The MacBook is here. A new pair of entry-level laptops with Apple’s latest M3 chip has been revealed after months of rumours.
The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air will begin shipping, but you can still buy them today for $1,099 and $1,299, respectively.
According to Apple, the MacBook Airs with the M3 processor are faster than the ones with the M2 processor, and our limited testing suggests that this is true (though only by a small amount). The computers have a better 16-core Neural Engine with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, all thanks to the new chip. It can “run optimised AI models.” Both have two Thunderbolt ports, a MagSafe port for charging, and a Liquid Retina display that can get as bright as 500 nits.
Along with the better GPUs, both laptops can hold up to two external screens when closed. With Wi-Fi 6E and a 6GHz band, they can support faster download speeds and are more future-proof. They come in four colours: starlight, space grey, silver, and midnight. The second shade has an anodisation seal that should make fingerprints less noticeable. It was a problem with the midnight version that came before.
Read also: Assessing the Apple AirPods Max value proposition
Macbook Air 13-inch preorders
Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air is speedier and more powerful with the M3 CPU. It supports Wi-Fi 6E and two external screens.
Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, and B&H Photo are preselling the 13-inch MacBook Air with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage for $1,099! In addition, My Best Buy Plus members can save $50 on all configurations, dropping the price to $1,049.
Alternatives include the laptop with 512GB of storage for $1,299, 1TB for $1,499, or 2TB for $1,899. It can be bought with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage for $1,299, 512GB for $1,499, 1TB for $1,699, or 2TB for $2,099.
The 13-inch laptop can have 24GB of RAM. You can get it with 256GB or 512GB storage for $1,499 or $1,699. The 24GB laptops include 1TB or 2TB storage for $1,899 or $2,299.
When bought straight from Apple, laptops have several power adapters depending on the model. An optional 70W adaptor comes with most upgraded models. The standard model comes with a 30W USB-C power converter, while Apple sells 35W dual-port and 70W adapters for $20 extra.
Where to preorder the 15-inch MacBook Air
Apple’s current 15-inch MacBook Air has a faster M3 processor and is otherwise similar to the 13-inch. It has six speakers and a larger, more precise display.
Almost identical to the 13-inch MacBook Air, the 15-inch has a larger, crisper display. Although heavier than the 13-inch model, it has a six-speaker sound system instead of four.
The base 15-inch Air, like the 13-inch Air, carries a 35W dual-port adaptor or 70W adapter and costs $1,299 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage from Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo, and Apple. The laptop might cost $1,249 again because Best Buy is knocking $50 off all configurations for My Best Buy Plus customers.
To upgrade, you may get the 8GB RAM base model with 512GB of storage for $1,499, 1TB for $1,699, or 2TB for $2,099. In the 15-inch Air, 16GB RAM comes with 512GB storage for $1,699, 1TB for $1,899, and 2TB for $2,299. The 15-inch model has 24GB RAM and 512GB storage for $1,899, 1TB for $2,099, and 2TB for $2,499.
