Latest news with #AppleM4
CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Amazon Deals of the Day: The M4 MacBook Air Just Dropped Down to A New Record Low Price
Amazon sells tons of products, with new ones arriving daily. The retail giant carries everything from home essentials to tech gear and wellness items. As much as it loves adding new products, Amazon also loves cutting prices. Deciding which deals are worth grabbing (and which aren't) is a full-time job -- our job, specifically. That's why we scope out the top deals for you. Today, we spotted the Apple M4 MacBook Air down to a new record low price, saving you $175. Plus, never run out of charging cables again with Anker's five-pack almost 30% off. And finally Prime members can take advantage of a nice $20 discount on the already affordable Baeus Bowie MC1 clip on earbuds. It's no secret that Apple makes some of the best laptops on the market. In fact, the M4 15-inch MacBook Air is our favorite laptop of 2025. We love that is has the optimal balance of screen size and system weight. Plus the M4 processor provides good balance of performance and battery life. It's perfect for those who don't need the high power of the MacBook Pro. The battery lasts about 17 hours, so you can use it pretty much all day. The 12-megapixel Center Stage camera will help give you a clear picture for all your Zoom calls. It even has support for two external displays simultaneously with MacBook display. We all know that MacBook Air deals are hard to come by, but this laptop just dropped to an all time low. Normally $1,199, you can grab the 16GB model in the starlight color for $1,024. Keep in mind, this price is only for the starlight color option. With the amount of devices we all use on a daily basis, it feels like we're always running out of ways to keep all our devices powered up. In the recent years, many new devices have stopped including the cable with your purchase as well. Anker has a five pack of USB-C to USB-C cables. These cables are 60W and six-feet long, no more worrying if there's an outlet right next to the bed or couch. It can charge super fast, bringing a Samsung S20 to 55% in just 30 minutes. It also has a 12,000 bend lifespan and is made of premium double braided nylon, so it won't break easily. Normally $18, you can score five cables for just $13right now. This brings each wire to just over $2, a hard price to beat. Grab yours now. There are many different types of listening gear, such as clip-on earbuds. Clip-on earbuds are made with an open design which helps the buds stay securely attached to your ears. There's no silicone ear tips that you struggle to keep in your ears. One of our favorite options, specifically our favorite affordable option are the Baseus Bowie MC1 clip-on earbuds. We love them because they have a comfortable and secure fit, along with pretty good sound quality and a battery life of up to nine hours. They also have an IP57 certification, which means the earbuds are splash-proof and dust-proof. They usually retail for $70 but Prime members can score a pair for just $50. We don't know how long this deal will last so act fast to secure yours. With so many deals on Amazon, deciding which ones are worth your money can be difficult. But CNET combs through what the world's largest online retailer has to offer and gathers the best deals for you.
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Amid Competition, Amazon Is Clearing 2025 MacBook Air M4 Stock at an All-Time Low
When it comes to Apple computers, the best seller is the MacBook Air (and rightfully so). These slim computers aren't only powerful and gorgeous but they're also priced in such a way that they remain accessible to a wide range of people. The new model which was introduced merely two months ago features the innovative Apple M4 chip and is built to have you stay ahead of the curve for ten years to come. Amazon is currently giving a huge price cut on that MacBook Air 2025 and it's an even smarter purchase to make. The 16GB unified memory and 256GB SSD variant is available for $867, reduced from its original price of $999. This model is a good buy if you want to enjoy a seamless experience and ample storage for everyday usage. But wait, there's more: Amazon is also offering discounts on premium configurations including those with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. See at Amazon Best in Class Laptop in 2025 Drove the 2025 MacBook Air is the Apple M4 chip with a 10-core CPU (4 performance, 6 efficiency) and an 8-core GPU (configurable up to 10 cores on premium configurations). This silicon behemoth offers up to 30% faster performance than the previous generation and web browsing to video editing all feels faster and smoother. The M4 chip also includes a 16-core Neural Engine which drives machine learning and AI tasks and empowers Apple Intelligence. The MacBook Air's 13.6-inch Liquid Retina screen is a feast for the eyes with a 2560 x 1664 pixel resolution and support for 1 billion colors. It has 500 nits of brightness, True Tone and a wide color gamut so everything that is displayed and watched will be bright and real. The screen is designed to reduce eye strain so it feels comfortable for hours of work. At less than three pounds and only 0.44 inches thick, this MacBook is easy to slip into any bag and tote along wherever you go. Thin as it is, the MacBook Air provides up to 18 hours of battery life so you can work, watch or play all day long without worrying about having to rummage out an electrical outlet. The laptop's body is made of aluminum and is robust yet classy, with the laptop being available in several different colors like the new Sky Blue used in the current promotion. It has great connectivity with two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports, a MagSafe port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The MacBook Air 2025 also supports up to two external displays, a first for the Air lineup which makes it a great choice for professionals who need extra screen real estate. The built-in 12MP Center Stage camera, three-microphone array, and four-speaker system with Spatial Audio ensure you'll look and sound your best on video calls. MacBook Air 2025 comes with macOS which offers effortless integration with your iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices. The phone can be easily mirrored from iPhone, the Universal Clipboard allows for seamless copying of content across devices and one can answer FaceTime calls on the Mac. All your popular applications such as Microsoft Office 2024, and Google Workspace can be executed at lightning speed. This price drop makes this timing opportune to make the move to Apple's latest and greatest, dont miss this opportunity! See at Amazon
Gizmodo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
Oops, Amazon Did It Again: The 2025 MacBook Air Drops for the 5th Time in a Month
Apple is famous for its design and fabulous performance, but affordability-wise, it's not usually known to be 'low-cost'. Now, imagine if you have all three: style, power, and an unbeatable price. That is what Amazon is offering with the brand-new MacBook Air M4 2025. The 2025 MacBook Air M4 is available for purchase today on Amazon for $849 for the base 13-inch model with 256GB storage and 16GB of unified memory. This is $150 less than Apple's own street price of $999 and the lowest this model has ever been priced. No competitor offers this deal and the official Apple store itself (unsurprisingly) does not offer any discount on this product. Amazon is the only place to take advantage of such a bargain. See at Amazon New Powerful M4 Chip The actual highlight of the MacBook Air M4 (released in March of this year) is its new Apple M4 chip which is a gigantic leap from the previous M3 series. The base 13-inch model is equipped with a 10-core CPU featuring 4 performance and 6 efficiency cores, together with an 8-core GPU (the larger 15-inch model uses a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU and it is also on sale). Both start with 16GB of unified memory which will be way sufficient for most users and 256GB of fast SSD storage. For customers who need more space, upgrades to 512GB or more are available. With all the power, the MacBook Air M4 remains fanless. The MacBook Air M4 includes a stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2560 x 1664 pixel screen, and you'll enjoy rich colors with one billion colors support, wide P3 color gamut, and True Tone technology for easy visibility in any light condition. The 15-inch model brings it to the next level with a larger 2880 x 1864 resolution screen which is even better if you're looking for more screen real estate without sacrificing mobility. Apple has also enhanced the camera configuration with a 12MP Center Stage webcam that supports Desk View so video calls are sharper and more interactive. Audio is handled by a four-speaker setup on the 13-inch and a six-speaker setup with force-cancelling woofers on the 15-inch, both of which support spatial audio for immersive listening. Battery life is simply astonishing (you can check our review here), up to 15 hours wireless web browsing and up to 18 hours video streaming. This exclusive Amazon offer is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase the new MacBook Air M4 at a price that no other retailer can beat. Although Apple holds firm in charging its top dollar on its official website, Amazon's forceful discount means that this is the ideal time to switch to Apple's fastest ultrabook ever. See at Amazon
Geeky Gadgets
07-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
M4 MacBook Air. The Near-Perfect Ultraportable
The M4 MacBook Air redefines the ultraportable laptop category, offering a compelling combination of innovative performance, exceptional battery life, and a sleek, lightweight design. It caters to a broad audience, including professionals, students, and creatives, who value portability without sacrificing power. While it excels in many areas, certain aspects—such as display technology and webcam quality—highlight opportunities for refinement. The video below from ZONEofTECH gives us a detailed look at the M4 MacBook Air. Watch this video on YouTube. Design: Sleek, Minimalist, and Practical Apple continues to uphold its reputation for minimalist elegance with the M4 MacBook Air. The ultra-thin, lightweight chassis is both modern and practical, making it a standout in the ultraportable market. A new 'Sky Blue' finish adds a touch of personalization to the existing color palette, appealing to users who prioritize aesthetics. The improved port alignment enhances the overall symmetry, giving the laptop a cleaner and more polished appearance compared to its MacBook Pro counterpart. However, the notch design remains a divisive feature. While it reduces bezel size and contributes to the laptop's sleek profile, it can obstruct menu icons, requiring users to rely on third-party software for optimization. This design choice, though functional, may not appeal to everyone. Portability: Built for Life on the Move Weighing just under 2.8 pounds, the M4 MacBook Air is among the lightest laptops in its class. Its compact form factor makes it an ideal companion for users who are constantly on the move, whether commuting, traveling, or working remotely. Despite its featherweight design, the laptop delivers performance that rivals heavier and bulkier alternatives, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of users. The portability is further enhanced by its robust build quality, making sure durability without adding unnecessary weight. This balance of portability and resilience makes the M4 MacBook Air a reliable option for users who demand both mobility and performance. Keyboard and Trackpad: Precision and Comfort The keyboard on the M4 MacBook Air offers a refined typing experience, with well-spaced, responsive, and sturdy keys that ensure comfort during extended use. A subtle update to the mute button adds functionality without disrupting the familiar layout that long-time MacBook users appreciate. This thoughtful design ensures that the keyboard remains intuitive and user-friendly. The trackpad continues to be a standout feature, offering exceptional precision and ample space for seamless navigation. Its responsiveness and support for multi-touch gestures make it one of the best in the industry, further enhancing the overall user experience. Performance: Power Without Compromise At the core of the M4 MacBook Air is the Apple M4 chip, which delivers a significant boost in CPU performance compared to its predecessors. With up to 32 GB of RAM, the laptop handles multitasking effortlessly, whether you're editing videos, coding, or running complex simulations. The fanless design ensures silent operation, making it ideal for quiet environments like libraries or shared workspaces. However, the fanless design does have its limitations. During prolonged, intensive tasks such as gaming or 3D rendering, the laptop's performance may throttle to manage heat. While this may not affect the majority of users, professionals with demanding workloads might find this a constraint. For everyday tasks and moderate workloads, the M4 MacBook Air strikes an excellent balance between power and efficiency. Battery Life: All-Day Productivity Battery life is one of the standout features of the M4 MacBook Air. Offering up to 10 hours of real-world usage, it surpasses the previous M3 model, allowing users to work, stream, or browse without frequent recharging. This makes it an excellent choice for those who need reliable, all-day performance. However, questions remain about the long-term health of the battery under heavy usage. While Apple has a strong track record in battery durability, users who frequently push their devices to the limit may want to monitor battery performance over time. Dual Monitor Support: A Welcome Upgrade One of the most significant enhancements in the M4 MacBook Air is its dual monitor support. Unlike earlier MacBook Air models, which were limited to a single external display, the M4 can connect to two external monitors in addition to its internal screen. This feature is particularly beneficial for multitaskers, creatives, and professionals who rely on expanded screen real estate for productivity. The ability to manage multiple displays seamlessly improves the laptop's versatility, making it a strong contender for users who need a portable yet capable workstation. Display: Vibrant but Not Perfect The M4 MacBook Air features a vibrant display with excellent color accuracy and 500 nits of brightness, making it suitable for most tasks, including photo editing and media consumption. However, it lacks the advanced mini-LED or OLED technology found in the MacBook Pro. This results in less impressive black levels and HDR performance, which may disappoint users who prioritize display quality. Outdoor usability is another area where the display falls short. The glare and limited peak brightness can hinder visibility in bright environments, which may frustrate users who frequently work outdoors or in well-lit spaces. Webcam: Functional but Flawed The ultrawide Center Stage camera is a notable addition, offering automatic subject tracking during video calls. This feature enhances the user experience by keeping the subject centered, even during movement. Noise reduction has also been improved, resulting in better performance in low-light conditions. However, the overall sharpness of the webcam is compromised due to cropping, which may not meet the expectations of users who require high-quality video for professional purposes. Additionally, the notch design that houses the webcam continues to obstruct menu icons, creating a minor inconvenience that detracts from the otherwise seamless user experience. Areas for Improvement While the M4 MacBook Air excels in many areas, there are a few key aspects that could benefit from further refinement: Incorporating mini-LED or OLED technology would enhance display contrast, black levels, and HDR performance. Improving webcam sharpness would better meet the needs of users who rely on high-quality video conferencing. Addressing the notch design's impact on the user interface would eliminate the need for third-party workarounds. A Strong Contender in the Ultraportable Market The M4 MacBook Air strikes an impressive balance between performance, portability, and battery life, making it one of the best ultraportable laptops available today. Its powerful M4 chip, dual monitor support, and sleek design cater to a wide range of users, from students to professionals. While limitations in display and webcam quality leave room for improvement, the M4 MacBook Air remains a compelling option for those who value mobility and efficiency. Starting at $999, it offers exceptional value, though users with more demanding needs may still consider the MacBook Pro for its advanced features. Below are more guides on the MacBook Air from our extensive range of articles. Source & Image Credit: ZONEofTECH Filed Under: Apple, Laptops, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Intel Arrow Lake H crushes Apple M4, Ryzen AI 9, and Snapdragon X elite in our lab tests
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Intel launched its new silicon this week, so naturally we wanted to see how it stacks up compared to the competition. Intel's Arrow Lake H systems launched yesterday, offering up to 20% increases in multithread performance over the previous Meteor Lake generation. Based on our testing of the Asus Zenbook Duo 2025 (UX8406) and MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo (B2HM), it seems Intel's initial performance claims have held up in our testing. But how does Arrow Lake H compare to the M4 and M4 Pro, or the Snapdragon X Elite (XIE-84-100)? Let's take a look at the numbers. In terms of gen-over-gen performance, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H on the Zenbook Duo saw a 22% increase in Geekbench 6 multicore score over the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H on the Acer Swift Go 16. The Prestige 16 scored 32% higher than the Swift Go 16. All three systems had 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. There are some build differences between the three laptops that can account for that variation, but this is about as close to a perfect comparison as we can get since our 2023 Prestige 16 and 2024 Zenbook Duo models featured an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU. What's more exciting is seeing how Arrow Lake stacks up against the Apple M4 in the MacBook Pro 14, the M4 Pro in the MacBook Pro 16, AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in the Zenbook S16, and the Snapdragon X Elite (XIE-84-100) in the Samsung GalaxyBook 4 Edge. Intel's Core Ultra 9 285H processor is the high-end for Intel's mid-range performance chipset, so we've pit it against the best of the best from the competition. On both the ZenBook Duo and the Prestige 16, Intel's Arrow Lake outperforms the Apple M4, Snapdragon X Elite, and AMD Ryzen AI 9 on multicore performance. Apple still has the edge on Single-core performance, while Arrow Lake is more in line with Qualcomm and outperforms AMD on single-thread power. The Prestige 16's Core Ultra 9 Geekbench multicore scores were 15% higher than the Apple M4, but 31% behind the M4 Pro. This is about where we'd expect things to be, considering the M4 Pro outperforms the M3 Max for significantly less money. Click to view chart data in table format Most folks don't just sit around running Geekbench on their systems, so we supplement our performance testing with more real-world simulated benchmarks. Handbrake is a useful tool for measuring video editing prowess, which can get you a more holistic view of a laptop's performance in stress tests. For our Handbrake test, we compress the 4K version of Tears of Steel into a more social media-friendly 1080p 30fps format and calculate the time it takes for the machine to complete the encoding. The ZenBook Duo's Intel Core Ultra 9 285H chipset took 5 minutes and 4 seconds to complete the compression, while the Prestige 16's Core Ultra 9 285H was quite a bit faster at 4:12. This difference of nearly 1 minute between the two Core Ultra 9 laptops likely comes down to thermal management, since the Zenbook Duo is a dual-screen laptop while the Prestige 16 is a thicker, mid-range business device. The ZenBook Duo's Handbrake time is faster than the Zenbook S16's Ryzen AI 9, while the Prestige 16 is faster than the M4 MacBook Pro 14 and Snapdragon X Elite Samsung GalaxyBook Edge 4. As expected, the M4 Pro smokes all of the other laptops on this list, but the Prestige 16's 4:12 completion time is nothing to scoff at. Click to view chart data in table format We do have a more in-depth hands-on based around our experience gaming with Intel's Arrow Lake-H systems, and the integrated Arc 140T deserves some serious praise, but what about the benchmarks? None of the laptops on this list are gaming machines, but we do test them for gaming performance regardless as a way to evaluate the iGPU's performance in 3D rendering, GPU-powered AI generation, and casual gaming settings. Based on our cross-platform gaming benchmarks in Borderlands 3, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm, the Arrow Lake-H gaming benchmarks on the Prestige 16 sit in close competition with the Apple M4 and AMD Ryzen AI 9. The ZenBook Duo's gaming performance is a little slower than the MSI, but again that's likely due to the thermal constraints of the Zenbook's dual-screen chassis. Interestingly, because Intel's Arrow Lake is a successor to Meteor Lake, its iGPU isn't quite as powerful as the Intel Arc 140V offered on Intel's Lunar Lake chipsets. It isn't a huge difference, but it does help explain why MSI opted for Lunar Lake on the Claw 8 AI+. Click to view chart data in table format We have tested only two systems with Intel's Arrow Lake-H silicon and both feature the Core Ultra 9 285H processor. So this is just a small look at what Arrow Lake-H is capable of via two premium spec laptops. Consider, however, that there are always performance variations thanks to implementation choices made by manufacturers. Some laptop designs will inherently thermal throttle more than others. Despite that, things look pretty good for Arrow Lake H on the performance front, particularly when looking at industry standard benchmarks like Geekbench 6 and 3DMark. While we can expect lower performance on multithread benchmarks from the Core Ultra 5 and Core Ultra 7 200H variants of the Arrow Lake H chipsets, it seems Intel's early claims of up to 20% performance increase gen over gen adds up. Intel Arrow Lake battery life: After over 100 hours of testing, we've got good news and bad news "Arrow (Lake) is a wonderful, wonderful notebook product,' Intel VP shares what to expect from Intel's new processors in 2025 'Not everybody has a killer app for AI yet': Intel's Robert Hallock opens the company playbook on AI, NPUs, and more
