Laptops · Ranked #1 of 43 · Best overall

Apple MacBook Air (M4)

91
Acclaimed
Average of 7 professional reviews
7 of 7 recommend it · broad agreement
Where the 7 reviews landedRange 85–100
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

Exact average 90.7 · 5 printed, 2 estimated · printed scores only: 93

Apple MacBook Air (M4)Image: Apple

7 professional reviewers tested the Apple MacBook Air (M4), and 7 recommend it. Most praised: performance and battery life. Most common complaint: price.

Reviewed by The Disconnekt, Expert Reviews, Trusted Reviews and 4 more

The catch: The 60Hz screen is dated, and memory and storage upgrades are costly.

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What 7 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 100
    The DisconnektHands-on review · 2025

    Regarded as the best everyday laptop for most buyers, with a portable design, superb performance and battery life.

    Read The Disconnekt review
  2. 95
    Expert ReviewsThe outlet's top rating, counted as 95 · Hands-on review · 2025

    A great do-it-all laptop and the one the reviewer recommends to most people, with strong performance, battery life and a sensible price.

    Read Expert Reviews review
  3. 90
    Trusted ReviewsHands-on review · 2025

    An easy recommendation: fast, long-lasting and attractive, with a lower price and 16GB as standard.

    Read Trusted Reviews review
  4. 90
    Tom's GuideHands-on review · 2025

    The best laptop value for most people thanks to the price cut, good speed and battery.

    Read Tom's Guide review
  5. 90
    Tom's HardwareHands-on review · 2025

    Rated highly by the reviewer, with nothing else matching its mix of price, portability and battery.

    Read Tom's Hardware review
  6. 85est.
    Just JoshNo printed score · Video review · 2025

    The M4 MacBook Air is a highly capable and efficient laptop that serves as an excellent choice for most users, offering significant performance gains over previous generations.

    Read Just Josh review
  7. 85est.
    Marques BrownleeNo printed score · Video review · 2024

    The M4 MacBook Air is a highly capable and well-rounded laptop that offers excellent performance for its price point.

    Read Marques Brownlee review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

Watch a video review

From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.

What critics praise most

Performance6 of 7
Battery life4 of 7
Value for money4 of 7

What critics dislike most

Price2 of 7

Other laptops critics rate highly

HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)Image: HP
HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)4 reviews · critics agree89
Apple MacBook Air (M5)Image: Apple
Best all-round laptopApple MacBook Air (M5)8 reviews · broad agreement88
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)Image: Apple
Runner-upApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)7 reviews · critics agree87
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5)Image: Apple
Best for creative workApple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5)8 reviews · broad agreement86

Compare the Apple MacBook Air (M4) with another product →

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Common questions

Is the Apple MacBook Air (M4) worth it?

Most critics think so: 7 of 7 recommend it. The 60Hz screen is dated, and memory and storage upgrades are costly.

Do critics agree about the Apple MacBook Air (M4)?

Broad agreement: scores range from 85 (Just Josh) to 100 (The Disconnekt), a spread of 15 points across 7 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.

What do critics dislike about the Apple MacBook Air (M4)?

Price (2 of 7 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the Apple MacBook Air (M4)?

The HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) (critic score 89), .