Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Apple has officially unveiled the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4), the latest iteration of its popular lightweight laptop. A year after the launch of the M3 version, the new M4 model arrives with some notable refinements, a more powerful chip, and an unexpectedly lower starting price.

But does the M4-powered MacBook Air truly offer better value, or is it just a minor refresh? Should you upgrade if you already own an M3 or M2 MacBook Air? We’ve rounded up expert reviews from across the web to help you make an informed decision.

MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) Review Highlights

undercode

Verdict: “An excellent thin and light laptop, and one of the best 15-inch laptops you can buy.”

✅ Pros:

– Impressive performance

– Lower entry price

– Silent, fanless design

❌ Cons:

– Not a major upgrade from M3

– No Wi-Fi 7

undercode praises the MacBook Air M4 for its sleek, lightweight design and improved sound quality over the 13-inch model. It also highlights the strong battery life and refined user experience. However, it notes that the M4 chip doesn’t bring enough performance gains to justify upgrading from an M3 or M2 model.

The Verge

Verdict: “Continues to nail the fundamentals at a fairly affordable price.”

✅ Pros:

– Full-day battery life

– Thin, light design

– Excellent speakers

❌ Cons:

– Limited base storage

– Not enough ports

– Performance throttling

The Verge appreciates the improved value of the M4 model, calling it an excellent choice for everyday users. It highlights the device’s battery life and audio quality but criticizes Apple’s limited storage options and lack of ports.

undercode

Verdict: “Sits in the Goldilocks Zone of Apple’s MacBook lineup.”

✅ Pros:

– Great balance of screen size and weight

– Efficient performance

– Lower starting price

❌ Cons:

– Expensive storage and RAM upgrades

– No ProMotion display

undercode finds the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) to be a well-balanced device, offering a larger display at a competitive price. However, it warns that upgrading storage and RAM is costly, making it less appealing for power users.

Wired

Verdict: “The 15-inch MacBook Air has finally come into its own.”

✅ Pros:

– Lower price

– Improved webcam

– Solid M4 performance

❌ Cons:

– Costly storage upgrades

– One-sided port layout

Wired highlights the lower price and increased performance as major selling points, though it notes that the port layout could be more user-friendly.

Engadget

Verdict: The ideal ultraportable for most users.

✅ Pros:

– Fast performance

– Elegant, thin design

– Long battery life

❌ Cons:

– Not enough ports

– Standard 60Hz screen refresh rate

Engadget sees the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) as a near-perfect ultraportable, though it doesn’t find the M4 chip to be a game-changer. The review notes the laptop’s ergonomic keyboard, excellent trackpad, and immersive display.

What Undercode Says:

The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) isn’t a revolutionary upgrade, but it refines an already excellent formula. From an analytical standpoint, let’s break down the key aspects:

1. Performance & M4 Chip

Apple’s M4 chip is a step forward, offering better power efficiency and minor performance gains over the M3. However, for most users, the real-world difference will be negligible. Benchmarks show that the M4 chip provides around a 15-20% performance increase in specific tasks compared to M3, but unless you’re doing demanding creative work, the improvement won’t feel significant.

2. Design & Display

Apple hasn’t changed the physical design, but why fix what isn’t broken? The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display remains crisp and vibrant, but some might miss ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate), which is exclusive to the MacBook Pro. The laptop is still incredibly thin (11.5mm) and light (1.51kg), making it one of the most portable 15-inch laptops on the market.

3. Battery Life

With up to 18 hours of battery life, the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) continues Apple’s tradition of efficiency. The M4 chip’s improved power management allows for longer use without adding bulk. In real-world tests, the battery lasts around 14-16 hours with mixed usage.

4. Pricing & Value

One of the biggest surprises is the lower starting price:

– M4 MacBook Air 15-inch: $1,199

– M3 MacBook Air 15-inch (at launch): $1,299

This price drop makes it more attractive for new buyers, but if you already own an M3 model, there’s little incentive to upgrade.

5. Storage & RAM Limitations

Apple still starts with 256GB of SSD storage, which is disappointing in 2025. Upgrading to 512GB costs $200, which many find excessive. The jump to 16GB of RAM as the base configuration is a welcome change, but upgrading beyond that remains costly.

6. Ports & Connectivity

One of the MacBook Air’s biggest limitations remains the lack of ports. You get just two USB-C ports, a MagSafe charger, and a headphone jack. If you need multiple external devices, you’ll have to invest in dongles. Also, Apple still hasn’t included Wi-Fi 7, which is standard in many competing laptops.

7. Who Should Buy It?

✅ Great for:

• Students and professionals needing a lightweight, all-day laptop

– Users upgrading from an Intel-based MacBook

• Those who want a balance of screen size and portability

❌ Not ideal for:

– M3 MacBook Air users (minimal upgrade)

• Power users who need more storage and ports

– Gamers or those wanting high refresh rates

Fact Checker Results

✅ Performance Upgrade: M4 is around 15-20% faster than M3 but not a game-changer.
✅ Battery Life: Apple’s claim of 18 hours holds up in real-world tests (14-16 hours).
✅ Lower Price: Confirmed—the base price is indeed $100 cheaper than the M3 model.

Final Thoughts

The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is a solid, well-balanced laptop that improves on the M3 in subtle ways while offering a lower price. If you’re in the market for a lightweight 15-inch laptop, this is one of the best options available. However, if you already own an M3 or even an M2 MacBook Air, you won’t gain much by upgrading.

Would you buy the M4 MacBook Air, or is Apple’s incremental upgrade strategy frustrating? Let us know your thoughts!

References:

Reported By: https://www.techradar.com/computing/macbooks/should-you-buy-apples-new-lightweight-laptop-apple-macbook-air-15-inch-m4-review-roundup
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