M4 MacBook Air 2025 Buying Guide (13" vs 15")

Summary

In this video, we explore the 2025 MRO MacBook Air lineup, comparing the 13-inch and 15-inch models to help you decide which is best for you. With upgrades like the new M4 chip, 16GB of base RAM, and AI-focused performance, the MacBook Airs offer great portability and power. The 13-inch model is ideal for users prioritizing portability and affordability, while the 15-inch model caters to those who need more screen real estate and better audio for multitasking and media consumption. Storage is crucial—consider 512GB for better performance and longevity. Ultimately, the best MacBook Air depends on your needs, workflow, and budget.

Takeaways

• 😀 The M4 MacBook Air is a significant upgrade over previous models, focusing on AI, performance, and efficiency with a powerful CPU, GPU, and improved neural engine.
• 😀 The base RAM for the M4 MacBook Air has been upgraded to 16 GB, making it a much better long-term investment compared to the 8 GB base models of previous versions.
• 😀 The M4 MacBook Air now supports two external displays, a huge upgrade for those who need a desktop setup with their laptop.
• 😀 The new 12 MP Center Stage camera on the M4 MacBook Air offers much better video quality for video calls and conferencing.
• 😀 The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air is ideal for users who prioritize portability, with a weight of just 1.24 kg and a slim profile of 1.13 cm.
• 😀 The 13-inch model provides excellent value for students or users who mainly use the device for web browsing, document processing, and light creative work.
• 😀 The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air is perfect for those who want more screen real estate for multitasking, media consumption, and demanding creative tasks, offering a larger display with better audio and a slightly faster GPU.
• 😀 The 15-inch model, though still lightweight, is heavier (1.51 kg) and larger, so it's less portable than the 13-inch model, which could be a downside for frequent travelers.
• 😀 When choosing storage, the 512 GB SSD is often the sweet spot for most users, offering a better long-term experience and less risk of running out of space for modern applications and media.
• 😀 Users should carefully consider storage options since 256 GB might not be enough in 2025, especially with the system software and apps taking up a significant portion of the space.
• 😀 For heavy users, 16 GB of RAM is more than sufficient for most tasks, but power users working with large files or complex software may want to consider upgrading to 24 GB or 32 GB.

Q & A

What is the biggest decision when choosing between the 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air?

The biggest decision is whether you prioritize portability or screen real estate. The 13-inch model is ideal for those who need an ultra-portable laptop, while the 15-inch model is better for those who want more screen space for multitasking or media consumption.

What improvements have been made to the M4 MacBook Air compared to previous models?

The M4 MacBook Air brings significant upgrades, including a more powerful CPU, improved GPU, and enhanced AI capabilities. It also now offers 16 GB of base RAM, better external display support, a sharper 12MP webcam, and exceptional battery life.

Who should consider buying the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air?

The 13-inch model is perfect for those who prioritize extreme portability, such as students or professionals who need a lightweight, budget-friendly option for everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, streaming, and light creative work.

What makes the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air a better option for some users?

The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air offers a larger, higher resolution display, which is ideal for multitasking, working with large spreadsheets, or editing media. It also features better audio with a six-speaker sound system, making it a great choice for media enthusiasts.

How does the storage capacity of 256 GB compare to 512 GB in the M4 MacBook Air?

While 256 GB might seem sufficient, a significant portion is taken up by system files and pre-installed apps, leaving around 200 GB of usable space. 512 GB offers much more room for apps, local files, and media, and is generally a better option for most users to avoid storage management headaches.

Is 256 GB of storage enough in the 2025 MacBook Air?

In 2025, 256 GB can work for users who primarily rely on cloud storage and external drives. However, it might lead to storage issues over time, especially for users who store large files locally, such as videos, music, or creative work.

Why is the 512 GB SSD a better long-term investment?

The 512 GB SSD offers faster read and write speeds, especially for large file transfers, and ensures better long-term performance. It also provides more breathing room for applications, media, and future needs, reducing the risk of storage limitations in the future.

Is 16 GB of RAM enough for most users in the M4 MacBook Air?

Yes, 16 GB of RAM is sufficient for most users, including students, professionals, and casual users. It allows for smooth multitasking, running multiple applications, and handling tasks like photo and video editing without slowdowns.

Who should upgrade to 24 GB or 32 GB of RAM in the M4 MacBook Air?

Users who work with large files, such as 4K/8K videos, complex 3D rendering, virtual machines, or heavy-duty audio production, should consider upgrading to 24 GB or 32 GB of RAM. These users require more memory for demanding tasks.

What factors should influence your choice between the 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air in terms of performance?

Performance-wise, both models are quite similar, but the 15-inch variant has a slight edge with a 10-core GPU option. If your tasks involve more graphics-intensive applications, the 15-inch model may be more suitable, but for everyday tasks, both models perform similarly.