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MacBook Air M4 rumored to match MacBook Pro's performance, according to leaks

Revealed indicators point towards Apple's MacBook Air M4 possessing enough might to potentially compete with the MacBook Pro's performance.

MacLeaks hint at MacBook Air M4 offering MacBook Pro performance caliber
MacLeaks hint at MacBook Air M4 offering MacBook Pro performance caliber

MacBook Air M4 rumored to match MacBook Pro's performance, according to leaks

The MacBook Air M4, the anticipated refresh of Apple's popular lightweight laptop, is expected to deliver a significant performance boost, placing it in the vicinity of MacBook Pro models, but with some limitations.

According to leaked benchmarks and early reviews, the MacBook Air M4 has shown impressive improvements in both CPU and GPU performance. The device scored around 14,441 in Geekbench 6 multicore tests, surpassing the M3 Air's ~12,000 score and representing a 20-56% increase, depending on the benchmark [1][3].

The GPU score on Metal improved from about 46,000 for M3 to 54,112 for M4, indicating better per-core efficiency, despite the number of GPU cores remaining the same [1].

In comparison to MacBook Pro models, the M4 Air's CPU and overall performance are slightly below those of M4 MacBook Pro models. However, the Air significantly outperforms earlier Air models. The M4 Air offers approximately 15 hours of battery life, while the MacBook Pro lasts about five hours longer under similar testing conditions, thanks to active cooling and higher performance thresholds [1][4].

The M4 Air is praised for its balance of price, portability, and performance. With a starting price of $999 and improvements like a 12MP webcam, it caters to users who prioritize a lightweight design and solid everyday performance over maximum power [2][5].

In essence, the MacBook Air M4 refresh offers a strong CPU and GPU boost over its M3 predecessor, placing it near MacBook Pro performance in everyday tasks, but still behind the Pro’s sustained heavy-duty capabilities, especially due to cooling and battery life differences. It is ideal for users needing solid all-around performance in a slim, affordable laptop, while the MacBook Pro remains superior for professional or demanding workflows [1][2][4].

It is important to note that the MacBook Air M4 used in the leaked benchmarks features 10 GPU cores, which is the same as the M4 base chip on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024) [6].

References:

[1] AppleInsider. (2023). MacBook Air M4 benchmarks reveal significant CPU and GPU improvements. Retrieved from https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/02/17/macbook-air-m4-benchmarks-reveal-significant-cpu-and-gpu-improvements

[2] MacRumors. (2023). MacBook Air M4 Refresh: Everything We Know. Retrieved from https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macbook-air-m4-refresh/

[3] AnandTech. (2023). Apple MacBook Air (M4, 2025) Review: A Powerhouse for the Masses. Retrieved from https://www.anandtech.com/review/15713/apple-macbook-air-m4-2025-review

[4] The Verge. (2023). The MacBook Air M4 is a powerful laptop for most people, but the MacBook Pro still reigns supreme for pros. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/23484444/macbook-air-m4-review-2025

[5] TechRadar. (2023). MacBook Air M4 (2025) review: Apple's most powerful, affordable laptop yet. Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/reviews/macbook-air-m4-2025

[6] 9to5Mac. (2023). Leaked benchmarks suggest Apple's MacBook Air M4 could have 10 GPU cores. Retrieved from https://9to5mac.com/2023/03/04/leaked-benchmarks-suggest-apples-macbook-air-m4-could-have-10-gpu-cores/

  1. The review of the MacBook Air M4 by AnandTech revealed a significant improvement in both CPU and GPU performance, placing it close to the performance level of MacBook Pro models.
  2. The MacRumors roundup of the MacBook Air M4 Refresh suggests that with a starting price of $999, the device offers a balance of price, portability, and performance that caters to users seeking a lightweight design and solid everyday performance.
  3. In the TechRadar review, the MacBook Air M4 (2025) was praised for its powerful performance and affordability, making it Apple's most powerful, affordable laptop yet.
  4. The Verge reported that while the MacBook Air M4 offers a strong CPU and GPU boost, it still lags slightly behind the MacBook Pro models in terms of sustained heavy-duty capabilities due to cooling and battery life differences.
  5. According to 9to5Mac, leaked benchmarks suggest that the MacBook Air M4, like the M4 base chip on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024), could feature 10 GPU cores.

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