At the risk of repeating myself from Engadget’s MacBook Air M1, M2 and M3 reviews: The M4-equipped MacBook Air is a nearly flawless ultraportable. Even better, it now starts at $999, which is $100 less than before. While I’d still like to see more ports and a faster screen refresh rate, the MacBook Air still remains heads and shoulders above the competition. And when companies try to one-up Apple, as ASUS did with its 2.2-pound Zenbook A14, it only proves how much better-designed Apple’s hardware actually is.
It’s easy to take the MacBook Air for granted, since its design hasn’t changed since the M2 model arrived in 2022. It’s still a remarkable machine today, one that’s fast, light and well-built. The only major downside is that there’s a bit of a learning curve for Windows users jumping ship for the first time. But aside from that, the MacBook Air is a no-brainer purchase if you’re looking for a new ultraportable.

Hardware
Once again, both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models feel impressively thin (measuring 0.44 inches thick) and light, weighing in at 2.7 pounds and 3.2 pounds, respectively. Last year, I noted “Its unibody aluminum case feels as smooth a river stone yet as sturdy as a boulder. It’s a computer I simply love to touch.” All of that remains true with the M4 models.
In fact, it’s even more impressive that Apple holds such a commanding design lead when competitors have had a chance to catch up. As much as we like the Surface Laptop, XPS 13 and ASUS’ Zenbook S14, Apple still maintains a level of polish that PC makers can’t quite match. The MacBook Air’s case feels more luxurious than the rest, its keyboard is a dream to type on and it has one of the best trackpads around. (And before you go calling me an Apple fanboy, I’m still primarily a Windows desktop user.)

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

Apple’s M4 chip — which sports a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine (or what you’d call an NPU in a PC) — is the main upgrade with these new MacBook Airs. It’s also worth noting that the base $999 13-inch model has a slightly slower 8-core GPU, which will slightly hamper gaming and media creation performance. Aside from a new Sky Blue option, there aren’t any physical design changes. Apple also upgraded the webcam to a new 12-megapixel Center Stage shooter, which could be particularly helpful if you want to show off the contents of your desk. (More on that later.)
The 13-inch MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, which practically feels like a 14-inch screen, while the larger model has a 15.3-inch display. They’re still limited to 60Hz — an annoyance since plenty of PC ultraportables are shipping with faster and smoother screens — but they’re impressive displays nevertheless, with support for the P3 wide color gamut and 1 billion colors. Both screens can also reach up to 500 nits of brightness, which is enough to be usable on a sunny day.

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

In use: Fast and light
Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs handled my basic workflow without a sweat: juggling browsers with a ton of open tabs, Slack, Spotify, messaging apps and the Pixelmator photo editor. But that was no surprise, as the previous models were similarly zippy. Still, after testing the sluggish Zenbook A14 recently, it felt refreshing to be using laptops that seemed eager to get to work.
I couldn’t actually feel a difference with the jump to the M4 chip, but according to the Geekbench 6 benchmark, it’s 19.5 percent faster than the M3 for single-threaded tasks, and 21 percent faster for multi-threaded tasks. That’s a typical incremental jump for CPU improvements, so I won’t knock Apple too much there. The M4’s GPU gains were far less impressive, scoring just 6 percent higher than the M3 in the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme benchmark and 16.3 percent better in the Geekbench GPU test.

Geekbench 6 CPU
Geekbench 6 GPU
Cinebench 2024

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4, 2025)
3,784/14,745
36,273
172/660 GPU: 3,465

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4, 2025)
3,874/14,873
36,131
171/748 GPU: 3897

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
3,190/12,102
30,561
N/A

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4, 2024)
3,797/14,571
37,869
172/979 GPU: 3770

Surface Laptop 7 (Snapdragon X Elite)
2,797/14,400
19,963
123/969 GPU N/A

You likely won’t be doing much serious creative work on the MacBook Air, especially since there’s no fan to cool things down. But you can still squeeze out a bit of performance in a pinch. I was able to transcode a 4K clip to 1080p in 27 seconds using the M4’s CPU in Handbrake, while using the GPU took just 17 seconds. In comparison, the Dell XPS 13 Copilot+ system took 32 seconds with its CPU and 24 seconds with its GPU.
The graphically intense Lies of P ran at a smooth 60 fps in 1080p with high settings. That was also true of the M3 MacBook Air, but this time around the performance seemed a bit more consistent. While I’d never recommend buying a MacBook Air with gaming in mind, it’s nice that it can handle a bit of playtime, at least.
While jumping between the 13-inch and 15-inch models, I found a lot to like about them both. The smaller one is definitely easier to travel with, but I also loved the immersive screen on the 15-inch. Ultimately, choosing between them comes down to what’s most important to you.
Similarly, the leap to a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera isn’t exactly Earth-shattering, but I appreciated having a slightly better picture during video calls. I typically turn off the actual Center Stage feature on Macs, but I’m sure some will appreciate its ability to track you around a room. The new camera also supports Desk View, which projects a slightly skewed view of the area directly in front of the MacBook Air.
As for battery life, both MacBook Air models lasted for more than 18 hours while playing an HD video. The 13-inch Air lasted for 18 hours and 15 minutes, while the 15-inch notebook went for 18 hours and 23 minutes.

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

How can Apple improve the MacBook Air?
As much as I love the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, there are still plenty of ways Apple can refine them down the line. As I mentioned above, it’d be great to have higher refresh rate displays, which makes scrolling through documents far easier on your eyes. And while I don’t need Apple to go all-out with ports, it’d be nice to have at least one USB-C connection on the right side of the Air to allow for easier charging. Right now, you’re stuck with a MagSafe charging port and two USB-C connections on the left side.
Of course, I don’t really expect Apple to actually deliver those upgrades anytime soon. I’d bet the company would nudge more demanding users to the $1,599 14-inch MacBook Pro, which has a ton of ports and a high refresh rate ProMotion screen. Still, a geek can dream.

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

Should you buy the M4 MacBook Air?
If you can’t tell by now, I think the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air are the ideal ultraportables for most people. So sure, if you’re in the market for a sleek laptop, they’re worth considering. And if you’re a Windows user who’s hesitant to make the jump, I’d recommend trying an Air for a while. It’s not that hard to learn the basics of macOS, and if you’re not satisfied you can always return it (just be sure to double-check retailer return policies).
While I’d bet most users would be fine with the base $999 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, it may be worth jumping up to the $1,199 model with a 10-core GPU and 512GB SSD if you plan to do light media work. Or just jump straight to the $1,199 15-inch model, which comes with a 10-core GPU. 
As usual, I’d also recommend avoiding paying Apple’s absurd upgrade fees for components. If you’re considering spending $400 more for 32GB of RAM, you should probably be considering a MacBook Pro instead. If you’re looking to save some cash, several retailers are still selling the M2 MacBook Air at a steep discount of $700. Even though it’s an older chip, that laptop could still serve most users well for several years (just make sure you’re getting 16GB of RAM).

Devindra Hardawar for Engadget

Wrap-up
Once again, the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air are basically everything we want from ultraportable notebooks. They’re zippy, wonderfully light and can last well beyond a full day of work. While the M4 chip isn’t a transformative upgrade, it helps Apple keep pace with evolving PC notebook chips. And now that the MacBook Air starts at $999, even Windows users should consider making the jump.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/apple-macbook-air-m4-13-inch-and-15-inch-review-minimal-upgrades-at-a-much-better-price-130002570.html?src=rss

Among the slew of Apple announced news from the previous few weeks is a refreshed MacBook Air. The laptop still comes in 13- and 15-inch sizes, starts with 16GB of RAM and offers up to 18 hours of battery life. The big spec bump here is the new M4 chipset, and that’s paired with a $100 price cut; the base model starts at $999. MacBook Air pre-orders are open now, and the notebook will be widely available starting March 12. Here’s everything you need to know about the M4 MacBook Air.
Apart from the new pricing, the marquee upgrade is the M4 chip. Although it isn’t a massive leap over the M3, it still makes the 2025 MacBook Air up to twice as fast as the M1 model. (You know it’s less than a generational breakthrough if Apple’s comparing it to its first in-house silicon from 2020.) The M4 silicon in this model has a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU.

The MacBook Air still starts with 16GB of RAM, but the top-tier configurations support up to 32GB — an increase from a maximum of 24GB in the M3 model. When combined with the faster processor, you should see a noticeable speed boost when upgrading from an M1 or (especially) an older Intel MacBook.
In a welcome change for those whose laptop does double duty as a desktop PC, you can now connect it to two external displays while still using the built-in one. Last year’s model only supported two with the MacBook lid closed or one with it open.
The new MacBook Air also adds Center Stage, Apple’s auto-centering camera feature, for the first time in the lineup. It’s paired with a 12MP camera, which should make your video calls and selfies look much sharper.
The last big upgrade is a cosmetic one. It now ships in sky blue, a light metallic color also found in the iPad Air and AirPods Max. It joins the carryovers midnight, starlight and silver.
Elsewhere, it still supports Apple Intelligence (if you’re into that), runs macOS Sequoia and has a pair of Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/how-to-pre-order-the-new-apple-macbook-air-m4-140559026.html?src=rss

Apple announced a number of new products recently, despite its last on-stage event being held last September. On the iPad side of things, both the entry-level iPad and the iPad Air received updates. The new base iPad runs on an upgraded A16 chipset, comes with double the previous amount of storage and is now considered to have an 11-inch display (the previous version sat at 10.9 inches). The new iPad Air models still come in 11- and 13-inch sizes, but are powered by M3 processors. iPad pre-orders are open now, and they will be widely available on March 12. Here’s everything you need to know about the new iPad and the iPad Air M3.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/heres-how-to-pre-order-the-new-apple-ipad-and-ipad-air-m3-143643261.html?src=rss

Replacing a smartphone every two years is partially why billions of phones go into landfills each year. If stacked flat atop one another, that many handsets would reach farther than the ISS. But we’ve become accustomed to that 24-month time frame because wireless carriers often push an upgrade on biennial contracts, and many smaller phone makers only offer software support for two years. But now, with longer software commitments from major manufacturers, along with growing right-to-repair legislation, many newer phones can stay in our pockets for closer to seven trips around the sun. Here’s how you can extend the lifespan of your smartphone and avoid shelling out hundreds before it’s absolutely necessary.
How to make your smartphone last longer
Amy Skorheim for Engadget
Use a case
It’s a flashy move to carry a naked phone around, but the chances of a handset making it through a tumble go up dramatically when you employ extra protection. We recommend a few in our guide to iPhone cases. In my family, we’ve been happy with Mous cases. Though we’ve never subjected our phones to the brutality seen in the company’s ads, I can say that these cases have seen my partner’s aging Samsung Galaxy through some pretty gnarly spills and I credit the cases for getting my iPhone 11 to 2025 in working condition.
Take care of the built-in battery (or use a power bank)
Since a phone’s battery is often the first thing to show signs of age, it’s worth it to follow recommendations for extending its lifespan. Lithium-ion batteries don’t perform well in heat and you should avoid charging them if it’s hotter than 95 degrees — doing so can degrade the battery quickly and even cause them to malfunction. They’ll tolerate cold weather better, but can get sluggish when things get too chilly.
If you’re storing a phone for a while, it’s best to do so with the battery at half charge, rather than full or empty. In fact, Li-ion cells last longer when they spend less time being either completely discharged or full — that’s why battery optimization features in iPhones and Pixel phones delay overnight charging to 100 percent until about an hour before you typically grab your mobile. And while it’s sometimes necessary to charge a battery quickly, a slower charging method when speed isn’t critical will put less stress on the ionic components and help extend the cell’s life.
But over time, any battery will eventually wear down. The cell powering my iPhone 11 can make it through a typical day, but if I’m traveling, relying heavily on navigation or using the phone as a hotspot, it’ll need a top-off before bedtime. I have a slew of them on hand after testing for our best power banks guide and the two I grab most often are the Nimble Champ Pro, because it’s crazy fast and the Anker Prime because it’s massive and I know it’ll always have a charge to lend.
If you really want to give your phone a new lease on life, a new internal battery could be the ticket. For Pixel phones, you can go through Google’s official channel for either a walk-in or mail-in repair, you can look for an authorized repair partner or you can pick the DIY route with iFixit’s Pixel repair kits and instructions.
For iPhones, you can start with Apple’s official page, go through Best Buy or other authorized third-parties, or try iFixit’s methods. Samsung also has an in-house option but both iFixit and Best Buy ended their repair relationships with Samsung in 2024. Depending where you go and the model of your phone, the price for a new battery and installation will likely run you between $60 and $150 — still far less than ditching your handset for something brand new.
Clean up your phone’s storage
Most advice on how to declutter your phone and make it run faster centers on one thing: freeing up space. Your phone’s OS will likely have suggestions for clearing up storage space, like automatically offloading unused apps or deleting year-old messages. You can also do things manually by deleting any apps you don’t use. Next, consider the photos and videos you’re storing locally and either opt to pay for cloud storage or transfer the files to a computer or an external backup device. You can also consider getting rid of any music and movies you may have downloaded for offline use, and deleting old messages and large attachments. A good rule is to keep your storage at around 80 percent capacity. Once you’ve deleted and transferred what you can, restart your phone to give it a chance to clear up its temporary memory.
Why you can (and should) extend the life of your smartphone
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
The e-waste stream grows each year and doesn’t do great things for human or planetary health. Smartphone companies are offering better and more consistent trade-in deals, but even some electronic recycling has its faults. Simply hanging onto a device instead of opting for a new one is the most efficient way of cutting back on a phone’s environmental impact — plus it’ll save you money.  
While every giant phone maker would like you to believe that upgrading annually is critical, it’s worth noting that new generations of phones often bear strong resemblance to the prior year’s model. Engadget editors see this time and again with the countless smartphones they review — there’s a new button, a few new AI tricks, but the technology generally doesn’t leap forward each year to create something wildly different than what came before.
With only minor hardware upgrades, the more exciting new features come via over-the-air software updates. Starting with the release of the Pixel 8 in 2023, Google promised security and software updates for a full seven years. So those who buy a Pixel 9 in 2025 could still be using the same phone in 2032. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 from this January has the same length of promised support. Apple hasn’t made the same pledge, but when the launch of iOS 18 last year cut support for the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, both models had enjoyed around seven years of updates from launch.
When Apple launched the iPhone 15, the company doubled its estimation for the handset’s battery life saying a handset should retain 80 percent of the original full charge after 1,000 cycles. And Apple said the placement of the larger battery in the iPhone 16 makes replacing it easier. Overall, battery technology has improved in capacity over the years, but longevity hasn’t gone up across the board, as a study by PhoneArena makes clear.
More advancements in battery life spans may be on the horizon particularly as the EV industry grows, which also relies on lithium-ion cells. For now, declining battery health is usually the most noticeable issue affecting older phones. In 2023, the European Council of the European Union adopted new guidelines for battery-powered devices, which includes a mandate to allow consumers to “easily remove and replace” batteries. That won’t go into effect until 2027, and there will be plenty of interpretation as to what “easily” means. But EU mandates are what made Apple finally ditch Lightning ports on iPhones in favor of USB-C, so this could eventually be a step towards (once again) having smartphones with swappable batteries.
Even in the US, legislation could compel companies to make repair a better option. Right-to-repair bills were passed in 2022 in New York, Minnesota and other states. California has the strongest rule, and it even garnered Apple’s support. And Google has voiced its support for Oregon’s law. Some of these laws have already gone into effect, and will require manufacturers to do things like providing repair tools and documentation, and selling components for a number of years after the last new model for higher priced devices.
Currently, a number of phones have decent repairability scores, according to the online repair community iFixit (The FairPhone 5 gets the highest marks.) It even appears California’s law is having an impact, considering that iFixit gave the iPhone 14 a repair score of 4, but the iPhone 15 and 16 gets a 7. Unfortunately, the scores for Google’s Pixel 9 phones went down compared to previous models. Until more companies start making it easier to fix things ourselves, authorized repair is an option, while self-repair remains an option for the more industrious.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-make-your-smartphone-last-longer-120014817.html?src=rss

Ford says it’s done sending out all the complimentary NACS adapters that 140,000 EV customers in the US had reserved. The automaker announced in 2023 that it was working with Tesla to give Ford EV owners access to tens of thousands of Superchargers across the US and Canada. In 2024, Ford’s EVs became the first non-Tesla vehicles to be able to access Superchargers. However, since Ford EVs come with Combined Charging System (CCS) ports, they need North American Charging System adapters to be able to plug into Supercharger stations. 
The automaker gave new and current members of it BlueOval Charge Network — in other words, everyone who purchased it EVs — complimentary NACS adapters until June 30, 2024. Now, it has finished sending out the free adapters to everyone who asked for it. Those who need one will have to purchase the Ford Fast Charging Adapter, which “unlocks access to a vast network of DC fast charging stations using the North American Charging Standard (NACS),” for $200. Ford was planning to make the switch to built-in NACS ports for this year’s EV models, but it’s now unclear if that will happen, seeing as the 2025 model Mustang Mach-E still comes with a CCS port. 
Ford has also announced that its BlueOval Charge Network now includes 180,000 chargers at more than 50,000 locations, which translates to a 40 percent increase from the beginning of 2024. Like other automakers making the switch to electric, Ford is making an effort to expand charging availability. The hope is that wider access to chargers can help assuage range anxiety and encourage more people to buy electric. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/ford-says-its-done-sending-out-all-its-complimentary-nacs-charging-adapters-120020255.html?src=rss