M4 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM plunges to lowest-ever price following M5 announcement — $300 off is a steal on Apple's highest-spec RAM configuration
Source: Tom’s Hardware
Image credit: Tom’s Hardware / Apple
Deal Overview
Apple unveiled the new M5 MacBook Air this week, and the launch has driven the price of the previous‑generation 15‑inch M4 MacBook Air with 24 GB of RAM down to its lowest‑ever level. It is now listed on Amazon for $1,299 – a $300 discount on Apple’s highest‑spec RAM configuration.
Performance
In our battery test the 15‑inch M4 MacBook Air delivered over 15 hours of mixed usage—web browsing, video streaming, and OpenGL workloads—while connected to Wi‑Fi. It outlasted the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (Lunar Lake) by more than an hour.
Image credit: Tom’s Hardware
Comparison with the M5 MacBook Air
| Feature | M4 MacBook Air (15‑inch) | M5 MacBook Air (15‑inch) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU / GPU | 10‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU | 10‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU (new “super” cores + six efficiency cores) |
| RAM | 24 GB | 24 GB (same) |
| Storage (base) | 512 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD (base price increased) |
| Display | Liquid Retina | Liquid Retina (identical) |
| Ports | 2 × Thunderbolt 4 (USB‑C) | 2 × Thunderbolt 4 (USB‑C) |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime | 1080p FaceTime |
| Audio | Similar | Similar |
| Wi‑Fi / Bluetooth | Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 | Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Battery life (Apple rating) | Same rating | Same rating |
| Price (as listed) | $1,299 (≈ $200 cheaper) | Approximately $1,500 for comparable specs |
Apple claims the M5 is 4× faster on AI tasks, 1.9× faster for AI video enhancement, 1.5× faster for 3D rendering in Blender, and 1.5× faster for image processing in Affinity. Real‑world gains are likely smaller, and the performance gap is modest outside of AI workloads.
The M4 model does have a slightly slower SSD, but otherwise the two laptops share the same chassis, weight, camera, audio system, ports, Touch ID, and battery life. The primary differentiators are the newer AI‑focused cores, Wi‑Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6 on the M5.
Conclusion
If the $200 price difference matters to you, the discounted M4 MacBook Air offers essentially the same overall experience as the newer M5 model for everyday tasks, with only modest performance advantages for AI‑heavy workloads. This deal is unlikely to last long, making it a compelling option for students, professionals, or anyone looking for a high‑spec MacBook Air at a reduced price.