The 13-Inch MacBook Air Gets Subtle Improvements for Less Money

i’ve been devoted to the MacBook Air since 2012, when I bought my first one with money I saved up from a summer job before my first semester of college. (You can read more about that journey here.) As someone always working on the go, I’ve always been drawn to how lightweight it is. When Apple revamped it back in 2022 with a new design, bigger and brighter display, MagSafe support, and a 1080p webcam, I was thrilled—this was my dream MacBook come to life.

But as I said in last year’s review, the 13-inch MacBook Air has reached its peak in terms of design. Apple continues to release the same model while mainly focusing on the internals—and the same logic applies to this latest version. The standout features are the M4 chip (the entry-level chip of the lineup) and double the base memory (also available on its predecessor). Apple did throw in an updated 12-megapixel webcam and a new blue color option, but aside from that, the chassis remains the same.

Typically, when a next-generation model lacks any major additions, Apple keeps the price the same as previous versions. This time, however, the price sees a welcome reduction to $999—$100 less than its predecessors. It’s what the MacBook Air cost before the launch of the M2 model (Apple did sell the M2-powered MacBook Air for $999 once the M3 Air came out, but the M4 replaces both models). So, that means the highest configuration will cost $2,199.

Although there are still a few additional things I had on my wish list for this next-gen version (a nano-texture glass option being one of them), the MacBook Air with M4 continues to live up to its reputation as a reliable, lightweight machine and the best MacBook for most people. The fact that it’s as affordable as it used to be is the cherry on top.

Subtle Alterations

As with previous generations, the 13-inch MacBook Air has a square chassis, a big and bright 13.6-inch LCD panel (complete with a 60-Hz refresh rate), a four-speaker sound system, and a three-mic array. Coming in at 2.7 pounds, it also remains super lightweight and comfortable to commute with. You’ll also get the same port selection, which includes two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports, a MagSafe charging port, and a 3.5-mm headphone jack.

I fully understand that an extensive port selection is usually reserved for the MacBook Pro, but I truly wanted Apple to add at least one extra USB-C port here—especially since you can connect the MacBook Air to up to two external monitors (we’ll get to that later). Instead, you’ll have to use a chunky USB-C hub, which is just another accessory you’ll have to buy (if you don’t already have one) and carry around.

Photograph: Brenda Stolyar