Product test
M3 iMac Review: Heartbreaker
by Samuel Buchmann
Apple introduces M3 MacBook Air: more power
4/3/2024
Translation: machine translated
The M3 MacBook Air comes with a new chip at the same price. It now supports two external displays. From the outside, it looks like the previous model.
The most affordable MacBook is getting an update: Apple unveiled the M3 MacBook Air on Monday in a press release. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch versions will receive the new 3-nanometre chip. The design remains the same. The case still comes in the colours "Midnight", "Polar Star", "Space Grey" and "Silver".
According to Apple, the M3 should be up to 60 per cent faster than the M1. The manufacturer is probably referring to graphics-intensive applications in particular, where the new system-on-a-chip (SoC) offers significantly more performance. Interestingly, there is no comparison with the direct predecessor M2. The gap should be similar to that of the M3 iMac, which I have already tested. There, the new chip has a lead of around 20 per cent in most scenarios.
The battery life could be exciting. Apple still specifies 18 hours for both sizes. However, the MacBook Pro made a significant leap in efficiency with the M3 generation. Especially for light tasks, the M3 MacBook Air could also have more endurance than its predecessor.
In addition to the greater performance reserves, there are some smaller innovations: The Air now supports two external screens with up to 5K resolution at 60 hertz. However, only when closed. It also supports WiFi 6E and voice isolation for the internal microphone.
Source: Apple
The M1 MacBook Air with the iconic wedge shape has finally had its day. It is no longer in production, just like the 15-inch model with M2. However, the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air remains in Apple's official range as an affordable entry-level version.
The prices for the new M3 version are the same as Apple charged for its predecessor when it was launched:
13 inch
- 13-inch M3, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD: 1099 francs / 1299 euros
- 13-inch M3, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: 1319 francs / 1529 euros
- 13-inch M3, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: 1539 francs / 1759 euros
15 inch
- 15-inch M3, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD: 1299 francs / 1599 euros
- 15-inch M3, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: 1519 francs / 1829 euros
- 15-inch M3, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD: 1739 francs / 2059 euros
As always, we will be testing the M3 MacBook Air in detail. It can be ordered here now and will be delivered from 8 March:
Header image: Apple
Samuel Buchmann
Senior Editor
Samuel.Buchmann@digitecgalaxus.chMy fingerprint often changes so drastically that my MacBook doesn't recognise it anymore. The reason? If I'm not clinging to a monitor or camera, I'm probably clinging to a rockface by the tips of my fingers.