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MacBook Air M4 Buying Guide: Which Model Should You Choose?

With the new MacBook Air M4, Apple is once again redefining the ultra-portable market. But beyond the powerful Apple M4 chip, one question remains: which configuration should you choose? Between screen size, RAM, and storage, the options can be overwhelming. Don't worry, this guide is here to help you make sense of it all and find the model tailored to your needs, whether you're a student, an on-the-go creative, or simply looking for a powerful machine for everyday use.

By our product experts, July 4, 2026.

Key Factors for Choosing Your MacBook Air M4

Before diving into our top picks, let's review the crucial points that will guide your decision when it's time to buy a MacBook Air.

Screen Size: 13-inch or 15-inch?

The choice of screen size often comes down to a trade-off between portability and user comfort.

  • The 13-inch MacBook Air M4 is the ultimate travel companion. With its feather-light weight of 1.24 kg, it slips into any bag and is ideal for those who work from a café, in class, or are constantly on the move.
  • The 15-inch MacBook Air M4 offers a significantly more comfortable workspace. This larger screen is a real asset for multitasking, photo editing, or simply enjoying your movies and TV shows. It remains remarkably thin and light for its size, weighing in at just 1.51 kg.

RAM and SSD Storage: Which Configuration is Right for You?

RAM and storage are the two most critical factors for your machine's responsiveness.

  • RAM (Random Access Memory): This determines how many applications you can run simultaneously and smoothly. 8 GB is sufficient for standard use (web, email, office suite). 16 GB offers welcome flexibility for heavy multitasking or creative software. 24 GB should be reserved for professionals who handle massive files or particularly demanding applications.
  • SSD Storage: This is simply the space you have for your files, applications, and the operating system. 256 GB can be enough if you rely heavily on cloud services (iCloud, Google Drive, etc.). 512 GB or more gives you real peace of mind to keep everything on hand, directly on the computer.

Understanding the Apple M4 Chip and macOS Sequoia

The Apple M4 chip is the true heart of this new Apple laptop. It integrates the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine for stunning performance and power efficiency. Paired with macOS Sequoia, it introduces new artificial intelligence features and ensures perfect synergy with the Apple ecosystem. The different versions of the chip (with varying numbers of GPU cores) directly impact graphics performance—a decisive factor for creatives.

Top MacBook Air M4 Picks

Here are three configurations we've selected, each designed for a specific user profile.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M4 (24 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) - Sky Blue

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M4 Sky Blue

What sets it apart: This is simply the pinnacle of the Air lineup. It combines the large 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display with the maximum amount of RAM (24 GB of RAM) and a comfortable 512 GB of storage. A true mobile workstation, without the weight.

Highlights:

  • Display: Large 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display for maximum visual comfort.
  • Performance: 24 GB of RAM for uncompromising multitasking and rock-solid fluidity in pro applications.
  • M4 Chip: The most powerful version with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU for unleashed graphics power.
  • Battery Life: Up to 18 hours of battery life, despite its peak performance.
  • Keyboard: English QWERTY keyboard.

Who is it for? Creatives, developers, and demanding users who want maximum power and a large screen, with the added benefit of portability.

See details on Joybuy.com

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 (16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) - Starlight

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 Starlight

What sets it apart: This is the most balanced configuration, the sensible choice. It combines the portability of the 13-inch format, 16 GB of RAM to keep you running smoothly for years to come, and a generous 512 GB of storage so you never feel constrained.

Highlights:

  • Balance: The perfect compromise between mobility, performance, and storage capacity.
  • Memory: 16 GB of RAM for a fluid experience today and tomorrow.
  • Storage: 512 GB of SSD to store all your projects and large files without worry.
  • Portability: A feather-light weight of just 1.24 kg in an ultra-thin chassis.
  • Keyboard: QWERTY keyboard.

Who is it for? Mobile professionals, students, and anyone looking for a high-performance, future-proof machine that's easy to take anywhere.

See details on Joybuy.com

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 (16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) - Sky Blue

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 Sky Blue

What sets it apart: An excellent entry point into the M4 universe that makes the right trade-off by not skimping on RAM. With 16 GB of RAM, it ensures far greater responsiveness than the base model, while remaining a champion of mobility.

Highlights:

  • RAM Performance: The 16 GB of RAM makes a real difference in overall fluidity and multitasking.
  • Portability: Ultra-compact and lightweight 13.6-inch format.
  • Design: Fanless design for completely silent operation.
  • Efficiency: The Apple M4 chip guarantees first-rate performance for all everyday tasks.
  • Keyboard: QWERTY keyboard.

Who is it for? Students and users who focus on office work, web browsing, and multimedia, and who prioritize long-term responsiveness while relying on the cloud for storage.

See details on Joybuy.com

Looking for Other Options?

None of these configurations a perfect fit? Is your budget different? No problem, many other variations are available. Feel free to explore our complete selection to find the perfect match.

Discover our full range of laptops on Joybuy.com

MacBook Air M4 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price of the MacBook Air M4?

The price of a MacBook Air M4 can vary significantly depending on the chosen configuration: screen size, RAM, storage, number of GPU cores... To see the most up-to-date pricing, the easiest way is to check the product pages directly.

Is the MacBook Air M4 suitable for video editing?

Yes, the MacBook Air M4 is more than capable of handling video editing, including 4K footage. The Apple M4 chip and its Neural Engine accelerate many encoding tasks. For optimal comfort, a configuration with at least 16 GB of RAM is recommended. For very long projects or exports, its fanless design may lead to slight thermal throttling to manage heat, but for most uses, it will perform admirably.

Do the models sold come with a QWERTY keyboard?

Absolutely. All Apple laptop models we feature for the English-speaking market are equipped with a MacBook Air QWERTY keyboard. This information is always indicated on our product pages to avoid any surprises.