Apple MacBook Air M3 Review: Improved Speed and Smudges in Midnight Color
Apple has released its latest MacBook Air models, the 13-inch and 15-inch M3s, and tech enthusiasts are eager to see what improvements have been made. Joanna Nelius, a renowned laptop reviewer, got her hands on both models and shared her insights. In this review, we’ll delve into the key features of the MacBook Air M3 and explore how it compares to its predecessors.
Design and Performance
At first glance, the MacBook Air M3s appear similar to their M2 predecessors. The chassis retains the iconic wedgeless design, dimensions, weight, and colorway options. However, the real differences lie within the performance. Nelius notes that it’s challenging to distinguish between the M2 and M3 models without running benchmarks.
Based on her experience with the MacBook Pro 14 M3, Nelius predicts a 10 to 15 percent performance increase for the Air M3s compared to the M2 Airs. She also expects the Air M3s to offer equivalent or identical performance to the MacBook Pro 14 M3. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch Air M3 review units Nelius received feature an eight-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD (as opposed to a 1TB SSD).
Notable Upgrades
Focusing on the 13-inch MacBook Air M3, Nelius highlights several key differences from its predecessor. The M3 version supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, the AV1 decode engine (a video codec that reduces bandwidth demands during streaming), and Wi-Fi 6E. While little has changed in terms of configuration options and battery life, the M3 models now have the ability to power two external displays with the laptop closed. This is a significant improvement over the previous M1 and M2 Airs, which could only support one external display with the lid open.
The 15-inch MacBook Air M3 also boasts notable upgrades, particularly in its sound system. With a six-speaker setup, it offers a noticeably better audio experience compared to the 13-inch model’s four-speaker system. Nelius tested the bass performance by playing bass-heavy songs and found that the 15-inch model produced boomier bass lines, akin to a retro record player spinning vinyl. Interestingly, she points out that the speakers on the MacBook Pro 14 M3 sound just as good, if not identical, to those on the 15-inch MacBook Air M3. This revelation raises questions about the need for the Pro model unless users specifically desire a fancier display or additional ports.
Identity Crisis?
Nelius raises an intriguing point about the MacBook Air’s identity crisis. With each passing year, laptops from various manufacturers have become thinner and lighter, making it harder to differentiate the MacBook Air from other models. In fact, the MacBook Pro 14 M3 is even thinner than the original MacBook Air. Additionally, with the elimination of the wedge design, the Air now closely resembles the Pro in terms of appearance. This begs the question: What truly defines an Air when it looks almost identical to a Pro?
Conclusion
While Nelius is still in the process of thoroughly testing the new MacBook Air M3s and exploring their performance capabilities, her initial impressions highlight the improvements made by Apple. The M3 processor delivers a significant speed boost, and the midnight color option adds a touch of elegance. However, it seems that Apple still has some work to do in terms of smudge resistance.
As technology continues to evolve, it’s essential for Apple to redefine the MacBook Air’s identity and offer unique features that set it apart from other models in their lineup. Until then, users will have to weigh their options carefully when choosing between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis and performance insights from Joanna Nelius as she continues her exploration of the MacBook Air M3.