use PWM to regulate their brightness, which means that instead of reducing the light intensity, they pulse or flicker. Our brain merges the image, so it appears darker, but this strains both it and our vision, especially when the frequency of the pulses is low. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.
In the graph below, you see the intensity of light at different brightness levels—on the vertical axis is the brightness of the emitted light, and on the horizontal axis—time.
The backlight of the display of the Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) is not pulse-width modulated, providing visual comfort in the discussed aspect.
Health Impact: Screen Reflectance
Glossy-coated displays can cause eye fatigue in high ambient light conditions due to reflections. We measure the level of screen reflection with the display turned off, at a 60° angle.
The reflectance of the Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)’s screen is 57.2 GU. This is a good result.
High Gloss: >70 GU
Medium Gloss: 30 – 70 GU
Low Gloss: <30 GU
Sound
The Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)’s sound is of very good quality. The low, mid, and high frequencies are clear.
Work Performance: CPU, Storage, AI
CPU and Work Performance
You can order the Apple MacBook Air (13.6″) with a 10-core M4 CPU only. This is a great CPU for office and everyday tasks, as it has great single-core performance. This is why these new Macs feel super fast. Our #1 CPU in our Top Laptop CPU Ranking is the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX. The M4 in this MacBook Air surpasses it in the single-core test with ~20%! On the other hand, as you can see in the Cinebench benchmark, the M4 is not the most powerful choice for heavy work.
To get the full picture, you may want to read our [2025 Update] Apple M4 (+ Pro / Max) vs M3 (+ Pro / Max / Ultra) vs M2 (+ Pro / Max / Ultra) vs M1 (+ Pro / Max / Ultra) – The Ultimate Benchmark Comparison!
Single-core performance ensures smooth operation and responsiveness in operating systems, providing a better user experience.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Single-Core test (higher is better)
Multi-core performance is essential for handling complex and demanding tasks, such as Video editing, CAD, and Scientific simulations.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Here, we evaluate the CPU's performance using a real-world 3D rendering task, assessing its ability to handle complex computations and rendering workloads efficiently.
Results are from the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Storage Performance
At the beginning of the review, we mentioned some pitfalls, and one of them is the choice of storage. If you have the option and need fast storage, choose the 512GB version. This time, even the base version uses two NAND modules, but the 512GB version is still about 50% faster.
We purchased the 256GB version specifically for this test, and we can confirm this to be the case here as well—the sequential read speed is 3.2 GB/s, and the sequential write speed is 2.1 GB/s. The test was conducted with a 1GB file in Amorphous Disk Benchmark, the equivalent of CrystalDiskMark, which we run on Windows machines.
We also ran a test with a 4GB test file using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. The result was a sequential read speed of 2.8 GB/s and a sequential write speed of 2.0 GB/s.
These speeds are perfectly adequate for normal use but might not be quite sufficient for activities like video editing, for example. In any case, if you are involved in content creation, you would most likely opt for a MacBook Pro because of its active cooling. But if you do choose the Air, go for 512GB of storage or more.
AI Performance
All Apple M4 series processors feature an NPU, rated at up to 38 TOPS of peak AI performance. Currently, this performance has little real-world application in the macOS operating system, as Apple is lagging behind in the “AI game.” However, knowing the company from Cupertino, it’s not out of the question that the lead held by others could be quickly closed.
Check out our full AI Performance Rankings.
GPU and Gaming Performance
Unlike the CPU, where you have only one choice, there are two options for the integrated GPU: an M4 GPU with either 8 or 10 GPU cores. If you select any hardware upgrade – whether for Storage (512GB / 1TB / 2TB) or RAM (24GB / 32GB), you automatically receive the version with 10 GPU cores. Since we purchased the 256GB SSD / 16GB RAM base version, we have the 8-core GPU. It’s a good integrated GPU.
You can find the performance rating of all the GPUs on the market in our Top Laptop Graphics Ranking.
The results are from 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Higher is better.
Temperatures and Comfort, Noise, Stability
The notebook is completely silent in all scenarios due to it being passive cooled, there are no fans. Some users are complaining of coil whine but our unit does not have it, even when under 100% CPU/Storage load.
Office Work, Web Development, Design
Short periods (0:00 – 0:10 s) of 100 % CPU load
This test captures the CPU’s behaviour during the first ten seconds of a full-load burst – the kind of spike you see when opening a large project, refreshing a heavy dev build or exporting a batch of images.
| Apple M4 (13.6″ MacBook Air, 2025) | Avg. P-Core Clock | Avg. CPU Power |
| MacBook Air (13.6″, M4) | 3895 MHz | 19.8 W |
Despite its fan-less design, the M4 MacBook Air boosts to 4.09 GHz for the first five seconds, drawing only 23 W. Over the initial ten seconds it averages just under 3.9 GHz while sipping ≈20 W – power levels closer to many Windows ultrabooks at idle.
Video Editing, Scientific Computing, Software Compilation, 3D Rendering
Long periods (0:00 – 30 min) of 100 % CPU load
Here we look at a sustained 30-minute stress test – representative of long 4K exports or big code bases building on all cores.
| Apple M4 (13.6″ MacBook Air, 2025) | Avg. P-Core Clock | Avg. CPU Power |
| MacBook Air (13.6″, M4) | 2189 MHz | 8.4 W |
Over a half-hour workload the Air settles to roughly 2.2 GHz while averaging just 8-9 W – remarkable efficiency for a laptop that never spins up a fan. The biggest drop happens in the first minute: clocks dip from 4 GHz to ~2.3 GHz (-1.76 GHz), after which they hold steady for the rest of the run.
Now you see why the MacBook Air is super fast for the average user – in almost any case the job is done in the first second or two, where the performance is very high. However, if you need a laptop for heavy work like video editing, you need an active cooled machine.
Battery Life
Apple MacBook Air (13.6″, M4) has a 53.8Wh lithium‑polymer battery which supports fast-charging with a 70W USB-C Power Adapter (not included in the bundle). According to Apple, it lasts for up top 18 hours of video playback on a single charge. Let’s test that.
In our test, using the Low Power Mode, the MacBook Air reached 16 hours and 18 minutes on a single charge. This is a great result, although lower than the official number.
Brightness: 180 nits; Display Mode: SDR
Time to Full Discharge: Higher is Better
Verdict
The Apple MacBook Air with M4 is less of a revolution and more of a masterful refinement of an already stellar formula. It takes everything users love about the Air – its portability, silence, and all-day battery. And elevates it with the impressive efficiency and single-core speed of the new M4 chip. This isn’t a device that shouts about its power; it whispers it through a seamless, instantaneous user experience for the vast majority of tasks.
For its target audience of students, professionals, and everyday users who value a premium, hassle-free experience above all else, this machine comes tantalizingly close to perfection. However, it’s a device that knows exactly what it is, and its design choices come with clear limitations that power users must consider.
✅ The Good
The standout feature is the M4 chip’s remarkable efficiency. It delivers lightning-fast performance for everyday tasks, making the entire macOS experience feel incredibly fluid and responsive, all while remaining completely silent due to its fanless design. This power-sipping architecture leads to outstanding battery life, comfortably getting you through a full day and then some.
The physical device is an exercise in excellence. Its build quality is second to none, and it remains impossibly thin and light, making it a joy to carry. This is paired with a gorgeous Liquid Retina display that is bright, with full DCI-P3 coverage, and importantly, is completely PWM-free for comfortable, flicker-free viewing.
A significant and welcome upgrade is the native support for two external displays when the lid is closed. This finally brings a key piece of “Pro” functionality to the Air, making it a far more viable desk setup for many users. Combined with the best-in-class Force Touch trackpad and reliable Touch ID, the overall user experience is simply superb.
❌ The Bad
The MacBook Air’s greatest strength – its fanless design, is also its primary weakness. While it excels at short bursts of activity, the M4 chip will throttle its performance under sustained heavy workloads like video exporting or compiling code. This is by design, but it firmly separates it from the capabilities of a MacBook Pro.
As is tradition, the port selection is minimalist, with just two Thunderbolt ports on one side, which can feel restrictive. More importantly, potential buyers must be aware that the base 256GB SSD model offers significantly slower speeds than the 512GB and larger options, creating a frustrating performance penalty for those who don’t upgrade at purchase.
🆚 The Competitors
The MacBook Air’s biggest competitor is often its pricier sibling, the MacBook Pro 14 (detailed review). The choice is clear: if your workflow involves long, intensive tasks, the Pro’s active cooling is essential. For everyone else, the Air’s silent operation and lower weight make it the more practical choice.
Against Windows ultrabooks like the Dell XPS 13 (detailed review), the MacBook Air stands apart with its unmatched synergy between hardware and software. While competitors may offer more ports or OLED screens, none can quite replicate the Air’s combination of raw performance-per-watt, silent operation, and seamless user experience delivered by macOS.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/apple-macbook-air-13-early-2025/
Pros
- Incredibly fast and responsive M4 performance for everyday use
- Exceptional, all-day battery life
- Completely silent fanless design
- Stunningly thin, light, and premium build quality
- Gorgeous, PWM-free Liquid Retina display
- Supports two external monitors with the lid closed
Cons
- Performance is throttled under sustained heavy loads
- Limited port selection with only two Thunderbolt ports
- Base 256GB SSD is slower than upgraded models
Author: Simeon NikolovEditor-in-Chief at LaptopMedia.com with 20+ years of experience in testing and analyzing laptops and mobile devices.
Author: Kroum NikolovHead of Engineering at LaptopMedia.com, inventor and innovator with 40+ years of experience in electronics and high technology.
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