MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air M4: which is better for gaming?
Compared across 35 Mac games · High preset · no MetalFX
In short
The MacBook Air M4 (Apple M4) is 71% faster on average than the MacBook Neo (Apple A18 Pro): 54 vs 31 FPS at 1080p High across the games both can run. It clears 60 FPS in 14 games versus 0.
It is a different class: the MacBook Air M4 plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Neo can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
0 games at 60+ FPS · wins 0 of 35
14 games at 60+ FPS · wins 33 of 35
Average FPS by resolution
| Resolution | MacBook Neo | MacBook Air M4 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 31FPS | 54FPS | +74 % |
| 1440p | 20FPS | 34FPS | +70 % |
| 4K | 10FPS | 17FPS | +70 % |
Which one for your resolution?
- 1080p: MacBook Air M4, at 54 FPS on average, playable.
- 1440p: MacBook Air M4, at 34 FPS on average, playable.
- 4K: MacBook Air M4, at 17 FPS on average, though neither is smooth without lowering settings.
Specifications
| MacBook Neo | MacBook Air M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple A18 Pro | Apple M4 |
| Generation | A18 Pro | M4 |
| GPU cores | 5 | 8 / 10 |
| Geekbench Metal | 30,584 | 49,002 |
| Unified memory | 8 GB | 16 / 24 / 32 GB |
| Cooling | Fanless | Fanless |
| Gaming score | 8/100 | 13/100 |
| Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Game performance
Estimate1080p · High
The MacGameFPS verdict
Calibrated on real Mac benchmarks, not spec sheets
Verdict
The MacBook Air M4 wins in 33 of 35 games. It is a different class: the MacBook Air M4 plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Neo can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
FAQ
Which is better for gaming, the MacBook Neo or the MacBook Air M4?
The MacBook Air M4: it wins in 33 of 35 games and is 71% faster on average at 1080p High.
Is upgrading from the MacBook Neo to the MacBook Air M4 worth it for gaming?
It is a different class: the MacBook Air M4 plays at 1440p or Ultra what the MacBook Neo can only run at 1080p Medium or Low.
How big is the FPS gap in Baldur's Gate 3?
At 1080p High, the MacBook Neo gets about 14 FPS and the MacBook Air M4 about 26 FPS.
Which one for 1440p or 4K gaming?
At 1440p the average is 20 vs 34 FPS, and at 4K 10 vs 17 FPS (MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air M4).
How much memory should I get?
For gaming, 16 GB is the sensible minimum and 24 GB leaves headroom. The MacBook Neo ships with 8 GB and the MacBook Air M4 with 16, 24, 32 GB.
