I tested the M4 MacBook Air. Battery life is reason enough to buy it

Over the past few months, I’ve tested several Windows on Arm machines. The standout feature is the exceptional battery life offered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X-powered laptops. These laptops eliminate the need to constantly search for a power outlet, making them ideal for on-the-go use.

Windows laptops have finally reached a level where they can compete with the high standards set by the MacBook Air. My recent experiences with the Asus Zenbook A14 and the Dell XPS 13 have been positive. The slim and lightweight designs, combined with the advancements in Windows on Arm app compatibility, have impressed me.

Despite the progress made by Windows laptops, the MacBook Air M4 remains my top recommendation for a slim and lightweight laptop. The exceptional battery life is a key factor in this decision. Having used every iteration of the MacBook Air since the M1 model, I believe Apple has achieved power efficiency perfection with the M4 variant.

Low uptake, high yield

Choosing a laptop with the best battery life is not a straightforward decision due to the various factors involved, including the operating system, architecture, and hardware. The MacBook Air excels in balancing performance and battery efficiency, making it unbeatable in this regard. The efficiency of the M4 silicon in managing power consumption is evident in its performance.

Efficiency is further highlighted when comparing demanding tasks between the M4 and the M3 MacBook Air. The M4 showcases better performance and lower power consumption, resulting in a more efficient system overall.

Realistic workflows fare even better

My workflow consists of multiple resource-intensive tasks, including browsing with Google Chrome, using various apps like Obsidian, Slack, and Photoshop, as well as video editing with LumaFusion and PyTorch. The efficient distribution of tasks between the performance and efficiency cores of the M4 ensures smooth operation even in low-power mode.

While the Dell XPS 13 offers impressive performance, it falls short in terms of overall smoothness and battery life compared to the MacBook Air. Windows laptops tend to throttle performance aggressively in low-power mode, highlighting the superior performance of Apple’s silicon.

Peerless, in a lot of ways

The MacBook Air M4 stands out not only for its speed but also for its consistent performance, even in low-power mode. Despite its smaller battery size and lack of active cooling, the MacBook Air outperforms Windows laptops in terms of speed and battery life.

Despite its high-performance capabilities, the MacBook Air M4 remains energy-efficient and long-lasting in day-to-day use, outperforming Windows counterparts in terms of battery life. For a reliable and efficient mobile workstation, the M4-fueled MacBook Air is unmatched.