by Looking at Apple’s latest refresh of its MacBook Air lineup and wondering what’s changed? I don’t blame you, it’s not like the brand new design or the new colors we all saw in 2022.
Although identical to its predecessor, Apple upgraded its most popular and portable laptop with its newest processors. If you’re looking for a top-line takeaway here, I’d say the M3 MacBook Air is now the default entry-level Mac for most of us, and it’s one hell of a capable machine.
Here’s a look at the TLDR: Apple improved the M2’s SSD configuration (so you’re now getting a much faster SSD on the base 256GB M3 model) and added readiness for faster 6E WiFi speeds, dual monitor support (though with the caveat that this only works when you close the laptop lid, and the performance takes a hit) and still has the typical appeal of the Air, including its fanless design, its fast performance and the massive battery life of 18 hours.
Yes, this is the definition of a “spec bump”, but Apple has also dropped the price (the 13-inch is £50 less than the M2 was at launch, and the 15-inch is £100 cheaper) so it’s about the easiest recommendation I can make for those after a supercharged Mac that won’t exceed a laptop backpack.
How often do you plan to upgrade your laptop anyway? I have seen several different time ranges in bloom. Industry experts seem to be converging on the idea that consumers should level up every three to five years.
Depending on your computer, I would expand that a bit as well. It may have been slowing down towards the end of its service life, but I got five and a half years out of my previously aging 2017 MacBook Air that I used for work. And that was not even the power of Apple’s M-series chips. These machines can come and go if you treat them well.
Why the spiel about upgrade cycles? Well, isn’t your laptop four years old yet and still working well? Stop thinking about buying a new one. If anyone still reading this has a recent notebook that does the job, or an M1 or M2 MacBook Air, you don’t need this.
If you have an Intel Mac from around 2018 or 2019 or a PC that isn’t delivering the power or battery life you need, however, you’re in for a bit of a bummer. The efficiency available from the new M3 MacBook is not only noticeable, it is incredible.
M3 MacBook Air design and portability
As the name suggests, Apple’s chunkier “Pro” laptops are for professionals. Or at least, for those who need all the ports and don’t mind the extra weight. Air is, therefore, for those who are in motion. It weighs 1.24kg for the 13.6-inch display or 1.51kg for the 15.3-inch version.
During my weeks using my beautiful “Starlight” review unit, I can confirm that it is not going to weigh you down. On several days using this, I had this and my work laptop M1 MacBook Air in the same bag. I’m surprised that even this unlikely “double laptop” situation doesn’t feel too heavy.
Of course, this weight is comparable to many other affordable laptops. But in general you will not find this battery life and power in laptops this light. Beyond the portability factor, you’ll see a lot of similarities to the M2 MacBook Air that you may have already seen in the Apple Store. It doesn’t have the wedge-shaped design last seen in the M1 model, but instead has a svelte and simple exterior. You’re not exactly short on ports here either, with two USB-C Thunderbolt ports, to go with MagSafe charging.
You’re getting the same color options as you did with the M2 Air. Apple’s “Midnight” finish is now slightly better at rejecting fingerprints, even if it’s still the variant most likely to pick up marks. It has an excellent keyboard with perfect key travel and a full-sized function array. The screen here is a smidge smaller than on the old 13-inch MacBook Airs, with the 1080p webcam residing in a small size as it does on the iPhone 14.
I could go on and on about the display, but I’d say if you’re buying this for streaming and gaming, it doesn’t disappoint. It is crisp, vibrant and bright with rich colors. I’ve used it for everything I’ve been watching for the past week, whether that’s an episode of The Bad Batch, Masters of the Air, Shogun or random YouTube videos. It’s great no matter what I throw its way. Deep in the Apple ecosystem? Don’t forget about the added benefits of your AirPods Pro – this laptop is a dream for TV and movie fans as well as personalized spatial sound.
M3 MacBook Air software experience
If you’re well-versed in the world of Apple, you won’t need an explanation of what macOS is capable of. But maybe you have new Apple laptops or maybe you’re only familiar with the software from iPhones or iPads. The best way I can think of to describe macOS is that it’s made to be intuitive and easy to use on the surface. However, it’s capable of making productivity workflows flow quickly for those willing to dig into shortcuts and tips.
There is an element of “it just works” when you’re using macOS Sonoma. It’s full of neat interoperability features. That’s true whether I’m recommending seamless copy and paste between Apple devices, syncing notes and reminders, using iPads as second displays, or moving files around using iCloud Drive and AirDrop. There are many built-ins courtesy of Apple’s walled garden that make it possible to get your work done faster.
M3 MacBook Air battery life and power
Since the launch of Apple’s M-series chips, the MacBook Air has been in its battery life. This one is no exception. It’s worth thinking seriously about what that 18-hour life means to you too. It is unlikely that you will use it in one trip. When this arrived (in its admittedly slim packaging), I didn’t bother recharging it and didn’t need to until two days later. It’s exciting that I don’t have to worry about it. I got all the setup done in about 10 minutes and synced up a huge iCloud photo library full of more than 30,000 photos and videos.
One of the reasons why the battery is a huge selling point here is because of the efficiency offered by the M3 chip. You can do a lot on this Mac, and it doesn’t struggle when it’s running on battery. That includes lots of gaming, video editing, AI-powered photo editing, or building up well over 50 browser tabs for research. For most of us, this laptop isn’t just “good enough”, there’s a chance it could be overkill. And this works hard without the need for a connection to the mains power supply or a fan, which not too many competing PCs can claim.
However, there will be people who need more. I think you’ll know if that’s you. For example, if you are looking at this laptop and already worried about the lack of HDMI or SD card port? Or do you know that you will need the fan to cool the laptop while making large 3D animations, design applications or large 4K video exports? Yes, I think you already know that you need a MacBook Pro. But, if you’ve realized that you only need a computer for email and calendar events, video calls, managing photos and videos, or streaming, you may be better off with an iPad or a more basic tablet. These are a surprise in 2024.
M3 MacBook Air verdict
Do you have an Intel Mac before the Apple silicon transition or an aging PC? Or do you want to take your first steps into the Mac laptop world? I have no problem calling this M3 MacBook Air a huge upgrade over what you’re used to. It’s faster, delivers loads more battery life, has a great screen and keyboard and is a total portable powerhouse.
I wouldn’t say to those of you who have an Air M1 or M2 to rush out for the upgrade. But if you’re deciding between models, there’s a good reason to get the new M3 over those older laptops. Sure, I love the M1 Air for its classic wedge design. But the newer look is undeniably better for the webcam, keyboard and display. That’s before mentioning the benefit of an additional USB-C port available when charging.
While there are few differences between the M2 and the M3, some users will appreciate the ability to power up to two 5K monitors with the lid closed. That’s something that hasn’t even been given to the Pros yet, although support is coming. The M3 also offers better SSD speeds on the 256GB model and the potential for faster WiFi. Being the newest, it will also get software support for a longer period.
This is the kind of upgrade that isn’t splashy or surprising. The unchanged design and similar specifications are proof of that. But I’d now call the latest refined and optimized MacBook Air, and that’s something we can understand.
It’s a hard product to review because it was already great and it just got better. Not much else to say. Looking for the best portable laptop for productivity, creativity and entertainment? Start by looking at the M3 MacBook Air.
M3 MacBook Air – other products to consider
I’d say the other main options to consider around this price are the older M series MacBook Airs from 2020. The M1 MacBook Air (launched in 2020) and the M2 MacBook Air (from 2022) are great options. and they are both. re now at lower prices.
Apple has now discontinued the M1, so you should be able to pick it up for less than £800. It’s a great laptop that we use every day for our research and writing work. And, as you can see from this review, even though the new M3 is a refinement of the M2, there are no major differences between these computers.
Alternatively, you may not need a laptop as much as you think. Think you just need something for email, video calls, movie streaming and reading? I would recommend focusing on a tablet first before considering a laptop.
A portable on-the-go setup is available from the iPad Air 2022 M1 (£599) and its Magic Keyboard cover (£289) for a combined price of under £900.
Want to stick with Windows? I want to look at the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5. It also comes in 13.5-inch or 15-inch size, several color options and different configurations, and has a thin and light design with a good keyboard and bright display.
You Might Also Like
