The new MacBook Air M3 is here, without surprising anyone at all, since it has been heavily rumored for more than a year. On the other hand, this new MacBook also took everyone by surprise with a press release published randomly instead of a flashy launch event.
Now that we’ve seen the “world’s best consumer laptop for AI,” as Apple calls it, let’s answer the obvious question on many lips: how does it compare to the MacBook Air M2?
I want to say that the MacBook Air M2 is number 1 in our best laptops list, so the team at Cupertino needs to be careful with its updates to make sure it doesn’t ruin the greatness. This is what we know so far.
MacBook Air M3 vs M2: Cheat Sheet
- What are the biggest differences between the MacBook Air M3 and the MacBook Air M2? The new MacBook Air brings three key upgrades over the M2 model: an upgrade to the M3 chip, support for two external displays (with the laptop lid closed), and support for Wi-Fi 6E. Outside of these changes, everything else remains the same.
- Is there any price difference? The cost hasn’t changed, as the M3 MacBook Air inherits the $1,099 starting price of the M2 version. Apple maintains the 13-inch M2 Air and lowers its price to $999.
- Where can I buy one? Pre-orders for the MacBook Air M3 are available right now on Apple’s website. We assume they will be more widely available when the March 8 release date for the new MacBook Ai arrives.
MacBook Air M3 vs M2: Specs
MacBook Air M3 vs M2: Price and availability
Of course, the MacBook AIr M2 is now available with a new starting price of $999 for the 13-inch model. The only real change to this system is that the 15-inch M2 model has been retired. That larger screen size is reserved only for the M3 version, and pricing for those models is as follows:
- 13-inch MacBook Air M3: from $1,099
- 15-inch MacBook Air M3: from $1,299
Pre-orders are now availablewith a full release scheduled for March 8.
MacBook Air M3 vs M2: Design and display
- More Liquid Retina the same across the board
- Finally two screens are supported (as long as you close the laptop)
More of the same doesn’t have to be a bad thing, and Apple just proved it with the MacBook Air. The same flat, utilitarian design remains, giving users a truly stylish system that looks beautiful from all angles.
Open it and you will notice that everything else also remains the same. From the keyboard and trackpad to the displays, you’ll literally get an identical experience. Whether you opt for the 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina panel, you’ll get the same great color presentation that global editor-in-chief Mark Spoonauer says is perfect “for watching videos, editing photos, and everything in between.” what you want to do.” without concessions.”
It’s great to see that you’re not sacrificing the legendary elegance of the Air or its set of standard ports for the power of the M3 here!
MacBook Air M3 vs M2: Specs and performance
- M3 improves CPU performance, graphics and AI tasks
- Wi-Fi 6E gives you up to 2x faster data speeds
The M2 is not far behind, but the M3 has been able to perform great wonders. By transitioning from a 5nm to 3nm process (in short: smaller diodes mean you can pack more things into a computer chip to improve performance and power efficiency), Apple managed to bring accelerated ray tracing hardware and mesh shading to the new Air.
On top of that, this is the first time Apple has started talking seriously about AI and all its potential unlocked with Neural Engine. The 16-core engine gets a speed boost over the M2, promising to deliver “great performance” when running optimized AI models on the device and in the cloud.
One thing we can’t be sure of is exactly how that bump in chip specs affects the MacBook Air: Apple is being as coy as ever in making sure you know how much better it is than the M1 and Intel machines, without any reference to M2 in its comparisons.
You’ll have to wait to see the results of our hands-on time with the new Airs, but if the difference between the M2 and M3 MacBook Pro is anything to go by, we’re seeing some considerable gains in single and multiple models. -core performance, along with a huge increase in graphics performance.
How does the performance of the M3 change when placed in a fanless metal build? Time will tell. Special mention to two updates that I think will be largely ignored. First, Wi-Fi 6E is here for faster upload and download speeds, and second, for the first time on entry-level Apple Silicon, this laptop supports dual monitors, as long as you close the laptop.
But come on Apple… still A base 8GB RAM/256GB SSD configuration? In the laptop space, this is getting a little silly now.
MacBook Air M3 vs M2: Battery life
- The same promises for the M3 as for the M2
- Based on M3 Pros, a gift awaits us
The MacBook’s battery life has been one of Apple Silicon’s greatest achievements; To be frank, it puts its current Windows competition to shame. It looks like this lineage will continue with the M3 Air, as this model has been claimed to have “up to 18 hours of battery life” (the same as Apple’s marketing for the M2).
In fact, when putting the M2 Air to the test, the ultra-slim machine managed to hit 14 hours and 33 minutes in our rigorous battery life test. Given Apple’s track record, it would be fair to have the same expectations that this will do the same. But let’s leave the final opinions for when we test the new models.
MacBook Air M3 vs M2: Outlook
This MacBook Air M3 release may be more of an upgrade than a big leap forward, and we won’t know for sure whether that upgrade is a major or minor one until we get our hands on the latest models. But this is a long-awaited and welcome update from the undisputed champion when it comes to the best laptops you can buy.
This is the epitome of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality, and I’m here for it. We look forward to our full review of the new MacBook Air soon.
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