Apple has unveiled an update for its popular MacBook Air series, just a month after the launch of the Vision Pro headset. The headline feature of the new MacBook Air is the inclusion of Apple’s proprietary M3 chipset, previously exclusive to the more powerful MacBook Pro line and the latest iMac models, now making its way to the new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air models.
The M3 chip brings significant improvements in performance compared to its predecessor, with benchmark tests indicating approximately a 17 percent increase in single-core tasks and a 21 percent boost in multi-core tasks. Additionally, GPU performance sees an improvement of around 15 percent compared to the M2 chip.
This advancement further blurs the line between the MacBook Air and the Pro series, marking a departure from the days when the Air was primarily associated with basic web browsing. However, it’s important to note that the new Air features the standard M3 chip, not the M3 Pro or Max variants.
Beyond the new chipset, the design of the MacBook Air remains largely unchanged from the 2022 model, boasting the same sleek 13.6-inch display and robust quad-speaker setup. The 15-inch model also maintains its familiar design, with the main upgrade being the inclusion of the M3 chip.
Both models come with 8GB of RAM, emphasizing that these are not Apple’s high-performance laptops. However, they do feature a powerful chip. Like their predecessors, both models support up to 24GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. New features include support for up to two external displays when the laptop is closed and the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E in the 2024 lineup of Air laptops.
The 13-inch M3 MacBook Air starts at $1,099, while the 15-inch model begins at $1,299. Apple has also announced the discontinuation of the M1 MacBook Air, while the M2 13-inch model will remain available for $999.
Preorders for both new MacBook Air models are now open, with devices set to be released on Friday, March 8th.
