New MacBook Air M4 launch live updates – laptop officially lands alongside new Mac Studio
Posted by batterymap01
from the Business category at
06 Mar 2025 01:16:59 am.
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AppleCEOTim Cookchanneled his inner Phil Collins this week by posting "There’s something in the Air" as a teaser. Yesterday we saw the arrival of anew iPad Air M3 tablet with a refreshed Magic Keyboard, and now Apple has followed that up by launching a new MacBook Air M4 and Mac Studio.
First, a recap of yesterday's news. That new iPad Air comes in 11-inch or 13-inch sizes, both of which cost the same as before. You can pre-order the 11-inch model for $599 / £599 / AU$999 or the 13-inch version for $799 / £799 / AU$1,349 ahead of a March 12 delivery, in your choice of Blue, Purple, Starlight, or Space Gray color options.
Apple also quietly updated the base iPad, doubling the base storage but keeping the A16 chip. This means it won't get Apple Intelligence – an odd decision, considering how much Apple has been promoting its AI features.
Fortunately for MacBook Air fans, that wasn't the end of the news. Apple has now also announced a new MacBook Air M4 model (complete with a slight price cut from last year) and a Mac Studio, which it's calling "the most powerful Mac ever". Here's all the latest news and reaction in another big day for Apple...
>>>A2669 Battery for Apple MacBook Air 13 M2 2022 661-26150
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T21:38:41+00:00">6 March 2025 at 05:38</time>Game time<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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The evolution of gaming on the Mac is moving along quite well, especially as our Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff saw a demo of Cyberpunk 2077 running on the ultra-powerfulnew Mac Studio.
For folks who want a Mac, let's say specifically or mostly for gaming, the case could be made for a machine with the best chip and a hefty amount of RAM to ensure everything runs smoothly. We've seen a steady stream of AAA titles become available for all M-series, and while they do run well on theMacBook Airand even theMini, it's likely the Mac Studio will deliver the best of the best experience.
>>>A2681 Battery for Apple MacBook Air 13 M2 2022 661-26150
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T20:40:12+00:00">6 March 2025 at 04:40</time>Making big comparisons<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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There’s some interesting choice of comparisons in Apple’s press release about the M4 MacBook Air. Note how often it’s compared to an Intel MacBook Air, even though such a thing hasn’t been sold since 2020.
- Spreadsheet calculation performance in Microsoft Excel is up to 4.7x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air, and up to 1.6x faster than the 13-inch MacBook Air with M1.
- Video editing in iMovie is up to 8x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air, and up to 2x faster than the 13-inch MacBook Air with M1.
- Photo editing in Adobe Photoshop is up to 3.6x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air, and up to 2x faster than the 13-inch MacBook Air with M1.
- Web browsing is up to 60 percent faster when compared to a PC laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, and more demanding tasks get up to 2x faster performance.
Cynics will possibly say that Apple is just trying to offer the biggest possible comparison numbers – but I think it’s probably a lot more deliberate than that. Apple knows alotabout people’s buying behavior and how often they update, and I’m guessing that it’s got strong data saying that people who bought Intel MacBook Airs or MacBook Pros are starting to now look to replace them. It’s making the case for what a huge update the MacBook Air will be to these people specifically.
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T19:19:54+00:00">6 March 2025 at 03:19</time>The color of hue<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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The Blue Sky MacBook Air is an interesting one, in that it takes this laptop further towards meeting the iPad Air, which has been available in lovely pastel hues for a while. If this takes off, will we get pink and green MacBook Air models? I’d beverytempted by the latter, and I could see Apple releasing them later in the year, to tempt people to buy one for the holiday season.
>>>A2389 Battery for Apple MacBook Air 13 inch (2020 Version)
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T18:12:49+00:00">6 March 2025 at 02:12</time><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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"It’s perhaps a little odd that the Mac Studio uses the M4 Max, but the M3 Ultra – and not an M4 Ultra. There are three obvious potential reasons why:
- The M4 Ultra might just produce too much heat for the Mac Studio’s thermal design to handle compared to the M3 Max
- The M4 Ultra would be two M4 Max chips Frankensteined together, and perhaps Apple thinks it will struggle to make enough M4 Max chips to meet supply if it has to use two of them per M4 Ultra model sold
- The Mac Pro is perhaps about to be upgraded as well, and the M4 Ultra is being saved for that (perhaps partly connected to the reason above – maybe Apple would struggle to produce enough Ultra chips for both machines)
Of course, there could be any other marketing or logistical reason, but it remains one of the more surprising foibles of the new machines."
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T16:34:00+00:00">6 March 2025 at 00:34</time>
Alongside debuting the MacBook Air with M4, Apple removed the MacBook Air with M3 for sale, as we expected with a new generation, but also removed the MacBook Air with M2, which was the entry point to the lineup.
The 13-inch MacBook with M4 at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 fills that entry-level spot. Arguably, that will get Apple's latest chipset in the hands of more folks at a more affordable price. In the United States, with an educational discount, the MacBook Air is just $899 with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.
Even so, while Apple is no longer selling the M2- or M3-powered MacBook Air, there is a good chance that third-party retailers will still offer it until stock runs out. Remember, you can still find the M1 MacBook Air at Walmart for a pretty unbeatable value.
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Apple's MacBook Air with the M3 chipset
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<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T15:38:09+00:00">5 March 2025 at 23:38</time>Early thoughts on the MacBook Air M4<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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The MacBook Air M3 (above) has now been retired by Apple
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The editor is very familiar with the MacBook Air series and Apple's M4 chip, having done in-depth tests of both. And he reckons the new M4 version looks very promising, on paper.
"It's good to see the 13-inch MacBook Air M4 launch at $999, the original price of the M1 MacBook Air. That’s incredible value for money considering the premium design and build quality" he said.
"And from my time using the M4 chip in the latest MacBook Pros, and last year’s iPad Pro, I’m pretty confident that it will be a great performer," he added. We'll give you our official verdict on where it sits in our guide to thebest laptopssoon once we've done some benchmarking and real-world testing, of course.
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T15:13:49+00:00">5 March 2025 at 23:13</time>I've decided... the new Sky Blue looks like a winner<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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At first, I was a bit surprised that Apple had replaced Space Grey with its new Sky Blue color option for the MacBook Air M4. I always thought Space Grey was a bit of a default option and maybe Apple's most popular hue (though I have no data to back this up).
But after looking at the available photos of the new color, I've decided it's probably the one I'd go for. Space Grey is a bit serious for what is an entry-level laptop and metallic blue color looks like a nice compromise between going too iMac and keeping things safe and dull.
The color-matched MagSafe charging cables are nice, too. I'll reserve final judgement until I see it in the flesh, mind...
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T14:40:14+00:00">5 March 2025 at 22:40</time>That MacBook Air M4 price drop...<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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Here's some confirmation of that unexpected, but very welcome, MacBook Air price cut with international pricing.
The 13-inch model starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, which is a drop from the MacBook Air M3's tag of $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799. If you want a bigger screen, the 15-inch version starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,099, which is again a drop from last year's starting tag of $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,199.
That new M4 chip brings more power in the form of a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU. You can also upgrade the laptop to 32GB of unified memory, though the base model starts at 16GB RAM.
All in all, getting those upgrades for less money than last year is likely to make the new MacBook Air very popular indeed. Still a but surprised that Apple dropped the Space Grey version for the new Sky Blue shade, though...
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T14:11:20+00:00">5 March 2025 at 22:11</time>And just for good measure... a new Mac Studio<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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Well, this is turning into quite a day for Mac fans. Apple has also just announced a new Mac Studio, which it's billing as "the most powerful Mac ever".
It seems that Apple still wants to make sure this relatively compact desktop offering is still overclocked. It offers a range of ports, with the two USB-Cs now being a Thunderbolt 5 flavor, but the real change is under the hood.
The Mac Studio comes with the M4 Max, which is already well-reviewed, and a brand-new M3 Ultra. And while it’s not an “M4 Ultra,” it’s the most powerful one in the lineup, essentially fusing two M3 Max chips.
You can pre-order the Mac Studio from today with prices starting at $1,999 (we'll follow up with international pricing shortly).
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T14:01:43+00:00">5 March 2025 at 22:01</time>The MacBook Air M4 is here!<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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So it's finally here – Apple hasjust announced the new MacBook Air M4. Alongside that new M4 chip, Apple has upgraded its 12MP FaceTime camera with some Center Stage powers – it also now has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a boost from last year's Thunderbolt 3 ones.
And wait, there's also a new color. Apple has replaced the Space Gray option (which I always thought that was the most popular) with Sky Blue, which it's offering alongside Midnight, Starlight and Silver.
Pre-orders for the MacBook Air M4 open today ahead of shipping on March 12 – the 13-inch model starts at $999 and the 15-inch one starts at $1,599. Impressively, that looks like a $100 price cut from last year. More news on the promising entry-level laptop and its international pricing when we get it...
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T13:35:33+00:00">5 March 2025 at 21:35</time>This time yesterday...<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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Yesterday's iPad Air M3 announcement took place at 9am ET / 2pm GMT. Could Apple repeat that trick today for the M4 MacBook Air?
It's by no means certain – Apple's launch process seems much more scattergun and unpredictable these days. But I'll certainly be keeping a close eye on my inbox andApple's newsroomas the clock ticks closer to that time...
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T12:30:48+00:00">5 March 2025 at 20:30</time>The end of Apple's 64GB era<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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An interesting footnote from yesterday's launches, as spotted byMacRumors– Apple no longer offers any iPhones or iPads with 64GB storage options.
That's because theiPhone 16eandnew base iPad A16have replaced the last two models that offered what today seems a pretty measly 64GB of base storage.
Of course, many will see 128GB as too little storage in this day-and-age, but we can expect the MacBook Air M4 to go beyond that if it arrives today. The current M3 model offers 512GB, 1TB and 2TB options, albeit for the usual hefty Apple premium...
<time class="no-wrap live-feed-date" datetime="2025-03-05T11:52:56+00:00">5 March 2025 at 19:52</time>What to expect from the M4 MacBook Air<figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="">
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It's been a long wait for a MacBook Air M4, with the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Mini all getting Apple's latest silicon before the entry-level laptop. But what can we expect if it does indeed arrive today?
On the performance front, someleaked benchmarks last monthshowed that the M4 Air could be only slightly behind theM4 MacBook Proin terms of performance and efficiency. Naturally, this will also come down to how you spec the laptop and we won't know for sure how it performs until we test it, but the Geekbench hints are promising.
Aside from that new M4 chip, the next MacBook Air is also expect to get an improved LCD display (sadly anOLEDpanel is still a few years away), a better webcam, and stronger support forconnecting multiple monitors.
As someone who's running an aging MacBook Pro from mid-2018, I'm definitely keeping a close eye on the new Air to see if it offers better value than a new Pro.
Tags: New MacBook Air M4
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