Apple Announces MacBook Air with M4 Chip and a Price Cut

Apple has officially unveiled the latest additions to its MacBook Air lineup, featuring the highly anticipated M4 chip. This announcement marks a significant update to the company’s popular thin-and-light laptops, following months of speculation and rumors.

The new MacBook Air models come in two sizes: a 13-inch and a 15-inch variant, both powered by the M4 chip. These devices replace the previous M3-powered MacBook Air lineup, which was introduced in March 2024. The M4 chip promises substantial performance improvements and enhanced capabilities, making these laptops more powerful and efficient than their predecessors.

What’s New in the M4 Chip?

The M4 chip is Apple’s latest silicon innovation, designed to deliver faster performance and better efficiency. It features a 10-core CPU, with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, along with a 10-core GPU. The chip also includes a 16-core Neural Engine capable of performing up to 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), making it significantly faster for AI and machine learning tasks.

The M4 chip supports up to 24GB of unified memory and boasts a memory bandwidth of 120GB/s, ensuring smooth multitasking and handling of demanding applications. These improvements make the new MacBook Air models ideal for both everyday use and more intensive workflows.

Performance Gains

Apple claims the M4 chip offers impressive performance gains compared to its predecessor. It is up to 1.5 times faster than the M3 chip in general tasks and up to 2 times faster in AI and machine learning tasks. For users upgrading from older Intel-based Macs, the M4 chip is up to 3 times faster than a 2020 Intel Core i7 model.

Design and Features

The new MacBook Air models retain the sleek and lightweight design that has become synonymous with the lineup. They feature MagSafe charging, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 1080p FaceTime HD camera. The laptops also include a four-speaker sound system and a three-microphone array, enhancing both audio and video capabilities.

Display Quality

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models feature Apple’s Liquid Retina display, offering 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color gamut, and support for 1 billion colors. The displays also include True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature based on the surrounding environment for a more natural viewing experience.

External Display Support

The M4-powered MacBook Air models now support external displays at higher resolutions. With the lid open, users can connect one external display up to 6K resolution at 60Hz. When the lid is closed, the laptop can support one external display up to 5K resolution at 60Hz.

Battery Life

Apple has maintained its reputation for delivering excellent battery life with the new MacBook Air models. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch variants are claimed to offer up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge, making them ideal for users who need a laptop that can last throughout the day without needing to recharge.

Pricing and Availability

The 13-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip starts at $1,099, while the 15-inch model starts at $1,299. Both laptops are available for pre-order now and will begin shipping next week. This pricing reflects a slight price cut compared to the previous generation, making the new MacBook Air models more accessible to a wider range of users.

Color Options

The new MacBook Air models are available in four color options: Space Gray, Starlight, Silver, and Midnight. These finishes offer users a choice of styles to match their preferences, whether they prefer a sleek, professional look or something more vibrant.

With the introduction of the M4 chip and its associated performance improvements, the new MacBook Air models represent a significant leap forward for Apple’s thin-and-light laptop lineup. These updates are expected to further solidify the MacBook Air’s position as one of the most popular and capable laptops on the market.

New MacBook Air Models

Apple has introduced two new MacBook Air models as part of its spring product refresh. The lineup includes a 13-inch and a 15-inch variant, both powered by the M4 chip. These models replace the previous M3-powered MacBook Air lineup, which was launched in March 2024.

M4 Chip Specifications

The M4 chip in the new MacBook Air models offers several improvements over its predecessor. It features a 10-core CPU, consisting of 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, along with a 10-core GPU. Additionally, the chip includes a 16-core Neural Engine capable of performing up to 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), making it significantly faster for AI and machine learning tasks. The M4 chip supports up to 24GB of unified memory and provides a memory bandwidth of 120GB/s, ensuring smooth multitasking and handling of demanding applications.

Performance Improvements

Apple has highlighted the performance gains of the M4 chip. It is up to 1.5 times faster than the M3 chip in general tasks and up to 2 times faster in AI and machine learning tasks. For users upgrading from older Intel-based Macs, the M4 chip is up to 3 times faster than a 2020 Intel Core i7 model.

Design and Features

The new MacBook Air models maintain the sleek and lightweight design that has become synonymous with the lineup. They feature MagSafe charging, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 1080p FaceTime HD camera. The laptops also include a four-speaker sound system and a three-microphone array, enhancing both audio and video capabilities.

Display

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models feature Apple’s Liquid Retina display. The display offers 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color gamut, and support for 1 billion colors. It also includes True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature based on the surrounding environment for a more natural viewing experience.

External Display Support

The M4-powered MacBook Air models now support higher-resolution external displays. With the lid open, users can connect one external display up to 6K resolution at 60Hz. When the lid is closed, the laptop can support one external display up to 5K resolution at 60Hz.

Battery Life

Apple has maintained its reputation for delivering excellent battery life with the new MacBook Air models. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch variants are claimed to offer up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge, making them ideal for users who need a laptop that can last throughout the day without needing to recharge.

Pricing and Availability

The 13-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip starts at $1,099, while the 15-inch model starts at $1,299. Both laptops are available for pre-order now and will begin shipping next week. This pricing reflects a slight price cut compared to the previous generation, making the new MacBook Air models more accessible to a wider range of users.

Color Options

The new MacBook Air models are available in four color options: Space Gray, Starlight, Silver, and Midnight. These finishes offer users a choice of styles to match their preferences, whether they prefer a sleek, professional look or something more vibrant.

Conclusion

The new MacBook Air models featuring the M4 chip represent a significant upgrade in Apple’s lineup, offering improved performance, efficiency, and features while maintaining the sleek design users have come to expect. With a price cut making them more accessible, these laptops are poised to remain a top choice for both everyday users and professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price of the new MacBook Air models?

The 13-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,099, and the 15-inch model starts at $1,299.

What are the key differences between the 13-inch and 15-inch models?

Both models share similar specifications, including the M4 chip, but the 15-inch offers a larger display for those needing more screen real estate.

How does the M4 chip compare to the M3 chip?

The M4 chip is up to 1.5 times faster for general tasks and up to 2 times faster for AI and machine learning compared to the M3 chip.

What battery life can I expect from the new MacBook Air?

Apple claims up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge for both the 13-inch and 15-inch models.

Have there been any design changes in the new MacBook Air?

The design remains largely the same, with features like MagSafe charging, Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, and a 1080p FaceTime HD camera.

Can the new MacBook Air support external displays?

Yes, it supports one external display up to 6K resolution at 60Hz with the lid open and up to 5K resolution when closed.

What color options are available for the new MacBook Air?

The new MacBook Air is available in Space Gray, Starlight, Silver, and Midnight color options.