### The New MacBook Air: A Serious Contender for the MacBook Pro?

The newest **MacBook Air** has me rethinking my loyalty to the **MacBook Pro**.

I’ve always rationalized my Pro acquisitions by claiming that my laptop is my most critical device, so it deserves to be top-notch. However, after spending a few weeks with the new **15-inch MacBook Air**—which Apple provided for review—I’m beginning to consider making the Air my next choice. In numerous aspects, it surpasses my **16-inch MacBook Pro**.

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## **MacBook Air M4: Pricing and Features**

One of the most remarkable aspects? The **latest MacBook Air is less expensive than before**.

– **13-inch version**: Priced starting at **$999**
– **15-inch version**: Priced starting at **$1,199** (down by $100 from last year)

Apple seldom reduces prices, making this a notable update.

### **Key Features and Enhancements**

– **M4 chip** featuring a **10-core CPU** and **10-core GPU** (the 13-inch version starts with an 8-core GPU)
– **16GB of RAM** as the new standard (previously 8GB)
– **12-megapixel webcam** (an improvement over the previous 1080p camera)
– **New Sky Blue finish**
– **Supports up to two external displays** (even while utilizing its own screen)
– **Base storage remains at 256GB**

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## **A Subtle Refresh**

Even with its **15-inch size**, the **MacBook Air maintains its impressive thinness and lightweight**—much more portable than my **16-inch MacBook Pro**.

The **Sky Blue hue** is understated and only catches the eye in specific lighting. I wish it were bolder, but Apple tends to lean towards subdued colors. The **MagSafe charging port** is in the Sky Blue color, which adds a pleasant detail.

I haven’t tried the **new 13-inch MacBook Air**, but it’s pretty much the same device—simply **smaller (2.7 lbs) and lighter than the 15-inch version (3.3 lbs)**.

For those who value **portability**, the **13-inch Air** is an excellent option. Personally, I favor **larger displays**, making the **15-inch model** a perfect fit for me.

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## **Performance: Quiet Yet Powerful**

Visually, the **M4 MacBook Air** appears nearly the same as its predecessor. But internally, it boasts **notable advancements**.

### **M4 Chip: Surprising Speed**

Apple’s **M-series chips** don’t always deliver significant year-over-year enhancements, but the **M4** is indeed impressive.

I conducted **GeekBench’s CPU test**, and the outcomes were exceptional:

– **Single-core score**: **3,778**
– **Multi-core score**: **14,992**

This places it **on par with the M2 Max regarding multi-core performance**, which is extraordinary for a **fanless** device.

### **Heat Management and Gaming Performance**

With the **MacBook Air using passive cooling**, it operates **entirely silently**. However, after **20 minutes of playing Dota 2 at maximum settings**, the area above the keyboard became **quite warm**. The bottom of the device also heated up, but **not excessively**.

While the **Air isn’t a dedicated gaming machine**, it can handle **less resource-intensive games**. Dota 2 was **glitchy at max settings**, but after modifying the graphics, it sustained **60+ FPS**.

One concern? **Extreme temperature conditions**. I reside on the **Adriatic coast**, where summer heat can **exceed 100°F**. I suspect the Air might **reduce performance** under such conditions, but I am yet to test that.

### **Memory and Storage Options**

– **Standard RAM**: **16GB** (can be upgraded to **24GB or 32GB** for an additional $200 or $400)
– **Storage choices**: **256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB** (with upgrades costing **$200, $400, or $800**)

My review model came with **1TB of storage**, which was **ample for a week of usage**. While **Apple’s storage upgrades do come at a premium**, the **increase in base RAM to 16GB** is a **noteworthy enhancement**.

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## **Display, Keyboard, and Trackpad**

No alterations in this area—the **display, keyboard, and trackpad** remain identical to the **previous generation**.

– **Keyboard