Table of ContentsTable of ContentsDefying the AI bubbleDo you need AI?Our review of the M4 MacBook Air has just dropped, and its fair to say its one of the best laptops money can buy. For the first time ever, we gave it full marks and a five-star score, with our reviewer dubbing it as close to perfect as any laptop theyd seen. Theres no question that it raises the bar for thin and light laptops.You name it, the MacBook Air has it: impressive performance that belies its lightweight design, build quality that will stand the test of time, a quiet and fanless operation that ensures you can work in peace, a comfortable keyboard and expansive trackpad, and so much more.Recommended VideosYet theres one thing that is conspicuous by its absence from Apples latest laptop: an outstanding artificial intelligence (AI) system.Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsSure, the MacBook Air doesnt lack AI entirely: theres Apple Intelligence, after all. But this is widely viewed as a poor choice among AI platforms and a long way behind its rivals. Its not exactly what anyone would describe as first class. To me, that makes the M4 MacBook Air feel like an interesting antidote to the current AI frenzy. Right now, every laptop maker is trying to promote AI as a reason to buy their devices, Apple included. Read Apples MacBook Air press release and youll see the company tout Apple Intelligences incredible capabilities that make Mac even more helpful and powerful.Yet you just have to spend a few minutes with Apple Intelligence to know that alternatives like OpenAIs ChatGPT and Microsofts Copilot are far more capable and powerful. Apple was caught flat-footed by the AI explosion, and it still hasnt caught up. But does that matter? The MacBook Air suggests it does not.AppleAs our review shows, the MacBook Air has obliterated the competition despite its AI system, not because of it. If anything, it proves that the best laptops in the world dont need AI to create incredible experiences for their users.In my opinion, that comes down to Apple absolutely nailing the basics. The M4 MacBook Air offers performance, longevity and build quality, all for a fair price. Its M4 chip is not only a step up over the previous M3, but it extends Apples lead across the entire industry. You wont find a better trackpad or speakers on a laptop in this class, while the design exudes the kind of quality thats almost unknown in a device this slim.That is what makes a great laptop, not artificial intelligence.I dont think a revelation like this is going to slow down the proliferation of AI-enabled laptops any time soon. AI is an industry that is currently experiencing a massive boom (some might say a bubble) and there is money to be made. Company leaders clearly dont feel like they can afford to miss out.But as the MacBook Air aptly demonstrates, AI is clearly not necessary to make a superb laptop. If anything, thats the lesson we should take from Apples M4 MacBook Air.Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsIf youre a user looking to get a new laptop, the example of the M4 MacBook Air emphasizes that you should continue prioritizing those machines that get the core principles right. Instead of flashy AI, youll get the best experience from a laptop that solves the kinds of problems you actually face in your everyday computing life.When considering a laptop, youll need to ask a few questions. Does it meet your needs? Is it affordable? Will it last well into the future? For most people, those questions will be far more important than whether it can run Apple Intelligence or ChatGPT. Nine times out of ten, AI will only be a minor part of this equation, if it figures at all.In other words, its my opinion that the M4 MacBook Air proves that you shouldnt get swept up by the AI hype. Buy the laptop that meets your needs instead.And perhaps its also a reminder to Apple: continue focusing on what users love and dont let your vision be clouded by AI. The company is on the right track as it is. It shouldnt sacrifice its ability to make great laptops on the altar of AI.Theres no way that Apple will suddenly stop working on AI. But if it can ensure it doesnt divert its efforts away from the features its users care about the most those features that have made the M4 MacBook Air so superb everyone will be better off.Editors Recommendations