Apple’s much-loved MacBook Air gets even more power, a much better webcam and an unexpected price cut for 2025, making one of the very best consumer laptops even more tempting.The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.Learn more.The company’s thinnest and lightest laptop currently starts at £999 (€1,199/$999/A$1,699) – £100 less than last year’s model – and has Apple’s top M4 chip with a minimum of 16GB of memory, making the cheapest model much more capable.Nothing has changedsince 2022 on the outsideother than a fetching new light blue colour that replaces the longstanding “space grey”. The aluminium body is just as well made, thin and light. The keyboard is excellent, the Touch ID fingerprint reader in the power button is fast and the generous trackpad is best in class.The 13.6in LCD screen is crisp and good, although limited to 60Hz, unlike the faster and smoother screen on the MacBook Pro line and some rivals. New for this year is an upgraded webcam, which is now 12 megapixels and sports Apple’s Centre Stage tech for automatic panning and scanning, plus support forDesk Viewfor demonstrating things remotely, similar to theM4 MacBook Pro.View image in fullscreenThe Centre Stage camera at the top of the screen is a significant upgrade for those who spend time on video calls.Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The GuardianTwo meaningful changes have been made on the inside. The new M4 chip makes the Air essentially as fast as the MacBook Pro, which is to say very fast and snappy indeed. In tests it is only marginally slower than the Pro despite not having a fan to keep it cool for prolonged periods, and faster than theiPad Pro with M4 chip. There is little the Air will not be able to manage outside workstation-class workloads. Note the cheapest model has two fewer graphics cores on its chip, which will make it slightly less powerful for certain apps and games.All Airs now also come with at least 16GB of memory, which is the recommended minimum amount for modern laptops. Theprevious modelstarted with only 8GB of memory, which cost £200 to double.Along with powerful chips, the Air’s main selling point – very long battery life – remains. For general light workloads using browsers, notes apps, word processing, image editing, chats and emails, the Air regularly lasts more than 16 hours between charges, which is roughly two full work days on battery. Pushed a bit harder, such as developing and editing photos, the Air still managed more than 10 hours’ work on battery.View image in fullscreenA full charge using a 70W or greater power adaptor and the included MagSafe cable took about 105 minutes, hitting 50% in 28 minutes.Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The GuardianSpecificationsScreen:13.6in LCD (2560x1600; 224 ppi) True ToneProcessor:Apple M4 with eight or 10-core GPURAM:16, 24 or 32GBStorage:256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB SSDOperating system:macOS 15 SequoiaCamera:12MP Centre StageConnectivity:wifi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2x Thunderbolt/USB 4, headphonesDimensions:215 x 304.1 x 11.3mmWeight:1.24kgSustainabilityView image in fullscreenThe recycled aluminium lid of the MacBook Air in sky blue looks grey in some lights and blue in others.Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The GuardianThe MacBook Air is made with 55% recycled materials including aluminium, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, plastic, rare-earth elements, steel and tin. Apple breaks down the computer’s environmental impact inits report.The computer isgenerally repairable, and the battery can be replaced for £159 by Apple. The repair specialists iFixit gave the machinefive out of 10 for repairability. Apple offers trade-in and free recycling schemes, including for non-Apple products.macOS Sequoia 15.4View image in fullscreenMacOS continues to be one of the best operating systems for laptops available, with plenty of customisation options and very useful new window tiling tools.Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The GuardianThe Air runs the same macOS Sequoia software as the rest of the Mac lineup, recently updated to version 15.4, which brings with it a few more Apple Intelligence features.The Mac Mail app has been redesigned to more closely resemble the app on an iPhone with AI email categorisation, such as promotional emails, receipts and others. AI notification summaries are useful, as isiPhone mirroringif you also use an Apple smartphone. The new snapping and window tiling tools are very handy, allowing you to quickly arrange your windows with either mouseor keyboard shortcuts, something that previously required third-party tools.PriceThe Apple 13in MacBook Air starts at£999(€1,199/$999/A$1,699) with an 8-core GPU, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. 15in versions start at£1,199(€1,499/$1,199/A$2,099).For comparison, theM4 MacBook Prostarts at£1,599, theSamsung Galaxy Book 4 Edgecosts£1,399and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 starts at£1,049.VerdictThe MacBook Air is the consumer laptop to beat unless you specifically need Windows. It simply offers a better combination of performance, battery life, speakers, keyboard and trackpad than rivals.The M4 chip upgrade keeps it ahead of the pack while being fanless and therefore silent at all times. The new Centre Stage webcam is a huge improvement, too, for anyone who lives on video calls for work. The screen is still great, although this is one area where better displays can be found on competitors at higher cost. It only has two USB-C ports but at least it can be charged via the MagSafe port to keep them available for connections.A price cut to about £1,000 or equivalent for the 13in model is very welcome, as is the minimum of 16GB of memory, which makes the 2025 MacBook Air surprisingly good value for a premium notebook.Pros:super-fast M4 chip, silent and cool running, extremely long battery life, good 13.6in screen, great keyboard, best-in-class trackpad, MagSafe, good speakers, Centre Stage webcam, Touch ID.Cons:only two USB-C ports and no USB-A or SD card slot, no Face ID, RAM and SSD upgrades are expensive and cannot be changed after purchase, no wifi 7.View image in fullscreenThe Touch ID power button still works great for logging into the laptop, storing up to three fingerprints.Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Apple MacBook Air M4 review: the laptop to beat, now cheaper
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Apple Launches Enhanced MacBook Air M4 with Price Reduction for 2025"
The Guardian
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Apple has released an upgraded version of its highly-regarded MacBook Air, now featuring the powerful M4 chip and a significantly improved webcam, all while introducing a price cut for 2025. The new MacBook Air starts at £999 (€1,199/$999/A$1,699), which is £100 less than its predecessor. This model comes equipped with a minimum of 16GB of RAM, enhancing its performance capabilities compared to the previous model that began with only 8GB. The exterior design remains largely unchanged, except for the addition of a new light blue color option. The build quality continues to impress, characterized by its thin and lightweight aluminum chassis, an excellent keyboard, and a class-leading trackpad. The 13.6-inch LCD screen provides crisp visuals, but it is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which may not compete with the smoother displays found on the MacBook Pro line or some competing laptops. However, the upgraded 12-megapixel webcam, which features Apple’s Centre Stage technology for enhanced video calls, represents a significant improvement for users who rely on video conferencing.
Internally, the M4 chip makes the MacBook Air incredibly fast, nearly matching the performance of the MacBook Pro while maintaining a fanless design for silent operation. In practical usage, the Air excels with over 16 hours of battery life during light workloads and still manages over 10 hours under heavier tasks such as photo editing. The device also supports quick charging with the included MagSafe cable. Despite its strengths, the MacBook Air has limitations, such as only having two USB-C ports and lacking options for RAM and SSD upgrades post-purchase. Nevertheless, this latest iteration is positioned as a top choice for consumers seeking a premium laptop, especially with its attractive pricing and robust feature set, making it a strong contender against other laptops on the market.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the release of the new Apple MacBook Air M4, showcasing its enhanced features and a reduced price point, which could significantly influence consumer purchasing decisions. This review serves to reinforce Apple’s reputation as a leader in the laptop market while also drawing attention to its competitive pricing strategy.
Consumer Perception
The article aims to cultivate a positive perception of the MacBook Air M4 among consumers, emphasizing its power, quality, and affordability. By highlighting features such as the improved M4 chip and webcam, the article seeks to position the MacBook Air as a superior choice in the market. The mention of a price cut is particularly significant, as it may attract budget-conscious consumers who are looking for high-quality laptops.
Potential Omissions
While the review is predominantly positive, it may downplay potential drawbacks, such as the limitations of the 60Hz display compared to competitors. This selective focus can create an overly optimistic view of the product, which may not fully inform potential buyers about what they are sacrificing in terms of features.
Manipulation Assessment
The article's manipulative aspect is relatively low, as it primarily focuses on factual information regarding product specifications and pricing. However, the language used is crafted to evoke excitement and desirability, which can influence consumer emotions. By emphasizing the "much-loved" nature of the MacBook Air and its new features, the review may subtly guide readers toward a favorable buying decision.
Comparative Context
In comparison to other reviews in the tech industry, this article aligns with a broader trend of highlighting product improvements and price reductions. This pattern may suggest an industry-wide acknowledgment of the need for competitive pricing in a saturated market.
Market Impact
The article could impact consumer behavior and potentially affect Apple’s stock performance. Positive reviews can lead to increased sales, which in turn may influence investor sentiment. For technology stocks, particularly Apple’s, this news may bolster confidence and drive up share prices.
Target Audience
This article is likely to resonate with tech enthusiasts and consumers looking for reliable, high-performance laptops. It appeals to a demographic that values both quality and affordability, including students, professionals, and remote workers.
Global Relevance
While this review is focused on a consumer product, it reflects broader trends in technology and innovation. The focus on enhanced features and competitive pricing may resonate with global economic conditions, where consumers are increasingly discerning about their purchases.
AI Involvement
It is possible that AI tools were employed in the drafting process of this article, especially in optimizing the language for engagement and clarity. Models designed for content creation might have influenced the tone and structure, emphasizing key features and benefits to attract readers. In conclusion, the article effectively presents the MacBook Air M4 as a compelling choice for consumers, especially with its new features and competitive pricing. The overall reliability of the article is high, given its factual basis and alignment with current market trends, though it could benefit from a more balanced view of potential drawbacks.