Apple’s new MacBook Air M4 keeps the fan-less silhouette but doubles the base memory to 16 GB, adds dual-monitor output, stretches battery life to a claimed 20 hours, and—surprisingly—still starts at $999, while the classic M1 Air can now be found for as little as $649 at close-out sales.
Specs & Design Overview
Both models share a slim, 100 % recycled-aluminum chassis and remain completely fan-less.
The M4 Air adds a new Sky-Blue finish and keeps the MagSafe 3 port alongside two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Dimensions and weight are nearly identical, so you won’t feel a difference in the backpack.
| Model | CPU/GPU Cores | Base RAM | Base SSD | Starting Price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 Air (2020) | 8-core CPU / 7-core GPU | 8 GB | 256 GB | $649–$999 (clearance) |
| M4 Air (2025) | 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU | 16 GB | 256 GB | $999 (13″) / $1,199 (15″) |
Performance Benchmarks
- Geekbench 6: M4 ≈ 14,900 multi-core & 3,890 single-core vs M1 ≈ 8,350 multi-core & 2,345 single-core—about 80 % faster in multi-core.
- Real-world exports (5 min 4K in Final Cut Pro): M4 in 4 min 12 s vs M1 in 7 min 38 s.
- GPU: Denser 10-core design and hardware-accelerated ray tracing deliver steeper gains for graphics tasks.
Battery Life & Efficiency
- Apple rates the M4 Air at up to 20 hours of video playback.
- M1 achieves around 11 hours 15 minutes in the same test.
- Mixed-use (web, coding) yields 10–12 hours on the M4 at 75 % brightness—around 15 % better than the M1.
Ports, Displays & Connectivity
- External monitors: M4 supports two extended displays plus the built-in panel; M1 supports only the built-in screen.
- Both models include Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
- No SD card slot or USB-A ports on either, so dongles remain necessary.
Thermals & Noise
Both notebooks are silent thanks to passive cooling. Under sustained CPU loads, the M1 throttles sooner and runs hotter (~12 °C higher after 20 min render) while the M4 plateaus at a lower temperature and recovers faster.
Value & Pricing
- M4 Air at $999 includes 16 GB RAM and a longer future-proof support window.
- M1 Air on clearance for under $700 offers great entry-level value but is limited to 8 GB RAM and single-monitor output.
- Resale: M1 prices will drop faster once future macOS versions favor higher-memory machines.
Upgrade Verdict
Upgrade if…
- You need more than one external monitor.
- You regularly edit photos or 4K video.
- You plan to keep your laptop for 5+ years and want future-proof RAM.
Skip the upgrade if…
- Your M1 handles email, browsing, and office tasks well.
- You want to save hundreds and don’t need the extra performance.
The M4 MacBook Air represents the biggest leap in the Air lineup since Apple Silicon’s debut—eliminating the 8 GB bottleneck, enabling dual-monitor setups, and extending battery life, all at the same entry price. Heavy multitaskers and long-term users will find the upgrade well worth it; those on a budget can still enjoy solid performance from the M1.