Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is the better laptop on paper: it has more memory, is sold new and has a brighter screen. The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
- Memory Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 has 16 GB of memory against 8 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- Condition Depends on you
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Apple MacBook Air 13 is sold new.
- Brightness Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13's screen is brighter (500 against 400 nits), so it's easier to see near a window.
- Age Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is the newer model (2025 against 2020).
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13 if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You want a brand-new laptop with a fresh battery: it is sold new.
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 500 nits.
- You want a more recent design: it came out in 2025.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch if…
- You do demanding work: its Apple M1 has the power for photo and video editing.
- You'll carry it around: it weighs just 1.29 kg.
- You need a long battery life: its maker claims up to 18 hours.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Air 13 leads on performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on performance.
It has more memory, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M4 (10-core CPU) | Apple M1 (8-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple M4 8-core GPU | Apple M1 7-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | — | unified memory |
| Maximum memory | 32 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | — | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on the screen.
It has a brighter screen, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.3" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 20:13 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 400 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | — | None |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | 49.9 Wh |
| Charger | 30 W | 30 W |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 (also charges via Thunderbolt 4 USB-C) | USB-C |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70W USB-C adapter (no time claim) | — |
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 1.29 kg |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm | 304.1 x 212.4 x 4.1-16.1 mm |
| Materials | Aluminium enclosure (100% recycled aluminium) | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Midnight | Space Grey |
| Colours available | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight | Gold, Silver, Space Grey |
Ports and wireless
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Wi-Fi 6E, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, 40Gb/s, charging, DisplayPort, USB 4), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, up to 40Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 up to 40Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 1 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 79-key ISO (UK), 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 79-key ISO layout; 12 function keys; ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad (Multi-Touch) | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos | stereo speakers with wide stereo sound and Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | — | Touch ID |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on software and updates.
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Apple MacBook Air 13 is sold new. It is sold new and is newer, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | — | MGN63B/A |
| Released | 2025 | 2020 |