Skip the M1 MacBook Air: The M4 Upgrade is Only $150 More
▼ Summary
– The author advises against Walmart’s $599 M1 MacBook Air Black Friday deal for most buyers, despite its tempting price.
– The 2025 M4 MacBook Air is recommended as a better value at $749.99, offering significant spec and design improvements for only $150 more.
– The M1 model has limitations like only 8GB of RAM, causing sluggish performance under heavy loads, while the M4 comes with 16GB RAM and faster processing.
– Key M4 upgrades include a redesigned body, larger screen with smaller bezels, a better webcam, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a dedicated MagSafe charging port.
– Apple’s M4 processor represents a major performance leap over the M1, making it the clear winner for those seeking a semi-affordable, future-proof MacBook.
Finding the perfect balance between performance and price is a constant challenge for laptop shoppers, especially during major sales events. While a deeply discounted older model might seem like the obvious choice, it’s worth taking a closer look at what a slightly larger investment can get you.
Ahead of the Black Friday rush, you’ll likely see the M1 MacBook Air heavily promoted as an unbeatable laptop deal. At around $599, it certainly presents a tempting offer, particularly for anyone who missed previous sales. For a very specific set of users with minimal needs, it could be the right pick.
However, for the majority of people who need a reliable machine for getting work done, it doesn’t represent the best value. This is especially true when you consider that the latest 2025 M4 MacBook Air, with its significant spec enhancements and design refinements, starts at just $749.99 from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. That’s a mere $150 premium for a substantially more capable computer.
Apple’s M-series chips have demonstrated a clear trajectory of improved power with each new generation. The M4 is now the fourth iteration. This isn’t to suggest the M1 MacBook Air is a poor device; for $600, you could certainly do much worse. When it launched in 2020, it set a new standard for performance and battery life compared to its Intel-based predecessors. Yet, its limitations become more noticeable with each passing year. Another critical factor is software support; buying a newer model ensures you’ll receive vital operating system updates for a longer period.
The base $599 M1 model comes with only 8GB of unified memory, which is less than what many current flagship smartphones offer. It handles light tasks with surprising speed, but users often report it becomes sluggish when multiple browser tabs and applications are open. In contrast, the newer MacBook Air configurations start with 16GB of RAM by default. Coupled with the powerful M4 processor, this combination allows the laptop to breeze through demanding tasks with ease. While both models feature two USB-C ports and a headphone jack, the M4’s ports are faster, supporting Thunderbolt 4. It also includes a dedicated MagSafe charging port, freeing up a USB-C port for other uses.
The improvements extend beyond internal specifications. Apple moved away from the iconic wedge-shaped design starting with the M2 model. The newer MacBook Airs boast a more sophisticated, flat-profile aesthetic that closely resembles the MacBook Pro. The display is larger due to significantly slimmer bezels, and it features a notch housing a 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam, a massive upgrade over the camera in the M1 model.
The list of advantages for the newer model is extensive. Detailed reviews provide in-depth performance metrics across various applications, but the core takeaway is simple. The M4 MacBook Air significantly outperforms its M1 predecessor in nearly every measurable way. For an additional $150, it emerges as the undeniable winner for anyone seeking a powerful and future-proof MacBook without a Pro-level price tag this holiday season.
(Source: The Verge)
