Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) vs Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is the better laptop on paper: it is faster, has more memory and lasts longer on a charge. Pick the Apple MacBook Neo only if it matters to you that it has more storage.
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Key differences
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Performance
Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13's Apple M4 is quicker: it has the power for photo and video editing, while the Apple MacBook Neo's Apple A18 Pro stays smooth with lots of apps open.
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Gaming
Evenly matched
Both manage light and older games, but not new releases.
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Display
Evenly matched
Closely matched screens: 13.6" 2.5K 500 nits against 13" 2K 500 nits.
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Battery life
Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 should last longer: up to 18 hours against up to 16 hours.
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Connectivity
Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is better connected. Only it has Thunderbolt/USB4.
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Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.24 kg and 1.23 kg.
Other 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.
- Storage Apple MacBook Neo wins
The Apple MacBook Neo has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13 if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M4 is the more powerful processor.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 18 hours).
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
Choose the Apple MacBook Neo if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You prefer the newer model: it came out in 2026.
- You'll carry it around: it weighs just 1.23 kg.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Air 13 leads on performance, battery and weight and the screen; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is faster and has more memory, while the Apple MacBook Neo has more storage.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M4 (10-core CPU) | Apple A18 Pro |
| Graphics | Apple M4 8-core GPU | Apple A18 Pro 5-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Maximum memory | 32 GB | — |
| Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Air 13 has a slightly bigger screen: 13.6" against 13". It has a sharper screen and has a slightly bigger screen, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2K (2408 x 1506) |
| Aspect ratio | 20:13 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | sRGB; 1 billion colours |
| HDR | — | None |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on battery and weight.
It lasts longer on a charge, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 16 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | 36.5 Wh |
| Charger | 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 | 1.23 kg |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm | 297.5 x 206.4 x 12.7 mm |
| Materials | Aluminium enclosure (100% recycled aluminium) | aluminium |
| Colour | Midnight | Indigo |
| Colours available | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight | Silver, Blush, Citrus, Indigo |
Ports and wireless
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Thunderbolt or USB4, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, 40Gb/s, charging, DisplayPort, USB 4), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone | 1x USB-C USB 3 up to 10Gb/s (charging, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x USB-C USB 2 up to 480Mb/s (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | None |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 1 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 6 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| Webcam privacy | — | None |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | No |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 79-key ISO (UK), 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor | Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys, 12 full-height function keys |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad (Multi-Touch) | Multi-Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos | Dual-speaker system, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | Dual-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | — |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Neo is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | — | MHFG4B/A |
| Released | 2025 | 2026 |