Screens on the MacBook Air M4: one wish fulfilled, another not

The central innovations of the MacBook Air M4, which Apple presented on Wednesday, include improved support from external screens. Many users had already hoped for them from the pre -model. Another wish that affects the integrated display remained unfulfilled.

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Two monitors, Mac remains on

In the future, the MacBook Air can address two external screens with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hertz Rit-Holz frequency, while the internal screen remains active-with full native resolution and full of color display. Before that, two screens on the MacBook Air M3 could only be used if you had folded down the computer, which also meant external input devices (keyboard and mouse/trackpad) in order to be able to control it.

So you have more screen surface with the M4. “Connect up to two external displays and convert the MacBook Air into the perfect workstation. The additional space on the screens makes working with several documents or apps very easy,” Apple advertises the innovation.

For comparison: The MacBook Air M1 and M2 officially only supported an external screen, the M3 then two – but with a horse's foot in question that the internal display could not be used any further. With the M4 you now have three screens in parallel in the company, whereby it makes sense to coordinate the colors together. Before that, you only had the opportunity to connect more screens with tricks-a display link adapter via USB-C was necessary, which also costs money.

The screen remains shiny

However, Apple has not fulfilled a second customer request: the order option for a matt screen with nanotexture, as you know it from the MacBook Pro and from the iPad Pro. Neither the 13- nor the 15-inch model of the MacBook Air M4 is available with a matt screen. The nanotexture screens are particularly popular with professional users because they have a mirror-free, paper-like surface.

However, Apple leaves the delimitation that only “Pro” devices receive the nanotexture. Because the MacBook Air is still sold as a entry -level model – despite the fact that you pay at least 1199 euros for the machine, even 1499 euros with 15 inches.