Apple once missed my secret favorite MacBook an update. I speak of the new MacBook Air. It does not happen that often that a product really leaves me a lasting impression.
The MacBook Air did this feat at its world premiere in 2008 straight away. I will probably never forget how Steve Jobs just pulled the laptop smoothly out of an A4 envelope to present it to the audience.
17 years later, the new model is now on the shelf. With a height of only 1.13 (13 inches) or 1.15 centimeters (15 inches), it is still breathtakingly thin, even if the in places it is now a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a passé (0.4 centimeters at the thinnest point).
That's why the MacBook Air M4 is already my favorite MacBook
Over time, Apple has always developed and improved the Air. The device has matured like a good wine and the 2025 vintage is by far the best. What I have always loved on Apple's Entry laptop is the fact that it is absolutely silent.
Regardless of whether I work with it or watch a film in the evening, there is no annoying nuisance because it is passively cooled. In other words, the manufacturer dispenses with the installation of a fan and uses the high-quality aluminum housing as a heat sink.
However, thanks to Apple's powerful ARM processors, there is no shortage of performance. Already with the models with M2 and M3 chip I actually never had the desire for more performance, the new M4 still puts a good shovel on it, which can only be an advantage in terms of future security.
The battery life should also benefit from the new M4 processor, in the MacBook Pro I was able to take one in a testto reach. The little air will not last that long; Apple specifies 18 hours. The manufacturer's information is usually credible.
The notebook is loaded with a MAG-Safe-3 charging cable, the plug of which is magnetically adhering to the laptop. Why do I mention that? Well, I don't want to do without it on the way, but fellow travelers have already pulled me unintentionally on the cable when they left their place on the train.
When the charging cable is connected to a solid plug, the laptop quickly ends up on the floor. With Magsafe, the plug simply loosens, for me simply the best solution for a business laptop.
16 GB-RAM are finally standard
I was particularly pleased that 16 GB-RAM is finally being in the smallest MacBook Air at no extra charge. Even if Apple did not get tired that 8 GB should somehow be sufficient for everything, you have now started to make 16 GB the new standard for all Macs. A step that, in my opinion, has long been overdue.
The excellent mini-LED display is reserved for the expensive pro models. Nevertheless, Apple does not save in the wrong place, apart from the first MacBook Air generations, the built-in panels were always of high quality.
The manufacturer also relies on the excellent Unibody-Alu housing in the current model. (Source: Apple)
The new device is offered with a 13- and 15-inch display. My personal favorite is the smaller version. For me, the Air is simply the ideal companion, so the 15-inch device would be almost too bulky for me. I would even like Apple to be carried out again at some point to build a MacBook Air with 11-inch panel. For business trips and working on the train, that would be an absolute dream!
M4 with 8 or 10 core GPU?
There is not much choice for the CPU, an M4 with 10 CPU cores works in each of the new models. Only with the integrated GPU is it possible to choose between a model with 8 or 10 cores. For my part, I would save the surcharge (125 euros) for the 2 kernels more and invest the money elsewhere. The difference is inMeasurable in everyday life, but usually hardly noticeable.
Unfortunately, what can be felt very quickly is the tight SSD memory in the basic model. 256 GB still have to be enough here, which can be scarce quickly. Since I would like to deal with external drives on the way, I would bite the sour apple and add 250 euros for the 512 GB drive.
Cheaper than expected
You can already see that Apple can also be favorable at the new Macmini, which is available in the basic configuration from just over 600 euros. The cheapest MacBook Air costs 1,200 euros with 256 GB SSD and 16 GB labor storage.
With better equipment, that is 100 euros less than the predecessor. I would consider the price to be fair for a laptop with a high quality and solid aluminum housing and long battery life.
One more Thing
I almost forgot: there is a new color. I recently hadwhether Apple donates a new fresh color to the MacBook Air. And lo and behold, the manufacturer now offers the laptop in addition to the colors midnight, polar star and silver in sky blue.
At first that may sound a bit daring, but I have to admit that this is my clear favorite. The blue looks a little metallic, is visually not intrusive, but still doesn't seem boring.
Even if I had no device in this color in my hands, I assume that you shouldn't see fingerprints so clearly. In this regard, the color midnight is the bare horror.
What do you think about the new MacBook Air? Could this be a device for you or do you prefer one of the Pro models?
