M4 MacBook Air: Release Date, Specs, Features & Pricing
- Apple’s MacBook Air M4 might finally drop early next year with some sweet AI perks.
- Don’t expect a total redesign — Apple’s going for subtle upgrades and a speed boost.
- This could be the MacBook Air you’ve been waiting for.
Apple’s highly anticipated MacBook Air M4 is rumored to debut in the first quarter of 2025, potentially from January to March. This newest MacBook Air model promises enhanced performance with the M4 chip, bringing a 20% boost in speed over its predecessor, the M3.
The price points are expected to start at $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch, aligning with the M3 MacBook Air pricing.
Photo via Mashable // A concept image of Apple's upcoming M4 MacBook Air.
Key Takeaways:
- Release Window: January - March 2025
- Performance: 20% faster M4 chip
- Design: Unchanged from M3 MacBook Air
- AI Integration: Apple Intelligence suite
- Starting Price: $1,099 (13-inch); $1,299 (15-inch)
M4 MacBook Air Release Date
Expected Release Window: January - March 2025
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg corroborates the expected release, citing production for the MacBook Air M4 is on track for a launch between January and March 2025. In his recent report, Gurman confirms, "Apple is close to starting production of its updated MacBook Air with an M4 chip."
Photo via Tom's Guide // Apple's current 2024 lineup of M3 MacBook Airs.
Key Features of the MacBook Air M4
AI Integration with Apple Intelligence
The M4 MacBook Air will likely feature the Apple Intelligence suite, an AI-focused upgrade. Analysts speculate that the primary enhancements will be in AI capabilities rather than a new physical design. According to reports, Apple is “more focused on Apple Intelligence than changing any hardware’s appearance.”
The M4 Chip: Performance and Efficiency
The M4 chip, introduced earlier this year, offers approximately 20% faster processing speed over the M3, with a transistor count of 28 billion. This chip is expected to deliver better performance and energy efficiency, which could even further enhance battery life.
Possible Hardware Upgrades
- RAM - Apple has faced criticism for limiting its base models to 8GB RAM. With this model, many are hopeful the base M4 MacBook Air could start with 16GB.
- Wi-Fi 7 - Speculation suggests that the MacBook Air M4 could support Wi-Fi 7, a boost over the previous Wi-Fi 6, enhancing connectivity and speed.
- Ray Tracing Support - The M4 chip will reportedly support ray tracing, a key feature for handling advanced lighting effects in games, a first for the MacBook Air lineup.
Expected Specs Comparison: M3 vs. M4 MacBook Air
| Feature | M3 MacBook Air | M4 MacBook Air (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| SoC | Apple M3 chipset | Apple M4 chipset (20% faster) |
| Transistors | 25 billion | 28 billion |
| CPU | 8-core | 8-core |
| GPU | Up to 10-core | Up to 10-core |
| Memory | 8GB - 24GB | 16GB - 24GB |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Starting Price | $1,099 | $1,099 |
MacBook Air M4 Pricing
Expected Starting Price: $1,099 (13-inch) and $1,299 (15-inch)
The pricing for the M4 MacBook Air is anticipated to mirror that of its predecessor, the M3 MacBook Air, with the entry-level 13-inch model starting at $1,099 and the 15-inch at $1,299. This pricing strategy keeps the MacBook Air competitive with similar offerings from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm-based laptops, which have made strides in AI and battery performance.
Photo via MacRumors // Another concept rendering of Apple's upcoming 2025 M4 MacBook Air.
Market Competition: Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm Raise the Stakes
With the release of the M4 MacBook Air, Apple enters a more competitive field than ever before. Rivals Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm have introduced AI-integrated chipsets like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, which powers high-performance Windows laptops.
In response, Apple likely aims to set its MacBook Air apart by offering a seamless experience within its ecosystem, strengthened by the new Apple Intelligence suite.
The Bottom Line
The MacBook Air M4 could be Apple’s answer to increasingly fierce competition in the laptop space. While this model may not have groundbreaking design changes, its AI integration and performance enhancements provide a clear reason for Apple loyalists to consider an upgrade.
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