Review of Apple 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M3 Chip

The new MacBook Air 13-inches starts at similar US prices as before: $1,099 (￡1,099, AU$1,799) for a 13-inch Air with 8GB of integrated memory and a 256GB solid-state drive. A 15-inch Air with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD starts at $1,299 (￡1,299, AU$2,199). From there, you can increase the memory to 16GB or 24GB, and the storage to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB.

The base M3 in the 13-inch model has eight CPU cores and eight GPU cores. You can upgrade to an M3 with a 10-core GPU for $100, and if you add more memory or storage (for $200 each), Apple will also add a 10-core GPU M3 to your configuration. That chip is also standard in the 15-inch size. Both chip versions feature a 16-core Neural Engine to accelerate AI and machine learning tasks.

The base 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage seem stingy, considering the starting price of $1,099. In our experience, the MacBook Air performs well with 8GB of integrated memory, but it limits the notebook’s overall performance lifespan and what it can do. Storage can always be upgraded with an external drive or cloud storage, but there’s no such option for memory. If you can afford the extra $200, get 16GB of memory.

Is the MacBook Air 2024 worth it?

We recommend this version of the MacBook Air for power users who want to see more content onscreen at once in a single app, or who want to multitask more easily and switch between apps more quickly. Some users find the larger screen size dramatically improves productivity.

MacBook Air M3 13-inch Review

Unsurprisingly, the new MacBook Air is actually quite fast. Opening my most-used apps (e.g. web browser, Slack, Pixelmator Pro, Apple Pages, Apple Music, etc.) was smooth and instantaneous, as was switching between apps. It never slowed down or got uncomfortably hot while performing these usage patterns.

In terms of sheer graphics and processing power, as well as multitasking capabilities, the latest MacBook Air will likely be the only notebook most consumers will need for the next few years. Spending more on a MacBook Pro is only recommended if you have complex, demanding workflows that require more power and onboard cooling.

What impressed me most about the M3-equipped MacBook Air was its ability to deliver top-notch gameplay. The new silicon supports hardware-based ray tracing, rendering even more immersive visuals than the M2-equipped models. The ultra-slim notebook had no trouble running graphically intensive titles like GRID Legends and Death Stranding. I played both titles with a Sony DualSense or Xbox Wireless Controller, getting a full console-level experience.

In both of the aforementioned titles, I enjoyed richly detailed, high-resolution gameplay in complete silence, without any annoying fan noise. It’s amazing what Apple has accomplished, considering that a portable computer capable of running these titles must have a cooling fan.

The MacBook Air boasts class-leading mixed-use battery life, thanks to its energy-saving chip and fanless design. For over a week, I unplugged my laptop from its MagSafe charger around 8 a.m. to head to work. After running the aforementioned apps all day with the screen brightness set to just above 50 percent, I consistently had about half a charge left (around 2-3 percent).

Since the introduction of the M1 chip in 2020, MacBooks with Apple silicon have completely changed my expectations for laptop battery life. The latest MacBook Air is no exception. I have yet to find a PC or Chromebook that can match its battery endurance.

Charging this laptop is a breeze, with the bundled MagSafe cable or a third-party USB-C cord. Support for both original and third-party chargers that deliver up to 70 watts of power means you have the option to speed things up if you need to.

Support for a pair of external monitors in clamshell mode is another significant upgrade the new MacBook Air offers, second only to the Apple M3 chip. This new feature will be of interest to upgraders who need these features but don’t want to spend more on a MacBook Pro, as it further enhances the notebook’s already reliable credentials as a desktop workstation.

The faster Wi-Fi 6E replaces the slightly older Wi-Fi 6 on the M3-equipped MacBook Air variants. As expected, the new notebook delivered excellent performance on my compatible home network.

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FAQs

What the MacBook Air M3 Offers Over Its Previous Model?

I mentioned that the design and display are identical to the MacBook Air (M2), and so are the battery life and ports. So what’s different? Well, Apple’s M3 chip is the main differentiator. It’s the same chip that was introduced in the iMac late last year, and it features an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. It also has an Advanced Media Engine with AV1 decode, which is designed to deliver more efficient video streaming.

Another difference is that the MacBook Air (M3) can run up to two external 5K displays with the lid closed, instead of just one. This may seem like a pretty niche idea at first, but it could be beneficial for some, as it allows you to simply plug in your MacBook Air when you’re at home or in the office and take it with you when you’re out and about, eliminating the need for both a desktop computer and a laptop.

The final difference is Wi-Fi 6E support. The MacBook Air (M2) supports Wi-Fi 6, but 6E is twice as fast. However, you’ll need a compatible router to benefit from this upgrade, so check your Wi-Fi system before you buy a MacBook Air and expect to see a significant improvement in your Wi-Fi experience.

Should you buy a MacBook Air (M3)?

The answer to whether you should buy a MacBook Air (M3) is a resounding yes, based on my experience using it. However, it depends on what you’re currently using your laptop for.

If you have a MacBook Air (M2), there’s probably little reason to upgrade, as the M3 model is slightly faster for general everyday use, while the M2 model is still great.

If you’re looking to move from a PC to a Mac, the user interface may take some getting used to, but the MacBook Air (M3) itself is unlikely to disappoint, and anyone coming from a previous MacBook Air or MacBook will see a noticeable speed boost and excellent battery life, just like the M2 model.

The MacBook Air’s biggest selling point is without a doubt: it’s a fantastic everyday notebook that combines portability and performance. The fact that it’s available at a lower price than the MacBook Air (M2) and still offers excellent battery life shows that it has the potential to be one of the best notebooks of the year.

What is the memory and storage capacity of the MacBook Air (M3)?

Like the MacBook Air (M2), the MacBook Air (M3) comes with 8GB of memory, configurable up to 16GB or 24GB. Base storage is a 256GB SSD, configurable up to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB.

What are the speakers of the MacBook Air (M3)?

The 13-inch MacBook Air (M3) comes with a four-speaker sound system, while the 15-inch model comes with a six-speaker sound system. Both support Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio, and the speakers are located inside the hinge.

They aren’t as powerful as the MacBook Pro, which has speakers surrounding the keyboard, but they’re more than enough for playing music, streaming video, or playing games. For the best audio experience, we recommend connecting headphones, such as AirPods, another Bluetooth headphone, or a wired option.

What software does the MacBook Air (M3) run?

The MacBook Air (M3) runs macOS Sonoma, which offers a number of new features, from interactive widgets on the desktop to profiles in Safari. Overall, the user experience is familiar to those who already use a Mac, but also easy to use for new Mac users. For the best navigation tip, press Command + Space Bar to bring up Spotlight, then search for what you’re looking for.

Should you buy the 13-inch or 15-inch MacBook Air (M3)?

This largely depends on what you want from your MacBook Air. I’m a big fan of both. I’ve had a MacBook Air 15-inch (M2) for the past eight months and loved the larger screen, but after switching back to the 13-inch size with my MacBook Air M3 review unit, I really appreciate the lighter weight and greater portability. The specs are identical, aside from the physical dimensions of the 15-inch, the larger screen, and the two additional speakers. So it really depends on what you prefer.

Is the MacBook Air M3 a good laptop?

The Apple M3 chip in the MacBook Air is definitely fast enough for me. This is one of those situations where mileage may vary greatly. Simply put, anyone who needs moderate computing power will be happy with the MacBook Air, because the M3 chip handles low-impact tasks quickly.

Does the M3 MacBook Air overheat?

The M3 MacBook Air definitely gets hot and reaches incredibly high temperatures, but it’s not clear if that’s a serious problem. The MacBook Air wasn’t a high-performance machine, even with its fan, so it’s no surprise that its performance will slow down under intensive workloads.

How long will the 2024 MacBook Air last?

The new MacBooks are supported for around seven years before they stop receiving software updates. Given this long support period, you technically won’t need to upgrade your Mac for many years after you buy it.

Bottom line

The MacBook Air with the M3 chip is the best new notebook for the price, and if you haven’t ordered an M2 model recently, it’s a no-brainer upgrade option. The latter is still a great product, but you should know that the M3 version is better for graphics-intensive tasks and games.

If your giftee is currently using a previous-generation MacBook with Apple silicon or another type of notebook, the new MacBook Air should be at the top of your upgrade list. If you can’t afford to spend more on a MacBook Pro with more power, a nicer screen, more powerful speakers, and richer connectivity, this is the MacBook to get.

If you’re considering a similarly priced PC laptop to the latest MacBook Air, say, one with a higher refresh rate and better OLED display, keep in mind that none of the alternatives can match Apple’s in terms of portability, speed, or battery life.

I’d recommend the 15-inch Air to multitaskers who need to run apps side by side and anyone who needs a portable computer that can do it all. The lighter 13-inch version is a better fit for those on the go. Parents should consider one of the two as a great gift option for students.

Doubling the RAM and storage of any entry-level MacBook Air puts it in the same territory as the starter 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 chip. The M3 Pro has the same amount of storage and a much better screen, but only 8GB of RAM. If multitasking isn’t your priority, this is the one to go for.

The new MacBook Air comes in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Space Gray, and starts at $1,099 for the 13-inch version, while the larger-screen model is priced at $1,299 for the entry-level model. The 2022 version with Apple M2 silicon starts at $999 before additional deals and discounts.

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