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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) ($803) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) ($249) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right ultraportable laptop.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $803 | $249 |
| Weight | 1240g | 1290g |
| Chip | M4 | M1 |
| Display | 13.6" Liquid Retina | 13.3" Retina |
| Ports | MagSafe 3, 2x Thunderbolt, headphone | 2x Thunderbolt, headphone |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage | — |
| Cooling | Fanless | Fanless |
| Weight | 1240g (Apple published) | 1290g (Apple published) |
| Battery | — | Up to 18 hours |
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
- M4 performance in a fanless 1240g body
- 12MP Center Stage camera
- Launched cheaper than the M3 did
- Excellent battery life
- Still throttles on sustained heavy work
- No ProMotion display
- Holds value, so used discounts are modest
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
- Extraordinary value at this price
- Fanless and silent
- Battery life still excellent
- Fast enough for real work in 2026
- Wedge shape is thicker at the back than modern Airs
- Only two ports and no MagSafe
- 8GB base memory
- 1290g, heavier than an M2 Air
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) is the better value at $249. If weight matters most, Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) carries lighter at 1240g. Both are part of our curated ultraportable laptop index — tap through to check current pricing.
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