M4 MacBook Air vs. M1: Is It Time to Upgrade?
Apple is gearing up to release the M4 MacBook Air, and if you’re still using an M1 model, this could be a serious upgrade worth considering. While upgrading every year doesn’t always make sense, waiting a few years between updates means you get a big jump in performance and features.
Why Upgrading from M1 to M4 MacBook Air Makes Sense
If you’ve been holding onto your M1 MacBook Air, moving to the M4 version will bring a lot of improvements. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new:
M4 Chip Brings a Major Performance Boost
- Faster performance: The M4 chip is significantly quicker than the M1—up to 1.7x for daily tasks like browsing and apps, and up to 2.1x for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Better AI capabilities: Apple’s Neural Engine in the M4 is over three times faster than the M1, making AI-related tasks much smoother.
Sleek New M4 Macbook Air Design
The M4 model keeps the updated look introduced with the M2. If you’re upgrading from an M1, this will feel like a big change—flatter edges, a modern aesthetic, and a sleeker profile.
Camera and Battery Life Improvements
- Higher-quality video calls: Apple upgraded the webcam from the M1’s 720p resolution to a sharper 1080p in the M2 and M3 models, and now the M4 is expected to feature a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support.
- Longer battery life: The M4 chip is more power-efficient, meaning you’ll likely get even better battery life than on the M1 model.
More External Display Support
One of the biggest drawbacks of the M1 MacBook Air was its limitation to a single external display. With the M4 MacBook Air, you’ll finally be able to connect two external monitors without closing the laptop lid.
Bigger, Brighter Display Options
- The M1 model only had a 13.3-inch option. The new lineup includes a 13.6-inch and a 15.3-inch version.
- Expect a brighter display, and possibly a nano-texture glass option to reduce glare.
More Memory, Better Sound, and Improved Charging
- More RAM: The M4 is expected to start with 16GB of RAM, going up to 32GB.
- Enhanced audio: A new four-speaker system replaces the M1’s simpler setup.
- MagSafe charging: The M4 retains MagSafe, freeing up USB-C ports for other uses.
These are just some of the biggest changes, but overall, the M4 MacBook Air shapes up to be a massive improvement over the M1.
Potential Drawbacks of M4 Macbook Air
No upgrade is perfect, and there are two changes that not everyone will love:
- The display notch: If you weren’t a fan of the notch introduced with the M2, you’ll still have to deal with it on the M4.
- New design style: The iconic wedge shape of the M1 MacBook Air is gone, replaced with the modern flat-edged look. Some people prefer the old tapered design.
Should You Upgrade?
If you’re still using an M1 MacBook Air and tend to keep your devices for several years, the M4 is definitely worth considering. Sure, the M1 still holds up well, but after four years, an upgrade like this offers better performance, more features, and future-proofing for the long haul.
The M4 MacBook Air will be here soon, and it’s shaping up to be the best reason yet for M1 users to make the switch.
