The MacBook Air M4 supports two external monitors while keeping the laptop lid open. That's three screens total: two external displays plus the built-in Liquid Retina display.
This is a major upgrade. The M3 MacBook Air only supported dual monitors with the lid closed.
Supported configurations via Thunderbolt 4:
- Two displays at up to 6K/60Hz or 4K/144Hz
- One display at up to 8K/60Hz, 5K/120Hz, or 4K/240Hz
Evolution of MacBook Air display support:
| Model | External Displays | Lid Open? | |-------|------------------|-----------| | M1/M2 | 1 monitor | Yes | | M3 | 2 monitors | No (clamshell only) | | M4 | 2 monitors | Yes |
The M4 also improved resolution support. Both external monitors can run at 6K, whereas the M3 only allowed 6K on one monitor.
Technical notes:
- MST (daisy-chaining) is not supported. Each display needs a direct connection or a dock with separate outputs
- Both Thunderbolt 4 ports support display output
- No DisplayLink workarounds needed. Native hardware support means better performance and reliability
Who benefits most:
If your workflow involves multiple applications, spreadsheets, coding environments, or creative work, the triple-screen capability makes the M4 a meaningful upgrade. This feature alone convinces many M3 owners to consider switching.
For desk setups where you want maximum screen real estate without closing your laptop, the M4 finally delivers what MacBook Air users have requested for years.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
📚More About Apple MacBook Air 2025 13-inch with M4 Chip
Considering the Apple MacBook Air 2025 13-inch with M4 Chip?
Here's our "TLDR" Review
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
More Answers
If you're still curious about the Apple MacBook Air 2025 13-inch with M4 Chip, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
- Which color M5 MacBook Air should I get? Does Midnight still show fingerprints?
The M5 MacBook Air comes in four colors: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Sky Blue. All have identical specifications, so this decision is purely about what...
- Is 16GB RAM enough on the M5 MacBook Air, or should I upgrade to 24GB or 32GB?
Both M4 and M5 MacBook Air models start at 16GB RAM. That's a welcome improvement from the 8GB base on earlier generations. But do you need more? Apple's...
- How does the M5 MacBook Air perform with Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is Apple's on-device AI system, and the M5 MacBook Air is significantly better at running it than the M4. M5 delivers up to 4x faster AI...
- Is the M5 MacBook Air's 60Hz display a problem?
The M5 MacBook Air has a 60Hz display. Reviewers call it "outdated for 2026." But is it actually problematic for you? 60Hz: Screen refreshes 60 times per...
- M5 MacBook Air 13-inch vs 15-inch: Which size should I get?
Good news: this is purely a personal preference decision. The 13-inch and 15-inch M5 MacBook Air models have identical internals: same M5 chip, same RAM...
- What's the resale value difference between M4 and M5 MacBook Air?
MacBooks retain value better than virtually any other laptop brand. Understanding depreciation patterns helps inform your decision. After 1 year: Worth...
- How many external displays can the M5 MacBook Air support?
External display support has been a persistent limitation for MacBook Air users. The M5 MacBook Air brings some improvements, though certain constraints...
- Does the M5 MacBook Air run hot?
The M5 MacBook Air has no fans. It relies entirely on passive cooling, with the metal body serving as a heatsink. Here's what that means in practice. Good news...
- M5 MacBook Air vs M4 MacBook Pro: Which should I choose?
This is a fascinating comparison because the M5 MacBook Air is actually faster than the M4 MacBook Pro in raw benchmark performance. But there's more to...
- When will the M6 MacBook Air come out? Should I wait?
Apple's MacBook Air refresh cycle has been consistent enough to make reasonable predictions about M6 timing. Based on the established pattern: M3 MacBook Air:...
