As it stands, the all-new MacBook Air M4 is the best MacBook for most people.
The reason lies in the fact that Apple has integrated the great features of the modern MacBook Air combined with the latest M4 chip. More importantly, all of this is sold for only $999, a $100 reduction compared to its predecessor. For the Vietnamese market, the product is priced from 17 million VND, a reduction of 1 million VND compared to its predecessor.
MacBook Air M4 is priced from 27 million VND in Vietnam.
In fact, the M4 chip isn’t entirely new, as Apple first introduced it in the iPad Pro last May, before launching the MacBook Pro M4 in October. Previously, Apple classified the MacBook Air as a previous-generation product line, with the MacBook Air M2 priced at $999 and the MacBook Air M3 priced $100 more. Now, with the launch of the MacBook Air M4, users can get an M4 version without having to switch to the MacBook Pro line.
With MacBook Air M4, why buy MacBook Pro?
Both the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro use the M4 chip, which is essentially the same. The chip includes a 10-core CPU (4 high-performance cores and 6 energy-efficient cores) and a 16-core Neural Engine. However, there is one difference: the MacBook Pro has a 10-core GPU, while the MacBook Air only has an 8-core GPU if you choose the $799 version. To get the 10-core GPU on the MacBook Air M4, you will have to spend an additional $200.
The first performance scores of the MacBook Air M4 are not too far behind the MacBook Pro M4.
This difference could affect performance, especially in graphics-heavy tasks like animation, high-resolution video, or gaming. However, to accurately assess real-world performance, we need to wait for real-world tests.
Fortunately, according to a report from Wccftech, some users have shared Geekbench Metal scores for the MacBook Air M4. The results show that the MacBook Air M4 with an 8-core GPU scored 54,864, while the MacBook Pro M4 with a 10-core GPU scored 57,788, which represents a 5% increase for the Pro. While it is an improvement, it is not a huge leap, especially considering that the MacBook Pro starts at $1,999.
Of course, benchmarks don't always reflect real-world performance. The MacBook Pro has a cooling fan, while the MacBook Air doesn't, which can lead to the MacBook Air's performance dropping when temperatures get high.
Choosing the MacBook Air M4 will be about 13 million VND cheaper than the Pro version.
Still, the MacBook Air M4 is a strong option, especially when you consider the $1,000 price tag. While the MacBook Pro costs $500 more and comes with a host of extras like a brighter display, more storage, and ports, you may find the $1,000 savings a worthwhile option. If you need the power the Pro offers, consider it carefully.
It's worth noting that this comparison is only between the M4 chip, not the M4 Pro chip, which is only found on the MacBook Pro that starts at $2,299.
