MacBook Air M4 starts at Rs 99,900. (Image credit: Apple)
Apple MacBook Air M1, one of the first Macbooks to be powered by Apple Silicon, launched in 2020 and has aged like fine wine. Despite its age and what some might call an outdated yet iconic wedge-shaped design, it still holds up well. This is thanks to the capable and power-efficient M1 chip, which can even handle Apple Intelligence.
However, if you are a MacBook Air M1 user looking for an upgrade, we believe the new M4-powered MacBook Air is the right replacement. Here are five strong reasons that support our belief.
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The MacBook Air M4 looks quite similar to the MacBook Air M3 and the MacBook Air M2. However, it features a drastically new design compared to the MacBook Air M1. While some may still prefer the Air’s iconic wedge shape, you’ll have to settle for the flat design of the latest model to enjoy the hardware and performance benefits Apple offers.
The new MacBook Air comes with a faster M4 chip. (Image credit: Apple)
The new MacBook Air M4 also has several advantages over the M1, including MagSafe charging support, the ability to connect two external displays even when the lid is open, and the new Sky Blue colour variant, which, at least in my opinion, looks much cooler.
The 13.6-inch screen on the MacBook Air M4 is slightly larger and better than the 13.3-inch display on the MacBook Air M1. It also features a slightly higher peak brightness of up to 500 nits and a Liquid Retina panel, making it a noticeable improvement.
Double the memory, even on the base variant
RAM, commonly known as memory, is of paramount importance in modern computing devices. Compared to the base variant of the MacBook Air M1, which shipped with just 8GB of RAM, the entry-level model of the MacBook Air M4 comes with 16GB of RAM. Since memory is not upgradable on either device, having double the RAM allows for smoother multitasking and the ability to keep more apps in memory. However, both models still offer 256GB of internal storage.
Twice as fast as the MacBook Air M1
In terms of performance, the Apple Silicon M4 is twice as fast as the Apple Silicon M1. Not only is it more powerful, but it is also more power-efficient, delivering up to 18 hours of battery life (local video playback) per charge. It also supports fast charging, allowing you to charge 50 per cent of the MacBook Air M4’s battery in just 30 minutes. The M4 chip features more CPU and GPU cores, enhancing multi-threaded performance, while the new integrated graphics can handle modern AAA titles with ease.
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MacBook Air M4 is likely to launch in March. (Image credit: Apple)
Big upgrades to the camera and speakers
The MacBook Air M1 features a mediocre 720p webcam, while the new MacBook Air M4 comes with a 12MP camera that supports 1080p video recording and Center Stage. This means that Teams or Zoom calls on the new MacBook Air will look sharper and more lifelike. Similarly, while the stereo speaker setup on the MacBook Air M1 was good, the quad-speaker setup on the MacBook Air M4—featuring support for spatial audio—delivers cleaner, fuller, and louder sound.
Better connectivity
The MacBook Air M4 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E, whereas the M1 variant is limited to Wi-Fi 6. Additionally, it features Bluetooth 5.3, and its 3.5mm headphone jack can drive high-impedance headphones—something missing on the MacBook Air M1.
How much does it cost to upgrade to a MacBook Air M4?
The base variant of the MacBook Air M4 retails for Rs 99,900, but select bank card users can get up to Rs 10,000 in discounts, bringing the price down to Rs 89,900. If you’re planning to upgrade from the MacBook Air M1 to the M4 or choose between the two, the MacBook Air M4 costs around Rs 30,000 more. However, for that extra price, it packs enough upgrades to feel like a true improvement over the MacBook Air M1 in every possible way.
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