macOS 26 Arrives Sept 15 — Why the M4 MacBook Air Is the Best Value in 2025
At Apple’s recent iPhone-focused event, the company confirmed macOS 26 (Tahoe) will be released to the public on September 15. While there wasn’t much new Mac hardware announced, Apple’s laptop lineup is now centered around M4-series chips across Air and Pro models, simplifying choices for buyers.
Key takeaways:
- macOS 26 (Tahoe) official public release: September 15.
- All current MacBooks use M4-series chips (M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max).
- The MacBook Air M4 received a $100 price cut and is now a strong value option starting at $999.
The MacBook Air M4 is especially notable because Apple bumped the base unified memory to 16GB — a response to heavier workflows and on-device AI features (Apple Intelligence). Storage starts at 256GB for the base Air, and Pro models expand the options dramatically up to 8TB and as much as 128GB of RAM on the M4 Max configurations.
What to consider when choosing a MacBook:
- Chip & performance: M4 for everyday use; M4 Pro or M4 Max for pro video, audio, or large-scale ML tasks.
- Memory: 16GB is now the entry point; pros may need 24GB+ or up to 128GB for heavy workloads.
- Storage: 256GB can fill up quickly — we recommend 512GB+ if you keep local media and projects.
- Screen size & portability: Air (13″/15″) vs Pro (14″/16″) — larger screens help productivity but add weight.
Software improvements in macOS 26 include enhancements to Spotlight, a unified Liquid Glass design across Apple platforms, improved Shortcuts with stronger Apple Intelligence integrations, and better iPhone-Mac continuity.
If price is a major factor, Apple’s approach this generation (discontinuing older M3 Air and cutting $100 off the M4 Air) makes the new Air a compelling buy — and refurbished M-series machines remain a good route for deeper savings.
For more details, see the original coverage on Engadget and Apple’s MacBook product pages: MacBook Air and macOS Tahoe.
Recommendation: For most users, the MacBook Air M4 is the best mix of price, portability, and performance. Professionals who need sustained, high-end compute should consider the 14″/16″ MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max chips.
Discussion: Are you planning to upgrade to an M4 MacBook or wait for future Pro hardware? Share your thoughts below.