M3 MacBook Air Review (13-inch, 2024): Redefining Portable Performance
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Apple’s 2024 MacBook Air upgrade offers a clear-cut enhancement in performance, designed to seamlessly support your work, education, and entertainment needs, whether you’re at home or on the go.
There comes a tipping point when a computer transitions from being useful to actually hindering your productivity. This is the predicament I face with my Intel-based 16-inch MacBook Pro, which I rely on for work. Testing the new MacBook Airs with Apple’s M3 chips has highlighted the performance deficiencies of my current setup even more. It’s clear why Apple emphasizes the M3’s performance improvements over older M1 and Intel-based MacBook Airs: these users have the most to gain from upgrading.
However, this doesn’t mean the M3 chip is not an improvement over the M2, because it certainly is. The overall performance gains might be modest, but the graphics performance sees a significant boost, similar to what we observed in last year’s 14- and 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro models. Notably, the base 14-inch MacBook Pro shares the same M3 chip found in the updated 15-inch MacBook Air and as an upgrade option for the 13-inch version. While creators seeking substantial power might prefer the M3 Pro or Max chips, the standard M3 fits perfectly with the Air’s highly portable design and easily outperformed my Intel MacBook Pro.
The rest of the M3 MacBook Air remains impressive and largely unchanged from the M2 models—another compelling reason for those with M1 or older versions to consider making the switch.
Here are the specifications for the 2024 MacBook Air with the M3 chip:
Specifications: Apple 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M3 chip
Processor
- Chip: Apple M3
- CPU: 8-core (4 high-performance cores, 4 high-efficiency cores)
- GPU: Up to 10-core
- Neural Engine: 16-core
Memory
- RAM: Options for 8GB, 16GB, or 24GB unified memory
Storage
- SSD: Options for 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB
Display
- Size: 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display
- Resolution: 2560 x 1664 pixels (13.6-inch), 2880 x 1864 pixels (15.3-inch)
- Brightness: Up to 500 nits
- Color Support: Wide color (P3), True Tone technology
Battery and Power
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours of web usage, up to 20 hours of video playback
- Charging: 30W USB-C Power Adapter (13.6-inch), 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter (15.3-inch)
Dimensions and Weight
- Dimensions (13.6-inch): 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13 cm)
- Weight (13.6-inch): 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg)
- Dimensions (15.3-inch): 13.40 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches (34.04 x 23.75 x 1.15 cm)
- Weight (15.3-inch): 3.3 pounds (1.51 kg)
Connectivity
- Ports:
- Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports
- MagSafe 3 charging port
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Wireless:
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- Bluetooth 5.3
Camera and Audio
- Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD camera
- Audio:
- Four-speaker sound system
- Wide stereo sound
- Support for Spatial Audio
- Three-microphone array with directional beamforming
Keyboard and Trackpad
- Keyboard: Backlit Magic Keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement
- Trackpad: Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities
Operating System
- macOS Sonoma
Additional Features
- Security: Touch ID
- Environment: Made with 100% recycled aluminum, 100% recycled rare earth elements, and 100% recycled tin in the solder of the main logic board
These specifications reflect the powerful and efficient design of the 2024 MacBook Air with the M3 chip, making it a versatile choice for a range of users.
Pros and Cons of the 2024 MacBook Air with M3 Chip
Pros:
- Enhanced Performance: The M3 chip offers noticeable improvements in performance, making the MacBook Air more efficient for work, school, and entertainment.
- Graphics Upgrade: Significant boost in graphics performance compared to M2, benefiting users engaged in graphic-intensive tasks.
- Portability: Maintains the lightweight and portable design, making it ideal for use on the go.
- Battery Life: Likely to retain excellent battery life, a hallmark of MacBook Air models, due to the efficient M3 chip.
- Future-Proofing: Provides a solid upgrade path for users of older Intel and M1-based MacBook Airs, ensuring better longevity and compatibility with future software updates.
- Unified Ecosystem: Improved integration and performance within the Apple ecosystem, benefiting users with other Apple devices.
Cons:
- Modest Overall Performance Gains: While the M3 chip improves graphics significantly, the overall performance gains compared to the M2 are modest.
- Price: Upgrading to the latest model may be costly, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
- No Major Design Changes: Those expecting a redesign or significant new features beyond the chip upgrade might be disappointed as the design remains largely the same as the M2 model.
- Software Transition: Users moving from older Intel-based models may face some transitional challenges with software compatibility, although this is less of an issue than in previous years.
- Upgrade Justification: Users with the M2 MacBook Air might find the performance improvements insufficient to justify the upgrade.
The 2024 MacBook Air with the M3 chip presents a balanced mix of enhancements, making it a worthwhile upgrade for those with older models, while the modest overall performance gains might not appeal as strongly to current M2 users.
