Ryan Haines / Android Authority
long story short
- Apple has updated the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air with newer M3 processors, which offer slightly improved performance over the M2 processors.
- The new M3 MacBook Air models support dual external monitors, but they’re limited to two, so you have to dock the laptop with the lid closed.
- Pricing starts at $1,099 for the 13-inch MacBook Air M3 and $1,299 for the 15-inch MacBook Air M3. Pre-orders are open and shipping will begin on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Apple’s MacBook is one of the most powerful laptops you can buy. These MacBooks also last a long time if treated properly, so it’s no surprise that their popularity has surged in recent years. If you’re looking for a laptop upgrade, Apple has announced a spec update for its MacBook Air line, upgrading it to newer M3 processors and adding features like dual external monitor support, but there’s a catch.
The new 13-inch MacBook Air and 15-inch MacBook Air are similar to their predecessors in every way except the processor. Apple upgraded these thin and light laptops to the newer Apple M3 chip. The new M3 processor is better than the M2 processor, but Apple chose to compare it to the M1 processor in MacBooks and the discontinued Intel processor, which suggests that the spec upgrade from M2 to M3 isn’t that big.
The Apple M3 chip is a 3nm chip with an eight-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU, and supports up to 24GB of RAM, depending on the configuration you choose. It also includes a new 16-core Neural Engine for on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence applications. Apple promises 18 hours of battery life, and the actual Mac experience is closer to that claim than a Windows laptop. The M3 chip also supports Wi-Fi 6E.
In addition to the M3 chip, Apple also claims that the new MacBook Air equipped with M3 can now support up to two external displays. But the problem here is that the lid of the laptop needs to be closed. Previous Apple Silicon MacBooks only supported one external display, but they do so alongside the laptop display, allowing you to use two displays.
The new M3 MacBook Air is no different, unless you primarily use the laptop docked with two external monitors.
Apple MacBook Air with M3: Pricing and Availability
The 13-inch MacBook Air (2024) with M3 starts at $1,099 with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, an octa-core CPU, and a GPU; it goes up to $2,299 for 24GB of RAM, 2TB of storage, an octa-core CPU, and a 10-core GPU.
15-inch MacBook Air (2024) with M3 starts at $1,299 with 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and comes with an octa-core CPU and 10-core GPU; goes up to $2,499 with 24GB RAM, 2TB storage, an octa-core CPU, and a 10-core GPU .
Both are available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Space Gray. You can order the new MacBook Air with M3 now from Apple.com, with shipping starting on March 8, 2024.
13-inch MacBook Air (2023) with M2 continues to be part of the lineup
Apple will continue to sell the 13-inch MacBook Air (2023) with M2 (8GB/256GB, equipped with eight-core CPU and GPU) for $999. If you don’t need two external monitors, the M2 MacBook Air would be a better choice, unless your processing needs are higher.
Apple MacBook Air (2023)
Thin design • Long battery life
High-resolution, high-power MacBook
The 2023 Apple MacBook Air features a high-resolution display, M2 power, up to 24GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. The slim design and light weight make it an eye-catching laptop.
The M1 model of MacBook Air has been discontinued and was updated to M3 today.