Apple’s newest MacBook Air isn’t just a spec bump. With the M4 chip and a system “Built for Apple Intelligence,” it promises to change how you work with your laptop. I’ve spent the last two weeks using the 13-inch Midnight model as my daily driver. Here’s the honest truth about who it’s for, where it shines, and whether Apple Intelligence is a game-changer or just a fancy gimmick.

First Impressions: What’s New and What’s Familiar

Unboxing the 2025 MacBook Air feels familiar—the same iconic wedge shape, the same satisfyingly thin and light chassis. My review unit is in Midnight, which Apple promises has a new anodization seal to fight fingerprints (more on that later). However, as soon as you hit the power button, the real differences become clear.

The star of the show is the new M4 chip, Apple’s first built from the ground up with their on-device AI engine, the Neural Engine, as a central design pillar. It’s paired with 16GB of unified memory in my configuration, which Apple is pushing as the new sweet spot for an “AI-ready” system. The other headline feature is the 12MP Center Stage camera, finally giving the Air the webcam it deserves for the Zoom era.

Under the Hood: The M4 Chip Performance Deep Dive

Let’s cut through the marketing. The M4 chip in this MacBook Air isn’t the same ultra-powerful version in the MacBook Pro. It’s tuned for efficiency and AI. For traditional tasks, the jump from the M3 is noticeable but not earth-shattering.

Everyday Speed & Multitasking

With 16GB of RAM, this thing is a multitasking champ. I routinely had 25+ Chrome tabs open, along with Slack, Apple Music, Notes, and a few Word documents. Switching between them was instant. There was no slowdown, no beachballing, no memory pressure warnings. For students, writers, office workers, and casual creators, this is more than enough power.

Creative Work & Light Pro Tasks

I edited 4K footage from my iPhone in Final Cut Pro. The playback was smooth, and exporting a 5-minute video was blisteringly fast. In Adobe Lightroom, applying complex edits to batches of high-resolution photos felt snappy. However, this isn’t a machine for 8K video editing or heavy 3D rendering. It’s a content creation tool, not a Hollywood studio workstation.

The AI & Neural Engine Difference

This is where the M4 feels different. Tasks that use machine learning feel instant. In Photos, searching for “dog” or “beach sunset” pulls up results before you finish typing. In Pixelmator Pro, the “Super Resolution” upscaling tool works in a blink. The M4’s upgraded Neural Engine isn’t just for show—it makes AI-powered features feel seamless and integrated, not like slow party tricks.

Apple Intelligence: The Future or a Fad?

This is the big question. “Built for Apple Intelligence” is stamped on the box. In practice, Apple Intelligence (available later in 2025) is a suite of on-device and cloud AI features. I tested the beta features, and here’s the real-world impact.

Writing Tools: In Mail, Pages, and Notes, you can rewrite text in different tones (professional, friendly, concise). It works surprisingly well for emails and first drafts. It’s like having a helpful editor over your shoulder.

Image Playground: You can create playful custom images in seconds directly in apps like Messages. It’s fun and fast, but clearly aimed at casual use.

Siri’s Brain Upgrade: Siri finally understands context. You can say “Add that address to the note I was just looking at,” and it works. It feels less like a command line and more like a conversation.

The key is that most of this happens on the M4 chip itself. That means it’s private and instant. You don’t feel like you’re “waiting for the AI.” It’s just part of the system. For the average user, it will feel like a gradual, helpful upgrade. For power users waiting for ChatGPT-level capabilities, you might find it a bit conservative.

Living With It: Display, Camera, Battery & Ports

The 13.6" Liquid Retina Display

It’s simply excellent. Text is razor-sharp, colors are vibrant and accurate, and the 500 nits of brightness is plenty for indoor use and even some outdoor work. Watching HDR content on Apple TV+ is a treat. For this size and class, it’s arguably the best laptop display you can get.

The Upgraded 12MP Center Stage Camera

Finally! The 720p camera is gone. The new 12MP sensor with Center Stage is a massive upgrade. Video calls are clearer, and low-light performance is decent. Center Stage (which automatically keeps you in frame as you move) works flawlessly. If you live on video calls, this alone might be worth the upgrade from an older Intel or M1 Air.

Battery Life: The "All-Day" Promise Holds

Apple’s 18-hour claim is based on very specific video playback. My real-world use—browsing, writing, streaming music, and some video calls—consistently got me 14 to 16 hours on a single charge. That’s still phenomenal. You can truly leave the charger at home for a full workday and then some.

The Port Situation & Midnight Fingerprints

You still only get two Thunderbolt 4 ports (and the MagSafe charger). For most people, this is fine, but you’ll need a hub for connecting an external display, USB-A devices, and SD cards all at once. The new “anodization seal” on the Midnight color helps, but it’s not a miracle cure. Oils from your palms still show, but they wipe off much easier than on the old M2 Midnight finish.

Who Is This MacBook Air M4 REALLY For?

This isn't a laptop for everyone. It's perfectly tailored for a specific user.

Buy it if: You’re a student, a hybrid office worker, a writer, or a casual creator who values portability and battery life above all. You’re excited about helpful, integrated AI features that make daily tasks easier. You’re upgrading from an Intel MacBook or an M1 Air and want the latest camera, chip, and AI capabilities.

Consider something else if: You need to connect multiple external monitors or peripherals without a dongle. If you regularly work with massive video files or complex 3D models, raw performance matters. In that case, the MacBook Pro makes more sense—it delivers maximum power, even if it means carrying a heavier machine and paying a premium price.