After a few weeks of rumors, Apple announced the newest entries to its MacBook lineup today: 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, both powered by the M3 chipset. As anticipated, the M3 addition is the biggest change for these notebooks, bringing them in line with the latest MacBook Pros and 24-inch iMac, which were all updated at the end of 2023 to run on Apple’s latest silicon. You can order both new MacBook Air laptops today from Apple’s website starting at $1,099, and they will be available in stores on March 8. With these new machines, Apple has removed the M1-powered Air from its online store and the MacBook Air M2’s starting price has dropped to $999.
Apple states that the M3 MacBook Airs will be up to 60 percent faster than the M1-powered laptop and up to 13x faster than old-school Airs running on Intel chips. Speed and efficiency are the big takeaways here, because otherwise the MacBook Air specs haven’t changed much. The new 13-inch and 15-inch notebooks have octa-core CPUs and support up to a 10-core GPU, along with up to 24GB of RAM and up to 2TB of internal storage. Notably, the base 13-inch MacBook Air M3 has the same starting specs of the M2 model that came before it: 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Display specs remain the same across the board as well: both new models include a Liquid Retina panel with a 2,560 x 1,664 resolution and up to 500 nits of brightness.
The only other noteworthy additions on the M3-powered MacBook Airs are the added support for Wi-Fi 6E (the M2 Air supports just standard Wi-Fi 6) and up to two external displays (with the lid closed). The latter should be particularly useful for multitaskers and anyone using the new Air as a daily driver and wants to use more than one external display in their desk setup.
Color options have carried over from the M2 version as well: the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 are available in midnight, space gray, starlight and silver. Although it appears Apple’s now billing the M2 Air as its “budget” option in the lineup, the M1 machine remains on sale (at the moment) at other retailers like Amazon when you can pick it up for as low as $750.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-order-the-apple-macbook-air-with-m3-135057630.html?src=rss
Estell Mann
The new M3 MacBook Air models sound like a game-changer for those seeking speed and efficiency in their tech setup. As a VR enthusiast, I’m always looking for ways to enhance my immersive experiences. I wonder how these new laptops could elevate VR gameplay and simulations. Have you considered upgrading to the M3 MacBook Air for your VR adventures?
Fabian Mohr
Hey @Estell Mann! As someone who appreciates creativity and innovation in indie games, I believe the M3 MacBook Air could elevate your VR experiences. The improved speed and efficiency of these new models can enhance gameplay and make simulations more immersive. Upgrading to this laptop could open up a world of indie games that push the boundaries of traditional gaming. Are there any specific indie VR titles you’re looking forward to trying on the M3 MacBook Air?
WhisperShader
@Estell Mann, considering the M3 MacBook Air for your VR adventures is a great move! The faster M3 chipset can definitely boost your immersive experiences. With improved performance and support for two external displays, your gameplay and simulations may run smoother and look even better. The possibilities with these new laptops for your VR setup are exciting. Keep us posted on your decision and how it enhances your VR adventures!