Apple MacBook Air M4 15-Inch — Lightweight Power for Everyday Work
By PluggedInPicks • May 1st, 2025
The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) sits in an interesting place in Apple’s lineup. It’s not the cheapest Mac, and it’s not a Pro — yet for many people, it might be the one that makes the most sense. With a larger screen, Apple’s newest M4 chip, and a fanless, lightweight design, it raises a simple question: is this the MacBook that finally balances power and everyday usability?
If you’re comparing models, upgrading from an older Mac, or switching from Windows, this version of the Air can feel hard to place at first glance. On paper, it promises a lot — but the real value comes down to how it fits into your daily life. Below, we’ll walk through what this MacBook offers, what it’s not meant for, and who it’s actually best suited for.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2025) |
| Chip | Apple M4 |
| CPU | 10-core CPU (4 performance, 6 efficiency cores) |
| GPU | 10-core GPU |
| Neural Engine | 16-core |
| Memory | 16GB unified memory (configurable up to 24GB) |
| Storage | 256GB SSD (configurable up to 2TB) |
| Display | 15.3″ Liquid Retina, 2880×1864, 224 PPI |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hrs video, 15 hrs wireless web |
| Fast Charge | Supported (with 70W USB-C adapter) |
| Ports | 2× Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Audio | Four speakers, Spatial Audio, three-mic array |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID |
| Trackpad | Force Touch with Multi-Touch gestures |
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Why the MacBook Air M4 Makes Sense
M4 performance – The MacBook Air M4 delivers fast, fluid performance across everyday apps, multitasking, and creative software while staying silent with its fanless design. Apple’s M4 chip is built to handle heavier workloads than previous Air models, making this a strong upgrade for users who want speed without stepping into a MacBook Pro. For students, remote workers, and casual creators, this M4 chip laptop offers a noticeable performance boost in a lightweight body.
Big display – The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display gives you significantly more workspace than a 13-inch laptop while still keeping the Apple MacBook Air 15 inch thin and portable. With 1 billion colors, P3 wide color, and 500 nits of brightness, the screen looks sharp and vibrant for editing, reading, streaming, and split-screen multitasking. This larger display makes the MacBook Air M4 easier to use for long sessions.
Lightweight design – At just 3.32 pounds, this lightweight MacBook is easy to carry between classes, workspaces, or travel while still feeling solid and premium. The thin profile slides easily into backpacks and laptop sleeves, making it ideal for people who want a large screen without the bulk of heavier laptops. It’s a rare balance of size and portability.
All-day battery – The Apple MacBook Air M4 delivers up to 18 hours of battery life, letting you work, study, or stream all day without constantly reaching for a charger. Whether you’re browsing, writing, or watching videos, the long battery life supports extended use on the go. This is one of the strongest advantages of choosing a MacBook Air over traditional laptops.
Apple Intelligence – Built to support Apple Intelligence, the MacBook Air M4 is designed for future AI-powered features while keeping user privacy at the core. Apple’s on-device processing helps you write, organize, and create more efficiently without sending personal data to external servers. This makes the Apple MacBook Air M4 a future-ready laptop for everyday productivity.
Camera & audio – The 12MP Center Stage camera, three-mic array, and four-speaker system with Spatial Audio make video calls and media playback feel clear and immersive. Whether you’re in meetings, online classes, or streaming shows, the sound and image quality feel noticeably upgraded compared to older laptops. This adds real value for daily communication and entertainment.
Before You Buy the MacBook Air M4
No USB-A ports – The MacBook Air M4 only includes two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, which means older flash drives, mice, or external accessories will require adapters or a USB-C hub. This can add extra cost and inconvenience if you rely on legacy peripherals. It’s a common adjustment for users switching from older Windows laptops or previous Mac models.
Limited base storage – The 256GB SSD in the base Apple MacBook Air 15 inch can fill up quickly if you store large photos, videos, or creative files locally. While cloud storage and external drives help, users who work with media may need to upgrade storage or manage files carefully. This is something to consider before choosing the base configuration.
Not for high-end gaming – The integrated GPU in the M4 chip is designed for efficiency and everyday performance, not for running modern AAA games or advanced 3D workloads. Casual and light gaming is fine, but this lightweight MacBook is not a replacement for a dedicated gaming laptop. Buyers who prioritize graphics power may need a different class of machine.
Fanless limits – The MacBook Air M4 uses a silent, fanless cooling design, which is great for noise but means performance can slow during long, heavy rendering or export sessions. It’s built for bursts of productivity rather than continuous professional workloads. Power users who push their systems hard may prefer an actively cooled model.
Accessory costs – Essential add-ons like USB-C hubs, external storage, or AppleCare+ can increase the total cost of ownership for the Apple MacBook Air M4. While the laptop itself is premium, the ecosystem around it can add up over time. Factoring in these extras helps set realistic expectations.
Should You Buy the MacBook Air M4?
The MacBook Air M4 15-inch stands out as one of the most balanced laptops Apple has released, combining strong everyday performance, a large Liquid Retina display, and long battery life in a thin, lightweight design. For users who want a powerful Apple laptop without the size, weight, or cost of a MacBook Pro, this model delivers a compelling middle ground. It’s fast enough for multitasking, creative work, and school, while remaining quiet, portable, and easy to live with.
If you’re upgrading from an older MacBook or switching from Windows, the Apple MacBook Air M4 is an excellent choice for productivity, content consumption, and Apple ecosystem users who value simplicity and reliability. With its modern M4 chip, all-day battery, and premium build, this 15-inch MacBook Air is built to stay relevant for years — making it a smart long-term investment for everyday users who want performance without compromise.
MacBook Air M4 — Lightweight Power, All Day
Silent Performance
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Frequently Asked Questions About the MacBook Air M4
Related Picks to Explore
Pair your MacBook Air M4 with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple AirPods (2nd Gen) for seamless notifications, audio, and device syncing.
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The Acer Nitro 5 is a budget gaming laptop built for higher graphics performance and faster refresh rates — a better pick if you care more about gaming than battery life.
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