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Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A
Published April 8, 2025
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What are all the differences between the "2025 M4" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models? What are all the differences between these models and the earlier "2024 M3" MacBook Air?
There are three standard "2025 M4" MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "M4" 10 CPU/8 GPU 13", "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 13" and "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 15".
When Apple introduced the MacBook Air "M4" models, the company discontinued the previous "2024 M3" MacBook Air models entirely -- the MacBook Air "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13", "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13", and "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15".
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (13" & 15" MacBook Air M4 Models)
With even a detailed look at the 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M4" models side-by-side, it would be easy to conclude that they are the same except for display size, which isn't too far from the truth (the 15" models also have a six-speaker system instead of a four-speaker one), but they are quite similar. The MacBook Air "M4" models are highly similar to their "M3" predecessors, as well.
In brief, the later MacBook Air "M4" models have a faster architecture, better quality webcam, increased external display support, a new color option, and lower prices than the MacBook Air "M3" models replaced, but these differences are worth evaluating in more detail. There are many similarities that are useful to understand, too.
External Differences
As you would expect, the 13" MacBook Air "M3" and "M4" models are are smaller than the 15" MacBook Air "M3" and "M4" models. The 13" models from each line are the same size and weight. The 15" models from each line are the same size and weight, also.
Specifically, the 13" models are 0.44 inches x 11.97 inches x 8.46 inches when closed and 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg) whereas the 15" models are slightly thicker as well as wider and deeper to accommodate the larger display (0.45 inches x 13.40 inches x 9.35 inches) and heavier (3.3 pounds; 1.51 kg).
There are different color options between lines, though. Both lines are offered in the same silver, warm gray "Starlight", and dark blue "Midnight" color options. However, the earlier MacBook Air "M3" models also are offered in a darker "Space Gray" color which was replaced with a very pale blue-silver "Sky Blue" color for the later MacBook Air "M4" line.
The "Liquid Retina" displays in both lines are the same -- 13" models have a 13.6" (2560x1664) display and 15" models have a 15.3" (2880x1864) display. All displays are LED-backlit with IPS, Wide color (P3), "True Tone" technology that automatically adjusts color temperature, 224 ppi, and provide 500 nits of brightness.
All have a "notch" at the top of the screen that holds a webcam and related sensors, but the earlier MacBook Air "M3" models have a 1080p "FaceTime HD" webcam whereas the later MacBook Air "M4" models have a higher-quality -- and more advanced -- 1080p HD 12 megapixel "Center Stage" webcam with "Desk View" support.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (MacBook Air M3/M4 "MagSafe 3" Connector)
Both MacBook Air "M3" and "M4" lines also have "Scissor Switch" keyboards, large "Force Touch" trackpads, Touch ID authentication, two Thunderbolt 3/4-capable ports (USB-C connector) ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and a "MagSafe 3" power connector that disconnects cleanly if abruptly unplugged.
However, the newer MacBook Air "M4" models have improved external display support -- officially supporting full native resolution on the interior display and up to two 6016x3384 (6K) external displays at 60 Hz.
The earlier MacBook Air "M3" models, by contrast, only support full native resolution on the interior display in addition to a single external display up to 6016x3384 (6K) at 60 Hz. Alternately, with the lid closed (so that the internal display is off), MacBook Air "M3" model can support two external displays -- one up to 6016x3384 (6K) at 60 Hz and a smaller one up to 5120x2880 (5K) at 60 Hz.
Identification Differences
As carefully hand documented from each notebook itself by EveryMac.com, the MacBook Air "M3" and MacBook Air "M4" models all have different Model Numbers, EMC Numbers, and Model Identifiers.
Some MacBook Air identifiers are shared across years, but the MacBook Air "M3" identifiers are unique to these models. At least for now, the MacBook Air "M4" identifiers are unique, also, although there always is the possibility that they will be shared by some future models.
In general, the Model Identifier in software tends to be a fairly reliable way to differentiate between these notebook lines and others for the long-term:
| MacBook Air | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| M3, 2024 13" | A3113 | 8611 | Mac15,12 |
| M3, 2024 15" | A3114 | 8612 | Mac15,13 |
| M4, 2025 13" | A3240 | 8781 | Mac16,12 |
| M4, 2025 15" | A3241 | 8782 | Mac16,13 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify each of these MacBook Air models by other identifiers, as well.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Differences
Some specific internal parts in the MacBook Air "M3" and MacBook Air "M4" models are different, but essentially, the "M4" is a "speed bump" update and shares a great deal internally with its predecessors.
In performance terms, the MacBook Air "M4" line is around 21% faster in single core tasks and 24% faster in multicore tasks than the earlier MacBook Air "M3" line.
All of these models essentially are sealed and disposable and all have processors, graphics processors, RAM, and storage that cannot be upgraded after purchase. At least the batteries all are straightforward to replace, though.
Comparison Charts
The above differences between the MacBook Air "M3" and MacBook Air "M4" models -- processors, graphics, displays, webcam, speakers, external display support, batteries, colors, identifiers, dimensions, weight, and starting prices -- are summarized below:
13" MacBook Air "M3" vs. MacBook Air "M4"
| MacBook Air 13" | 2024 M3 13" | 2025 M4 13" |
| Display: | 13.6" | 13.6" |
| Resolution: | 2560x1664 | 2560x1664 |
| Speaker System: | 4 Speakers | 4 Speakers |
| Processor: | Apple M3 | Apple M4 |
| Graphics: | 8/10 Cores | 8/10 Cores |
| Default RAM: | 8, 16, 24 GB | 16, 24 GB |
| Max RAM: | 24 GB* | 32 GB* |
| Standard Storage: | 256, 512 GB | 256, 512 GB |
| Max Storage: | 2 TB* | 2 TB* |
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Webcam: | 1080p | 1080p 12 MP |
| Ext. Displays: | 2 | 2** |
| Battery Life: | 15-18 Hours | 15-18 Hours |
| Battery W-Hr: | 52.6 W h | 52.6 W h |
| Dimensions: | 0.44 x 11.97 x 8.46 | 0.44 x 11.97 x 8.46 |
| Weight: | 2.7 lbs. (1.24 kg) | 2.7 lbs. (1.24 kg) |
| Colors: | Silver Starlight Midnight Space Gray |
Silver Starlight Midnight Sky Blue |
| Model ID: | Mac15,12 | Mac16,12 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1099 US$1299 US$1499 |
US$999 US$1199 US$1399 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1449 C$1699 C$1949 |
C$1399 C$1699 C$1999 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1099 £1299 £1499 |
£999 £1199 £1399 |
| Orig. Price (FR): | €1299 €1529 €1759 |
€1199 €1449 €1699 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1799 A$2099 A$2399 |
A$1699 A$1999 A$2299 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1599 S$1899 S$2199 |
S$1499 S$1799 S$2099 |
* These models can, or could, be configured with additional RAM and storage at the time of system purchase. The RAM and storage cannot be upgraded later.
** The MacBook Air "M4" support full native resolution on the interior display and up to two 6016x3384 (6K) external displays at 60 Hz.
15" MacBook Air "M3" vs. MacBook Air "M4"
| MacBook Air 15" | 2024 M3 15" | 2025 M4 15" |
| Display: | 15.3" | 15.3" |
| Resolution: | 2880x1864 | 2880x1864 |
| Speaker System: | 6 Speakers | 6 Speakers |
| Processor: | Apple M3 | Apple M4 |
| Graphics: | 10 Cores | 10 Cores |
| Default RAM: | 8, 16, 24 GB | 16, 24 GB |
| Max RAM: | 24 GB* | 32 GB* |
| Standard Storage: | 256, 512 GB | 256, 512 GB |
| Max Storage: | 2 TB* | 2 TB* |
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Webcam: | 1080p | 1080p 12 MP |
| Ext. Displays: | 2 | 2** |
| Battery Life: | 15-18 Hours | 15-18 Hours |
| Battery W-Hr: | 66.5 W h | 66.5 W h |
| Dimensions: | 0.45 x 13.40 x 9.35 | 0.45 x 13.40 x 9.35 |
| Weight: | 3.3 lbs. (1.51 kg) | 3.3 lbs. (1.51 kg) |
| Colors: | Silver Starlight Midnight Space Gray |
Silver Starlight Midnight Sky Blue |
| Model ID: | Mac15,13 | Mac16,13 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1299 US$1499 US$1699 |
US$1199 US$1399 US$1599 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1749 C$1999 C$2249 |
C$1699 C$1999 C$2299 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1299 £1499 £1699 |
£1199 £1399 £1599 |
| Orig. Price (FR): | €1599 €1829 €2059 |
€1499 €1749 €1999 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$2199 A$2499 A$2799 |
A$2099 A$2399 A$2699 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1899 S$2199 S$2499 |
S$1799 S$2099 S$2399 |
* These models can, or could, be configured with additional RAM and storage at the time of system purchase. The RAM and storage cannot be upgraded later.
** The MacBook Air "M4" support full native resolution on the interior display and up to two 6016x3384 (6K) external displays at 60 Hz.
So, which MacBook Air "M4" model is best for me?
Ignoring the earlier MacBook Air "M3" models, which remain well worth consideration on the used market, and just focusing on the different MacBook Air "M4" models, the decision essentially comes down to size and price.
If the cheapest new Apple notebook is your preference, the entry-level MacBook Air "M4" 10 CPU/8 GPU 13" starts at a mere US$999 -- a psychologically important price point -- and is your best choice, accordingly. Of course, if price is your most important criteria, any number of earlier MacBook Air models cost less on the used market and likely would be better for your pocketbook.
If you want the largest MacBook Air, then the 15" model -- the MacBook Air "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 15" -- is your best option.
If you want the smallest MacBook Air, but price is not that critical, the mid-range option -- the MacBook Air "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 13" -- is a good choice. Compared to the entry-level option, it gets you two more graphics cores and twice the storage for an extra US$200.
However, if price is not critical, EveryMac.com would suggest custom configuring your MacBook Air with as much RAM as you can afford. More RAM will both improve performance and essentially increase the usable lifespan of your notebook, but it cannot be upgraded later; it is now or never.
Custom configuring the entry-level option with 24 GB of RAM for an extra US$200 (instead of the storage upgrade), could be the best option for those who take good care of their hardware and want to maximize its use for a number of years. More storage is nice to have, but it is easy to add external storage later if needed.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Apple Silicon MacBook Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Air, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Air models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.
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