Apple Reveals the New MacBook Air with M4 Chip
Apple has made a bold claim about its new MacBook Air, which is powered by the latest M4 chip. The company states that this laptop can perform tasks up to 23 times faster than its predecessor that used an Intel processor. This claim has raised eyebrows and sparked interest among tech enthusiasts and potential buyers.
Understanding the Claims
Comparing Two Models
The benchmark for Apple’s claim compares the new 2025 MacBook Air with the 10-core M4 chip and 32GB of RAM to the 2020 MacBook Air featuring a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM. Both models are equipped with a 2TB Solid State Drive (SSD). By choosing the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air for this comparison, Apple aims to highlight its significant performance improvements.
Key Features of the New MacBook
Speed and Performance
Apple’s impressive speed figures come from specific tasks designed to demonstrate the capabilities of its M4 chip. A significant portion of the claim revolves around the Super Resolution feature in Pixelmator Pro, a photo editing software that Apple now owns. This feature uses advanced machine learning to enhance images while maintaining their sharpness and detail.
The Fine Print
Apple has provided a detailed explanation of how it arrived at the 23x performance boost claim. According to their testing:
- The comparison included pre-production versions of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip and a production model of the Intel-based MacBook Air.
- They used a 4.4MB image to test the performance in Pixelmator Pro.
Here is a quote from Apple’s testing guidelines:
"Testing conducted by Apple in January 2025 using preproduction 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air systems with Apple M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 32GB of RAM, as well as production 1.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-based MacBook Air systems with Intel Iris Plus Graphics and 16GB of RAM, all configured with 2TB SSD."
Real-World Comparisons
Apple didn’t just stop at that one claim. They shared performance data for several other applications and tasks:
- Microsoft Excel: Up to 4.7 times faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air.
- iMovie Video Editing: Up to 8 times faster than the fastest Intel model.
- Adobe Photoshop: Up to 3.6 times faster than the Intel MacBook Air.
- Web Browsing: Reports indicate it runs 60% faster than a PC laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor.
These figures seem a bit more realistic and could resonate well with everyday users who rely on these applications for work or leisure.
The Bigger Picture
While Apple’s 23x faster claim might sound a bit exaggerated, there is no doubting that the new MacBook Air models with the M1 and M4 chips represent a significant leap in performance compared to all Intel-based models. If you’ve been putting off upgrading your laptop, now might be the perfect time to consider making the switch.
Availability and Pre-Order Details
You can pre-order the new MacBook Air through Apple’s online store, and the devices will start shipping to customers on March 12, 2025.
Final Thoughts on Your Upgrade
If you are a current user of an Intel MacBook Air, upgrading to a newer model is likely to deliver noticeable improvements in speed and efficiency. Whether you are into creative work like video and photo editing or just need a reliable machine for daily tasks, the new MacBook Air with the M4 chip has the potential to enhance your experience. Keep in mind the specific tasks in which these performance boosts were tested, and consider how they align with your own usage patterns.
In summary, higher speed and efficient performance are undoubtedly key selling points for the latest Apple MacBook Air with the M4 chip. As technology continues to evolve, products like this are setting new benchmarks in the world of laptops.