MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)

Overview

The MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) is a thin and lightweight laptop for students, professionals and everyday users. Its fanless design operates silently, while the 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display provides a practical balance between workspace and portability.

The M4 chip combines a 10-core CPU with an 8-core or 10-core GPU. With at least 16GB of unified memory, support for two external displays and dedicated media engines, it is suitable for productivity, programming, photo editing and lighter video-production work.

When buying a used or open-box unit, confirm its GPU, unified memory and SSD configuration because these cannot be upgraded later. Check the battery cycle count and maximum capacity, ensure Activation Lock and device management have been removed, and test the display, keyboard, trackpad, camera, speakers, ports and MagSafe charging equipment.

Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Launch Year	2025
Display	13.6-inch Liquid Retina
Resolution	2560 × 1664 pixels
Processor	Apple M4
CPU and GPU	10-core CPU with 8-core or 10-core GPU
Unified Memory	16GB; configurable to 24GB or 32GB
Storage	256GB SSD; configurable to 512GB, 1TB or 2TB
Battery Life	Up to 18 hours of video streaming
Ports	Two Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3 and headphone jack
Weight	Approximately 1.24kg

Key Highlights

M4 Performance in a Fanless Design

The M4 chip includes a 10-core CPU, an 8-core or 10-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine and 120GB/s of memory bandwidth. Its fanless design allows the MacBook Air to operate silently.

Why it matters:

Handles office applications and multitasking smoothly.
Supports programming and lighter creative workflows.
Hardware-accelerated ray tracing benefits compatible software.
Dedicated media engines accelerate supported video formats.
Silent operation suits classrooms, meetings and libraries.

Portable Liquid Retina Display

The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display has a 2560 × 1664 resolution, 500-nit brightness and support for one billion colours. P3 wide colour and True Tone improve supported visual content and everyday viewing.

Why it matters:

Text and detailed graphics appear sharp.
P3 colour benefits supported photos and creative work.
True Tone adjusts the display to ambient lighting.
The compact size is convenient for travel.
Its 1.24kg weight makes daily transport easier.

Two External Displays and Thunderbolt 4

The M4 MacBook Air supports up to two external displays while continuing to use its built-in screen. Its two Thunderbolt 4 ports support charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 and data-transfer speeds of up to 40Gb/s.

Why it matters:

Enables productive multi-monitor workstations.
Connects compatible displays, docks and external storage.
MagSafe keeps both Thunderbolt ports free while charging.
Each external display can reach up to 6K at 60Hz.
USB 4 provides broad accessory compatibility.

Key Features Explained

Feature	Specification	Why It Matters
Processor	Apple M4	Provides efficient performance for productivity and creative applications
CPU	10-core CPU	Handles multitasking, coding, documents and media processing
GPU	8-core or 10-core GPU	Supports graphics work, lighter video editing and compatible games
Neural Engine	16-core Neural Engine	Accelerates supported machine-learning and Apple Intelligence tasks
Unified Memory	16GB, 24GB or 32GB	Provides capacity for multitasking and larger projects
Memory Bandwidth	120GB/s	Helps the processor and GPU access shared data efficiently
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB SSD	Provides fast loading with several storage configurations
Display	13.6-inch Liquid Retina	Offers a sharp and colour-capable portable workspace
External Displays	Up to two 6K displays at 60Hz	Supports productive desktop configurations
Ports	Two Thunderbolt 4 and MagSafe 3	Connects displays, storage, docks and charging equipment
Camera	12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View	Improves calls with automatic framing and a desk perspective
Audio	Four-speaker system and three-microphone array	Provides clear media playback and voice capture
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3	Supports modern wireless networks and accessories
Battery	53.8Wh; up to 18 hours of video streaming	Provides practical all-day portability
Charging	Fast-charge capable with a 70W USB-C adapter	Restores battery capacity more quickly with suitable equipment

Compare Related Models

Feature	MacBook Air 13-inch M4 2025	MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2026	MacBook Air 15-inch M4 2025	MacBook Air 13-inch M3 2024
Display Size	13.6-inch	13.6-inch	15.3-inch	13.6-inch
Display Type	Liquid Retina IPS	Liquid Retina IPS	Liquid Retina IPS	Liquid Retina IPS
Resolution	2560 × 1664	2560 × 1664	2880 × 1864	2560 × 1664
Refresh Rate	60Hz	60Hz	60Hz	60Hz
Processor	M4	M5	M4	M3
CPU	10-core	10-core	10-core	8-core
GPU	8-core or 10-core	8-core or 10-core	10-core	8-core or 10-core
Starting Unified Memory	16GB	16GB	16GB	Configuration dependent
Maximum Unified Memory	32GB	32GB	32GB	24GB
Starting Storage	256GB	512GB	256GB	256GB
Maximum Storage	2TB	4TB	2TB	2TB
External Displays	Up to two	Up to two	Up to two	Up to two
Video Streaming	Up to 18 hours	Up to 18 hours	Up to 18 hours	Up to 18 hours
Weight	About 1.24kg	About 1.23kg	About 1.51kg	About 1.24kg
Best Advantage	Strong value and portability	Newer performance and storage options	Larger display and speakers	Potentially lower used price

Which Model Should You Choose?

Choose This Model	Recommended For
MacBook Air 13-inch M4 2025	Buyers who want capable performance, portability and two-display support at a competitive price.
MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2026	Users who want newer performance, faster wireless connectivity and storage options up to 4TB.
MacBook Air 15-inch M4 2025	Buyers who prefer a larger display and six-speaker sound system.
MacBook Air 13-inch M3 2024	Buyers who prioritise a lower price over the M4 model’s performance improvements.

Alternative Models

If you are comparing before buying, you may also want to check these related SellUp Marketplace pages:

MacBook Air (13-inch, M5, 2026) – A newer alternative with higher memory bandwidth, Wi-Fi 7 and storage options up to 4TB.
MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025) – A larger-screen M4 option with a six-speaker sound system.
MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024) – An older model that may provide better value for lighter workloads.
MacBook Neo – A more affordable current Mac for students and buyers with basic computing needs.

Common Questions

Is the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 suitable for everyday use?

Yes. Its M4 chip and minimum 16GB of unified memory are suitable for documents, browsing, video calls, programming, multitasking and common creative applications.

Is the MacBook Air M4 good for video editing?

It is suitable for lighter and moderately demanding editing, including supported H.264, HEVC and ProRes workflows. Sustained professional workloads may benefit from a MacBook Pro with active cooling.

What is the difference between the M4 and M5 MacBook Air?

The M5 model offers higher memory bandwidth, newer wireless connectivity and storage configurations up to 4TB. The M4 remains capable and may offer better value when available at a lower price.

How many external displays can the M4 MacBook Air support?

It supports up to two external displays with resolutions up to 6K at 60Hz while continuing to operate its built-in display.

Can the memory or SSD be upgraded later?

No. The unified memory and internal SSD cannot be upgraded after purchase. Buyers should select enough memory and storage for their expected workload.

Is the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 2025 worth buying?

It remains a strong option for users who want a light, silent and capable Mac. It may provide particularly good value when priced below the M5 model without sacrificing important everyday features.

Why Buy the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 2025?

The MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) combines capable performance, a sharp Liquid Retina display and long battery life in a silent 1.24kg design. It is suitable for students, office users, developers and creative users who prioritise portability.

Compare MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) listings on SellUp Marketplace to find the condition, GPU configuration, unified memory, storage size, colour, and price that suits your budget.