Cover image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
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There's a certain quiet confidence to the new 15-inch MacBook Air with Apple's M4 chip, and I mean that literally
It's fanless, cool, and almost silent in use.
After almost three months of using it as my daily workhorse — juggling emails, browser tabs, virtual calls, and the occasional photo and video edits — I can say this: it's one of the most well-rounded laptops I've ever laid hands on.
If you're a Malaysian Windows user toying with the idea of switching, this could be the push you've been waiting for.
Battery life: I made it through nearly two full workdays (more than 16 hours) before reaching for the charger
Even with heavier tasks like batch photo editing in Canva, it still held up for over 10 hours comfortably.
In a market where many Windows laptops start wheezing by mid-afternoon, the Air M4 holds its ground without breaking a sweat.
Design-wise, it hasn't changed much since 2022, but that's not a bad thing.
Apple's MacBook Air is slim, light to carry, and now comes in a new sky blue that shifts between grey and cool blue depending on the lighting
The keyboard is a joy to type on, the Touch ID sensor is snappy, and the trackpad is still best-in-class.
And yes, MagSafe is back, which means your power cable won't go flying if you trip over it (we've all been there).
Performance is where things get interesting.
The new M4 chip brings this Air terrifyingly close to MacBook Pro territory, without the 'Pro' price tag
It boots quickly, launches apps instantly, and handles creative work smoothly. That said, if you're doing constant video editing or 3D modelling, the Pro line is still your best bet.
The 16GB of RAM on the base model is a game-changer, especially when Windows laptops around RM5,000 that still ship with just 8GB.
That said, there are minor teething issues.
You only get two USB-C ports (no USB-A or SD card slot), so 'dongle life' is real unless you invest in a hub
The 60Hz screen, while bright and sharp, doesn't feel as buttery-smooth as the 120Hz displays now common on premium Windows laptops.
There's also no Face ID, a baffling omission for a device this polished. But this wasn't a big deal for me.
In Malaysia, at RM5,499, the 15-inch MacBook Air M4 offers solid value especially with Apple's student promos and long-term resale strength
Students can opt for the 13-inch variant for only RM 4,069 (it's RM5,069 for the 15-inch for students). Also, students, parents, and educators can enjoy education savings and get free AirPods or an eligible accessory with a Mac or iPad purchase.
Apple Stores and the Education Store online offer the best back-to-school deals, plus personalised support from Specialists both in-store and online.
Sure, you can spec out a Windows machine with more ports and a higher-refresh-rate screen for the same price, but you'd be hard-pressed to match the Air's battery life, ecosystem synergy, and thermal silence
For students, professionals, or anyone who's finally ready to dip into macOS, the MacBook Air M4 is one of the best entry points Apple has ever made.
It's not flashy but it just works. And it works very well.
