This 2020 MacBook still “beats” current Windows laptops

Why stop looking for cheap Windows laptops when there’s a better option from Apple right at your fingertips?

In 2020, Apple made a rare breakthrough in the technology industry with the first generation of Apple Silicon chips. Not only does it outperform previous Intel Macs, the M1 chip also sets new standards in performance and battery efficiency. What’s special is that after five years, the MacBook Air M1 is still strong enough to meet the needs of most users.

Great progress from Apple Silicon

MacBook Air M1 has completely overwhelmed the 2019 Intel MacBook Pro generation in every aspect. Triple battery life, superior CPU and GPU performance, and even high-quality gaming without the need for a fan.

Windows laptops with x86 architecture took years to catch up to the balance between performance and energy efficiency of the MacBook Air 2020, and in fact they still haven’t completely done it. Arm-based Windows laptops were a failure for a long time, only recently starting to improve in compatibility and performance.

Performance is timeless

Apple has improved the M1 chip through the M2, M3 and M4 generations with impressive leaps. However, the difference is only really noticeable when handling heavy tasks. With daily tasks such as web browsing, text editing or watching movies, the M1 still responds completely smoothly.

Reality shows that the performance threshold required for normal needs has long been surpassed, and the M1 still sits comfortably above that threshold.

Excellent design and experience

Performance is only part of the laptop story. MacBook Air M1 with its gradually thinner “wedge” design is still more popular than the current square design. The sharp screen, high-quality speakers, trackpad and keyboard are all superior to Windows laptops in the same price range.

This is one of the few laptops that is suitable for both light creative work and entertainment. Although MacBook prices are often higher, most are invested in components that interact directly with the user, providing an experience that surpasses even high-end Windows models.

Be realistic about the market and choose smartly

While the MacBook Air M1 is still a great machine, the reality is that Apple discontinued it a long time ago and refurbished supplies are becoming increasingly scarce. The remaining M1 devices on the market are often heavily used, the batteries may be worn out, and finding quality refurbished devices with genuine components is increasingly difficult.

In addition, the 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD version, although sufficient, with the trend of increasingly heavier software, this configuration may become difficult in the next few years. The 16GB/256GB version is better but the price has approached 12-15 million VND, the gap with the new device is not too far.

MacBook Air M4 – A more worthy choice

With the above limitations, Apple’s latest MacBook Air M4 becomes a much more reasonable choice. With a starting price of about 25-27 million VND, users receive:

• Standard configuration 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD – Sufficient for long-term use
• Outstanding M4 performance – Significantly more powerful for professional tasks
• Full genuine warranty – Absolute peace of mind about quality
• 100% new battery – Optimal usage duration
• Long-term support – Stay updated with macOS for years to come

The additional difference of 10-12 million VND compared to the old M1 comes in return for peace of mind, abundant performance and a much longer lifespan. This is a worthy investment for a laptop that can last at least 5-7 years.