M4 MacBook Air Matches M4 MacBook Pro Performance in Metal Benchmarks, Offering Value at a Budget Price

This week, Apple introduced its highly anticipated M4 MacBook Air, which showcases remarkable performance advancements over its predecessor. As we await the devices’ availability for comprehensive real-world evaluations, preliminary benchmarks for the new M4 chip have emerged online, revealing impressive capabilities. Notably, the Metal scores of the M4 MacBook Air indicate performance levels that are comparable to the 10-core M4 MacBook Pro.

Performance Insights: M4 MacBook Air vs. M4 MacBook Pro

The M4 MacBook Air represents a significant leap in performance, as it is powered by the same M4 chip found in the MacBook Pro. While specifications suggest similar capabilities, real-world performance may vary, particularly because the MacBook Air lacks an effective thermal management system, which is crucial for preventing CPU throttling during intensive tasks.

The Geekbench Metal test, which evaluates GPU performance through Apple’s Metal API, serves as a benchmark to assess the capability of the M4 chip. This test is instrumental for applications that require substantial GPU involvement, including gaming, machine learning, and image processing. Initial results show that the M4 MacBook Air’s performance is astonishingly close to that of the M4 MacBook Pro, which achieved a score of 57, 788 on the same Metal test.

According to Geekbench reports, the M4 MacBook Air scored an impressive 54, 846 in the benchmarks, positioning it as a strong competitor to the 10-core M4 MacBook Pro. However, potential users should remain cautious; although the specifications appear similar, the MacBook Air’s lack of a cooling fan may hinder its performance during prolonged usage, especially in gaming scenarios.

Metal benchmarks for Apple's M4 chip in new MacBook Air indicate competitive performance compared to M4 MacBook Pro models

Despite retaining the same design as its predecessor, the M4 MacBook Air’s performance enhancements make it a formidable choice for users. However, it is worth noting that Apple has not yet introduced Wi-Fi 7 with this launch. On a brighter note, users can enjoy a fresh aesthetic with the new Sky Blue color option, a welcome update to the product line.

Offering MacBook Pro-level performance at a starting price of just $999 for the base model, the M4 MacBook Air comes with an impressive 16GB of memory. This combination delivers excellent value to consumers. We will provide an in-depth analysis of the M4 chip’s capabilities as soon as the MacBook Air is available in stores.

Are you considering an upgrade to the new MacBook Air? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you’re aiming to make the 13-inch or 15-inch M4 MacBook Air your daily device, feel free to pre-order through Amazon at the initial price. Note that the base model includes 256GB of storage, so we recommend opting for the 512GB variant, which starts at $1, 199.

Source & Images