Apple consistently updates its MacBook Air lineup, and 2025 is no exception. The latest MacBook Air 15 continues to impress with its sleek design and efficient performance, powered by the new M4 chip. This model excels in everyday tasks, boasting exceptional battery life and a stunning display. While it may not be ideal for PC gaming, the MacBook Air remains the ultimate portable device for productivity and everyday use.
The MacBook Air is designed for those who need a reliable, lightweight laptop to handle office work, web browsing, and multimedia consumption. Its focus on portability and efficiency makes it an excellent choice 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, at $1,199. Apple offers customization options, allowing you to upgrade to a 15-inch MacBook Air with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD for $2,399.
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Design
The MacBook Air has become synonymous with the concept of a modern laptop, and the 2025 model continues this legacy. Its design remains unchanged from recent iterations, maintaining an ultra-thin and lightweight profile at just 3.3 pounds for the 15-inch model. The unibody aluminum chassis, less than half an inch thick, contributes to its featherweight feel.
The MacBook Air's sleek design is not just about thinness; it's also about elegance. The speakers, cleverly hidden in the hinge, utilize the lid as a natural amplifier, delivering surprisingly robust sound for a fanless device. This design choice allows for a clean, hole-free exterior, with only four rubber feet on the bottom to protect the aluminum surface.
The keyboard remains a highlight, offering deep travel and reliable performance, while the TouchID sensor ensures quick and secure access. The expansive touchpad, renowned for its precision and palm rejection, enhances the user experience significantly.
However, the port selection is somewhat limited, with two USB-C ports and a MagSafe connector on the left, and a headphone jack on the right. While the inclusion of a headphone jack is appreciated, additional ports like an SD card reader would have been beneficial.
Display
The MacBook Air's display, while not matching the MacBook Pro's, is still impressive. The 15.3-inch, 1880p screen offers vibrant colors and good brightness, covering 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 100% of sRGB. It achieves a peak brightness of 426 nits, making it suitable for indoor use and reasonably effective outdoors.
The display's quality enhances multimedia experiences, making it ideal for streaming shows and movies. Its performance in color accuracy and brightness is superior to many Windows laptops in the same price range, despite not being an OLED panel.
Performance
Benchmarking a MacBook can be challenging due to limited compatibility with traditional tests. However, the MacBook Air, equipped with the fanless M4 chip, excels in productivity tasks. It handles multitasking effortlessly, whether managing numerous browser tabs or running light Photoshop sessions.
While not designed for gaming, the MacBook Air struggles with demanding games like Total War: Warhammer 3 and Assassin’s Creed Shadows at 1080p. Yet, its primary purpose is to serve as a reliable productivity tool, and it excels in this role, especially with the 32GB RAM configuration.
Battery
Apple claims the MacBook Air can last up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of web browsing. In my tests, it exceeded expectations, lasting 19 hours and 15 minutes during local video playback. This impressive battery life makes the MacBook Air ideal for travelers, as it can easily last through long flights and work sessions without needing a recharge.
The included charger, while compact, ensures you stay powered up when necessary. The MacBook Air's ability to operate for days on a single charge is a testament to its efficiency and practicality for users on the move.
