MacBook Air M4 Early 2025: A Comprehensive Review

Apple's annual refresh of the MacBook Air has arrived in 2025, and as expected, the focus remains on upgrading the system on a chip (SoC) while maintaining the sleek and portable design that the MacBook Air is known for. The new MacBook Air 15, powered by the M4 chip, continues to be an ideal companion for office work, boasting impressive battery life and a stunning display. While it may not be suited for PC gaming, its strength lies in its ability to efficiently handle everyday tasks, making it the perfect on-the-go laptop.

The MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025) is now available, with the 13-inch model starting at $999 and the 15-inch model, which I reviewed, at $1,199. Apple offers customization options to suit your needs, such as upgrading to a 15-inch MacBook Air with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD for $2,399.

MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos

View 6 Images

Design

The MacBook Air epitomizes the modern laptop, and its design remains unchanged from recent models, yet it continues to impress. Weighing just 3.3 pounds, this 15-inch laptop is incredibly lightweight and thin, thanks to its unibody aluminum chassis that measures less than half an inch thick. The clean design extends to the hidden speakers within the hinge, which surprisingly deliver robust sound. The fanless M4 configuration not only contributes to a sleek look but also utilizes the laptop's lid as a natural amplifier for enhanced audio.

The laptop's top features a familiar and comfortable keyboard with deep travel, and the TouchID sensor offers swift and accurate access. The expansive touchpad provides excellent palm rejection, ensuring a seamless user experience. While the port selection is limited to two USB-C ports, a MagSafe connector, and a headphone jack on the sides, it remains functional for everyday use.

Display

The MacBook Air's display, though not as advanced as the MacBook Pro's, is still exceptional. The 15.3-inch, 1880p screen covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 100% of sRGB, delivering vibrant and accurate colors. With a peak brightness of 426 nits, it's well-suited for indoor use and performs adequately in bright environments. While it doesn't match the quality of an OLED display, it's more than sufficient for most users, enhancing everything from work to watching shows like The Clone Wars.

Performance

Benchmarking a MacBook can be challenging due to limited compatibility with common tests, but the MacBook Air's performance is tailored for productivity rather than gaming. In games like Total War: Warhammer 3 and Assassin’s Creed Shadows, performance was subpar at 1080p, but that's not its intended use. Instead, it excels at handling multiple tasks simultaneously, such as managing numerous Safari tabs and streaming music, even on battery power. With 32GB of RAM, it effortlessly manages heavy multitasking and light Photoshop work, making it a powerhouse for everyday productivity.

Battery

Apple boasts that the MacBook Air can last up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of web browsing. My tests with local video playback surpassed these claims, lasting over 19 hours. While streaming might slightly reduce this duration, the laptop's battery life is robust enough to support multiple days of work without needing a recharge. This makes it an excellent choice for travelers, especially given its compact charger and ability to operate without constant power.