I’m out of reasons to recommend Apple’s M1 MacBook Air, even at $600
As Black Friday approaches, Walmart is promoting the M1 MacBook Air at an enticing price of $599, appealing to budget-conscious shoppers looking for a reliable laptop. While this deal may seem attractive, especially for those unfamiliar with recent advancements in Apple’s laptop lineup, tech enthusiasts and potential buyers should consider the M4 MacBook Air, which offers significantly better value for just $150 more. Currently available for $749.99 at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, the M4 model boasts enhanced specifications that make it a superior choice for those who need a capable machine for everyday tasks.
The M4 MacBook Air is powered by Apple’s latest M-series processor, featuring a speedy performance boost and double the RAM of the M1 model, which only comes with 8GB. This increase in RAM is particularly significant, as it allows for smoother multitasking—an essential feature for users who often juggle multiple applications or browser tabs. The M4 also offers improved design elements, including a sleeker look reminiscent of the MacBook Pro, a larger display with reduced bezels, and a 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam for better video calls. Moreover, the M4 model includes Thunderbolt 4 support for faster data transfer, making it a more future-proof investment as software and connectivity demands evolve.
While the M1 MacBook Air was groundbreaking upon its release in 2020, it is increasingly showing its age as newer models continue to push the boundaries of performance and efficiency. For those considering a purchase this holiday season, the M4 MacBook Air emerges as the clear winner, delivering superior processing power, enhanced features, and a more modern design—all for a modest increase in price. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, investing in the M4 model ensures that buyers will have a laptop that not only meets current needs but will also be supported with software updates for years to come.
This is just a little public service announcement ahead of Black Friday. Walmart will once again tout the M1 MacBook Air as an unbeatable deal for laptop shoppers. It sure is tempting at
$599
, especially if you haven’t seen the deal before. It might even be the right choice for some people.
But for most
Verge
readers buying either for themselves or for someone who needs to get stuff done, it’s not a great value. Not when the
2025 M4 model
, with its spec enhancements, design tweaks, and processing speed improvements, is just $150 more. You can currently get one of those on sale starting at $749.99 from
Amazon
and
Best Buy
.
13-inch Apple MacBook Air 13 (2025, M4)
The M4 MacBook Air has a speedy processor, and double the RAM of previous models. It has a thin and light design, all day battery life, and still starts with 256GB of storage.
Read our review.
Where to Buy:
$999
$749 at
Amazon (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
$999
$749 at
Best Buy (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
$999
$899 at
B&H Photo (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
Apple’s M-series processors have gotten more powerful every year, and the M4 represents the fourth generation. That’s not to say the M1 MacBook Air is a bad machine. You can do a lot worse with $600. Compared to some of Apple’s Intel-based laptops, the 2020 model raised the bar for performance and battery life. But its compromises become more apparent with each passing year. You should also just buy the laptop that will get more software updates.
The $599 M1 MacBook Air includes just 8GB of RAM, which is less than most flagship smartphones have these days. It’s surprisingly speedy when handling a light load, but my spouse owns one, and it’s a pretty sluggish experience when you load it with a lot of browser tabs. The newer MacBook Air comes with 16GB of RAM by default, and the M4 processor lets it fly through tasks faster. It has a similar array of ports (two USB-C ports, one headphone jack), though its USB-C ports are faster with Thunderbolt 4 support. It also has a dedicated MagSafe charging port, so you don’t have to sacrifice one of the precious USB-C ports for charging.
And those are just the biggest spec differences; Apple ditched the wedge-shaped design of the M1 and earlier MacBook Air models starting with the M2 model. They look more sophisticated, almost like a MacBook Pro. The screen is bigger thanks to smaller bezels, and there’s a notch that contains the 12-megapixel Center State webcam — another big improvement over the M1 model.
Look, I could go on and on. Our reviews do a great job of spelling out every little difference, including in-depth metrics from testing processing-intensive applications. But, in short, the M4 runs laps around the M1, and for just $150 more, the M4 MacBook Air is the clear winner if you’re looking for a semi-affordable MacBook this holiday.
