The MacBook Air M4 Amazon deal just dropped $250 off the base model, and it exposes a hard truth: Apple’s shiny new M5 MacBook Air isn’t worth the premium for most people. With the M5 launching at $1,099 and the M4 now sitting around $749 after the discount, you’re looking at a $350 price gap for incremental upgrades that don’t justify the cost.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon slashed $250 off the MacBook Air M4 during Spring Sale, pricing it around $749 for the base model
- M5 MacBook Air starts at $1,099 with 512GB storage standard, versus M4’s original $999 with 256GB
- M5 offers 15% faster multi-core performance and 4x faster AI processing, but M4 handles everyday tasks flawlessly
- M4 and M5 share the same fanless design, 18-hour battery life, and Liquid Retina display across 13 and 15-inch sizes
- M5’s real wins are doubled storage, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6, plus faster SSD reads—not essential for most users
MacBook Air M4 vs M5: The Real Performance Gap
The M5 is objectively faster. Geekbench 6 multi-core testing shows the M5 scoring 17,073 compared to the M4’s 14,731—a 15% advantage. GPU performance widens the gap: M5 hits around 76,000 in Metal scores versus M4’s 55,000. For AI workloads, Apple claims the M5 is up to 4x faster on large language models. But here’s what matters: if you’re not training neural networks or rendering 3D scenes, you won’t feel that difference in daily use.
The M4 still crushes productivity tasks. Browsing, email, document editing, video calls—the M4 handles all of it with zero lag. Even creative work like photo editing and light video projects run smoothly. The M5’s speed advantage matters most to people working with massive datasets, running complex simulations, or pushing AI tools to their limits. For the other 95% of laptop buyers, the M4 is overkill in the best way possible.
Storage and Connectivity: Where the M5 Actually Wins
M5 doubles the base storage to 512GB versus M4’s 256GB, a meaningful upgrade that costs extra on the M4. SSD performance also improves: M5 uses PCIe 4 storage, roughly twice as fast as M4’s PCIe 3. If you’re moving large video files or working with massive projects, this matters. For everyone else storing documents and photos, M4’s storage speed is plenty fast.
Connectivity upgrades on the M5 include Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, versus M4’s Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. These are nice-to-haves. Wi-Fi 7 is faster, but most homes don’t have Wi-Fi 7 routers yet. Bluetooth 6 improves range and stability, but M4’s Bluetooth 5.3 works reliably for headphones and peripherals. You’re not missing critical features on the M4—you’re missing future-proofing.
Should You Buy the MacBook Air M4 at This Price?
Yes, unless you specifically need M5’s AI performance or doubled storage. The $250 discount makes the M4 an exceptional value. At $749, you’re getting a fanless laptop with 16GB RAM, an 18-hour battery, and a stunning Liquid Retina display. The industrial design is identical to the M5—same thin profile, same weight, same color options. Physically, you’re not sacrificing anything.
The M4 is the smart choice for students, writers, casual creators, and anyone upgrading from M1, M2, or M3 MacBooks. The performance jump from those older chips to M4 is substantial and noticeable. If you already own an M4, don’t upgrade to M5—the gains don’t justify the $350 price difference. If you’re coming from M3 or older, the M4 at this discount is a no-brainer.
Who Actually Needs the M5?
The M5 targets people doing serious computational work: video editors rendering 4K timelines, developers training machine learning models, data scientists processing large datasets, and content creators using AI tools heavily. The 4x faster AI performance on specific workloads and 30% faster GPU speed matter to professionals. The doubled storage standard also appeals to creative professionals who accumulate massive project files.
For everyone else, the M5 is a luxury, not a necessity. It’s like buying a sports car when you commute in traffic. The M4 gets you there comfortably, and the M5 just gets you there slightly faster in situations you’ll rarely encounter.
FAQ
Is the MacBook Air M4 still worth buying in 2026?
Absolutely. The M4 remains powerful enough for everyday computing, creative work, and professional tasks. At $749 with the Amazon discount, it offers exceptional value compared to the M5’s $1,099 price tag. Unless you need latest AI performance or doubled storage, the M4 is the smarter purchase.
How much faster is the M5 compared to the M4?
The M5 is 15% faster in multi-core CPU tasks and roughly 30% faster in GPU performance. For AI workloads, Apple claims up to 4x faster processing on large language models. For everyday tasks like browsing and email, you won’t notice the difference.
Does the MacBook Air M4 support Wi-Fi 7?
No. The M4 includes Wi-Fi 6E, while the M5 adds Wi-Fi 7. Wi-Fi 6E is still fast and reliable for most users. Wi-Fi 7 is faster but requires a Wi-Fi 7 router, which many homes don’t have yet.
The MacBook Air M4 at $250 off is a rare opportunity to grab a premium laptop at a genuinely fair price. Apple’s M5 is impressive, but it’s not $350 more impressive for the average user. Save the money, buy the M4, and pocket the difference—or spend it on a better monitor and keyboard to complement your new machine.
Where to Buy
13-inch MacBook Air M4 (512GB) for $949 | 15-inch MacBook Air M4 (256GB) is also on sale for $949 | shop the entire Amazon Big Spring Sale | Apple MacBook Air M4 (13-inch, 512GB): | Apple MacBook Air M4 (15-inch):
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: Tom's Guide
