The MacBook Air M4 might seem outdated now that Apple’s MacBook Air M5 has launched, but the older model is actually the smarter purchase for most people. While the M5 brings genuine performance gains—particularly in AI tasks and gaming—the MacBook Air M4 has dropped in price since the M5 arrived in March 2026, making it exceptional value for everyday work.
Key Takeaways
- MacBook Air M4 now costs less than the M5’s $1,099 starting price, improving value proposition significantly
- M5 delivers 4x faster AI performance but most users won’t notice real-world gains for basic tasks
- M4 and M5 share identical design, battery life, and camera—the only meaningful difference is the chip
- M5 GPU is 30% faster and gaming is 50% faster, but M4 handles everyday productivity identically
- M5 base storage doubled to 512GB versus M4’s 256GB, but this alone doesn’t justify the premium for most buyers
Why the MacBook Air M4 Still Dominates for Value
The MacBook Air M4 remains the better value because it handles everything most people actually do with a laptop. Web browsing, email, document editing, video calls, and casual photo work perform identically on both chips. The M4’s 10-core CPU (with 4 super cores and 6 efficiency cores) delivers more than enough power for these tasks, and the fanless design keeps both models silent and cool.
Price is the decisive factor. With the M5 starting at $1,099 and the M4 now discounted post-launch, the older model has become a bargain. You’re paying less for a machine that handles 90% of user workflows without any perceptible slowdown. Unless you’re rendering 4K video, training machine learning models, or pushing demanding games, the M4 does everything the M5 does—just slightly slower in ways you won’t feel.
Both models share the same Liquid Retina display, 18-hour battery life claim, industrial design, color options, and 12MP Center Stage camera. The physical experience is identical. You’re not sacrificing anything tangible by choosing the M4 except raw performance numbers that won’t translate to real-world benefit in typical use.
Where the MacBook Air M5 Actually Wins
The M5 pulls ahead decisively in specific, demanding workloads. Its 10-core GPU is roughly 30% faster than the M4’s, and gaming performance jumps by about 50%. The M5 scored 17,073 in Geekbench 6 multi-core testing, compared to the M4’s 14,731—a 15% advantage. For video editors, 3D designers, and developers working with large codebases, this speed matters.
The most impressive gain is AI performance. Apple claims the M5 delivers 4x faster performance for AI tasks compared to the M4, specifically when running 14-billion parameter language models. If you’re experimenting with local LLMs or running AI-powered applications, the M5 makes a tangible difference. The M5’s Neural Engine and 153GB/s memory bandwidth (28% higher than the M4’s) directly accelerate these workloads.
The M5 also doubles base storage to 512GB, versus the M4’s 256GB. This is genuinely useful for content creators and developers who work with large project files. However, this storage advantage alone doesn’t justify the $100+ premium for someone who primarily works with documents and cloud-based apps.
MacBook Air M4 vs M5: Real-World Performance Gap
Benchmark numbers don’t tell the whole story. In everyday use, the MacBook Air M4 feels responsive and fast. Opening applications, switching between browser tabs, and launching creative tools happen instantly. The M5 does these things marginally quicker, but the difference is imperceptible—fractions of a second that your brain won’t register.
The gap widens only when you push the hardware. Video rendering takes noticeably longer on the M4. Gaming frame rates improve substantially on the M5. Machine learning inference accelerates dramatically. But these are specialized tasks. According to 9to5Mac analysis, if you’re already using an M4 MacBook Air, the M5 chip almost certainly won’t be worth the upgrade. The same logic applies to new buyers: if you’re not doing these specific workloads, the M4 is the rational choice.
The M5 Air also comes in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, while the M4 Air 15-inch (released in 2025) features a larger 66.5Wh battery compared to the 13-inch M5’s 53.8Wh. If you need the larger screen, the 15-inch M4 Air is worth considering as well, offering extended battery life without the M5 premium.
Who Should Buy the MacBook Air M5 Instead
The M5 is the right choice if you’re coming from an older MacBook Air (M1, M2, or M3) and you work in video production, 3D rendering, gaming, or AI development. The performance jump from those older chips to the M5 is substantial enough to justify the cost. The M5 also makes sense if you want the latest technology and can afford it—there’s nothing wrong with buying the newest model, but it’s not a necessity for most users.
Developers building machine learning applications, video editors handling 4K or 6K footage, and creative professionals will see real productivity gains. The M5’s faster GPU and Neural Engine translate into shorter wait times and smoother workflows. For these users, the $1,099 starting price is reasonable.
The Storage Consideration
The M5’s doubled base storage (512GB versus M4’s 256GB) is a practical advantage. If you work with large video files, design assets, or maintain an extensive local music library, the extra space matters. However, cloud storage has become cheap and reliable, making this less critical than it was five years ago. Most users can manage with 256GB by leveraging iCloud, Google Drive, or similar services.
Should you buy the MacBook Air M4 in 2026?
Yes—if the price is significantly lower than the M5’s $1,099 starting point and you’re not doing AI work, gaming, or video production. The M4 remains a capable, fast machine that will serve you well for five or more years. Apple’s track record shows that even older MacBook Air chips remain usable and responsive for years. The M4 will age better than most Windows laptops at the same price point.
Is the M5 worth upgrading from an M4 MacBook Air?
No, unless you’re specifically working with video, AI, or demanding games. The M4 is fast enough for productivity, and the M5’s gains won’t noticeably improve your day-to-day experience. Save your money and upgrade when you actually feel limited by performance.
Does the MacBook Air M4 have Wi-Fi 7?
No. The M4 includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, while the M5 upgraded to Wi-Fi 7 (via Apple’s N1 chip) and Bluetooth 6. For most users, this difference is invisible—Wi-Fi 6E is already very fast, and real-world speeds depend more on your internet connection than your laptop’s radio.
The MacBook Air M4 remains the smarter value choice for the vast majority of laptop buyers. It’s fast, reliable, and now discounted. The M5 is impressive on paper, but it’s a specialist’s upgrade, not a must-have for everyday users. Unless you’re pushing the hardware with AI work or creative projects, save the money and buy the M4.
Where to Buy
MacBook Air M4 13-inch with 512GB SSD from Amazon for $949 | Apple MacBook Air M4 13-Inch: | Apple 13" MacBook Air M4 (2025) | Apple MacBook Air M5 (2026)
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
