The 15-inch version of the M3 MacBook Air was recently tested through Geekbench 6’s single-core and multi-core run, with the latest portable Mac up to 20 percent faster than its direct predecessor. Now, the OpenCL scores have been tested on the same model, with the results about what you expect, as they remain unchanged compared to what was obtained by Apple’s more expensive MacBook Pro that launched last year.
M3 MacBook Air appears to be a better value by performing similarly to the MacBook Pro, but there are underlying changes that need to be discussed
The 10-core GPU of the M3 MacBook Air obtains 30,524 points in Geekbench 6’s OpenCL benchmark. It is important to note that Apple’s newest SoC continues to feature an internal GPU, and it can still deliver commendable performance as a dedicated graphics processor from a few years ago. However, the fact that the 15-inch MacBook Air, which is available to pre-order for $1,299, can perform at the same level as the $1,599 MacBook Pro would obviously mean that the less expensive model exudes better value, right? Not quite, because while the paper specifications are decent, there are other details to look out for too.
For instance, the more expensive MacBook Pro sports an active cooling solution, whereas the M3 MacBook Air likely handles heat dissipation using a single heatsink. We have seen on previous occasions that the M2 MacBook Air with the same fan-less cooler cannot control temperatures, causing the SoC to reach over 100 degrees Celcius when running a small test. When running extended workloads, it would not be surprising to see the M3 thermal throttle and reduce its performance, which would happen often on the latest MacBook Air.
Also, you should be aware that the M3 MacBook Air features the same measly 256GB of internal storage for the base model, and you would have to pay the ‘Apple Tax’ if you want to purchase higher internal memory tiers. Then again, if you can get through your day with 8GB of unified RAM paired with 256GB of storage, then the 15-inch MacBook Air will be the ideal daily driver for you. The majority of buyers would likely be compelled to pick up one of these primarily due to the M3 upgrade, but other than that, there is nothing noteworthy about this version.
News Source: Geekbench 6
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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