Apple has been shaking things up with its latest product announcements. After hinting at the iPhone 16e release on X, Tim Cook has now revealed another product launch in a similar fashion. This event is set for this week, and it is widely believed to be the M4 MacBook Air. Here’s a rundown of what the new model is projected to deliver.
#1: M4 Chip
The M4 chip is an obvious inclusion in the ‘M4 MacBook Air’, but it deserves special mention.
Equipped with the standard M4 chip—which is distinct from the M4 Pro or M4 Max—it provides a robust 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine.
Noteworthy is the Neural Engine, which can perform up to 38 trillion operations per second. This marks a significant leap from the M3 model, implying that the M4 will be better equipped for Apple Intelligence tasks in the future.
#2: Enhanced External Display Support
The previous generation MacBook Air has often faced criticism for its limited capability in external display support. Initially, it would only operate one external display, and while the M3 edition doubled that, it still came with a critical caveat.
This enhancement with the M3 allowed for two external displays, but only when the lid was closed, restricting usage of the MacBook Air’s own display.
However, the M4 MacBook Air is set to finally offer full support for running two external displays with the lid open. This feature was introduced to the base M4 MacBook Pro in November, and since the two models share the same chip, it’s anticipated to be included in the Air as well.
#3: Battery Life Improvements
Energy efficiency has become a pivotal focus for Apple in its recent chip advancements. The newly introduced C1 modem in the iPhone 16e showcased increased battery longevity, a trend that the M4 chip continues.
Last year, the M4 technology allowed for the iPad Pro to become exceedingly thin without compromising battery performance. In the fall, the M4 MacBook Pro maintained its same aesthetic while achieving better battery efficiency thanks to the enhanced chip.
The M4 MacBook Air is expected to mirror the improvements seen in the MacBook Pro, enhancing battery life while keeping the same fundamental design.
#4: 16GB RAM Standard, Optional Upgrade to Double
In line with previous limitations on RAM, Apple has made some contentious decisions regarding memory in the Apple Silicon era.
Motivated by the demands of Apple Intelligence, the M4 MacBook Air will be offered with a baseline of 16GB of RAM—double the amount that the M3 model debuted with.
Additionally, it’s anticipated to be configurable to a maximum of 32GB, surpassing the prior limit of 24GB.
#5: Nano-Texture Display
After years of reserving nano-texture displays for its top-tier products, Apple has begun to integrate this technology into more devices.
Currently, the M4 MacBook Pro, M4 iMac, and M4 iPad Pro feature nano-texture displays, and it’s expected that the M4 MacBook Air will also offer this option at launch. While it won’t be standard, look for an approximate $150 surcharge for this feature.
#6: New 12MP Center Stage Camera
Center Stage is increasingly being incorporated into various Apple devices. This feature allows your device’s camera to track your movements during video calls. It also introduces the Desk View functionality, particularly advantageous for live streaming and content creators.
Following the inclusion of the new 12MP Center Stage camera in both the M4 iMac and M4 MacBook Pro, Apple is anticipated to equip the M4 MacBook Air with this upgrade as well.
What’s Remaining the Same: Design and Size Options
The MacBook Air underwent a significant redesign with the introduction of the M2 version, and it’s unlikely that the M4 update will alter its overall design. There will still be both 13-inch and 15-inch variants, maintaining a look similar to the existing M3 and M2 models.
One can only hope that Apple introduces some exciting new color alternatives for the M4 MacBook Air, but so far, there have been no rumors regarding such color options.
M4 MacBook Air Summary
In summary, the M4 MacBook Air may not represent a groundbreaking revision for Apple’s flagship laptop, but it does come packed with various enhancements that align it with Apple’s latest offerings. Who knows? Apple might have a couple of surprises in store for the M4 upgrade as well.
Are you considering purchasing an M4 MacBook Air? What are your reasons? Share your thoughts in the comments.
