Base Model M3 MacBook Air Has Faster SSD Speeds After Controversy With Previous Model

[MacRumors]

The base model 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM has significantly faster SSD speeds compared to the equivalent model with the M2 chip, according to benchmark results shared today by YouTube channel Max Tech.

Max Tech's teardown video confirms that Apple has returned to using two 128GB storage chips for the new 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, compared to a single 256GB chip in the equivalent model with the M2 chip. This change results in faster SSD read and write speeds in tests, as the two chips can process requests in parallel.

Max Tech ran Blackmagic's Disk Speed Test tool with a 5GB file size test on both the M2 and M3 models of the 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, and they found the SSD in the M3 model achieved up to 33% faster write speeds and up to 82% faster read speeds compared to the SSD in the M2 model.

The change very likely extends to the base model 15-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip, although Max Tech has yet to tear down that model.

Apple's decision to switch to a single 256GB chip for the base model MacBook Air in 2022 was controversial, even though the slower SSD speeds are unlikely to be noticed by the average MacBook Air user working on common day-to-day tasks. Nevertheless, customers who purchase an M3 model no longer need to worry about configuring the laptop with at least 512GB of storage in order to avoid the slower speeds.

Two 128GB storage chips in the new base model 13-inch MacBook Air (via Max Tech)​

The new MacBook Air models with the M3 chip launched Friday. Apple continues to sell a 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip and 256GB of storage for $999, so customers who want maximum SSD performance should avoid that model.

Article Link: Base Model M3 MacBook Air Has Faster SSD Speeds After Controversy With Previous Model

 

[KPOM]

With this and the dual monitor support in clamshell mode Apple seems to be responding to criticisms about previous models.

 

[kalafalas]

Does anyone know if the 1tb m3 max uses 2x512 chips or 4x256?

 

[thingstoponder]

Is it faster than the 256 m3 iMac?

 

[matrix07]

Is it faster than the 256 m3 iMac?

Is it faster than the 256 M3 MBP? (is there one?)

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

256gb is derisory for the price though, that really shouldn't exist in 2024

 

[DaveEcc]

Is it faster than the 256 m3 iMac?

No idea, but you may need to test with a fresh off the line m3 iMac. Back when the speeds dropped, it was speculated Apple included one larger chip rather than two smaller chips due to supply issues. If the supply issues are sorted out, then it's entirely possible the m3 iMac also reverted to using two smaller chips.

Sort of like display panel lottery, we may now have a motherboard lottery.

 

[yeah]

These video thumbnails nowadays are way too cringey and full of clickbait.

 

[vadimyuryev]

Is it faster than the 256 m3 iMac?

Yes, the base model M3 iMac only comes with a single NAND chip. The two-NAND change is new for this base 256GB M3 Air model.

The M3 MBP started with 512GB, likely to avoid the confusion and controversy altogether.

 

[turbineseaplane]

What about compared to the M1 base Air?

 

[dreamsayer]

256gb is derisory for the price though, that really shouldn't exist in 2024

I'm still using a (13-inch, Mid 2012) MacBook Air that came with 4 GB RAM, and 120 GB SDD. I have 59 GB of free space left. It just depends what you use your machine for. For me daily home stuff like email, browsing, etc.
And yes, I'm definitely ready for an upgrade!!

 

[arcite]

I'm still using a (13-inch, Mid 2012) MacBook Air that came with 4 GB RAM, and 120 GB SDD. I have 59 GB of free space left. It just depends what you use your machine for. For me daily home stuff like email, browsing, etc.
And yes, I'm definitely ready for an upgrade!!

Browsing the web and writing emails with less than 1tb HD and 48gigs of Ram? Brave man.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Browsing the web and writing emails with less than 1tb HD and 48gigs of Ram? Brave man.

Walking uphill in the snow to school -- both ways!

 

[iLilana]

there is no way apple pays more than 10 dollars per chip.

 

[sw1tcher]

With this and the dual monitor support in clamshell mode Apple seems to be responding to criticisms about previous models.

It must've took a lot of courage to acknowledge their mistakes and reverse course.

 

[bradman83]

What about compared to the M1 base Air?

The base M1 Air used two chips as well so performance should be comparable if not a touch faster. It was just base M2 machine that used a single chip and suffered performance-wise as a result.

 

[anshuvorty]

Ok, great. Now MR posters can finally stop complaining about this minuscule issue.

Now, onto the last “minor” complaint - 8 GB as the entry level RAM configuration.

 

[jooish]

That's great, but I feel like the base SSD and RAM should be more than my iPhone.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

These video thumbnails nowadays are way too cringey and full of clickbait.

The MaxTech channel is on another level of cringe and baiting.

I certainly hope they're swimming in money from posting their garbage 'cause I sure ain't getting anything from watching their stuff.

 

[orbital~debris]

And in general use, this is a non-issue anyway.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

That's great, but I feel like the base SSD and RAM should be more than my iPhone.

Why?
RAM I get, 8GB in 2024 can definitely be a squeeze.
But I think a lot of people seriously overestimate how much storage most (average) people are using.
Between iCloud Drive (which synchronizes the desktop and documents folders already) and the affordability of external SSD’s, 256 GB is plenty for most.
Not to mention the fact that most people don’t store music, movies, and TV shows on their computers anymore, because it’s all streaming. Unless they’re going on a trip, in which case one or two movies isn’t taking up a full 256 GB.
My M1 iMac is my main computer, it has only 256 GB, and it’s not even half full.
It’s complemented by a 2 TB external SSD, which works just fine.

 

[coolfactor]

These video thumbnails nowadays are way too cringey and full of clickbait.

Yes, some "influencers" are going too far. I watch a channel for long-term food storage, and the thumbnails are deliberately fear-inducing!

As for the dual storage chips, I hope Apple continues with that approach. Parallelism is always better.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Ok, great. Now MR posters can finally stop complaining about this minuscule issue.

Now, onto the last “minor” complaint - 8 GB as the entry level RAM configuration.

When do MR posters who complain about the complaining finally stop though?
That's the REAL question!

 

[coolfactor]

That's great, but I feel like the base SSD and RAM should be more than my iPhone.

I paid more for my phone than I did for my Mac, so I don't know about that.

 

[HackMacDaddy]

I'm still using a (13-inch, Mid 2012) MacBook Air that came with 4 GB RAM, and 120 GB SDD. I have 59 GB of free space left. It just depends what you use your machine for. For me daily home stuff like email, browsing, etc.
And yes, I'm definitely ready for an upgrade!!

These minimum specs would be ok for a starting price of 799,-. Imagine if it was always at this price and they made RAM and SSD upgrades in 100,- steps instead of 200,-. The Mac sales would skyrocket, edu market, grandma and prosumers alike would all be happy and get a new laptop with their desired specs. Also what happened to displayoptions like in the good old days? Why not give it an option for matte or 120hz screen?