Want a big screen without the bulk? The MacBook Air 15 pairs a 15.3-inch display with silent, fanless performance, long battery life, and now proper dual-monitor support. Below is the practical stuff: specs that matter, what it can and can’t do, best configs for India, and rivals worth a look.
Table of Contents
Who should buy the MacBook Air 15
Pick the Air 15 if you value a larger canvas, quiet operation, long battery, and a lighter bag. It weighs 1.51 kg, stays cool to the touch in everyday work, and the six-speaker system is a pleasant surprise for Netflix and calls. If you’re rendering for hours, look at the Pro.
Key specs at a glance
- Chip: Apple M4, 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU options; 16-core Neural Engine
- Memory: 16GB base, configurable to 24GB/32GB (not upgradeable)
- Storage: 256GB–2TB SSD (not upgradeable)
- Display: 15.3-inch IPS “Liquid Retina,” 2880×1864, 500 nits, P3 color
- Battery: 66.5 Wh, rated up to 18 hrs video streaming
- Ports: MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4/USB4, 3.5 mm jack (hi-impedance)
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Weight/size: 1.51 kg, 13.40×9.35×0.45 in
- India price: from ₹124,900 (16GB/256GB)
All confirmed from Apple’s India spec and buy pages.
Performance and thermals
What the M4 does well
For general work, the M4 is fast and stays fast. Single-thread performance is among the best in thin-and-lights, which helps everyday responsiveness. Review labs saw strong gains over M3, especially in multi-threaded bursts, and smooth editing on light 4K timelines in apps tuned for Apple silicon.
Where it can slow down
There’s no fan. Under sustained all-core loads, clocks step down to keep temperatures in check. That’s normal for the Air line. If your workflow is constant rendering, heavy 3D, or big Resolve exports, the MacBook Pro 14 with active cooling is the safer pick. Lab reviews and long-form tests call this out clearly.
Method notes you can copy
If you want to sanity-check your new Air at home:
- CPU: run Cinebench R23 10-minute loop and note score drop from run 1 to run 10.
- Video export: a 10-minute H.264 4K project in Premiere Pro or Final Cut, export to H.264 at 200 nits screen brightness.
- Surface temps: after 20 minutes of a browser tab stress (WebGL aquarium), feel palm rest and underside near hinge; you should feel warmth, not heat.
Cross-reference with reputable lab measurements.
Battery and charging results
Apple rates up to 18 hours video streaming and 15 hours web. Third-party testing generally reports “all-day” battery for mixed use at ~200 nits, with creators seeing less during long encodes. The 15-inch ships with a 35W dual-USB-C adapter; it supports 70W fast charge if you buy the higher-watt brick.
Real-world guidance
- Office + 20 tabs + music + calls: plan on a workday and a bit.
- Lightroom/Photos: several hours of culling and batch edits before a top-up.
- Video exports: always plug in. You’ll finish faster and avoid draining cycles.
Display quality and color accuracy
You get a 15.3-inch IPS panel at 2880×1864, 500 nits, P3 color. RTINGS measured excellent out-of-box accuracy and full sRGB plus near-complete DCI-P3—good enough for content work. It is still 60 Hz, so gamers and high-FPS editors won’t see 120 Hz motion.
Keyboard, trackpad, build, and ports
The deck is rigid, key feel is consistent, and the haptic trackpad remains best-in-class. Port layout is simple: MagSafe 3, two Thunderbolt 4/USB4, and a 3.5 mm jack with high-impedance support. Carry a compact TB4 hub if you need HDMI or USB-A.
Connectivity and external displays
Unlike the M3 Air, the M4 Air supports two external displays without closing the lid, alongside the built-in panel, up to 6K60 depending on the combo. It’s also on Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. For dual monitors, prefer a Thunderbolt dock that advertises two DP outputs over Alt Mode.
Serviceability and upgrades
RAM and SSD are not user-upgradeable. Plan your memory and storage at purchase. iFixit’s teardown notes modest progress on port modularity, but overall repairability remains limited, with soldered storage and deeply buried keyboard assemblies. Battery replacement is possible via Apple or authorized centers.
Software, noise, warranty, after-sales in India
macOS with Apple Intelligence features ships on the Air. The machine is silent by design. In India, you’ll deal with Apple Store, Apple Authorized Service Providers, and AppleCare+ if you opt in. Keep invoices for GST claims if your purchase is for business.
Full Specification of MacBook Air 15
| Section | Spec (MacBook Air 15, M4 – 2025) |
|---|---|
| Model / Year | MacBook Air 15-inch (M4), 2025. |
| Finishes | Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Sky Blue. |
| Dimensions | 13.40″ W × 9.35″ D × 0.45″ H (34.04 × 23.76 × 1.15 cm). |
| Weight | 3.3 lb (1.51 kg). |
| Chip (SoC) | Apple M4: 10-core CPU (4 performance + 6 efficiency), 10-core GPU (config also listed with 8-core GPU on some models), 16-core Neural Engine, 120 GB/s memory bandwidth; hardware-accelerated ray tracing; AV1 decode. |
| Unified Memory (RAM) | 16 GB standard; configurable to 24 GB or 32 GB (soldered). |
| Storage (SSD) | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB (soldered). |
| Display | 15.3″ Liquid Retina (IPS, LED backlight), 2880 × 1864 at 224 ppi, 500 nits, wide color (P3), support for 1B colors, True Tone. (60 Hz). |
| External Displays | Built-in display plus up to two external displays (up to 6K at 60 Hz) over Thunderbolt 4 / DP 1.4, subject to resolution/refresh combinations. |
| Media Engine | HW-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, ProRes RAW; video encode/decode engines; ProRes encode/decode; AV1 decode; HDR playback (Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, HLG). |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3. |
| Ports | MagSafe 3 charging, 2 × Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 (up to 40 Gb/s; DP 1.4, charging), 3.5 mm headphone jack (hi-impedance supported). |
| Camera | 12 MP Center Stage camera with Desk View; 1080p HD video; advanced ISP. |
| Audio | Six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers; Spatial Audio support; 3-mic array with directional beamforming; Voice Isolation & Wide Spectrum mic modes. |
| Keyboard / Trackpad | Backlit Magic Keyboard with 12 full-height function keys; Touch ID; Force Touch trackpad with Multi-Touch gestures. |
| Battery | 66.5-Wh integrated Li-polymer; up to 18 hrs video streaming / 15 hrs wireless web (Apple test). |
| Power / Charging | In-box: 35 W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter + USB-C to MagSafe 3 (2 m). Fast-charge capable with 70 W USB-C adapter (sold separately or CTO). |
| Operating System | macOS (with Apple Intelligence features; iPhone Mirroring, etc.). |
| In the Box | 15-inch MacBook Air, 35 W Dual USB-C adapter, USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable (2 m). |
Best configuration to buy (India)
- Most people: 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD. You’ll avoid “storage full” prompts and leave headroom for photos and Xcode caches.
- Power user on the Air: 24GB RAM / 1TB SSD. Worth it for heavy Chrome, Docker, Lightroom, and occasional 4K exports.
- Budget within Apple: base 16GB/256GB is usable if your work lives in cloud drives and you keep local libraries small.
India MRP starts at ₹124,900 for 16GB/256GB. Watch for student programs and card offers.
Rivals you should consider
- MacBook Pro 14 (M4): active cooling, brighter XDR 120 Hz, more ports, heavier price. Pick if you render often.
- Windows ultrabooks: OLED 15-inch options exist with dedicated HDMI and 120 Hz screens, but battery life and noise often lag the Air, and multi-display support varies by GPU and dock. Use this section to add local models you plan to affiliate with.
Comparison Table Air 15 vs Pro 14 vs Air 13
| Model | Screen | Weight | Battery Wh | Ports | External displays | India MRP (base) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air 15 (M4) | 15.3″ 2880×1864, 500 nits, 60 Hz | 1.51 kg | 66.5 | MagSafe, 2×TB4, 3.5 mm | 2 + built-in | ₹124,900 |
| MacBook Pro 14 (M4) | 14.2″ XDR, 120 Hz | ~1.55–1.62 kg | higher, varies | 3×TB4, HDMI, SD, Jack | 2–4 depending on chip | higher |
| MacBook Air 13 (M4) | 13.6″ 2560×1664, 500 nits | 1.24 kg | 53.8 | MagSafe, 2×TB4, 3.5 mm | 2 + built-in | lower than 15″ |
Buyer scenarios
- Study + casual creation: Air 15 base is fine. Add 512GB if you shoot iPhone video.
- Coding: 16GB is workable for most stacks. If you run multiple containers, go 24GB+.
- Light 4K editing: stay plugged in, 24GB RAM helps. Consider Pro 14 if it’s daily.
- Travel: Air 15 is lighter than many 15-inch Windows laptops and fits airline trays. Bring a 65–70 W USB-C charger and a tiny TB4 hub.
Checklist
- Wants: big screen, long battery, silent use.
- OK with: 60 Hz panel, two TB4 ports only.
- Configure now: RAM and SSD are fixed later.
- Dual monitors: supported on M4 with the lid open.
- India price: from ₹124,900; wait for student or card offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 16GB RAM enough on MacBook Air 15?
Yes for study, office work, coding, and light photo/video edits. If you keep many Chrome tabs, run Docker, or edit 4K regularly, aim for 24GB or 32GB since memory is not upgradeable later. Storage is also fixed, so size it now.
Does MacBook Air 15 support two monitors?
Yes. The M4 Air can drive two external displays and the built-in screen simultaneously, over Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 1.4. Choose refresh and resolution combos within Apple’s limits.
What is the MacBook Air 15 battery capacity and life?
The 15-inch uses a 66.5 Wh battery. Apple rates up to 18 hours video streaming and 15 hours web. Independent tests report “all-day” longevity in mixed use.
MacBook Air 15 India price right now.
Apple India lists the MacBook Air 15 (M4, 16GB/256GB) from ₹124,900. Higher RAM and storage cost more. Street offers vary by retailer and card promos.
Source: Apple
