You’ve probably heard the buzz by now: Apple’s M4 chip is here, and it’s already showing up in the latest MacBook Air lineup. Which raises a very real, very reasonable question—how different is it from the M2? And more importantly, is it actually worth the upgrade?
The M2 chip powered a whole generation of MacBooks with impressive efficiency and speed, especially coming off the Intel era. So when the M4 arrived—just a little over a year after the M2—it felt a bit soon. Fast chip cycles can sometimes feel like marketing over substance, and it’s easy to get swept up in the tech-world chatter about "neural engines" and "3-nanometer nodes" without really knowing what that means for your day-to-day.
So I dug into the benchmarks, compared real-world performance, and spent time using both M2 and M4 devices for work, creative tasks, and everything in between. Here’s how these chips actually stack up—and who the M4 might be best for.
Apple’s M4 chip is the first Mac chip built on the second-generation 3-nanometer process, allowing for better power efficiency and performance in a smaller, more refined architecture.
What’s the Core Difference Between M2 and M4?
At a glance, both the M2 and M4 are part of Apple’s custom silicon family—meaning they share the same unified architecture that gives Macs their signature efficiency and seamless multitasking. But the biggest shift between the two is the fabrication process and performance per watt.
- M2 is built on a 5-nanometer process.
- M4 is built on a more advanced 3-nanometer process (Apple's second-gen version, to be specific).
Smaller transistors mean more performance with less power usage. So while both chips are fast, the M4 can do more work while staying cooler and using less battery. But what does that actually feel like? Let’s talk numbers—then experience.
Benchmarks Are Nice, But Real-World Use Matters More
Benchmark tests show that the M4 outperforms the M2 across the board. You’ll see anywhere from 15% to 25% improvements in CPU performance, depending on the task.
But here’s where things get more nuanced: in everyday use—opening apps, switching tabs, running Zoom while you’re editing a document—you might not feel the difference right away.
If you're coming from an M1 or Intel-based Mac, any upgrade will feel huge. But jumping from M2 to M4? It’s not about a massive leap. It’s about small refinements that add up, especially over time.
For example:
- With the M4 MacBook Air, apps launch just a hair faster.
- You can keep more tabs and apps running without any lag.
- Battery drain is slower, especially under heavier workloads.
- It handles AI-enhanced features more smoothly (think live transcription, on-device image editing, etc.).
These aren’t “stop the presses” changes—but they’re meaningful if you’re pushing your machine consistently.
Where the M4 Shines: Subtle Power and Better Efficiency
Here’s where the M4 chip feels like a smart evolution instead of just a spec bump.
1. Battery Life Feels Longer—Because It Is
On paper, the battery life between the M2 and M4 MacBook Airs is the same: up to 18 hours. But in practice, the M4 is more efficient. During testing, I consistently got 30–45 extra minutes of usable battery time when working across multiple tabs, light video calls, and Google Docs chaos.
That’s not a revolution—but if you’re often mobile or work from different spots throughout the day, it’s noticeable.
2. Cooler, Quieter Performance
The fanless design of the MacBook Air makes heat management extra important. With the M2, heat would occasionally build up during long tasks like video editing or using external monitors.
The M4 runs cooler under pressure. Even during heavier work, it stayed calm and didn’t get warm to the touch—something you’ll appreciate during summer months or longer work sessions.
3. Future-Proofing for AI Workflows
Apple’s not calling it an "AI chip" outright (not yet, anyway), but the M4 has a significantly upgraded 16-core Neural Engine, processing up to 38 trillion operations per second.
That’s going to matter more over the next couple of years, especially as Apple introduces more AI-powered features in macOS—things like advanced photo search, auto-summarization, on-device transcription, and potentially generative AI tools integrated into apps like Notes or Mail.
Apple’s M4 chip is 60% faster at AI tasks than the M2, which could make a difference as future versions of macOS lean more heavily on machine learning and neural processing.
Everyday Tasks: Where You Might Notice (and Where You Might Not)
Here’s how both chips perform in common, real-life scenarios—not just test environments.
Writing, Emails, Research:
No surprise here—both chips fly through basic productivity tasks. If your day is mostly spent in Pages, Gmail, Slack, or Chrome, you won’t feel a huge difference between the M2 and M4. But if you regularly juggle multiple apps and tabs, the M4 feels snappier in a way that’s hard to unsee once you’ve used it.
Video Calls + Multitasking:
Both handle Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Meet with ease. But when you add screen sharing, multiple Chrome windows, or background apps like Notion or Figma, the M4 keeps things running smoother longer.
Creative Work (Photo/Video Editing):
This is where the M4 earns its price tag. Export times in Final Cut Pro and Lightroom Classic were noticeably faster, and real-time previews rendered with less delay. Not night-and-day, but a solid 20–25% improvement in speed.
Who Should Upgrade (And Who Can Wait)?
You should consider upgrading to M4 if:
- You’re coming from an Intel Mac or an M1—the leap will be dramatic.
- You’re a creative professional or student working in Adobe apps, Final Cut Pro, or doing audio editing regularly.
- You value battery life and heat management, especially for travel or remote work.
- You want the most future-proof option for the next 5–6 years, including for AI features.
You can probably wait if:
- You already own an M2 MacBook Air or Pro, and it still does everything you need.
- You’re a light user—mostly emails, Netflix, and occasional docs or photo edits.
- You’d rather save the money or wait for M5, which could introduce more dramatic hardware changes.
Pricing Reality: Is the M4 Worth the Cost?
As of this writing, the M4 MacBook Air starts at $999 (13-inch) and $1,199 (15-inch). Meanwhile, the M2 is still available (refurb or retail), often dipping below $799.
That’s a meaningful price gap—especially for students, first-time buyers, or anyone on a tight upgrade budget. If you’re choosing between the two and cost is a factor, the M2 still offers incredible value for 90% of users.
The M4 is for those who want the newest, sleekest, most efficient model with a bit more power under the hood. Not everyone needs that—but for some, it’s absolutely worth it.
Answer Hub!
- M4 is 15–25% faster for most tasks, but you may only feel that with creative workflows or multitasking.
- Both list 18 hours, but the M4 tends to squeeze out more real-world time thanks to better power efficiency.
- M4 runs cooler and performs better under stress—important for power users.
- M4 is clearly built for the next wave of on-device AI. If that matters to you, go newer.
- M2 is often $200–300 cheaper for nearly identical everyday performance. Still a fantastic choice.
Evolution Over Revolution
The M4 chip isn’t a must-have for everyone—but it is a smart, steady step forward. It’s not about flashy changes. It’s about refinement: better power use, smoother performance, and readiness for what’s coming next in software and AI.
If your current Mac handles your needs just fine, there’s no urgent reason to ditch it. But if you're in the market now—and want a machine that’s quiet, fast, efficient, and built to last—Apple’s M4 MacBooks make a strong case.
In the end, speed is just part of the story. Confidence, reliability, and value? Those are the upgrades worth paying attention to.
