Apple continues its tradition of annual updates with the release of the new MacBook Air in 2025, featuring yet another iteration of the System on a Chip (SoC) that powers this sleek laptop. The MacBook Air 15 (M4, Early 2025) remains a stylish and efficient choice for those needing a reliable machine for office work, boasting exceptional battery life and a stunning display. While it's not designed for heavy gaming, the MacBook Air excels in its primary role as a portable productivity tool, perfect for users on the go.

Purchasing Guide

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, starting at $1,199. As is typical with Apple, you have the flexibility to customize your system, with options like a 15-inch MacBook Air equipped with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD available for $2,399.

MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos

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Design

The MacBook Air has become synonymous with the term "laptop" for many, and it's easy to see why. Despite its design being virtually unchanged from recent models, its ultra-thin and lightweight build, at just 3.3 pounds for a 15-inch laptop, remains impressive. The unibody aluminum chassis is less than half an inch thick, contributing to its minimal weight and sleek aesthetic.

Unlike the MacBook Pro, which features visible speaker grilles, the MacBook Air's speakers are ingeniously tucked away in the hinge, directing sound towards the display. This innovative design not only enhances the audio experience but also maintains the laptop's clean lines, as it doesn't require vents for cooling thanks to the fanless M4 chip. The bottom of the laptop is smooth, with only four rubber feet to prevent scratching.

The top of the device houses the same excellent keyboard as its predecessors, with deep key travel and a reliable TouchID sensor for quick, secure access. The expansive touchpad offers excellent palm rejection, ensuring smooth navigation even during extended use. On the connectivity front, the MacBook Air includes two USB-C ports and a MagSafe connector on the left, and a headphone jack on the right. While the port selection is minimal, it's adequate for most users, though an additional USB-C port or SD card reader would have been a welcome addition.

Display

The MacBook Air's display, while not as advanced as that of the MacBook Pro, still impresses with its brightness, color accuracy, and glare resistance. The 15.3-inch, 1880p screen covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 100% of sRGB, making it ideal for a variety of tasks. With a peak brightness of 426 nits, it's well-suited for indoor use and remains visible in brighter environments. Though it doesn't match the quality of an OLED display, it's more than sufficient for most users, whether for work or entertainment.

Performance

Benchmarking a MacBook can be challenging due to the limited compatibility of traditional tests with macOS. The fanless M4 chip in the MacBook Air is not designed for gaming, and it shows in games like Total War: Warhammer 3 and Assassin’s Creed Shadows, where performance is limited even at reduced settings. However, for its intended use as a productivity machine, the MacBook Air performs exceptionally well.

With 32GB of RAM in the review model, it effortlessly handles multitasking, keeping up with numerous open tabs and background applications on battery power. It also manages light Photoshop work, though it struggles with more intensive tasks like noise filtering in Lightroom. The MacBook Air's ability to handle daily tasks efficiently, combined with its portability and long battery life, makes it an excellent choice for professionals on the move.

Battery

Apple claims the MacBook Air can last up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of web browsing. My tests, using local video playback in VLC Media Player, showed it surpassing this claim, lasting 19 hours and 15 minutes. While this test may not fully replicate streaming conditions, it's clear the MacBook Air offers impressive battery life. Over multiple work sessions, it consistently powered through without needing a recharge, making it ideal for travelers and those who value mobility. The included compact charger adds to its convenience, ensuring you can stay productive without being tied to an outlet.