After months of speculation, Apple has finally launched the new version of its MacBook Air with the M4 chip and additional improvements. While the design remains the same on the outside, the new processor ensures that the machine feels refreshed. The company has also made additional improvements to the display and other components, which we will discuss later.
The M4 MacBook Air comes with a nano-texture display similar to the 'Pro' models, an upgraded camera, and more.
At first glance, the M4 MacBook Air features the same design as the M3 version, which is acceptable since the company only recently redesigned the lineup. It still has a thinner profile and includes a thermal solution, allowing the device's size to remain exactly like its predecessor. It comes in two display sizes - 13.6 and 15.3 inches, which are also the same as the previous version, but there is something new that you will not find on the previous versions of the device.
Apple today announced the new MacBook Air, featuring the blazing-fast performance of the M4 chip, up to 18 hours of battery life,1 a new 12MP Center Stage camera, and a lower starting price. It also offers support for up to two external displays in addition to the built-in display, 16GB of starting unified memory, and the incredible capabilities of macOS Sequoia with Apple Intelligence — all packed into its strikingly thin and light design that’s built to last. The new MacBook Air now comes in an all-new color — sky blue, a metallic light blue that joins midnight, starlight, and silver — giving MacBook Air its most beautiful array of colors ever. It also now starts at just $999 — $100 less than before — and $899 for education, making it an incredible value for students, business professionals, or anyone looking for a phenomenal combination of world-class performance, portability, design, and durability. With two sizes to choose from, the new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air are available to pre-order today, with availability beginning Wednesday, March 12.
Apple has also equipped the M4 MacBook with an improved 12MP Center Stage camera, which allows the camera to follow you around when you are on a video call. The new camera also allows the device to feature Desk View functionality, which is a game-changer for content creators and live streamers. You also have the option to connect two 6K external displays and a built-in display at the same time.
The new MacBook Air comes with an M4 chip, which is the same chip as the MacBook Pro, but it will not feature similar performance levels. This is because the MacBook Air does not feature a proper thermal management solution, which could allow the device to throttle at heavy loads, capping the performance gains. However, compared to the previous M3 version, the M4 MacBook Air is significantly faster, with Apple claiming 20 percent performance gains compared to the M3 chip.
Coupled with the M4 chip, the M4 MacBook Air also comes with 16GB of base RAM, which is double the amount compared to the M3 version. The RAM can be upgraded to 32GB, which indicates that the company is preparing the devices for an enhanced Apple Intelligence upgrade later this year. However, there are no concrete details available on the list of features that we should be looking forward to.
Apple has significantly reduced the price of the M4 MacBook Air. The base model now starts at $999, and the 15-inch variant is available for just $1,099. You can pre-order the M4 MacBook Air starting today, and it will be delivered by March 12. We will be covering the launch extensively, so be sure to stick around.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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