Apple has once again raised the bar in the world of ultraportable laptops with the introduction of the new MacBook Air, now powered by the blazing-fast M4 chip. This latest iteration not only promises a significant leap in performance but also arrives with a more accessible price point, making it an attractive option for students, professionals, and everyday users alike.

The most notable upgrade is undoubtedly the inclusion of the M4 chip. This new silicon from Apple brings substantial performance improvements to the MacBook Air, making everything from everyday tasks to more demanding creative workloads faster and more fluid. The M4 boasts a 10-core CPU, an up to 10-core GPU, and support for up to 32GB of unified memory. Apple claims the new MacBook Air is up to twice as fast as the M1 model and an incredible 23 times faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air. The M4's Neural Engine also gets a boost, accelerating AI-based tasks like photo enhancements and noise reduction in videos. Even gaming receives a performance uplift, making titles like Civilization VII run smoother than ever.

Beyond the performance gains, the new MacBook Air also sees a welcome price reduction. The 13-inch model now starts at $999, while the 15-inch version begins at $1,199. This lower price point makes the MacBook Air even more competitive in the market, especially considering the performance and features it offers. There's also a $100 discount available for students and educators, making it even more affordable for those in the academic world.

Visually, the new MacBook Air retains its sleek and lightweight design, a hallmark of the series. However, Apple has introduced a new sky blue color option, replacing the space gray. The other available colors include midnight, starlight, and silver, offering users a range of choices to suit their personal style.

Other notable features of the new MacBook Air include up to 18 hours of battery life, a 12MP Center Stage camera for improved video conferencing, support for up to two external displays, and fast Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. It also retains the convenient MagSafe charging port and two Thunderbolt ports for connecting accessories.

While the base models come with 256GB of SSD storage, users can configure their MacBook Air with larger storage options and up to 32GB of RAM. However, it's worth noting that upgrading storage can significantly increase the price.

Overall, the new MacBook Air with the M4 chip represents a compelling upgrade, offering a significant boost in performance, a more affordable price, and a range of useful features, making it one of the best laptops for most people.