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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Display
- Interface
- Connectivity
- Configuration
- Performance
- Additional Features And Software
- Comments
Apple MacBook Air 15 (2024) vs Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2025)
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Apple MacBook Air 15 (2024)
Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2025)
Tested using Methodology v0.8.3
Updated May 02, 2025 02:58 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v0.8.3
Updated May 02, 2025 03:05 PM
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Amazon.com
Size15.3"
Operating SystemmacOS
Size15.3"
Operating SystemmacOS
Variants
- MacBook Air 15 (MXD43LL/A) (Midnight - M3/16GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MRYU3LL/A) (Midnight - M3/8GB/256GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MRYV3LL/A) (Midnight - M3/8GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MXD23LL/A) (Silver - M3/16GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MRYP3LL/A) (Silver - M3/8GB/256GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MRYQ3LL/A) (Silver - M3/8GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MXD13LL/A) (Space Gray - M3/16GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MRYM3LL/A) (Space Gray - M3/8GB/256GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MRYN3LL/A) (Space Gray - M3/8GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MXD33LL/A) (Starlight - M3/16GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MRYR3LL/A) (Starlight - M3/8GB/256GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MRYT3LL/A) (Starlight - M3/8GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MW1L3LL/A) (Midnight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/256GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MW1M3LL/A) (Midnight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MC6L4LL/A) (Midnight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/24GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MW1G3LL/A) (Silver - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/256GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MW1H3LL/A) (Silver - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MC6J4LL/A) (Silver - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/24GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MC7A4LL/A) (Sky Blue - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/256GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MC7C4LL/A) (Sky Blue - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MC7D4LL/A) (Sky Blue - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/24GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MW1J3LL/A) (Starlight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/256GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MW1K3LL/A) (Starlight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/512GB)
- MacBook Air 15 (MC6K4LL/A) (Starlight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/24GB/512GB)
Our Verdict
Apple MacBook Air 15 (2024)
Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2025)
The Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2025) is the next generation of the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2024) and presents minor upgrades. The biggest changes are in the SoC and port selection. The M4 SoC provides a decent performance uplift, and the Thunderbolt 4 ports allow you to run two external displays simultaneously with the built-in display. Besides the new 12MP webcam with Center Stage support, the user experience is essentially identical between these models; the display, touchpad, and speakers are the same and generally fantastic. The typing experience is the same as well and leans slightly harsh owing to the short key travel and rigid keyboard deck, though.
Main Differences forSchool
School
Threshold
School
8.8
8.7
Full Comparison
Design
Style
Style Photo
Form Factor
Traditional (Clamshell)
Traditional (Clamshell)
Build Quality
9.5
9.5
Build Quality Photo
Hinge
9.1
9.1
Hinge Photo
Range
135°
135°
Stability
Good
Good
One Finger Lift
Yes
Yes
Portability
8.7
8.7
Dimensions Photo
Size
15.3"
15.3"
Thickness
0.6" (1.4 cm)
0.6" (1.4 cm)
Width
13.4" (34.0 cm)
13.4" (34.0 cm)
Depth
9.3" (23.7 cm)
9.3" (23.7 cm)
Volume
68.8 in³ (1,128.1 cm³)
68.8 in³ (1,128.1 cm³)
Weight
3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
Charger Size
4.2 in³ (68.6 cm³)
4.2 in³ (68.6 cm³)
Charger Weight
0.4 lbs (0.2 kg)
0.4 lbs (0.2 kg)
Serviceability
3.5
3.5
Internals Photo
Ease Of Access
6.0
6.0
RAM Slots
0
0
Storage Slots
0
0
Replaceable Battery
Yes
Yes
Replaceable Wireless Adapter
No
No
In The Box
In The Box Photo
Display
Screen Specs
Display Photo
Resolution
2880 x 1864
2880 x 1864
Aspect Ratio
16:10
16:10
Pixel Density
226 PPI
224 PPI
Panel Type
IPS
IPS
Touch Screen
No
No
Screen-To-Body Ratio
87%
87%
Refresh Rate
5.9
5.9
Motion Blur
Refresh Rate
60 Hz
60 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
No
No
Contrast
7.5
7.4
Contrast Photo
Native Contrast
1,412 : 1
1,348 : 1
Brightness
8.7
8.4
Maximum Brightness
494 cd/m²
448 cd/m²
Minimum Brightness
2 cd/m²
2 cd/m²
Reflections
9.1
9.0
Reflections Photo Off
Reflections Photo Max
Screen Finish
Glossy
Glossy
Total Reflections
1.47%
1.61%
Indirect Reflections
0.38%
0.29%
Calculated Direct Reflections
1.09%
1.31%
Black Uniformity
7.3
7.7
Black Uniformity Photo
Uniformity (Std. Dev.)
1.103%
0.924%
Out-Of-The-Box Color Accuracy
9.9
9.9
White Balance Screencap
Gamma Curve Screencap
Color Screencap
Avg. White Balance dE
1.47
1.51
Avg. Gamma
2.24
2.23
Avg. Color dE
0.98
0.95
Avg. Color Temperature
6,742.3 K
6,755 K
Color Gamut
9.4
9.4
Gamut SDR
sRGB xy
99.93%
99.99%
sRGB uv
99.72%
99.98%
Adobe RGB xy
87.43%
87.86%
Adobe RGB uv
92.34%
93.21%
Gamut HDR
DCI P3 xy
99.05%
99.47%
DCI P3 uv
98.72%
99.5%
Rec. 2020 xy
71.83%
72.17%
Rec. 2020 uv
73.49%
73.79%
Flicker
9.0
9.0
Flicker Graph
Flicker-Free
No
No
Flicker Frequency
> 1000Hz
> 1000Hz
Flicker Active Below
100%
100%
Interface
Keyboard
8.0
8.0
Keyboard Photo
Typing Quality
8.0
8.0
Numpad
No
No
Backlighting
Adjustable
Adjustable
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Operating Force
62 gf
61 gf
Actuation Force
40 gf
37 gf
Pre-Travel
0.80 mm
0.80 mm
Total Travel
0.91 mm
0.90 mm
Touchpad
9.6
9.6
Touchpad Photo
Tracking Quality
9.5
9.5
Size
21.4 in² (138.0 cm²)
21.4 in² (138.0 cm²)
Material
Glass
Glass
Dedicated Buttons
No
No
Speakers
8.9
8.6
Frequency Response Plot
Max Volume
81 dB SPL
77 dB SPL
Standard Error @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)
5.9 dB
4.4 dB
Slope @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)
2.2
1.8
Bass Extension (Low-Frequency Ext.)
155 Hz
138 Hz
Treble Extension (High-Frequency Ext.)
20 kHz
16 kHz
Dynamic Range Compression @ Max Vol.
2.3 dB
1.7 dB
Webcam & Microphone
8.7
8.7
Webcam Video Sample
Video Quality
9.0
9.0
Resolution
1080p
1080p
Position
Top Center
Top Center
Privacy Cover
No
No
Face Unlock
No
No
Connectivity
Ports
5.0
5.0
Ports Photo
USB-A Ports
0
0
USB-C Ports
2
2
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt 4
USB-C Charging
Yes
Yes
USB-C Display Out
Yes
Yes
HDMI
No
No
DisplayPort
No
No
3.5mm Jack
Combo mic/headphone
Combo mic/headphone
Card Reader
No
No
Ethernet
No
No
Proprietary Port
Apple MagSafe 3
Apple MagSafe 3
Security Lock
No
No
Wireless Communication
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Configuration
CPU
Brand
Apple
Apple
Model
M3
M4
Core Count
8
10
Thread Count
8
10
GPU
Brand
Apple
Apple
Model
M3
M4
Dedicated/Integrated
Integrated
Integrated
VRAM Size
N/A
N/A
GPU Total Graphics Power (TGP)
N/A
N/A
RAM
Capacity
8 GB
16 GB
Modules
Unknown
Unknown
Type
LP-DDR5
LP-DDR5x
Speed
6,400 MHz
7,500 MHz
Storage
Advertised Capacity
256 GB
256 GB
Usable Capacity
214 GB
211 GB
Drive 1
Apple SSD AP0256Z
Apple SSD AP0256Z
Drive 1 Type
SSD
SSD
Drive 2
No 2nd Drive
No 2nd Drive
Drive 2 Type
No 2nd Drive
No 2nd Drive
Performance
Geekbench 5 (Synthetics)
9.4
9.5
Geekbench Image
CPU Single-Thread
2,322 points
2,638 points
CPU Multi-Thread
10,501 points
12,987 points
GPU Compute
33,403 points
40,460 points
Cinebench R23 (CPU Rendering)
9.7
9.9
Cinebench R23 Photo
Single-Thread
1,892 points
2,175 points
Multi-Thread
9,179 points
12,004 points
Blender (3D Rendering)
8.7
9.2
Blender Image
CPU Render Time
4.0 min
3.0 min
GPU Render Time
1.6 min
0.5 min
GPU Render Time (Optix)
N/A
N/A
Basemark GPU (Game Scene)
7.4
7.5
Basemark Image
Overall Score
44,950
46,774
Storage Drive Performance
9.2
9.3
Storage Performance Image
Sequential Write Speed
2,738.0 MB/s
2,802.5 MB/s
Sequential Read Speed
2,834.7 MB/s
3,192.6 MB/s
Random Write Speed
41.1 MB/s
46.5 MB/s
Random Read Speed
62.5 MB/s
62.3 MB/s
Battery
9.1
8.8
Capacity
67 Wh
67 Wh
Battery Life (Web Browsing)
12.7 hrs
11.6 hrs
Battery Life (Video Playback)
12.0 hrs
12.9 hrs
Battery Life (Gaming)
3.5 hrs
3.2 hrs
Charge Time
2.8 hrs
3.0 hrs
Borderlands 3
3.1
4.2
Borderlands 3 Graph
Avg. FPS
20 fps
30 fps
1% Low
7 fps
15 fps
0.1% Low
4 fps
8 fps
1% Low Delta
89 ms
32 ms
0.1% Low Delta
230 ms
94 ms
Avg. FPS On Very Low
37 fps
51 fps
Civilization VI
5.6
6.4
Civilization VI Graph
Avg. FPS
41 fps
43 fps
1% Low
26 fps
29 fps
0.1% Low
17 fps
26 fps
1% Low Delta
14 ms
11 ms
0.1% Low Delta
33 ms
15 ms
Avg. FPS On Minimum
93 fps
80 fps
Avg. Turn Time
10.24 s
6.97 s
Counter-Strike 2
0.0
0.0
CS2 Graph
Avg. FPS
N/A
N/A
1% Low
N/A
N/A
0.1% Low
N/A
N/A
1% Low Delta
N/A
N/A
0.1% Low Delta
N/A
N/A
Avg. FPS On Low
N/A
N/A
Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
4.3
5.3
Avg. FPS
32 fps
39 fps
1% Low
15 fps
24 fps
0.1% Low
8 fps
15 fps
1% Low Delta
36 ms
16 ms
0.1% Low Delta
90 ms
41 ms
Avg. FPS On Lowest
44 fps
63 fps
Thermals And Noise
8.1
8.2
Keyboard Temps Picture
Keyboard Temp While Idle
27 °C (81 °F)
25 °C (77 °F)
Keyboard Temp Under Load
50 °C (121 °F)
49 °C (120 °F)
Fan Noise While Idle
N/A
N/A
Fan Noise Under Load
N/A
N/A
Power & Fan Control App
No
No
Performance Over Time
7.1
7.3
Performance Over Time Graph
CPU Temp (Cinebench)
90 °C
87 °C
CPU Perf. Loss (Cinebench)
6% loss
4% loss
GPU Temp (Heaven)
90 °C
84 °C
GPU Perf. Loss (Heaven)
12% loss
13% loss
Additional Features And Software
Software
Operating System
macOS
macOS
Additional Software
None
None
Extra Features
Biometrics
Fingerprint Sensor
Fingerprint Sensor
RGB Illumination
No
No
Touch Pen Support
No Stylus Support
No Stylus Support
Secondary Display
No
No
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Apple MacBook Air 15 (2024)
Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2025)
Comments
Apple MacBook Air 15 (2024) vs Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4, 2025): Main Discussion
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