MacLeaks hint at possible MacBook Air M4 delivering MacBook Pro-like performance ranges
MacBook Air M4 Outperforms M3 but Lags Behind 2024 MacBook Pro Models
The latest MacBook Air M4 has been unveiled, offering significant improvements over its predecessor, the MacBook Air M3. With approximately 15-23% better CPU performance and up to 20% faster GPU rendering, the new Air is a strong all-around machine [1][4][5].
The MacBook Air M4's Geekbench multi-core scores surpass 14,000, and single-core-plus improvements reach around a 21% higher score. However, the fanless design means it can run warm under sustained load and shows some throttling in intensive tasks [3][5].
When compared to the MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024) and MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024), the MacBook Air M4 is significantly less powerful due to lower thermal headroom and fewer GPU cores. The MacBook Pro 14 with the 14-core M4 Pro CPU scores around 22,000 in Geekbench multi-core, about 50% higher than the Air M4. The MacBook Pro 16 with the 16-core M4 Max scores up to 26,675 multi-core, demonstrating the highest performance among these models [2].
In GPU benchmarks, the MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro with a 20-core GPU scores about 110,556 in Metal, roughly 40% faster than the M3 Pro. The M4 Max with a 40-core GPU in the MacBook Pro 16 hits approximately 190,329, around 25% faster than the equivalent M3 Max GPU [2]. This contrasts with the MacBook Air M4’s GPU improvement of around 20% over the M3.
Regarding battery life and portability, the MacBook Air M4 remains the lightest and most portable, with good all-day battery life but heats up under heavy load due to passive cooling. The MacBook Pro M4 14-inch model offers stronger sustained performance thanks to active cooling and lasts about 18.5 hours in real-world battery tests, making it excellent for demanding workflows with longer runtimes. The MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro balances the highest performance with likely higher power draw and a bigger form factor [1].
Here's a summary of the benchmarks:
| Model | CPU Multi-core Score | GPU Metal Score | Performance Notes | |-------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | MacBook Air M3 | ~12,000 | Base GPU | Baseline | | MacBook Air M4 | ~14,000 | +20% vs M3 GPU | Fanless cooling, some throttling under load | | MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) | ~22,000 | 110,556 | 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, active cooling, sustained | | MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Max) | ~26,675 | 190,329 | 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, best performance |
In conclusion, the MacBook Air M4 is a noticeable upgrade over the M3 Air but is outperformed significantly by the 2024 MacBook Pro 14 and 16 with M4 Pro/Max chips in both CPU and GPU workloads, especially sustained heavy tasks requiring active cooling [1][2][4][5]. The Pro models are better suited for professionals needing maximum performance and battery endurance, while the Air M4 excels at portability with good everyday performance.
If Apple keeps the pricing for the M4 refresh the same as the M3, the base MacBook Air M4 will likely be priced at $1,499. The M4 MacBook Air's performance will be compared to the MacBook Air 13 (M3, 2024), MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024), and MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024) for further analysis. The MacBook Air M4 refresh is expected to be an upgraded configuration. The M4 MacBook Air is expected to be released in the next few months.
References:
- TechRadar
- MacRumors
- Ars Technica
- AnandTech
- Tom's Hardware
- The MacBook Air M4 showcases a stronger all-around machine compared to the MacBook Air M3, boasting up to 20% faster GPU rendering and 15-23% better CPU performance.
- Although the MacBook Air M4 delivers impressive benchmark scores, it lags behind the MacBook Pro 14 and 16 models with M4 Pro/Max chips, particularly in sustained heavy tasks that require active cooling.
- In terms of technology, the MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) boasts a 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, offering superior performance compared to the MacBook Air M4 in both CPU and GPU workloads.
- For those seeking maximum performance and battery endurance, the MacBook Pro models, with their active cooling systems, are better suited, while the MacBook Air M4 excels at portability with good everyday performance.
- Once released, the MacBook Air M4, if priced similarly to the M3, will offer an upgraded configuration, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a budget-friendly laptop within the gadgets and smartphones market that still delivers impressive performance.
