Apple has once again set the stage for the next generation of lightweight, powerful laptops with its latest MacBook Air powered by the Apple M4 chip. Just a day after being announced via a low-profile press release, the M4 MacBook Air has appeared on Geekbench 6.4, giving us a first look at its performance capabilities.
Despite being the thin and fanless Air model, early benchmark results suggest that Apple has significantly closed the performance gap between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro models. The new M4 chip delivers competitive single-core and multi-core performance, ensuring that even the base model MacBook Air can handle demanding workloads with ease.
This TechyNerd article delves into the Geekbench scores, GPU performance, and how the M4 MacBook Air compares to its predecessors and Pro models.
Geekbench Performance Results
The MacBook Air (Mac16,13) has posted impressive results in Geekbench 6.4 benchmarks:
- Single-core score: 3,680
- Multi-core score: 14,924
- Metal GPU score: 54,864
These scores place the MacBook Air M4 very close to the MacBook Pro in terms of CPU performance, reinforcing Apple’s claims that its new silicon is designed for efficiency and speed.
When compared to the M3 MacBook Air, the new M4 variant demonstrates a noticeable performance improvement, especially in multi-core processing tasks. This suggests that Apple has further optimized its CPU architecture, making even the base MacBook Air variant a powerful everyday laptop.
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How Does the M4 MacBook Air Compare to the MacBook Pro?
One of the biggest questions surrounding the new MacBook Air is how well it performs compared to its Pro counterpart.
In CPU performance, the M4 MacBook Air is within 2-3% of the M4 MacBook Pro in single-core and multi-core benchmarks. This means that for most everyday tasks—such as web browsing, office work, and even light video editing—users will not experience significant performance differences between the two models.
However, there is a notable gap in GPU performance. The M4 MacBook Air scored 54,864 points in Geekbench’s Metal test, which is lower than the MacBook Pro’s average of 57,948 points. This suggests that the base model MacBook Air likely features fewer GPU cores, making it less suited for GPU-intensive workloads like 3D rendering and gaming.
MacBook Air M4 vs. MacBook Pro M4 – Key Differences
| Feature | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Pro M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Core Score | 3,680 | 3,748 |
| Multi-Core Score | 14,924 | 15,100 |
| Metal GPU Score | 54,864 | 57,948 |
| GPU Cores (Estimated) | 8-core (base model) | 10-core |
| RAM Options | 16GB (base model) | Up to 32GB |
| Cooling System | Fanless | Active cooling (with fan) |
| Target Audience | General users, students, professionals | Power users, content creators |
While CPU performance is nearly identical, the Pro model’s active cooling system allows for sustained workloads, whereas the Air may throttle performance under heavy loads due to its fanless design.
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Why the Metal Score Matters
The Metal benchmark is important because it measures Apple’s GPU performance in macOS applications, especially those optimized for Apple Silicon.
A lower Metal score on the MacBook Air confirms that Apple has likely reduced GPU cores on the base model, making it slightly less suitable for graphics-intensive tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.
However, for users who primarily work with documents, browse the web, and use Apple’s ecosystem of apps, the M4 MacBook Air still offers a fantastic experience.
MacBook Air M4: Key Features & Improvements
- Powerful Apple M4 Chip: Delivers significant performance gains over M3 models.
- Fanless & Silent Design: Maintains a thin and lightweight form factor.
- Better Energy Efficiency: Extends battery life compared to previous MacBook Air models.
- Neural Engine Boost: Optimized for AI and machine learning tasks.
- Smoother macOS Experience: Ideal for students, professionals, and casual users.
- High-Quality Retina Display: Perfect for watching content and working on creative projects.
- Fast SSD Storage: Ensures quick app loading and file transfers.
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Final Thoughts
The Apple M4-powered MacBook Air has made a strong debut on Geekbench, proving that even the base model packs impressive performance. While GPU capabilities are slightly reduced, its CPU efficiency, power savings, and fanless design make it an excellent choice for everyday users, students, and professionals.
For those seeking a powerful yet lightweight macOS laptop, the M4 MacBook Air remains one of the best ultrabooks on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much faster is the M4 MacBook Air compared to the M3 model?
The M4 MacBook Air offers around 10-15% better CPU performance and faster AI processing, making it a worthwhile upgrade for those using an M1 or Intel Mac.
2. What is the RAM configuration for the base model?
The base M4 MacBook Air comes with 16GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and better future-proofing.
3. Does the M4 MacBook Air have an active cooling system?
No, the MacBook Air remains fanless, which means it operates silently but may throttle performance under sustained heavy workloads.
4. How does the GPU performance compare to the MacBook Pro?
The MacBook Air’s GPU performance is lower due to its fewer GPU cores, making the Pro model better suited for GPU-intensive tasks.
5. Can the M4 MacBook Air handle video editing?
Yes, it can handle basic 4K video editing but may struggle with long rendering sessions due to thermal limitations.
6. Is the battery life better than the previous models?
Yes, the M4 chip is more power-efficient, offering longer battery life compared to M3 models.
7. What screen sizes are available for the M4 MacBook Air?
Apple is expected to offer 13-inch and 15-inch variants of the M4 MacBook Air.
8. Does the M4 MacBook Air support external monitors?
Yes, but like previous Air models, it is likely limited to one external monitor unless using DisplayLink adapters.
9. Will Apple offer an upgrade option for GPU cores?
Apple may offer higher-end GPU configurations, but the base model seems to come with an 8-core GPU.
10. When will the M4 MacBook Air be officially released?
Apple is expected to launch the MacBook Air M4 in mid-2025, but an exact date is yet to be confirmed.