Apple launched the new M3 MacBook Air lineup last week with a boatload of front-facing upgrades on the inside. While the external design and form factor remain the same, the machines house significant performance upgrades compared to the previous versions. If you are on the verge of buying a new MacBook Air with an M1, M2, or M3 chip, there are several things that you need to consider before choosing the right option for your needs and budget.
What aspects must you consider before choosing the suitable MacBook Air model?
While Apple has discontinued the M1 MacBook Air, you can still get your hand on the device from third-party resellers for an even cheaper price tag. However, Apple is selling the M2 MacBook Air at a discounted price alongside the recently announced M3 MacBook Air. All of these models are available on the market, and to choose the correct option, you must first narrow down the purpose of getting the MacBook Air. Ultimately, your preferences should boil down to performance, battery life, and the price. We will be covering all aspects in detail.
M2 and M3 MacBook Air share the same design and features, while the M1 version sticks to the wedged approach
Apple's 2020 M1 MacBook Air features a 13.3-inch display compared to 13.6-inch on the M2 and M3 versions of the machine. You also have the option to get a bigger 15.3-inch version of the M2 and M3 MacBook Air. However, the resolution of the panels is slightly different, albeit equally sharp. The M1 MacBook Air features an IPS display with a resolution of 2560 by 1600 compared to 2560 by 1664 on the M2 and M3 models, but new M2 and M3 MacBook Pro models can get fairly bright at 500 nits against 400 on the M1 version.
If you prefer a larger and brighter display, both M2 and M3 MacBook Air models will fulfill your need. Each model of the MacBook Air features a 60Hz display, which means that you will not go wrong with either model. If a higher refresh rate is one of your biggest concerns, then the MacBook Pro model would be wise. Note that Apple's 60Hz panels also do a great job and are completely fine for professionals.
In terms of design, the M2 and M3 MacBook Air models are identical, each having a bigger 15.3-inch variant. The M1 MacBook Air, on the other hand, is only available with a 13-inch display. If you want a bigger display, you can choose the M2 or the M3 version of the MacBook Air. Note that there is a key difference between the M2 and the M3 MacBook Air regarding productivity. The M3 MacBook Air supports two external displays with the lid closed. The M1 and M2 models only support one external display.
Performance is a critical factor when buying the M1, M2, or M3 MacBook Air
Each model of the MacBook Pro comes with its own version of Apple Silicon. The M1 chip revolutionized the company's stance towards performance on its computers. However, the M-series of chips has come a long way since its debut. While the M1 chip is plenty powerful to handle anything that you throw at it, the M2 chip is slightly better. The M3 chip delivers enormous power gains against the M1 chip, which is something that you should consider before getting the M1 version of the MacBook Air.
We have recently covered that the M3 chip on the new MacBook Air is 20 percent faster in single-core and 18 percent faster in multi-core score compared to the M2 chip. And compared to the M1 chip, the M3 MacBook Air is 60 percent faster. If you want a MacBook with the best performance ratio, the M3 version is the way to go. Additionally, the dual NAND flash chip in the base model of the M3 MacBook Air allows for faster read and write speeds, which will impact the machines' performance. However, note that the M1 and M2 MacBook Air models are still plenty powerful, and you can get them at an even cheaper price tag.
Does the M3 MacBook Air last longer than the M2 or M1 MacBook Air?
If battery life is your major concern, note that all models deliver the same output. According to Apple, the M1, M2, and M3 MacBook Air models feature 18 hours of battery life. Even the 15-inch MacBook Air variant features the same battery life as the 13-inch model. This means that you will get the same battery life no matter what version you go for. However, if you are getting a used device, check the battery's health before buying it.
While battery life is the same, you will get more performance out of the M3 MacBook Air as it will handle workload faster and with greater efficiency. This is because the M3 chip is fabricated on TSMC's 3nm architecture and consumes less power than the M2 and the M1 chip. If you want an even better battery life, the new M3 MacBook Pro delivers up to 22 hours of video playback. However, if you want a notebook for casual usage, maybe school, then any MacBook Air is more than capable of delivering an all-day battery life.
While port selection remains the same, the M3 variant can support two external monitors
The port situation is not great for any MacBook Air model. If you invest in the machine for professional editing or video creation, you might want to get your hands on a dongle. In contrast, the M3 MacBook Pro is an ideal candidate. However, a cheap dongle offers multiple I/O in a single unit that could bridge the gap between the Air and the Pro. The MacBook Air features two USB-C ports, a MagSafe charging port, and a headphone jack. Only the M3 variant can bolster two external monitors, but with the lid closed. This means that you will have to buy a keyboard and mouse separately.
Apple offers competitive prices for all MacBook Air models, making you want to upgrade
Apple has discontinued the M1 MacBook Air, which means that Apple will not be selling the machine through its online store. However, you can get the machine for as low as $680 from third-party sellers such as Amazon. This makes the M1 MacBook Air a wise choice for many users, especially students. The M1 MacBook Air is also a great product for stepping into Apple's ecosystem.
Apple is selling the 13-inch model of the MacBook Air with an M2 chip for $999. The M2 MacBook Pro delivers the best value for its price as it houses the powerful M2 chip and also keeps up with the latest design changes and features. It has a brighter display with a notch up top with a 1080p webcam. While Apple is no longer selling the 15-inch model of the M2 MacBook Air, you can get a pretty decent deal elsewhere.
Lastly, Apple's latest M3 MacBook Air is available at a starting price of $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch model. While the M3 chip is pretty powerful on its own, the new MacBook Air base model features a dual NAND flash storage chip. This means that SSD speeds will be higher than the previous versions. You can check out more details on pricing and different configuration options from Apple.
At the end of the day, it mainly depends on what you require from the product. If you want performance over anything else, the M3 version is the way to go. However, if you want battery life, a good display, and powerful internals, then the M2 MacBook Air is the right choice. Additionally, if budget is your biggest concern, the M1 MacBook Air is the best choice as it can deliver on all fronts and still keeps up with the competition.
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