Apple MacBook Air M3 review
The M3 is powered Apple MacBook Air shows the laptop is no longer a lightweight when it comes to serious performance
The MacBook Air has never been the flagship of Apple’s laptop range—that title rests solely with the MacBook Pro. It has missed Apple’s design innovation, such as the edge-to-edge keyboard of the “MacBook”, or the touch bar of the Pro. Yet, it is Apple’s best-selling laptop of all time.
Today, the Air bears the same design language and keyboard layout as Apple’s top-drawer MacBook Pro models. Added to that, it is powered by the base spec of Apple’s newest custom processors, the M3, and is being marketed as “the world’s best consumer AI laptop.”
The M3 is powered Apple MacBook Air 13inch m3 review
Also read: The Apple MacBook Air conundrum: M1 or M2?
Apple MacBook Air M3 review, so far, the Pro was not just the “professional” laptop in Apple’s lineup—it was also the creator’s laptop. There are filmmakers and designers who use the Pro as a mobile workstation to create graphic, resource-heavy content.
Yet, truth be told, film editing and graphic designing seldom have scenarios where one must sit at an airport and edit a fight sequence recorded through RED’s 8K cinema cameras. For the most part, the Pro would be a workstation device that remains tethered to a desk. This is where the Air comes in.
Performance with the M3 macbook
The heart of the M3 MacBook Air review is its revolutionary M3 chip. Built on a 3nm architecture, it delivers unparalleled performance and energy efficiency. Whether you’re running multiple applications or working with demanding software, the M3 ensures everything runs smoothly. Benchmarks show a noticeable improvement in both CPU and GPU tasks compared to the M2.
In a pre-Apple MacBook Air M3 review press demo, Apple showcased how the Air can smoothly edit a 4K video workflow on the default iMovie app on macOS, while managing background processes efficiently to ensure that the overall usage experience remains as smooth as this lineup could accommodate. The Air is no longer a lightweight when it comes to more serious performance credentials.
Design and Build macbook air 15inch
The Apple MacBook Air M3 review continues Apple’s tradition of minimalist elegance. Its ultra-slim chassis and lightweight form make it perfect for on-the-go users. Available in exciting new colors, the laptop feels as premium as it looks. The build quality, thanks to its recycled aluminum enclosure, ensures durability while being eco-friendly.
Straight off the bat, performance macbook air 13inch m3 multi-tab heavy browser loads work very smoothly on the new Air. It lacks the fast refresh rate of the MacBook Pro screen, even at a time when you can find Windows laptops from various brands that offer smooth displays at significantly lower prices.
Even with that, Apple MacBook Air M3 review the M3-powered Air succeeds as an ideal work laptop for corporate leaders, journalists, sales and marketing professionals, semi-pro creative professionals and students. Apple MacBook Air M3 review appears to have used a faster storage drive on this new laptop, after the M2-powered Air drew criticism. Comparably, copying a 60GB 4K RAW video workload took less than two minutes longer on the Air, than it did on an M3 Max-powered MacBook Pro.
Software and macOS Compatibility
Optimized for macOS Sonoma, the apples efficient m3 MacBook Air offers seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Features like Continuity, AirDrop, and Universal Control work flawlessly, making it easier to switch between devices.
This helps, especially if you are a creator who shoots video content and uses an iPhone. For instance, shooting clips totalling five minutes at 4K 60fps video on an iPhone, transferring them to the Air, ingesting, editing, rendering and exporting them on iMovie work smoothly. Apple MacBook Air M3 review, there were, however, visible stutters in switching between open apps when the video was being rendered for export—something that isn’t unexpected.
As the Air gets older, there may be more such stutters. But, Apple has the longest lifespans for consumer gadgets, and this Air should last you (and with software updates) for at least six years.
Apple MacBook Air M3 review, so far, any semi-professional creator looking for a Mac capable of sustainably smooth video editing will have considered the Pro variants. They, however, are considerably more expensive, and are likely always more powerful than what a user needs. The Air makes itself proficient in this very guise.
Price and Configurations
Starting at $1,199, the 13inch MacBook Air M3 is competitively priced considering its features. Configurable options allow users to upgrade RAM and storage, ensuring the laptop can meet diverse needs.
The Air lasts longer than the full work-day on a heavy browser workload, plus multiple video calls. However, it is important to note that no depleting battery life data becomes apparent in just two weeks, Apple MacBook Air M3 review of battery.
There are, however, two concerns. One, even the 16GB memory variant does appear to produce stutters upon increased multi-browser workloads, which suggests that such stutters may be recurring in the long run. Most stutters are visual only in the first two weeks, and do not hinder performance—but is something worth keeping track of in the long run.
The second concern is the notch, Apple MacBook Air M3 review. Apple still doesn’t offer Face ID on any Mac, and such a wide blank space for just a front-facing camera is unlike Apple’s traditional design philosophy. Designers, though, suggest that a smaller notch would look even worse—and the front camera isn’t negotiable either.
Verdict pros cons most popular
Overall Apple MacBook Air M3 review, the Air justifies itself as a good laptop to buy. Starting at ₹1.15 lakh for the 13-inch variant and going up to ₹1.75 lakh for the 15-inch, 512GB one, the 2024, M3-powered Apple MacBook Air provides the kind of comprehensive value that Microsoft’s fellow sub-flagship laptop, the Surface Laptop Go 3, just fails to offer.
Pros:
- Exceptional performance with the M3 chip
- Long-lasting battery life
- Lightweight and portable design
Cons:
- Limited port selection
- Non-upgradable post-purchase
FAQs
1. What makes the MacBook Air M3 different from its predecessor?
The M3 chip offers better performance, efficiency, and graphics capabilities compared to the M2.
2. Is the M3 chip good for heavy multitasking?
Absolutely! The M3 chip is designed to handle demanding tasks effortlessly.
3. How long does the battery last in typical usage?
The battery lasts up to 18 hours, depending on usage.
4. Can I upgrade the RAM and storage after purchase?
No, RAM and storage configurations are fixed at the time of purchase.
5. What is the warranty policy for the MacBook Air M3?
Apple provides a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support.
Also read: A two-month durability test of the M3 Max MacBook Pro