The MacBook Air is a line of laptop computers from Apple Inc. They serve as an ultrathin, lightweight alternative to Apple’s MacBook Pro line. They also cost less: The Air series is designed for typical consumers and students, not professionals.
Currently, the computers come in 13-inch and 15-inch versions. No matter the size, they offer two USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt.
Apple moved the MacBook Air line to Apple silicon in 2020, starting with the M1 processor. The current models run on an M4 chip. Like all MacBooks, they run macOS, Apple’s own operating system.
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduced the MacBook Air on January 15, 2008, pulling it from a standard manila envelope and calling it the “world’s thinnest notebook.”
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The MacBook Air comes in four mostly pastel and bright colors. Since the reintroduction of MagSafe, all colors come with a color-matched MagSafe charging cable. It has an aluminum connector that matches the color of the laptop, with a similarly colored braided cable.
The Starlight color is very similar to Silver, but with a slight warmth. It’s much less prominent than Gold, a color option that was available on the Intel and M1 models. Starlight is more subtle in color.
Sky Blue MacBook Air
Sky Blue is the latest color option, available on the M4 model. Much like Starlight, it’s a very subtle color, but with a cooler tint. It’s noticeable in the Apple Store and in broad daylight, but in most indoor situations, it’s hard to tell apart from regular Silver.
Midnight is a dark color option. It’s a very dark blue-gray. It’s somewhat similar to Space Black on the MacBook Pro, although that shade is more neutral gray. The slight blue of Midnight is most noticeable in bright lighting conditions, like in an Apple Store or in broad daylight. In most situations, it looks near black.
Silver is perhaps the most iconic Apple color. It was the only color option for many, many years, from its introduction in 2008 until the 2018 Retina model. While there are three more color options, silver is still available.
Space Gray is a darker medium gray color that was available from 2018 (with the first Retina model) through the 2024 M3 model. With the addition of Sky Blue as a color, Space Gray was discontinued. Those who want a dark laptop can opt for Midnight, which is dark gray with a hint of blue.
Space Gray is no longer available on the MacBook Pro either, replaced by Space Black.
Apple’s most popular laptop now comes in two sizes: a 13-inch model and a 15-inch model.
The 13-inch screen size has been the standard size of the Air ever since it was first introduced. Now, the screen runs edge-to-edge, with a notch in the top of the display to accommodate the built-in camera. The 13-inch model is the ideal balance of screen space for web browsing and light work tasks, while being incredibly portable and lightweight.
The 13-inch model is considered the entry level model, and costs $200 less.
The 15-inch model was introduced in 2023. It has most of the same specs as the 13-inch model, with a slightly higher-end base configuration. New models are released at the same time, so you always have a choice of screen size. The 15-inch model, however, is $200 more expensive.
The 15-inch screen is great for work in pro apps like Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro and others.
From late 2010 to early 2015, Apple made a smaller model with an 11-inch screen. This compact laptop was highly portable while still featuring a full-size keyboard. The big bezel around the display of the MacBook Air at the time added a lot of extra width to the device, so Apple did not have to make a smaller keyboard.
Apple replaced this model with the 12-inch MacBook in 2017. The MacBook received a few updates, but was discontinued without a replacement. Now, the 13-inch Air remains the smallest laptop Apple makes.
The 13-inch MacBook Air starts at $999. It comes with the latest M4 chip, 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage. The 15-inch model starts at $1,199 and comes with a slightly higher-end M4 chip.
In the Apple Education Store, the prices are a bit cheaper. The 13-inch model starts at $899; the 15-inch model starts at $1,099. All you need to check out in the education store is a .edu email address.
Older models are available through Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart and other retailers. Any Apple silicon Mac with an M1 chip or later is still going to be a good purchase. Apple sells the M1 MacBook Air at Walmart for just $650 — and it’s often discounted even cheaper.
The M4 model is the current MacBook Air. It introduced a new color, Sky Blue, replacing Space Gray. The M4 offers the biggest leap in performance since the original switch from Intel to M1. This single update performs in benchmarks up to 50% faster than the M3 version immediately prior.
It also simplified the lineup, replacing the old model at its lower price of $999. And finally, it can drive two external displays with the built-in display active as well, bringing three-screen multitasking to the MacBook Air.
The M3 model was a simple spec bump with the same beloved design. The M3 chip brought a die shrink down to three nanometers, using a cutting-edge manufacturing process from TSMC. This led to a 60% performance boost compared to the original M1 model.
The M3 model added support for two external monitors (albeit with the main display closed), solving a long-standing issue since the introduction of Apple silicon.
The prior M2 model remained on sale at $999 after the M3 was introduced, starting at $1,099. This slightly confusing lineup remained until the M4 was introduced.
The M2 Air from June 2022 was a significant upgrade. It brought the new design that subsequent models have used, with an edge-to-edge display, MagSafe and two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, and a flat design similar to the MacBook Pro. A matching 15-inch model was also released a year later.
The M1 model from later that year was one of the first three Macs with Apple silicon inside. This offered a gigantic leap in terms of performance and battery life — a 3.5× faster CPU, 5× faster graphics and 9× faster machine learning (AI) performance. It got an incredible 18 hours of battery life. And all of that is possible in a design without a fan, for totally silent operation.
The model from early 2020 is the last model with an Intel processor inside. Later that year, Apple released the M1 model, which looks the same from the outside but has a much faster chip. Apple has said that macOS 26 Tahoe, the update coming this fall, will be the last version this Mac will run. macOS 27 will not be supported on Intel Macs.
While the Air has the same chip as the entry-level MacBook Pro, the Pro has a number of other advantages. The Pro features a bigger, brighter display. It has many more ports; it adds an extra Thunderbolt port, an HDMI port and SDXC card slot.
The MacBook Pro can be upgraded with much higher specs than the Air as well. The M4 Pro and M4 Max chips aren’t available on the Air. These chips have more CPU and GPU cores for faster performance in intense tasks like video editing, gaming, compiling code, 3D modeling and more.
The MacBook Pro can also be configured with more memory and storage space than the Air and supports more external displays.
However, the MacBook Pro is noticeably heavier. The smaller Air is 2.7 lbs. compared to 3.5 lbs. The larger Air is 3.3 lbs. compared to 4.7 lbs.
The MacBook Pro is also more expensive. It starts at $1,499, whereas the Air starts at $999.
This Genshin Impact Edition Nexode 3-port GaN fast USB-C charger is a compact power adapter with foldable prongs for MacBook Pro/Air, iPhone 16/15, iPad Pro and more.
The MacBook Air can be charged in two different ways. Models from 2018 onwards can be plugged in via any USB-C port to a charger. The M2 models from 2022 and later can also be charged with MagSafe 3 to a charger. Every MacBook comes with a color-matched MagSafe cable in the box, and replacements can be ordered online from Amazon.
Ugreen produces a line of USB-C wall chargers. These come in different power levels to keep it — and multiple other devices — fully charged up.
Powered by Apple's M4 chip, this 13-inch laptop delivers excellent performance and extreme efficiency in the same gorgeous design as last year's model. It packs two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe connector for fast charging, with Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. It comes in four colors, including an interesting new sky blue.
MacBook Air with the M4 chip lets you blaze through work and play. With Apple Intelligence, up to 18 hours of battery life, and an incredibly portable design, you can take on anything, anywhere.
The MacBook Air is often on sale with good deals on Amazon. You can find bigger deals on the more expensive configurations. However, Amazon has a limited number of premade configurations, and does not allow you to fully build-to-order a Mac.
Replacing the battery on a MacBook Air can give it a new lease on life.
You can get your battery replaced at an Apple Store, but it may cost a pretty penny. Apple also only works on MacBooks that are under seven years old.
Replacing it on your own is certainly manageable, but is not an operation for the faint of heart. The bottom case easily unscrews, and the battery is mostly unobstructed. You will, however, need to remove the trackpad from the inside to get full access to the battery. The battery is also held in with a lot of glue that can be tricky to remove.
You need to properly reset your MacBook Air before you trade, sell or pass it down. That way, the new owner will be able to set it up as brand new, with none of your data left on it.
First, make sure that a recent Time Machine backup is in place. You can check this in System Settings > Time Machine. Make sure that “Backups” shows a recent date and time. Otherwise, right-click on your Time Machine and click Back Up Now.
After setting up your new device, go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, click Erase All Content and Settings and follow the instructions.
You can trade in an old MacBook Air you’re ready to ditch through the Cult of Mac Buyback program. You can get some cash back for an old laptop you have that you can put towards a new purchase.
Don’t worry about packaging — put your device in the box you’ll get in the mail and use the included return label to send it back for free. You don’t have to send back your charger, either; keep it for yourself.
You can get your money back by a printable e-check, ACH deposit or even a check through the mail.
The M4 MacBook Air is Apple’s best notebook for most people, and a sweet deal takes 10% off the cost of both the 15-inch and the 13-inch variants.
The sale knocks $119 off the price of the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air. That’s a wicked deal on a beautiful and powerful macOS notebook. Plus, the 13-inch variant receives a $100 off discount, so it costs less than $900.
Ready to convert to Mac? I came across one user who scored a nice student deal on a MacBook Air, and soon found themself upgrading their whole outdated PC setup as a complete, highly functional and reasonably affordable Apple-ecosystem rig.
“I’m so so cooked … the Apple ecosystem is a huge trap!” they joked. “Don’t let one device get into your house.”
Anker’s a top accessories maker for Apple users — maybe most of all for charging needs related to MacBooks and other devices. As usual, Anker Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days sale items could fill a dense catalogue. So we thought we’d put together some top picks for MacBook users. Namely, a choice multiport charger with solid wattage, a great portable power bank with retractable cables and a highly functional docking station with fast transfer speeds and ample connectivity. Check them out below.
MacBooks make you faster, sharper and more productive. But they’ve always come with one big problem: price. Upgraded’s affordable MacBook financing program changes that.
Whether you’re buying a MacBook for yourself or outfitting an entire company, it usually means a huge upfront bill, a complicated reselling process, or headaches when managing devices for remote employees.
Upgraded solves this with simple monthly MacBook subscriptions, starting at just $33.28 per month. For businesses, Upgraded’s innovative MacBook financing also means turning big upfront capital expenses into smaller operating expenses you can write off, while handing off the hassle of device management.
Apple will reportedly expand the use of custom chips in its future devices. This will start with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air using its in-house modem.
The M5 MacBook Air will allegedly then follow, using a new in-house wireless chip, likely combining Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality into one.
Apple is gearing up for a blockbuster year, with a packed product roadmap that spans nearly every category in its lineup. From an iPhone redesign to upgrades for the Mac, iPad and Apple Watch families, the next twelve months promise a steady stream of hardware refreshes, software milestones and perhaps a few surprises.
Whether you’re a casual user or a die-hard fan, here’s a look at every major Apple product expected between now and next summer.
Two new HDMI adapters from Other World Computing (OWC) solve the external display limitations that have frustrated Apple Silicon Mac users since the M1 chip’s introduction, the company said Monday. The new OWC USB-C Quad HDMI 4K Adapter and redesigned OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Adapter offer Mac owners a way to connect multiple external monitors without juggling multiple dongles.
“Whether you’re working with spreadsheets, streaming data, editing video or just need more screen real estate to stay productive, we believe your gear shouldn’t hold you back,” said Larry O’Connor, OWC’s founder and CEO. “With our new Quad and enhanced Dual HDMI adapters, we’re giving users the power to easily expand their visual workspace, without the complexity or cost of juggling multiple adapters or sacrificing performance.”
Want a capable Apple laptop at a super-affordable price? This sale from Cult of Mac Deals means you can land a refurbished M1 MacBook Air for only $429.99.
That’s a crazy-good price for an Apple laptop that’s perfect for most people’s needs.
Apple could launch a MacBook next year that’s even more affordable than the current $999 13-inch MacBook Air. The new budget laptop supposedly will use an A18 Pro chip and come in several colors.
The company hopes to boost MacBook shipments to return to the COVID-19 peak of around 25 million next year with this move.
Want to buy a MacBook and pay monthly? Apple fans love staying current. But when it comes to MacBooks, upgrading isn’t always easy. Base models at big box stores can feel underpowered. Reselling is a pain. And dropping $2,000-plus upfront? Not ideal.
That’s why more people are switching to Upgraded, a MacBook installment plan that starts at just $33.28 per month. It lets you customize your machine’s specs, and offers an easy upgrade every two years.
No resale headaches. No massive upfront cost. Just the Mac you want, when you want it.
Sometimes a computer setup may look basic or boring at a glance — but it still might get the job done quite well and pack some surprisingly cool gear. Today’s featured setup, centered on an M3 MacBook Air with dual monitors, is a good example. It features not only Apple’s great lightweight laptop driving a pair of displays, but some other solid peripherals — like a Harman Kardon Bluetooth speaker I’ve never seen before in a setup featured on Cult of Mac.
And while the user seemed unsure his not-super-cool setup warranted posting on social media, he ended up getting lots of reassurance and good advice for improvements.
The 3-monitor setup isn’t terribly rare in the world of computer workstations displayed on social media. But a MacBook Air driving a trio of wall-mounted 4K monitors — all in landscape orientation, end to end — isn’t especially common, as it appears in today’s featured setup. Viewers loved its clean look. And it turned out the user employs a couple of tricks to help keep it that way.
Apple device users looking for a more compact and versatile charging solution now have a compelling new option in the new CukTech 15 140W GaN Charger, the company said Wednesday. That’s particularly good news for MacBook Pro owners. And not just because of the 40% off launch discount — but because this charger packs enough power for laptops.
If your favorite app doesn’t work well with the screen notch in your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, there is a solution. Apple created a “Scale to fit below built-in camera” setting that always puts the app into the space below the notch when in full-screen mode.
And it can be set for individual apps. Here’s how.
President Donald Trump’s newly announced 54% tariff on Chinese imports sent shock waves through the tech industry, with Apple potentially facing billions in additional costs. This raises an urgent question for consumers: Should you rush to buy that new iPhone or MacBook before prices skyrocket?
You might want to accelerate the timing of that upgrade you had in the back of your mind. But those who aren’t desperate to upgrade might benefit from playing the waiting game. See the ins and outs below.
Hooray for (super-) simple solutions. Today’s MacBook Pro and MacBook Air user runs both laptops with Studio Display. But how does he switch between them? Sure, he could employ cabling and software fixes to run both at once, but in this case simple hardware in the form of a dual vertical laptop stand comes to the rescue.
Amazon is famous for its Prime Day and Black Friday deals, but it also runs the Amazon Big Spring Sale, on now. It ends Monday, March 31, unless extended. That wouldn’t be too surprising, given that the mega retailer often extends its sales. So it’s another chance for you to score savings on all sorts of Apple gear, including MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPad Pro, iPad Air, Apple Watch, AirPods Pro 2 and more. Click on our posts to all the best deals, below.
When I came across today’s M4 iMac setup on the interwebs, I realized how rarely they come up in Cult of Mac‘s setups coverage. Out of 616 articles I’ve written about setups to date — over more than 4 years — this is only the 11th one to feature an iMac (plus a few others from before I took over the setups beat). And that small number doesn’t come from any hatred of iMacs on my part. It’s just that users seem to flaunt them much less on social media than other hardware. And they’re not top sellers for Apple.
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Anyone who constantly moves around with multiple devices knows finding a reliable power bank for laptop charging can be a challenge. After more than a week of using the new Alogic Roam 21,000mAh Power Bank, I’m ready to share my hands-on experience with the premium charger. Is it worth the investment? Yes. Let’s dive in, and I’ll tell you why.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Griffin goes deep on the M3 iPad Air and the M4 MacBook Air, which he recently reviewed from his unique perspective as a Mac mini fanatic. He loved them both, but which one rules the day? And can either of them come close to his desktop dynamo?
Also on The CultCast:
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
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The 2025 MacBook Air with Apple’s M4 processor comes as close as you can get to a perfect computer for just about everyone. As I found during testing for this review, Apple crammed tons of power into a svelte, lightweight design. And this combination has never been more affordable.
This latest MacBook Air might look familiar on the outside. But when you get to work, you’ll quickly discover that the M4 is a totally different beast. M3 to M4 is the biggest leap in performance since Apple’s original switch from Intel processors to Apple silicon.
I put the latest MacBook Air through its paces for this hands-on review — read what I learned below or watch our video.
Joining the Apple ecosystem can cost a pretty penny, but not when you opt for a refurbished MacBook Air. Buying a barely used Apple laptop offers a more affordable way to join the family.
Want in? You can purchase a refurbished MacBook Air from 2017 for just $229.97 for a limited time.
New M4 MacBook Air reviews find it’s one of Apple’s most compelling laptop updates in recent memory — not because of revolutionary changes, but due to thoughtful refinements and a surprising price reduction. Here’s what reviewers said Tuesday about the new M4 MacBook Air.
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: There’s plenty to talk about after an absolutely magical barrage of new Apple products unveiled this week. We discuss the highlights (and lowlights) of all the new Macs and iPads.
Also on The CultCast:
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
Is it worth it to buy the M4 MacBook Air? This machine has got to be the best value in all computing right now. The latest model brings a big boost in performance, and comes in a stunning new sky blue color — at an even-lower price. The new MacBook Air is one of Apple’s best laptops ever.
If you’re still using the Intel MacBook Air you bought in early 2020 during COVID-19, now is the golden time for you to upgrade. You’ll be getting a fantastically powerful laptop that can handle it all.
Is it worthwhile to upgrade? We have a guide below with helpful charts and a video to help you decide.