The MacBook Air M1, launched in 2020, was a groundbreaking product for Apple, marking the beginning of Apple Silicon and a major shift in the company’s approach to performance and power efficiency. Despite being over four years old, the MacBook Air M1 still holds up remarkably well thanks to the power of the M1 chip. However, if you’re looking for a more powerful and feature-packed MacBook, the new M4-powered MacBook Air is an upgrade worth considering. Here are five compelling reasons to make the leap.
Upgraded Design and Display
The design of the new MacBook Air M4 is a significant departure from the iconic wedge shape of the MacBook Air M1. While some users may still prefer the older design, the flat design of the M4 allows for a sleeker, more modern look while accommodating enhanced hardware and performance.
One of the key upgrades in the M4 model is its display. The MacBook Air M4 features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with a peak brightness of 500 nits, compared to the 13.3-inch display on the M1. This increase in screen size and brightness results in a more vibrant and immersive experience, especially in well-lit environments. Additionally, the new Sky Blue color option adds a fresh aesthetic to the lineup, appealing to those who want something more eye-catching.
Double the RAM for Smoother Multitasking
Memory, or RAM, plays a crucial role in multitasking and performance, and the MacBook Air M4 offers a significant upgrade over the M1. While the base variant of the M1 came with just 8GB of RAM, the entry-level MacBook Air M4 now includes 16GB of RAM, providing much better support for multitasking and memory-heavy applications. This means you can keep more apps and tabs open without slowing down the system. However, both models still come with 256GB of storage, which remains the same.
Performance That’s Twice as Fast
In terms of raw performance, the M4 chip delivers up to twice the speed of the M1 chip. This means you get faster processing, enhanced multi-threaded performance, and better overall responsiveness. But it’s not just about speed; the M4 chip is also more power-efficient, delivering up to 18 hours of battery life during local video playback. Additionally, the M4 supports fast charging, providing 50% battery life in just 30 minutes. With more CPU and GPU cores, the M4 chip can handle even more demanding tasks like modern AAA gaming and professional video editing with ease.
Improved Camera and Sound Quality
For anyone using video calls as a daily part of their workflow, the M4’s upgraded 12MP camera is a huge improvement over the M1’s 720p camera. The new MacBook Air supports 1080p video recording and includes Apple’s Center Stage technology, which automatically adjusts the camera frame to keep you centered during video calls. This makes Zoom or Teams calls look sharper and more professional.
The speaker setup also gets a major upgrade. The MacBook Air M1 featured stereo speakers, which were good for everyday use. The M4, however, boasts a quad-speaker system with support for spatial audio, delivering a richer, fuller, and more immersive sound experience. Whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or attending virtual meetings, the audio quality on the M4 is much improved.
Better Connectivity
The MacBook Air M4 also comes with enhanced connectivity options. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E, which offers faster wireless speeds and better performance in crowded environments compared to the M1’s Wi-Fi 6 support. Additionally, the M4 features Bluetooth 5.3, providing more stable connections to accessories like wireless headphones and mice. The 3.5mm headphone jack on the M4 also supports high-impedance headphones, allowing audiophiles to get better sound quality when using professional-grade headphones—something the M1 model couldn’t handle.
The MacBook Air M4 is priced starting at Rs 99,900, which is about Rs 30,000 more than the MacBook Air M1. While this might seem like a significant jump, the M4 offers enough upgrades across the board to justify the price difference. From design and display to performance, memory, camera, and connectivity, the MacBook Air M4 represents a true leap forward over the M1. If you’re looking to upgrade your MacBook Air, the M4 is undoubtedly the better choice for those who want more power, better multitasking capabilities, and a more immersive experience in both work and entertainment.
