Apple MacBook Air M4: 6 things you should know
The new Apple MacBook Air M4 13 and MacBook Air 15 M4 bring several notable improvements while retaining the sleek design that made the Air series so popular. Here are six important things to know about the latest version of Apple’s ultraportable notebook.
Apple MacBook Air M4 supports two external displays
A notable improvement over previous models, the new Apple MacBook Air M4 can natively drive two external displays while the laptop’s lid remains open, allowing you to even use three screens at once.
Apple’s technical specifications confirm that the new Apple MacBook Air M4 “simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and up to two external displays at up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz.” Support also includes Thunderbolt 4 digital video output and native DisplayPort 1.4 output over USB-C.
The improvement removes the limitation of previous M1 and M2 models, which officially only supported one external display. It is also an improvement over the MacBook Air M3, which could drive two external displays but required the laptop lid to be closed.
12 MP Center Stage Camera
The Apple MacBook Air M4 comes with a major camera upgrade, replacing the previous 1080p FaceTime HD camera with a 12 megapixel camera. This new camera not only offers higher resolution, but also supports Center Stage, which automatically keeps you in the center of the frame during video calls as you move.
The camera also supports Desk View, a feature that provides an overhead view of your desk during video calls. The quality of the MacBook webcam has long been criticized, so this change should fix the problem, especially for users who rely on video conferencing on a regular basis.
Easier setup
Apple has also simplified the setup process for Mac newbies. Starting next month, with the release of macOS Sequoia 15.4, you’ll be able to set up your new Apple MacBook Air M4 by simply bringing your iPhone or iPad near your MacBook.
This will allow you to quickly log into your Apple account and automatically transfer your files, photos, messages, passwords, and other personal data to your new MacBook Air. For this feature to work, your iPhone or iPad must be running iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4 or later. These updates will also be released in April.
New color and MagSafe charger
The MacBook Air M4 also comes in a new color called Sky Blue, replacing the previous Space Gray variant. To complement this new finish, Apple has also released a matching sky blue USB-C to MagSafe 3 charging cable.
Like other MacBook Air models, the new M4 version comes with a color-matching MagSafe cable in the box. The magnetic connection offers the safety benefit of detaching if someone trips over the cable, preventing any potential damage to the laptop. For those who want an extra cable or a different color, Apple sells the MagSafe 3 charging cable separately for €55.
Battery life
Despite the performance improvements offered by the new M4 chip, battery life ratings remain unchanged from previous models with the M2 and M3 chipset. Additionally, the new MacBook Air has a slightly larger 53.8 watt-hour battery compared to the 52.6 watt-hour battery in previous models, which likely helps extend battery life despite the more powerful processor.
Apple MacBook Air M4 100 euros cheaper
Apple has slashed the entry-level price of the MacBook Air, offering the 13-inch M4 model for €1,199 – that’s €100 / $100 less than the entry-level price of the previous generation M3 MacBook Air. You also get at least 16GB of RAM, while the first M3 MacBook Air had to make do with 8GB.
The 13-inch base configuration includes a 10-core CPU, an 8-core GPU, 16GB of shared memory, and 256GB of SSD storage. The 15-inch model starts at €1,499, keeping the same price as its M3 predecessor. Pre-orders are already underway, with deliveries starting Wednesday, March 12.
