Apple announces updated MacBook Air with M4 chip and a $100 price cut

Apple today announced an update to the MacBook Air lineup, which includes three changes: an updated chip, a new color, and an upgraded front camera.

The MacBook Air models now get Apple's latest M4 chip, which was introduced last year on the iMac and Mac mini. This chip features 10 CPU cores and either 8 or 10 GPU cores depending on the configuration. Apple claims the new chip provides 1.6x faster performance in Excel, 2x faster performance in iMovie, and 2x faster performance in Adobe Photoshop compared to the M1 models.

We have already covered the 10-core GPU version of this chip in our Mac mini M4 review.

The new chip also enables other features such as improved external display support. The M4 MacBook Air supports up to two 6K external displays at 60Hz compared to just one by the previous generation model.

The new MacBook Air models also come in a new color. Called Sky Blue, this new shade is a metallic light blue that “creates a dynamic gradient when light reflects off of its surface”. This color joins the existing Midnight, Starlight, and Silver color options.

Lastly, the new MacBook Air models also feature an updated 12MP Center Stage camera, which is also found on the MacBook Pro models. This camera can output higher resolution images while maintaining the 1080p video capture of the previous. The ultra-wide focal length enables the Center Stage feature, which allows you to move around the room while keeping the subject centered in the frame, as well as the Desk View feature, which can capture both yourself as well as a perspective corrected view of your desk below.

Aside from these changes, the 2025 MacBook Air is identical to the previous model, featuring the same basic design and dimensions, display, keyboard and trackpad, memory and storage options, speakers and microphone array. The new model does have a slightly larger 53.8Wh battery compared to the previous 52.6Wh unit but the battery life figures are identical.

The MacBook Air with M4 is available in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, with prices now starting at a $100 lower $999 for the 13-inch model and $1199 for the 15-inch model.

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