In the world of laptops, there are probably few lines of computers that are as stable as the MacBook Air, which has defined the thin and light laptop style, and has recently become more affordable in the Vietnamese market.
After using many MacBook Air models, this is the product I often advise my friends to buy a computer, unless they need to play games, do some professional design or graphics work, or simply like to use Windows.
But because the design is so established, it’s not easy to convince someone to buy the latest Mac instead of last year’s cheaper model. Even in direct comparisons, Apple chose to compare it to MacBook Air models with the latest Intel chips, or M1, to get a performance boost of dozens of times.
However, after a few months of using the MacBook Air M4, I still noticed a few notable points when compared to last year's M3 generation. The most noticeable point is that compared to last year's basic configuration (Apple M3 chip, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB internal memory), this year's MacBook Air M4 has a lower starting price, and the RAM has increased to 16 GB. In other words, the new MacBook Air has a "better price".
The new color is beautiful but hard to describe
It’s hard to find a single Vietnamese word to describe the new color of the MacBook Air M4. The company calls it Sky Blue, but most of my friends who saw the new machine thought it was gray. Only when viewed outdoors, from certain angles, does the computer have a light blue tone.
This color choice is quite “safe”, especially when you use the machine in an environment like an office. It is new enough for people to recognize this is a new machine, but not as outstanding as the color on the iMac models.
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It's hard to tell if this machine is blue or gray. The color perception depends a lot on the viewing angle. |
This is also a light color, so it will be less obvious when holding the user's fingerprints. Fingerprints stick and are difficult to wipe off are the most obvious disadvantages I see on the blue-black color on the Air M2 and M3 generations.
Choosing the size is also easy when considering the differences between the two versions. The 15-inch MacBook Air has a larger screen, and slightly better speakers than the 13-inch version. If I were choosing a main machine for regular work, I would probably choose the 15-inch version. However, because I often travel, the 13-inch version with its smaller size and nearly 300 grams lighter weight makes it more comfortable to use everywhere, whether on a bus or a plane.
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With the size of the 13-inch MacBook Air, I can still sit and work even on a cramped plane. |
Simple “configuration selection”, more reasonable price
When Apple first launched the MacBook Air M3, a friend of mine was about to buy it right away, but then hesitated because the lowest priced version only came with 8 GB of RAM, which could easily lead to a “shortage” situation, while the 16 GB RAM version had a price difference of 5 million.
New MacBook Air models now start with 16GB of RAM, and the M4 is no exception. This makes choosing a version much simpler, and even the lowest-priced version is enough to meet your needs. I use the Air M4 with a nearly basic configuration (16GB RAM, 512GB storage) for work, short clip editing, photo editing, and it all works well.
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Unless I push the machine to do really heavy work like exporting 4K video or playing detailed graphics games for a long time, the MacBook Air M4 meets my usage needs well. |
Even with games, some of the high-quality graphics titles I play like Death Stranding or Resident Evil 4 can reach 40-60 fps at Full HD resolution. This is a “playable” level, but because there is no cooling fan, after about 20 minutes of continuous play, the machine heats up and the frame rate drops significantly.
The thing to note when choosing a version of the new MacBook Air is that the lowest version (16 GB RAM, 256 GB storage) has 8 graphics cores, while the higher versions all have 10 graphics cores. This can make a little difference if you really play games a lot, but in most cases the lowest version will still work.
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Apple charges a pretty penny for more RAM or storage. My solution is to go with a moderate amount of RAM (16GB) and buy an external drive for larger files. |
If I want to expand my storage, my choice is to buy an external SSD. The Kingston XS2000 model I use has a capacity of 1 TB, can provide stable read/write speeds of 1 GB/s, and costs just over 2 million VND, while the 1 TB drive option available on the MacBook will cost up to 10 million VND.
Still a reliable computer for work or study
Once performance has met most of my needs, I find that battery life is the most important factor for a work computer. This is also the biggest upgrade of the MacBook line when switching from Intel chips to the self-designed M chip line.
With the M4, I can still easily get almost a day of use, or I can take it to a coffee shop with about 60% battery left and confidently work all day without worrying about low battery. The support for both MagSafe and Type-C charging ports is also a plus, because I can carry a single charger and cable for both my smartphone and laptop.
The other elements of the MacBook Air still meet the needs of work or play. The keyboard has a moderate travel, and typing is light. The screen displays beautiful colors, is bright enough to see indoors, but a bit weak when sitting outside in the sun, and the refresh rate of only 60 Hz is also inferior to many laptops in the same price range. The speakers on the 13-inch version are also quite good, clearly inferior when compared to the 15-inch version or the Pro models.
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The keyboard on this machine isn't great, but it gets the job done. |
At the price range above 20 million, some Windows laptop models are equipped with OLED screens, 120 or 144 Hz, or a higher quality "branded" speaker system, but the MacBook's elements are still at a satisfactory, harmonious level.
Another notable new feature on this MacBook is the webcam with Center Stage. The improved resolution makes the image sharper, and I don’t have to worry about “posing” in meetings where I need to show my face, because the frame will always move and put my face in the center. The webcam can also project a top-down view of the table, which is useful if I need to present something with notes or hand-drawn drawings.
The biggest drawback for me in the MacBook Air, which has existed since the M1 generation, is that it only has 2 USB-C ports. There are times when I want to insert a memory card to get photos from the camera, or transfer images to the TV in the conference room, but all of those operations require a single head or cable. This is probably how Apple wants to differentiate the Air and Pro lines, but as someone who really needs it, I still feel sorry.
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"Few ports" is still a weakness that MacBook Air models have not been able to overcome. |
In the MacBook Air M4 generation, Apple has popularized RAM capacity from 16 GB, while the opening price has been reduced by 1 million, to 26.99 million on the online store, some retail chains may have lower prices.
This price is not low, but it is at an accessible level for working people or students to invest in. On the MacBook Air, everything is at a good level or better, especially the screen and battery, and is enough to meet the needs of most users without special requirements.
Of course, when compared, the MacBook Air M4 still has some weaknesses compared to its competitors such as design, OLED screen and 120 Hz, or compared to the Pro line itself, there are also many differences. But as Apple is increasingly paying more attention to the market, and the way the configuration is also showing that the company is less "stingy", the new MacBook Air is likely to still become the default choice for a large part of "office workers". I also look forward to new changes in macOS 26 "Tahoe", which will be released by the company later this year.
Source: https://znews.vn/3-dieu-toi-nhan-ra-khi-macbook-air-moi-co-gia-tot-post1560713.html
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