Finding a genuine price cut on a new Apple laptop feels a bit like spotting a rare bird these days. Most discounts amount to a few dozen dollars or a free pair of headphones. That is why the current Best Buy offer on the M4 MacBook Air deal stands out so sharply. For a limited time during the retailer’s Memorial Day sales event, the 13-inch MacBook Air equipped with the M4 chip and a generous 24GB of unified memory is available for $1,099. That is a full $300 below its regular price. Right alongside it, the newer 15-inch M5 MacBook Air is also discounted to $1,149, saving $150. Two strong options at once create an interesting choice for shoppers.
The Deal at a Glance
Best Buy is running both promotions simultaneously. You can walk away with the compact 13-inch M4 Air with 24GB of RAM for $1,099. Alternatively, you can choose the larger 15-inch M5 Air for $1,149. Both laptops come in four finishes: Midnight, Silver, Sky Blue, and Starlight. The color selection is identical across the two models, so your aesthetic preference won’t force a compromise on specs.
This price reduction on the M4 model is particularly noteworthy. Apple silicon has already proven itself as a performance leader, and the M4 chip continues that tradition. Pairing it with 24GB of RAM turns this machine into a multitasking powerhouse that can handle everything from spreadsheet marathons to light video editing without breaking a sweat.
Why the M4 MacBook Air Deal Deserves a Close Look
Many shoppers automatically gravitate toward the newest processor generation. But the M4 generation is far from obsolete. In fact, benchmark tests show the M4 competing strongly with similarly positioned laptops from other brands. It delivers excellent single-core and multi-core performance while maintaining the legendary battery efficiency that Apple silicon is known for.
The 24GB RAM Advantage
Most base-model MacBooks come with 8GB or 16GB of unified memory. Apple’s unified memory architecture is fast because the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine share the same pool. With 24GB, you get a noticeable step up in headroom. For typical day-to-day tasks like browsing with dozens of tabs, running office applications, streaming music, and keeping messaging apps open, 16GB is comfortable. Jumping to 24GB means you rarely have to think about memory pressure.
Consider a freelance graphic designer who works on multi-layered files in Adobe Photoshop while keeping Slack, Spotify, and a reference browser open. That extra 8GB over the standard 16GB configuration prevents slowdowns and keeps the system responsive. The same benefit applies to developers running multiple Docker containers or virtual machines. For a college student juggling research papers, lecture recordings, and group projects, 24GB means the laptop will remain snappy for years.
M4 Performance Versus the M5
The M5 chip in the 15-inch model uses a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, offering incremental gains in speed over the M4. According to early testing, the M5 shows a modest improvement in graphics-heavy tasks and sustained workloads. But for everyday use and even many creative tasks, the M4 feels nearly identical. The M4 chip is no slouch; it chews through any day-to-day task with ease. Unless you are regularly exporting 4K video or compiling large codebases, the performance gap is barely noticeable.
The M5 model also includes Apple’s N1 wireless chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. These technologies are future-facing but currently have limited real-world benefit because most home networks still use Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. The M4 model supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, which are perfectly adequate for current internet speeds and accessories.
Real-World Use Cases: Who Benefits Most?
Let’s look at a few hypothetical readers to see how this deal fits different lives.
The College Student
Imagine a student majoring in graphic design or computer science. They need a portable laptop that can handle demanding software, long battery life for all-day classes, and enough RAM to avoid lag during project crunches. The M4 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM fits that bill perfectly. The 13-inch screen is light enough to carry between buildings, and the battery will last through back-to-back lectures. Spending $1,099 leaves room in the budget for accessories like an external monitor and a good backpack. The newer M5 would cost $150 more, but the student likely would not benefit from Wi-Fi 7 or the slightly faster GPU for the next few years.
The Freelance Creative
A freelance photographer or video editor often chooses between screen size and portability. The 15-inch M5 offers a larger canvas for editing, but the 13-inch M4 with 24GB RAM provides more memory at a lower price. If the freelancer already owns an external monitor, the 13-inch model becomes a more versatile travel companion. The extra RAM helps with multitasking in Adobe Lightroom and Premiere Rush. The $150 saved could go toward a faster external SSD or a subscription renewal.
A Parent Buying for Twins
This scenario highlights the value difference clearly. A parent might purchase the M4 13-inch for one child and the M5 15-inch for the other. The child using the M4 would likely report the same level of satisfaction for homework, streaming, and light gaming. The M5’s larger screen is nice but not essential for basic tasks. The parent saves $300 on one machine, enough to cover a warranty extension or a year of Microsoft 365.
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How Do the M4 and M5 Compare in Battery Life?
Apple silicon is renowned for power efficiency. Both the M4 and M5 chips deliver similar battery life during normal use. Apple rates the M4 MacBook Air for up to 18 hours of video playback and 15 hours of wireless web browsing. The M5 model offers roughly identical numbers. Real-world usage on mixed workloads like writing, browsing, and video calls typically yields a full workday plus some evening hours. Because the chips are so efficient, the battery difference is not a deciding factor between these two deals.
Are These Memorial Day Deals Likely to Be Beaten Soon?
Seasonal sales events like Memorial Day, Prime Day, and back-to-school promotions often create temporary price drops. Best Buy’s current offer is already one of the deepest discounts seen on a new M4 MacBook Air. Historically, Apple products rarely see price cuts of this magnitude outside of these events. If you need a laptop soon, this is a strong opportunity. If you can wait until July, Amazon Prime Day may bring similar or slightly better prices on the M4 model, but inventory can sell out quickly. The M5 discount might reappear during back-to-school sales in August. However, the $300 savings on the M4 24GB configuration is exceptional and matches the all-time low for this specific spec.
Color Choices as a Tiebreaker
Both laptops are available in Midnight, Silver, Sky Blue, and Starlight. Midnight is a deep blue-black that looks sleek but shows fingerprints easily. Silver is classic and stays clean-looking. Sky Blue is a new addition that adds a subtle pastel tone, appealing to those who want a pop of color without being flashy. Starlight is a warm champagne-like shade. Because the color selection is identical on both models, you can pick purely based on your vibe. If you love Sky Blue, you are not forced to buy a particular size or chip. This is a rare scenario where style and budget align perfectly.
What About Portability vs. Screen Real Estate?
The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air weighs about 2.7 pounds, making it exceptionally easy to slip into a bag. The 15-inch M5 model weighs around 3.3 pounds — still very portable but noticeably larger. If you work primarily at a desk with an external monitor, the 13-inch is the smarter choice. If you often work in cafes or on couches where the laptop screen is your only display, the extra space of the 15-inch can reduce eye strain and improve productivity. There is no wrong answer, but the 13-inch M4 with 24GB RAM offers a fantastic balance of memory and mobility at a lower price.
Is the M4 Still a Good Investment for 2025 and Beyond?
Technology moves fast, but Apple silicon has a longer usable life than previous Intel-based Macs. The M4 chip will handle operating system updates for at least the next five to six years. The 24GB of RAM ensures that future versions of macOS and apps will run smoothly. If you tend to upgrade every three to four years, this M4 MacBook Air deal provides excellent value. Paying $1,099 now and using the laptop for four years costs roughly $275 per year — a strong return on investment for a professional-grade machine.
A Word on the M5 Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
The M5 includes Apple’s new N1 wireless chip that enables Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Wi-Fi 7 routers are still rare and expensive, and Bluetooth 6 is primarily a future-proofing feature. Most home networks today run Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6. Even Wi-Fi 6E is not ubiquitous. The M4’s Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are already excellent and will provide fast, stable connections for years. Unless you are an early adopter with a Wi-Fi 7 router already installed, the M4 wireless capabilities are more than sufficient.
Additional Considerations: Accessories and Ecosystem
Both MacBook Air models come with a MagSafe charging cable and a 30W or 35W power adapter (the M4 13-inch typically includes a 30W adapter, while the M5 15-inch includes a 35W dual-port adapter). If you need to charge multiple devices simultaneously, the 35W adapter is a slight convenience. However, you can purchase a third-party GaN charger for under $30. The laptops also feature a 12MP center stage camera, Touch ID, and a Liquid Retina display. The 15-inch M5 has a slightly higher resolution due to its larger size, but both screens are vibrant and sharp for everyday use.
