Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 vs Apple MacBook Neo
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Advantages of Apple MacBook Air 15" M4
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 | Apple MacBook Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 15.3" | 13" |
| Resolution | 2880×1864 | 2408×1506 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 224 | 219 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 39cm | 40cm |
| Response Time | 20 ms GTG | 25 ms GTG |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | 500 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,600 | 1:1,200 |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 70 W | 30 W |
Advantages of Apple MacBook Neo
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 | Apple MacBook Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% | sRGB 100% |
| Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Identical
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 | Apple MacBook Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Panel Type | IPS | IPS |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
Summary
Sharpness: identical
Both screens are retina at 50cm. With nearly identical pixel density (224 vs 219 PPI), there is no visible difference in sharpness.
Brightness: advantage Apple MacBook Air 15" M4
Similar SDR brightness (500 vs 500 nits), but the Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 leads in HDR peak (600 vs 500 nits).
All specifications
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 2025 | Apple MacBook Neo 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 15.3" (Better) | 13" |
| Resolution | 2880×1864 (Better) | 2408×1506 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 224 (Better) | 219 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 39cm (Better) | 40cm |
| Panel Type | IPS | IPS |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 20 ms GTG (Better) | 25 ms GTG |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits (Better) | 500 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,600 (Better) | 1:1,200 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 70 W (Better) | 30 W |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% | sRGB 100% (Better) |
| Year | 2025 | 2026 (Better) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 or Apple MacBook Neo?
The Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 has 224 PPI compared to 219 PPI for the Apple MacBook Neo.
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
The Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 requires 39cm vs 40cm for the Apple MacBook Neo to reach retina quality.
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
Last updated:
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