Apple Announces New MacBook Air Models With M3 Chip

Apple today announced new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air models with M3 chip, improved external display support, Wi-Fi 6E, and more.

Apple MacBook Air 2 up hero 240304
Apple says that the new ‌MacBook Air‌ is up to 60% faster than the M1 model and up to 13x faster than the fastest Intel-based ‌MacBook Air‌. With a faster and more efficient Neural Engine, Apple says that the ‌MacBook Air‌ continues to be "the best consumer laptop for AI." It also gains an AV1 decode engine to provide more efficient and higher-quality video from streaming services.

In addition to the M3 chip, the new ‌MacBook Air‌ offers Wi-Fi 6E, Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes, enhanced voice clarity in audio and video calls, and a more fingerprint-resistant finish with the Midnight color option. It also now supports up to two external displays when the laptop lid is closed, increasing from just a single external display on the previous Apple silicon models.

Pre-orders of the new ‌MacBook Air‌ start today, with orders arriving to customers on Friday, March 8. It continues to be available in Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver with a starting price of $1,099.

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Top Rated Comments

torontotim Avatar
25 months ago
Lots of pretty dumb comments about this being a 'meh' update, no difference from the M2 (except of course all the differences), complaints about comparisons to the Intel generation (which will be their prime source of upgrade customers)...

WTF got up everybody's backsides today? Do you expect monumental changes every 12 months? Do you not read the specs before complaining about the specs?

Most buyers of the M3 Air are going to be Intel MacBook owners - not M1 or M2 Air owners. I don't know who people thinks is out there buying a new laptop every 2-3 years, but it's not 90% of Apple's laptop customers.
Score: 61 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djducat Avatar
25 months ago

Still only support for 1 external screen ?
"...and new capabilities, including support for up to two external displays"
Score: 56 Votes (Like | Disagree)
truthsteve Avatar
25 months ago
I'll wait until M9 comes out.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kshitijshah Avatar
25 months ago
Apple too has jumped on the AI bandwagon " World's best Consumer Laptop for AI"
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
abatabia Avatar
25 months ago
Spec bump week indeed. My M1 still does everting I need it to do with ease.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MasterControlProgram Avatar
25 months ago

Gurman: "Apple May Limit Announcements to New Accessories This Week"
Whoops! ?
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)