Apple continues its tradition of annual updates with the 2025 MacBook Air 15, featuring yet another upgrade to the System on a Chip (SoC). The new MacBook Air 15, powered by the M4 chip, remains a sleek and portable laptop ideal for office work, boasting impressive battery life and a stunning display. While it may not be suited for PC gaming, the MacBook Air excels in its primary role as a versatile, on-the-go productivity tool.
The MacBook Air is designed for those who need a reliable laptop to get things done efficiently, whether at a coffee shop, on a plane, or in the office. Its lightweight and compact design make it the perfect companion for professionals and students alike.
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 various customization options, allowing you to upgrade to a 15-inch MacBook Air with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD for $2,399, catering to those who need more power and storage.
MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos
View 6 Images
Design
-------The MacBook Air has become synonymous with the concept of a laptop due to its iconic design. The 2025 model maintains the same sleek look as its predecessors, weighing just 3.3 pounds and featuring an ultra-thin unibody aluminum chassis less than half an inch thick. This design not only contributes to its portability but also enhances its aesthetic appeal.
Unlike the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air's speakers are cleverly integrated into the hinge, firing towards the display. This innovative approach, combined with the fanless M4 chip, allows the laptop's lid to act as a natural amplifier, resulting in surprisingly robust sound quality. The fanless design also contributes to a cleaner, more streamlined appearance, with only four small rubber feet on the bottom to prevent scratching.
The MacBook Air continues to feature the same excellent keyboard with deep travel and a reliable TouchID sensor for quick and secure access. The spacious touchpad, known for its superior performance, offers excellent palm rejection, ensuring smooth and accurate navigation. However, the port selection remains 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 enhance its versatility.
Display
-------The MacBook Air's display, while not as advanced as the MacBook Pro's, is still impressive. The 15.3-inch, 1880p screen covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 100% of sRGB, making it ideal for everyday tasks and entertainment. With a peak brightness of 426 nits, it performs well in various lighting conditions, though it excels indoors. The display's color accuracy and brightness make it suitable for streaming shows and movies, enhancing the viewing experience.
Performance
-----------Benchmarking a MacBook can be challenging due to the limited compatibility of standard tests with macOS. However, the MacBook Air's fanless M4 chip is optimized for productivity rather than gaming. In gaming tests, it struggled to maintain high frame rates, with Total War: Warhammer 3 achieving only 18 fps at Ultra settings and Assassin’s Creed Shadows reaching just 10 fps. Lowering settings improved performance, but the MacBook Air is not designed for gaming.
Instead, it excels in productivity tasks. With 32GB of RAM, the MacBook Air handled multitasking effortlessly, managing numerous Safari tabs and background music without any hiccups. It also performed well with light Photoshop work, though it struggled with more demanding tasks like noise filtering in Lightroom. The MacBook Air's ability to handle daily tasks efficiently, combined with its long battery life, makes it an excellent choice for professionals on the go.
Battery
-------Apple claims the MacBook Air can last up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of web browsing. In my tests, the laptop exceeded these claims, lasting 19 hours and 15 minutes during local video playback. While streaming might slightly reduce this duration, the MacBook Air's battery life is exceptional, making it ideal for long work sessions or travel. The included charger is compact, adding to the laptop's portability and convenience.
