As the entry-level chip in the M4 family of Apple silicon (which includes the M4 Pro and M4 Max), the M4 packs a 10-core CPU and a GPU with up to 10 cores. Apple claims this CPU’s performance is up to twice as fast as the M1 version from 2020. All models start with 16 GB of RAM with the option to upgrade to 32 GB. (Apple doubled the memory on base models in October on its predecessor as well.) Storage starts at 256 GB, and you can upgrade to 2 terabytes for an additional cost.
The M4 is mighty enough to support two external displays, like the M3 version, but you no longer have to keep the laptop’s lid closed to do so. The previous version of MacBook Air could only push so many pixels at once, and you would have to keep the computer shut to use multiple screens; if you opened it and woke the screen, one of the external displays would go dark. Now, you’ll technically have three screens at your disposal if you count the one on the MacBook Air.
With the M4, you’ll have access to Apple Intelligence as well. Available with macOS 15.1 and newer, it includes a suite of artificial intelligence features like Smart Replies in Messages, Mail Summaries, Clean Up in Apple Photos, Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, and more.
The cost of the MacBook Air has also been reduced to the price it originally sold for before Apple increased it with the launch of the M2 model. The base 13-inch MacBook Air now starts at $999, and the 15-inch version, on the other hand, starts at $1,199. That’s $100 less than its predecessor.
Studio Stunner
Among Apple’s lineup of desktops, the Mac Studio has always been an ideal desktop for creative professionals who need more power than what’s offered in the iMac and Mac Mini, but don’t want to drop an exuberant amount of money on a Mac Pro. The latest Mac Studio has been updated with new chipsets, offering an extra boost of power, along with a few internal upgrades.
You’ll now have the choice between an M4 Max and an all-new M3 Ultra chip. The M4 Max packs an up to 16-core CPU and an up to 40-core GPU. Apple claims it’s up to 3.5 times faster than the Mac Studio with M1 Max and a little over six times faster than the 27-inch iMac with an Intel chip. The higher-speed chip also unlocks some additional graphics capabilities like ray tracing, mesh shading, and dynamic caching for graphics-intensive tasks. It comes with 36 GB of unified memory with support for up to 128 GB.
The new M3 Ultra, on the other hand, is now the most powerful in the M-series lineup. Composed of two M3 Max chips, its CPU can host up to 32 cores (with 24 performance cores), and its GPU can be configured up to 80 cores. Apple claims this chip design is up to 2.5 times faster than the M1 Ultra. As with the M4 Max, it also offers mesh shading, dynamic caching, and ray tracing for graphics pros. You’ll get 96 GB of unified memory with the option to upgrade to 512 GB, while SSD storage can be increased to a whopping 16 TB.
Apple kept the same chassis this time around. The front is home to two USB-C ports and an SD card slot, while the back has four Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, two USB-A ports, a 10-gigabit Ethernet port, a headphone jack, and a power outlet, along with a built-in speaker. The only change is that Apple upgraded the USB-C to Thunderbolt 5 for faster data transfer speeds.
The Mac Studio will start at $1,999 for the base model with the M4 Max. The base model with the M3 Ultra starts at $3,999.
