M4 MacBook Air vs M3: Is an Early Upgrade Worth It? Five Key Reasons to Consider

M4 MacBook Air vs M3 MacBook Air: Five Reasons to Upgrade Early

Apple has introduced the new M4 MacBook Air, which will be available soon. If you already own an M3 MacBook Air, should you consider upgrading to the M4 model? Here are five key differences that might make the upgrade worthwhile:

1. 16GB Base RAM with Higher Max Capacity

   • The base model of the M4 MacBook Air now comes with 16GB of RAM, a significant upgrade from the 8GB in most M3 models. Additionally, the M4 supports up to 32GB of RAM, compared to 24GB on the M3.

2. 12MP Center Stage Camera

   • The new M4 MacBook Air features an upgraded 12MP camera with support for Desk View and 1080p HD video recording, improving video call quality over the 1080p FaceTime HD camera on the M3.

3. Sky Blue Color Option

   • A new Sky Blue color is available for the M4 MacBook Air, adding a fresh aesthetic option to the existing Silver, Starlight, and Midnight colors.

4. M4 Chip with More CPU Cores and Improved Neural Engine

   • The M4 chip includes 10 CPU cores (up from 8 in the M3) and an enhanced 16-core Neural Engine capable of performing up to 38 trillion operations per second, offering better performance for everyday tasks and AI workloads.

5. $999 Starting Price

   • The M4 MacBook Air starts at $999, a $100 reduction from the $1,099 starting price of the M3 model.

While these changes are notable, they may not be enough to justify an upgrade for everyone. However, if you're a technology enthusiast, love the new color, or need specific features like more RAM or a better camera, the M4 MacBook Air is a compelling choice.