The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025), launched in March 2025, redefines value in the ultraportable laptop market. With the powerful M4 chip, a starting price of $999, and a new Sky Blue color, it’s a compelling choice for students, professionals, and Apple enthusiasts. This SEO-optimized review dives into real-time pricing, performance, user feedback, and expert insights to help you decide if the MacBook Air 13 (M4) is your next laptop.
Why Choose the MacBook Air 13 (M4)?
Apple’s 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch model introduces a $100 price cut from the M3 Air, starting at $999 ($899 for education), and doubles the base RAM to 16GB. Built for Apple Intelligence, it offers enhanced AI features like Image Playground and Writing Tools. Its fanless design, long battery life, and new 12MP webcam make it ideal for work, study, and creativity. While refurbished units are not yet widely available, the new model’s value is hard to beat.
Key Specifications
- Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina (2560 x 1664, 500 nits, True Tone)
- Processor: Apple M4 chip (10-core CPU, 8-core or 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)
- Memory: 16GB unified memory (configurable to 24GB or 32GB)
- Storage: 256GB SSD (configurable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB)
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours (web browsing or video playback)
- Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Camera: 12MP Center Stage (1080p)
- Weight: 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg)
- Colors: Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Silver
- Price: Starts at $999 (new), ~$849 (expected refurbished)
Performance: M4 Power in 2025
The M4 chip, built on a 3nm process, delivers significant performance gains over the M3 and M1:
- CPU: Up to 25% faster single-core and 40% faster multi-core than M3, per benchmarks.
- GPU: 8-core (base) or 10-core options handle light video editing and games like Civilization VII smoothly.
- Neural Engine: 16-core engine powers Apple Intelligence, excelling in AI tasks like Photoshop manipulation and Geekbench AI tests.
Real-world tests show the M4 Air manages:
- Multitasking: 15+ Chrome tabs, Zoom, and Spotify without slowdown.
- Creative Work: Up to 2x faster video editing in iMovie and 3.6x faster photo editing in Photoshop compared to M1.
- AI Features: Generates images and refines text via Apple Intelligence, though full AI potential is still evolving.
Compared to competitors, the M4 Air outperforms Intel Core Ultra 7 laptops in web browsing (60% faster) but lags behind AMD Ryzen AI 9 in video encoding. X users like @VadimYuryev praise its “killer” performance for the price.
Design and Display: Sleek and Vibrant
The MacBook Air 13 (M4) retains Apple’s minimalist aluminum unibody, measuring 0.44 inches thin and weighing 2.7 pounds. The new Sky Blue color, a subtle metallic hue, joins Midnight, Starlight, and Silver, though some users note it appears more silver than blue. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers:
- 2560 x 1664 resolution with sharp text and vibrant colors.
- 500 nits brightness, suitable for most lighting conditions.
- True Tone and P3 color gamut for accurate visuals.
Unlike the MacBook Pro, it lacks mini-LED or ProMotion (120Hz), but the display is crisp for productivity and media. The Midnight finish is fingerprint-prone, requiring regular cleaning.
Battery Life: All-Day Endurance
Apple claims 18 hours of battery life, with real-world tests confirming 13–15 hours for mixed tasks like browsing, video calls, and light editing. The M4’s power efficiency outshines Intel-based laptops but slightly trails Snapdragon X models. The fanless design ensures silent operation, even under load.
Ports and Connectivity
The MacBook Air 13 (M4) includes:
- Two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports (40Gbps, DisplayPort, charging).
- MagSafe 3 for safe charging.
- 3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance support.
A major upgrade is dual external display support (two 6K @ 60Hz monitors with lid open), surpassing the M3 Air’s single-monitor limit. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure fast, reliable connections.
Camera and Audio: Video Call Ready
The 12MP Center Stage webcam (1080p) uses the M4’s Neural Engine for auto-framing, ideal for Zoom or FaceTime. It’s a step up from the M3’s 1080p camera, offering crisper visuals. The four-speaker system with Spatial Audio delivers clear vocals and rich mids, enhancing media and calls.
macOS Sequoia and Apple Intelligence
The M4 Air ships with macOS Sequoia, optimized for the M4 chip. Apple Intelligence introduces:
- Image Playground: Create cartoon-like images from text.
- Genmoji: Custom emoji generation.
- Writing Tools: AI-powered text editing.
While promising, some users note AI features are not fully mature. Most software, including Adobe Creative Suite, is optimized for M-series chips, ensuring smooth performance.
Pricing and Availability (June 2025)
- New: Starts at $999 (16GB/256GB, 8-core GPU). Upgrades cost $200 per tier (e.g., 512GB SSD or 24GB RAM). A 10-core GPU/512GB model is $1,199.
- Deals: Amazon and Best Buy offered it for $849 (16GB/256GB) in April 2025.
- Education: $899 via Apple’s education store.
- Refurbished: Not yet available on Apple’s Refurbished Store. Expected at ~$849 by late 2025, based on M2 trends. Back Market may offer renewed units at ~$800.
- International: ~€973.90 in Germany (idealo.de).
Check Apple, Amazon, or Best Buy for deals, especially post-WWDC in June.
Refurbished Outlook
As of June 2025, refurbished M4 Airs are scarce due to the recent launch. Apple’s refurb process ensures like-new quality with a 1-year warranty, but stock may not appear until Q4 2025. Third-party retailers like Back Market or Amazon Renewed may offer early renewed units with 30-day returns.
User Feedback and Sentiment
- X Posts: @theapplehub and @SuperSaf highlight the $999 price, 16GB RAM, and Sky Blue color as major wins. @robinsnewswire noted strong demand for the 512GB model.
- Amazon Reviews: Users praise the “sleek, light” design, “impressive” battery life, and “fluid” performance, with 26 mentioning ease of use.
- Reddit: Early adopters call it a “no-brainer” for M1 or Intel Mac users, though some criticize the 256GB base storage.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable starting price ($999) with 16GB RAM.
- Powerful M4 chip with Apple Intelligence.
- Dual external display support.
- Long battery life (~15 hours real-world).
- Sleek, lightweight design with new Sky Blue color.
Cons
- 256GB base storage is limiting.
- No mini-LED or 120Hz ProMotion display.
- Fingerprint-prone Midnight finish.
- Refurbished units not yet available.
Should You Buy in 2025?
The MacBook Air 13 (M4) is a top-tier ultraportable for:
- Students: Affordable at $899 (education), perfect for Google Workspace and note-taking.
- Professionals: Handles multitasking and light creative work with dual monitor support.
- Apple Users: Seamless integration with iPhone, iPad, and AirPods.
Alternatives
- MacBook Air 15 (M4): $1,199 for a larger 15.3-inch display, 10-core GPU standard.
- MacBook Pro 14 (M4): $1,599 for mini-LED, 120Hz, and more ports, ideal for pros.
- Acer Swift Go 14 (2024): ~$900 with Ryzen AI 9, faster in video encoding but lacks macOS ecosystem.
If you own an M3 Air, upgrading may not be necessary unless you need dual displays or AI features. For M1 or Intel Mac users, the M4 Air is a significant leap. Wait for refurbished units if budget is tight.
Conclusion
The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) combines a powerful M4 chip, 16GB RAM, and a vibrant 13.6-inch display at an unbeatable $999. With up to 18 hours of battery life, dual monitor support, and Apple Intelligence, it’s a versatile laptop for 2025. While the 256GB base storage and lack of mini-LED are drawbacks, its value and portability make it a standout. Check Apple or Amazon for deals and await refurbished units for extra savings.
FAQs: Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025)
1. Is the MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) worth buying?
Yes, at $999 ($899 for education), it’s a great value with 16GB RAM, the M4 chip, and up to 18 hours of battery life. It’s ideal for students, professionals, and casual users needing portability and performance.
2. How does the M4 chip compare to M3 and M1?
The M4 offers 25% faster single-core and 40% faster multi-core performance than M3, and up to 4.7x faster spreadsheet calculations than M1. It’s optimized for Apple Intelligence and light creative tasks.
3. What’s new in the MacBook Air 13 (M4)?
Key upgrades include the M4 chip, 16GB base RAM, a 12MP Center Stage webcam, dual external display support (two 6K @ 60Hz), a $100 price cut, and a Sky Blue color.
4. Is the 256GB base storage enough?
For light users (cloud storage, basic apps), 256GB is sufficient, but 512GB ($1,199) is recommended for photos, videos, or large apps. Storage is non-upgradable post-purchase.
5. How long does the battery last?
Apple claims 18 hours, with real-world tests showing 13–15 hours for browsing, video calls, and light editing. It outlasts most Intel-based laptops but trails some Snapdragon X models.
6. Can I connect multiple monitors?
Yes, the M4 Air supports two 6K @ 60Hz external displays with the lid open, a major upgrade from the M3’s single-monitor limit.
7. Are refurbished MacBook Air 13 (M4) units available?
Not yet (June 2025), but expect them by late 2025 at ~$849. Check Apple’s Refurbished Store or Back Market for renewed units at ~$800 with 30-day returns.
8. Where can I buy the MacBook Air 13 (M4)?
Apple ($999, education at $899), Amazon ($849 deals), and Best Buy are top options. International prices vary (e.g., ~€973.90 in Germany). Check post-WWDC for discounts.
9. How does it compare to the MacBook Pro 14 (M4)?
The Pro ($1,599) has a mini-LED 120Hz display, more ports, and better sustained performance for pros. The Air is lighter, cheaper, and sufficient for most users.
10. What macOS version does it run?
It ships with macOS Sequoia, supporting Apple Intelligence features like Image Playground and Writing Tools. Free updates are available via the App Store.
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