Apple’s Staggering Marketing Claim for the New MacBook Air: What You Need to Know
Apple has made a bold claim about the new MacBook Air with the M4 chip: it’s up to 23x faster than the last Intel-based model. But, as with any marketing claim, there’s more to the story than meets the eye. In this post, we’ll dive into the details and explore what this claim really means for users.
The Fine Print
Apple’s claim is based on a comparison between a new 2025 MacBook Air with a 10-core M4 chip and 32GB of RAM, and a 2020 MacBook Air with a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM. Both models were configured with a 2TB SSD, which is the best specification available for each model. This is a fair comparison, as it pits the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air against the new M4-powered model.
However, the claim is tied to a specific task: using the Super Resolution feature in Pixelmator Pro to increase the resolution of a 4.4MB image. This feature uses machine learning to preserve sharpness and details, and it’s a great example of the power of Apple’s M4 chip.
Other Tasks: A More Realistic Picture
But what about other tasks? Apple provided some additional comparisons that might be more relevant to everyday users. For example:
- Spreadsheet calculation performance in Microsoft Excel is up to 4.7x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air.
- Video editing in iMovie is up to 8x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air.
- Photo editing in Adobe Photoshop is up to 3.6x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air.
- Web browsing is up to 60% faster when compared to a PC laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor.
These claims seem more realistic for most users, and they demonstrate the significant performance gains that the M4 chip provides.
Actionable Insights
So, what does this mean for users? If you’re considering upgrading from an Intel-based MacBook Air, you can expect significant performance gains. The M4 chip is a game-changer, and it’s worth considering if you’re due for an upgrade.
Additionally, if you’re holding off on upgrading due to concerns about performance, you might want to reconsider. The new MacBook Air is a powerful machine that can handle demanding tasks with ease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Apple’s marketing claim for the new MacBook Air is impressive, but it’s not without its caveats. The 23x claim is tied to a specific task, and it’s important to consider the fine print. However, the additional comparisons provided by Apple paint a more realistic picture of the performance gains that users can expect.
If you’re in the market for a new laptop, the new MacBook Air is definitely worth considering. With its powerful M4 chip and impressive performance gains, it’s a great option for anyone looking for a fast and reliable machine.
Summary
- Apple claims the new MacBook Air with the M4 chip is up to 23x faster than the last Intel-based model.
- The claim is tied to a specific task: using the Super Resolution feature in Pixelmator Pro.
- Additional comparisons provided by Apple demonstrate significant performance gains in other tasks, such as spreadsheet calculation, video editing, and web browsing.
- The M4 chip is a game-changer, and it’s worth considering if you’re due for an upgrade.
- The new MacBook Air is a powerful machine that can handle demanding tasks with ease.