Apple took the wraps off its highly anticipated new MacBook Air models today, unveiling updated 13-inch and 15-inch versions powered by the company’s latest M3 chip.
The new M3 silicon brings a massive performance boost and extended battery life to Apple’s ultra-portable MacBook Air line.
MacBook Air becomes the latest addition to the new M3 chipset family, along with the M3 Macbook Pro and upgraded iMac with M3.
MacBook Air (M3, 2024) Specifications:
| Model | 13-inch variant | 15-inch variant |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display | 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display |
| Resolution | Up to 500 nits brightness, 1 billion colors | Up to 500 nits brightness, 1 billion colors |
| Chip | Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU | Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU |
| Memory | Up to 24GB unified memory | Up to 24GB unified memory |
| Battery | Up to 18 hours battery life | Up to 18 hours battery life |
| Ports | MagSafe charging, 2x Thunderbolt, 3.5mm headphone jack | MagSafe charging, 2x Thunderbolt, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (up to 2x faster than previous gen) | Wi-Fi 6E (up to 2x faster than previous gen) |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
| Audio | 3-mic array | 3-mic array |
| Pricing | Starts at $1,099 ($999 education) | Starts at $1,299 ($1,199 education) |
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, Silver | Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, Silver |
In their press release, Apple touted the M3 as enabling the new MacBook Air models to be up to 60% faster than the previous generation with the M1 chip, and a staggering 13 times faster than the Intel-based MacBook Air. The 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and support for up to 24GB of unified memory allow Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptops to handle demanding workloads like video editing, 3D gaming, and AI processing with ease.
Don’t forget that the company claims that an 8GB RAM Mac is way better than a 16GB Windows laptop.
“The M3 chip raises the bar for portable performance and efficiency,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s SVP of Marketing. “With up to 18 hours of battery life and phenomenal speed, MacBook Air continues to be the world’s best thin and light laptop.”
Beyond the raw performance gains, the M3 powers several new capabilities in the updated MacBook Air. It can now drive up to two external displays simultaneously when the laptop lid is closed.
The M3’s advanced media engine and support for accelerated graphics like mesh shading and ray tracing enable enhanced gaming and video streaming experiences.
And the faster 16-core Neural Engine supercharges on-device AI processing for computer vision, natural language processing, and more.
Other key upgrades include MagSafe charging, an upgraded 1080p webcam, and more versatile connectivity with faster WiFi 6E and two Thunderbolt ports. The MacBook Air retains its remarkably slim aluminum unibody design available in four finishes: midnight, starlight, space gray, and silver.
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip starts at $1,099, while the new 15-inch model with a larger display begins at $1,299. Both sizes will be available to order starting today and arriving in stores on March 8th. Apple is also keeping the previous M2 MacBook Air around as a lower-cost option starting at $999.
With the powerful new M3 silicon providing performance rivaling Apple’s pro-level MacBook Pro line, the ultra-portable MacBook Air is shaping up to be an incredibly capable laptop for consumers and professionals alike.
With this new release, the first M1 MacBook Air is no longer supported. Please note that it was one of the best-selling and most popular MacBooks among consumers. With this MacBook Air refresh, Apple looks to have another hit on its hands.
