Apple's annual refresh of the MacBook Air continues with the 2025 model, featuring the expected M4 chip upgrade while maintaining its iconic lightweight design. This remains the quintessential portable companion for productivity tasks, offering industry-leading battery life and a stunning Retina display - though it still isn't built for demanding gaming sessions.
Pricing and Availability
The MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025) starts at $999 for the 13-inch model and $1,199 for the 15-inch version reviewed here. As with all Apple products, configurations can be extensively upgraded - our top-spec 15-inch review unit with 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD retails at $2,399.
Design and Build
At just 3.3 pounds with its signature aluminum unibody, the MacBook Air continues to define ultraportable computing. The fanless M4 configuration allows for an exceptionally clean design with hidden speakers and an absence of ventilation grilles. The keyboard maintains Apple's excellent typing experience with reliable key travel and Touch ID integration, while the expansive trackpad remains industry-leading with flawless palm rejection.
Port selection remains minimal with two USB-C ports and MagSafe on the left, plus a headphone jack on the right - an odd point of parity with Apple's reluctance to include this port on iPhones.
Display Quality
The 15.3-inch 1880p display delivers 99% DCI-P3 coverage and peaks at 426 nits brightness in our testing. While not matching MacBook Pro levels, it outperforms most Windows competitors in this price range for color accuracy and brightness - perfect for productivity tasks and media consumption.
Performance and Battery
Gaming performance remains limited, with demanding titles like Assassin's Creed Shadows struggling to maintain 20fps even at medium settings. However, for its intended productivity use, the M4 configuration handles intensive multitasking effortlessly - our 32GB RAM unit managed 50+ browser tabs with background music without hesitation.
Battery life exceeded expectations in our video playback test, lasting 19 hours 15 minutes - surpassing Apple's 18-hour claim. Real-world usage typically provides multiple days of productivity use between charges, making this ideal for frequent travelers.
Ultimately, the 2025 MacBook Air continues Apple's tradition of delivering exceptional portable performance in an iconic, lightweight package - just don't expect gaming prowess.
