MacBook Air Buyers Guide

Processor

In 2020, Apple transitioned from Intel-based processors to its own custom-designed Apple silicon across the MacBook Air lineup. The performance leap with the first-generation M1 chip was substantial, delivering major gains in speed, efficiency, and battery life.

Since then, the MacBook Air has gone through four generations of Apple silicon: the M1, M2, M3, and most recently, the M4. While each is a powerful processor in its own right, performance does vary slightly across the generations.

Processor benchmarks

Benchmarking is a great exercise to compare the processing performance between different MacBook Air models. Geekbench is a benchmarking tool that provides a numerical score that benchmarks the processor on performance.

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core scores for all Apple silicon MacBook Air processors, sorted from highest to lowest.

Insights from Geekbench results

As the Macbook Air is targeted towards general users and office professionals there is only an incremental improvement between the M1 to the M3, with the biggest jump in performance coming from the latest M4 model, which has two extra CPU cores compared to the previous models.

 While the Macbook Air is not intended for professional applications like photo or video editing, if you are looking to do some light editing work you would benefit from the increased performance output from the M3 and M4 models.

Memory

Memory, also known as RAM (Random Access Memory), plays a crucial role in how smoothly your MacBook Air runs. It temporarily stores the data and instructions your system needs to access quickly, allowing apps to run efficiently and multitasking to happen seamlessly.

The MacBook Air with Apple silicon uses unified memory, meaning the RAM is integrated directly into the chip and shared across the CPU, GPU, and other components. This allows for faster data access and improved efficiency compared to Intel-based MacBooks, where memory was separate and less optimised. As a result, even with the same amount of RAM, Apple silicon Macs can deliver smoother multitasking and better overall performance.

MacBook Air Memory options

Here is the memory configurations for each of the MacBook Air devices:

What size memory is best for you?

8GB/16GB - If you are looking to use your Macbook for general tasks like web browsing, watching videos and light document processing software like Microsoft Word, 8GB/16GB of memory will be sufficient, especially with Apple unified memory configuration.

24GB/32GB - Upgrading to 24GB/32GB of memory becomes more beneficial if your workflow involves heavier multitasking, such as running multiple browser tabs, working with large spreadsheets or files, and doing professional tasks like light video editing. Additional memory also helps with future-proofing. While 8GB may be sufficient for many tasks today, software tends to become more demanding over time. Having more memory can help maintain smooth performance as those demands increase.

how to check your current memory usage

 To help determine how much RAM you’ll need in your next MacBook Air, start by checking how much memory your current device has, and then ask yourself the following questions:

• Is your MacBook Air slow when handling daily tasks?

• Does it struggle with multitasking?

If you answered yes to these questions, you could benefit from choosing a MacBook Air with more memory in your next upgrade.

Checking your memory usage on your device

1. Open Activity Monitor on your MacBook.

2. Click on the Memory tab.

3. Continue using your device normally, but monitor your memory usage closely.

If Activity Monitor shows your memory usage is consistently near the maximum, we recommend opting for more RAM in your next device. You can also check the recommended system requirements of the software you intend to use to see if the available memory will meet its needs. This information is usually available on the software developer’s website.

Upgrading Memory

When selecting the memory configuration for your MacBook Air, keep in mind that the memory is soldered to the logic board and cannot be upgraded later. It’s important to choose an amount that will meet your needs both now and in the future.

Storage

Choosing the right storage configuration depends on how you prefer to store your data and the number of files and applications you plan to keep on your device. Like the memory, the storage in a MacBook Air is non-upgradable, so it’s important to carefully consider your needs in advance to ensure you don’t run out of space later.

Checking your current storage usage

To get an idea of how much storage you might need, check how much you’re currently using on your existing device. This can serve as a useful guideline. To do this on a Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.

2. Select 'About This Mac'.

3. Go to 'More Info'.
4. Select 'General'.
5. Scroll to 'Storage' at the bottom of the page.
6. Click 'Storage Settings'.
7. You’ll see a breakdown of how your current storage is being used

If you are nearing the maximum capacity of your storage, it might be a good idea to increase the storage of your new MacBook Air.

MacBook Air Storage Options

Things to consider when choosing storage

We always recommend choosing a MacBook with enough internal storage to suit your needs. However, if your budget doesn’t allow for a higher-capacity model, there are flexible alternatives available.

Apple iCloud offers cloud-based storage that can be expanded for a small monthly fee, making it easy to access your files across devices. Additionally, external storage solutions such as SSDs are excellent options for storing large files, media libraries, or backups.

These alternatives can help bridge the gap if your MacBook’s internal storage isn’t quite enough.

GPU

Choosing the right MacBook Air depends on how you plan to use it. All models in the Apple silicon lineup handle general tasks with ease. However, if you plan to use your MacBook Air for gaming or light creative work, opting for a model with a more powerful GPU will deliver better performance.

That said, the MacBook Air isn't designed for heavy, graphics-intensive workflows. If your work involves demanding creative tasks or high-performance gaming, a MacBook Pro or Mac Studio would be a more suitable choice.

GPU Benchmarks

Below are benchmark scores gathered using Geekbench 6 Metal. These scores reflect how well the device handles graphical tasks typical of everyday use, with higher scores indicating better performance.

Geekbench Metal benchmark scores for the GPU performance of all Apple silicon MacBook Air, sorted from highest to lowest.

As you can see, there isn’t a significant difference in performance, although the 10-core models do offer a slight advantage over the 8-core devices. The only exception is the newer M4 model, which, despite having 8 cores, outperforms the M2 10-core.

8-core GPU – Ideal for general everyday use such as web browsing, email, streaming, and light multitasking.

10-core GPU – Suitable for light creative work and casual gaming, offering improved performance for tasks like photo editing and light video work.

Ports and Connectivity

The MacBook Air offers fewer ports compared to other devices in the Apple lineup, such as the MacBook Pro and Mac Studio. This design choice reflects its target audience, everyday users like students and office workers. Unlike professionals in fields like music production or video editing, typical users are less likely to require multiple external devices, monitors, or specialised accessories.

By minimising ports, Apple keeps the MacBook Air thin, lightweight, and more affordable, while still offering versatile Thunderbolt connectivity for those who need it.

MacBook Air M1
The first Apple silicon MacBook Air with the M1 chip did not have a dedicated charging port; instead, charging was done through one of the two Thunderbolt 3 ports, leaving only one port available for other peripherals.

MacBook Air M2/M3
From the M2 model and onwards, Apple introduced a MagSafe 3 charging port for faster charging, which also freed up the additional Thunderbolt port 3 when charging. All Macbook Air models feature a 3.5mm headphone jack.

MacBook Air M4
The MacBook Air M4 has the same port configuration as the M2 and M3 models, but features an upgrade from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4 for improved performance and connectivity.

Top, MacBook Air 13-inch ports. Bottom, MacBook Air 13-inch ports

Macbook Air Port Configurations

Below is a table outlining the port configurations across the different Apple silicon MacBook Air models, to help you compare their connectivity options.

External Display Support

All Apple silicon MacBook Air models support external displays. For the M1 and M2 models, you can connect one external display in addition to the native display.

With the M3 models, you can connect up to two external displays when using clamshell mode (with the lid closed). To use this setup, you'll need to connect an external keyboard and mouse.

The latest M4 models offer two external displays, which can be used in tandem with the native display.

Battery

Battery life is an important factor to consider when purchasing a laptop, especially if you're often on the go and need a device that can last for long periods without being plugged in.

All MacBook Air models in the Apple M-series lineup offer impressively strong battery performance. According to Apple estimates, you can expect up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing and up to 18 hours of video playback.

Whether you're a student, a professional, or a casual user, the MacBook Air delivers reliable battery life to keep up with your work or study demands.

MacBook Air 13-inch with backplate removed, revealing the battery.

Size and appearance

The MacBook Air lineup has evolved to offer more display options across its recent generations. The M1 MacBook Air (2020) features a 13.3-inch Retina display, which was the only size available at the time. With the release of the M2 chip in 2022, Apple introduced a slightly larger and brighter 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, along with a 15.3-inch model in 2023, the first time a MacBook Air came in a larger screen size.

Form Factor

Since the introduction of Apple silicon, the MacBook Air has undergone one significant design change. The MacBook Air M1 - the first Apple silicon model, retained the iconic wedge-shaped chassis, a design carried over from the Intel-based models produced between 2018 and 2020.

With the launch of the MacBook Air M2, Apple introduced a new, uniform flat-body design, giving the MacBook Air a sleeker and more modern aesthetic. This updated form factor has continued with the M3 and M4 models.

Colours

Apple offers a wide range of colour options across the MacBook Air lineup, from the classic Silver and Space Grey to more vibrant and modern finishes. The available colours vary depending on the model, from the M1 to the latest M4.

Colours from top to bottom: Sky Blue, Starlight, Midnight, Silver, Space Grey

Save money choose refurbished

If you have figured out the right MacBook Air for your needs, a great way to save money is to buy refurbished instead of brand new.

Refurbished devices are different from buying second-hand from a private seller. Refurbished MacBook Airs undergo thorough testing, inspection, and professional refurbishment before they’re delivered to your door.

At Hoxton Macs, every device goes through a detailed cleaning and testing process, with any faulty components replaced to ensure full functionality. We hold all our products to high standards, so you can buy with confidence.

Benefits of buying refurbished

Save Money - Fully functional, high-quality MacBook Air without the price tag.

1-Year Hardware Warranty - All our devices come with a 1-year hardware warranty for added peace of mind.

Avoid the risk - Buy with the confidence that your device has been fully tested and cleaned, avoiding the risk associated with private sellers.

Need Help?

If you have questions or want more information about refurbished MacBook Air at Hoxton Macs, we're always here to help.

• Phone: 020 8819 3244

• Email: info@hoxtonmacs.co.uk

Explore our full range of refurbished MacBook Air models here.