The critically praised Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 began transport on March 12, 2025, changing the MacBook Air 13-inch M3 launched a 12 months in the past. Whereas the 2025 MacBook Air is a five-star surprise, does that imply it is the correct laptop computer for you?
If you happen to’re a cost-conscious purchaser questioning for those who ought to select the brand new MacBook Air 13-inch M4 over final 12 months’s MacBook Air 13-inch M3, that is your unbiased information based mostly on our rigorous lab testing and hands-on expertise. Although the Air M3 is not out there immediately from Apple, Laptop computer Magazine‘s greatest MacBook offers present that It’s nonetheless in inventory at many retailers. In order for you the M3, you may most definitely nonetheless get it.
We’ll reduce to the chase: The Air M4 is a greater laptop computer than the M3. Our testing and opinions present that. Nonetheless, the query is how significantly better, and whether or not that margin offers it a greater worth than its predecessors.
I will additionally spoil issues by telling you proper now that this information is not geared toward you, MacBook Air M3 homeowners. Nonetheless, you have come to the correct place for those who at present personal an Air M1 or an Intel-based MacBook — or are a first-time MacBook purchaser.
I’ll stroll you thru a number of key concerns to provide you every part you could know concerning the MacBook Air M4 vs. Air M3 so we will discover the greatest MacBook for you.
Let’s begin with a very powerful issue: the value.
See additionally: Asus Zenbook 14 UX3405 vs. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 vs. MacBook Air 13-inch M3: Pricing and configuration
|
Spec |
MacBook Air 13-inch M4 |
MacBook Air 13-inch M3 |
|
CPU |
Apple M4 (10-core) |
Apple M4 (8-core) |
|
GPU |
Apple M4 (8-core) |
Apple M4 (8-core) |
|
RAM |
16GB |
8GB |
|
Storage |
256GB SSD |
256GB SSD |
|
Show |
13.6-inch, 2560 X 1664 Liquid Retina LCD |
13.6-inch, 2560 X 1664 Liquid Retina LCD |
|
Battery life |
15:42 |
15:13 |
|
Dimensions |
12 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches |
12 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches |
|
Weight |
2.7 kilos |
2.7 kilos |
|
Worth |
$999 (Beginning); $1,199 (As reviewed) |
$1,099 (Beginning); $1,499 (As reviewed) |
The MacBook Air M4 lineup acquired a $100 value reduce for each configuration in 2025, bringing the beginning value of the Air again all the way down to $999 for the primary time for the reason that MacBook Air M1 in 2020.
That is spectacular, particularly this 12 months: We have already seen some laptops introduced at CES 2025 launch for $100 extra than their authentic acknowledged value, just like the Asus ROG Move Z13 2025.
The MacBook Air 13-inch M4 begins at $999 and is constructed with an M4 processor with a 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina show at 2,560 x 1,664. We examined the $1,199 mannequin, which will increase the SSD storage to 512GB with a 10-core GPU.
By comparability, the MacBook Air 13-inch M3 launched at $1,099 and included an M3 processor with an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina show at 2,560 x 1,664. Our evaluation unit elevated the RAM to 16GB and the storage to 512GB, which introduced it to $1,499.
Whereas I will have a look at the present retail costs for every pc, the debut value for this new M4 MacBook Air is extra vital than a debut value has been in years. You get a lot extra for much less cash than the earlier era.
As I write this, you could find final 12 months’s MacBook Air 13-inch M3 with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for round $899, whereas the identical configuration within the new Air M4 is round $990, whether it is discounted in any respect. Alternatively, the multitudes of people that qualify to buy at Apple’s Schooling Retailer get one other $100 off the value of any configuration of the Air M4.
Except the MacBook Air 13-inch M3 is accessible for $200 lower than its newer Air M4 counterpart, the Air M4 is the higher alternative.
Winner: MacBook Air 13-inch M4
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 vs. MacBook Air 13-inch M3: Battery life
The MacBook Air has been one of many laptops with the very best battery life for the reason that transition to Apple Silicon chips in 2020, and that custom is alive and properly with the MacBook Air 13-inch M4.
On the Laptop computer Magazine battery life exams, which entails steady internet browsing over wifi at 150 nits, the Air M4 lasted 15 hours and 42 minutes. That is sufficient to outlast the Air M3 (15:13) by practically half-hour.
The Air M4 wins this spherical, but it surely’s such a short while it should not have an effect on your shopping for resolution.
Winner: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
MacBook Air 13-inch M4 |
MacBook Air 13-inch M3 |
|
Battery life (Increased is healthier) |
15:42 |
15:13 |
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 vs. MacBook Air 13-inch M3: Show
The essential specs for the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 and M3 are equivalent. Each characteristic a 2,560 x 1,664 Liquid Retina LCD panel with a 60Hz refresh fee. However our lab exams dig a bit deeper.
We examined each shows with a Klein K10-A colorimeter to measure their DCI-P3 and sRGB shade gamut, brightness, and shade accuracy.
Every laptop computer wins a few battles, however neither wins the show battle. The Air M3 is barely brighter than the Air M4, whereas the M4 ekes out minor victories on shade gamut and accuracy exams.
Winner: Draw
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
MacBook Air 13-inch M4 |
MacBook Air 13-inch M3 |
|
Show brightness (Increased is healthier) |
463 |
476 |
|
sRGB shade gamut (Increased is healthier) |
112.4% |
109.8 |
|
DCI-P3 shade gamut (Increased is healthier) |
79.6% |
77.8 |
|
Colour accuracy (Decrease is healthier) |
0.2 |
0.21 |
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 vs. MacBook Air 13-inch M3: Efficiency and warmth
The M4 chip is the most important differentiator for the brand new Air, so that is the class the place it wants to attain an enormous win over the Air M3, and it delivers.
On the Geekbench 6 general efficiency benchmark, the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 produced a multicore rating of 14,849, nearly 23% increased than the Air M3’s rating of 12,087.
Benchmarks aren’t every part, although; what a few check of real-world utilization?
On the Handbrake conversion check, which measures how briskly every laptop computer can convert a 4K video to 1080p, the Air M4 accomplished the duty in 5 minutes and 40 seconds, slashing precisely 2 minutes off the Air M3’s time.
Regardless of all this efficiency inside a fanless chassis, neither laptop computer suffers from any thermal issues. After quarter-hour of video playback, the most well liked temperature we recorded on the Air M4 was 85.2 levels Fahrenheit, whereas the M3 saved it even cooler at simply 83.5 levels. Our consolation threshold is 95 levels, so each go with flying colours.
The MacBook Air M3 is a strong performer, however Apple’s M4 is an much more important leap than anticipated.
Winner: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
MacBook Air 13-inch M4 |
MacBook Air 13-inch M3 |
|
Geekbench 6 (Increased is healthier) |
14,849 |
12,087 |
|
Handbrake conversion (Decrease is healthier) |
5:50 |
7.40 |
|
BlackMagic Write (SSD velocity) |
3,456.2 MBps |
3,058.8 |
|
BlackMagic Learn (SSD velocity) |
3,018.4 MBps |
3,030.7 |
|
Warmth (Levels Fahrenheit) |
85.2 |
83.5 |
General winner: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4
As you have little question seen, this was a fairly one-sided struggle in favor of the MacBook Air 13-inch M4, even once you issue within the discounted pricing on the now-discontinued Air M3.
The brand new 12MP Heart Stage webcam is likely one of the greatest in any laptop computer we have examined.
That is partly as a result of M4 chip representing a significant leap in efficiency and energy effectivity over its predecessor, however in the end, it is the $100 value drop on the Air M4 configuration that sealed the destiny of the Air M3 on this face-off.
If you happen to want another reason to go for the Air M4, the brand new 12MP Heart Stage webcam is likely one of the greatest in any laptop computer we have examined, whereas the 1080p FaceTime digicam within the Air M3 had us sending folks to take a look at the greatest webcams in the event that they do any video calls.
Except retailers dramatically ramp up the reductions on the MacBook Air 13-inch M3, I like to recommend shopping for the Air M4 in order for you the very best bang to your buck.
Winner: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M3
