Throwback last November, Apple announced their latest M3 chip and they will be incorporating the M3 chip on their laptops and PCs. The update to this announcement had been made yesterday, on March 4th with their brand new MacBook Air upgrade. MacBook Air is now equipped with this M3 chip. And let’s take a look at what upgrades the M3 chip brings towards MacBook Air.
What Boost Did the M3 Chip Bring to MacBook Air?
Well, although tiny, crafted with cutting-edge 3-nanometre technology, the M3 chip elevates the performance and capabilities of the MacBook Air to new heights.
Boasting a robust 8-core CPU, a GPU with up to 10 cores, and compatibility with up to 24GB of unified memory, the latest MacBook Air delivers up to a 60 percent boost in speed compared to its M1 predecessor and a remarkable 13-fold increase over the swiftest Intel-based MacBook Air. The enhanced 16-core Neural Engine enables MacBook Air to efficiently handle optimised AI models. This boost proves to be an effective one as we have been in touch with lots of AI models such as chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Bard, and even enhanced ones to upcoming AI video generators such as Sora.
Additionally, they boast an integrated GPU for hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing capabilities. This provides gamers with incredibly lifelike lighting, reflections, and shadows for immersive gaming experiences, for example, better ray tracing in Counter-Strike 2.
Also Read: The 8 Best GPUs in the Used Market
A Bit More on the M3 Chip-Equipped MacBook Air Specs
Looking at more specs of the new MacBook Air with the M3 chip, with up to 18 hours of battery life – six hours more than an Intel-based MacBook Air – users can enjoy extended productivity sessions and demanding tasks such as photo and video editing through Adobe’s Firefly, as well as software development, with unparalleled efficiency. They come with a captivating Liquid Retina display and introduce new functionalities such as the ability to connect to two external displays simultaneously and enjoy Wi-Fi speeds up to twice as fast as the previous generation.
Moreover, it features the latest media engine, enabling seamless AV1 decode support for enhanced video quality and efficiency from streaming platforms, for example streaming the best anime movies on Netflix or Disney Plus. And a highlight for better meetings, the new MacBook Air models also sport a high-quality 1080p FaceTime camera, and three microphones, and are compatible with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.
The new MacBook Air, crafted with a resilient aluminium unibody design for lasting durability, comes in four stunning colour options: Midnight, which boasts an innovative anodisation seal to minimise fingerprints; Starlight; Space Gray; and Silver.
Why MacBook Air?
Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, mentioned, “MacBook Air is our most popular and loved Mac, with more customers choosing it over any other laptop. And today it gets even better with the M3 chip and new capabilities”.
He even added, “From college students pursuing their degrees to business users who need powerful productivity, or anyone who simply wants the unmatched combination of performance, portability, and industry-leading battery life, all in a fanless design, the new MacBook Air continues to be the world’s best thin and light laptop.”
Price of the New MacBook Air with M3 Chip
For the new MacBook Air with the M3 chip, the 13-inch MacBook Air is priced at $1,099, while the 15-inch variant is priced at $1,299. They boast Wi-Fi 6E support for faster download speeds, along with MagSafe charging and two Thunderbolt ports. Additionally, the M3 MacBook Air models come equipped with MagSafe charging and two Thunderbolt ports. In addition, the 13-inch M2 iteration of the laptop remains available at a reduced price of $999.
A Great Choice for Better Laptop Performance
In conclusion, the unveiling of the MacBook Air equipped with the latest M3 chip marks a significant advancement in Apple’s laptop lineup. It serves to be a useful one for Mac users who often touch on AI models, video and photo editing tools and also gaming that requires high performance for a better experience.
The introduction of the M3 chip on MacBook Air demonstrates Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology. As consumers embrace these new MacBook Air models, they can expect to enjoy seamless multitasking, immersive media experiences, and improved productivity, making this upgrade a notable milestone in the evolution of the MacBook Air series.