M1 MacBook Air Review: Is It Still Worth Buying?

Introduction: M1 MacBook Air

Apple’s M1 MacBook Air, first launched in late 2020, is still one of the most talked-about laptops in 2025. Even with newer M2 and M3 chips on the market, the M1 model remains a favorite — especially for students, remote workers, and budget-conscious users who want a macOS machine that doesn’t lag.

But is it still a good buy today? Can it keep up with modern workloads and macOS updates? In this review, we’ll break down the M1 MacBook Air’s performance, usability, and value in 2025 so you can decide if it still deserves a spot in your bag.

Specs Overview

Even in 2025, the M1 MacBook Air holds up surprisingly well. Here’s a snapshot of its core specs:

Processor: Apple M1 (8-core CPU, 7 or 8-core GPU)
RAM: 8GB or 16GB unified memory
Storage: 256GB to 2TB SSD
Display: 13.3” Retina, 2560 x 1600
Battery Life: Up to 15–17 hours
Ports: 2x Thunderbolt/USB 4, headphone jack
Keyboard: Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Weight: 2.8 lbs (1.29 kg)

✅What Stands Out in 2025:

The M1 chip still beats many mid-range Intel and AMD laptops on performance and battery life.
macOS Sonoma runs smoothly, and Apple has confirmed future updates will continue to support the M1.
It’s often available refurbished or new under $800, making it a top value choice.

Despite newer models being faster, the M1 Air’s combination of efficiency and stability keeps it competitive, especially for users not doing 4K video editing or high-end 3D rendering.

Performance in 2025

For everyday users, the M1 MacBook Air still feels fast—shockingly fast, considering it’s a 5-year-old design. Apple’s unified memory architecture and software optimization give it an edge even over some newer Windows laptops with technically “better” specs.

🧑‍💻 Real-World Use

Web development: Runs VS Code, Chrome, Git, Node.js, and local servers without a hitch.
Productivity: Multitasking with apps like Slack, Zoom, Notion, and Safari is seamless.
Photo & video editing: Light editing in Photoshop or Final Cut Pro is smooth. For 4K video rendering, it handles small projects fine, but heavier workflows are slower compared to M2/M3.
Emulation & virtualization: Can run Docker and light VMs, but not ideal for power users needing multi-VM workflows.

📊Benchmarks (Relative to 2025 Standards):

Geekbench 5 (multi-core): ~7400
Cinebench R23 (multi-core): ~7700
SSD read/write: ~2800 MB/s

These scores still outperform most budget and mid-range Windows laptops under $800. The fanless design stays cool and quiet even under pressure, which is a big plus for focus and portability.

Battery & Portability

If battery life is your top priority, the M1 MacBook Air still ranks near the top in 2025.

Real-world battery use: 12–15 hours of browsing, coding, video playback, or writing
Standby time: Days, not hours — it sips power in sleep mode
Charging: Fast with a USB-C PD charger (included)

✈️ Why It Still Wins on Portability:

Weighs just under 3 lbs—ideal for remote workers, students, or digital nomads
Compact design fits in almost any bag
No fan = no noise = distraction-free workflow

Whether you’re working from home or a coffee shop, this machine still checks the boxes for mobility, longevity, and simplicity.

Who Should Still Buy It in 2025?

Despite being released in 2020, the M1 MacBook Air continues to offer excellent value — but it’s especially well-suited for certain types of users:

✅ Students & Writers

Its quiet design, great keyboard, and long battery life make it ideal for note-taking, essays, research, and Zoom classes. It handles Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and basic coding with ease.

✅ Beginner Developers

If you’re learning Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, or using tools like VS Code or GitHub, the M1 MacBook Air is more than capable. It supports Docker, Homebrew, Node.js, and Python out of the box.

✅ Remote Workers & Creatives on a Budget

For users who need a reliable macOS machine for Zoom, Slack, emails, and basic design work in tools like Canva or Figma, it’s a rock-solid option.

✅ Anyone Who Wants a Mac Under $800

At today’s pricing — especially refurbished or student discounts — the M1 MacBook Air is easily the best MacBook you can get for under $800.

Who Should Skip It?

While the M1 MacBook Air is still a strong performer, it’s not for everyone.

❌ Gamers

This isn’t built for gaming. There’s no dedicated GPU, and many popular games aren’t optimized for macOS or ARM-based chips.

❌ Pro-Level Video Editors or 3D Designers

If you’re editing large 4K projects or doing heavy rendering, you’ll benefit from the power and active cooling of an M2/M3 Pro/Max model.

❌ Users Needing More Ports

With just two Thunderbolt ports and no SD card slot or HDMI, dongles are a must. If you need more I/O built-in, consider the newer MacBook Pro models.

❌ Heavy Virtualization Users

While it can handle Docker and simple VMs, it’s not ideal for running multiple VMs or enterprise dev environments.

Pros and Cons Summary

✅ Pros

Excellent performance for most users, even in 2025
Fanless and silent under all workloads
Outstanding battery life (12–15 hours real-world)
Lightweight and ultra-portable
macOS Sonoma runs smoothly
Now available under $800

❌ Cons

Limited ports (2x USB-C only)
Not ideal for gaming or heavy 3D workloads
No major design updates since 2020
Screen limited to 60Hz (no ProMotion)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ Can the M1 MacBook Air still run the latest macOS in 2025?

Yes. It supports macOS Sonoma and will likely receive updates for several more years. Apple typically supports MacBooks for 7–8 years after release.

❓ Is the M1 still faster than newer Intel laptops?

For most real-world tasks like browsing, coding, and video calls, yes. The M1 chip still outperforms many mid-range Intel i5/i7 and Ryzen 5 CPUs.

❓ Does it support external monitors?

Yes, but only one external display natively. You’ll need third-party DisplayLink adapters if you want to connect two or more external monitors.

❓ Is the base 8GB RAM enough?

For most users: yes. For video editing, dev work with VMs, or heavy multitasking, the 16GB model is better.

Final Verdict

The M1 MacBook Air is still a top-tier laptop in 2025, especially for users who want Mac performance at a reasonable price. It’s reliable, fast, quiet, and incredibly energy-efficient — all wrapped in a slim, lightweight design.

If your workflow doesn’t involve high-end graphics, intense multitasking, or pro-level video editing, this laptop will serve you well for years.