New M3 MacBook Air Models Expected Around March 2024

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to refresh the MacBook Air around March 2024, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said today in a report on Apple's future iPad and Mac plans. Updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models are in the works.

As Apple overhauled the MacBook Air's design in 2022 and then introduced a larger model in 2023, no design changes are planned for the 2024 models. The focus will instead be on new internal hardware, including the updated M3 chip.

Introduced earlier this year in the updated MacBook Pro models, the M3 chip is the first chip built on Apple's 3-nanometer process, bringing performance and efficiency improvements. M3 chip benchmarks suggest that the CPU is up to 21 percent faster than the M2, and the GPU is up to 15 percent faster.

According to Gurman, Apple is developing the Macs alongside macOS 14.3, an update that is expected between the end of January and February, but new hardware may ship around the March timeframe. The new MacBook Air models could be timed to launch alongside updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models, which are coming around March.

There is no word yet on when other Macs might be refreshed. The MacBook Pro and iMac models were updated in October 2023, the Mac mini was last updated in January 2023, and the Mac Studio and Mac Pro updated in June 2023.

In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2023, Apple saw a steep decline in Mac sales. Macs brought in $7.6 billion, down 34 percent from the $11.5 billion that Apple earned in Q4 2022. Apple expects Mac sales to go up following the launch of the October MacBook Pro models, and an early 2024 MacBook Air refresh will also help to drive growth.

Article Link: New M3 MacBook Air Models Expected Around March 2024

 

[abatabia]

My M1 will finally get retired for one of these.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I will stick with the M2 Air for now. It is an excellent machine.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

My M1 will finally get retired for one of these.

I don't plan to even look at a replacement for my M1 until, at least, the M5. It's still as fast as the day I bought it.

 

[nikhsub1]

I will stick with the M2 Air for now. It is an excellent machine.

It really is.

 

[DHagan4755]

This news doesn't surprise me in the least. It be more surprising if Apple didn't update the MacBook Airs in the spring.

 

[DHagan4755]

The real question is: Will Apple bring its new "anodization seal" to the midnight finish of the MacBook Air?

 

[msackey]

I don't plan to even look at a replacement for my M1 until, at least, the M5. It's still as fast as the day I bought it.

I don't plan to replace my 2017 Intel MacBook Pro with touchbar until it actually goes kaput! Hopefully it will be another 5 plus years before that happens!

 

[jz0309]

Loving my M1 MBA, don’t like the new MBA form factor. I expect another 3-5 years out of it…

 

[adamw]

If Apple were smart, they would upgrade the M3 base model of all their lineup with at least 12GB RAM, as a Mac with M3 chip and 8GB is pitiful performance when you have any other apps open such as multiple web browser windows in the background. For validation of this 8GB RAM performance limitation, see:

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I don't place to replace my 2017 Intel MacBook Pro with touchbar until it actually goes kaput! Hopefully it will be another 5 plus years before that happens!

I used my 2012 Non-Retina MacBook Pro for almost nine years. I think yours can hold on!

 

[DribbleCastle]

This is going to be the biggest yawn of an update.

Good for those who were holding out for a new chip and a bit more performance... but still not gonna get 2 external display support. So really gonna be the exact same computer for the majority of people. Would love to see FaceID or something exciting in terms of new features, or as another said, maybe a small bump in RAM to 12GB.... but doubt that with the recently released M3 Pro at 8GB.

 

[Chet-NYC]

Really want to know when M3 Max Mac Studio is coming out. Really hope it is sooner than June.

 

[Bearcito]

No surprise Mac sales crashed after moving off intel. Lots of busines had lots of software invested in windows. My company did.

 

[AdamHarbour]

If Apple were smart, the would upgrade the M3 base model of all their lineup with at least 12GB RAM, as a Mac with M3 chip and 8GB is pitiful performance when you have any other apps open such as multiple web browser windows in the background. For validation of this 8GB RAM performance limitation, see:

It you want to win a argument don’t quote max tech 🤷‍♂️

 

[Jack Burton]

Bring on the m3 MINI!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple honestly thinks sales are down because they aren’t on M3 (and/or fast enough)?

Vast majority of buyers have no idea or care about this

 

[Lakersfan74]

Updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models are in the works.

I think you mean Air not Pro unless they are making Pro models as well

 

[Biro]

Really want to know when M3 Max Mac Studio is coming out. Really hope it is sooner than June.

I considered waiting for the M3 Max Mac Studio. But I'm not a true power user, even though I process a lot of photos and some videos. So I just pulled the trigger on a M2 Max Mac Studio. I'm sure it'll be more than enough for the next five years. But for all of those waiting tor the M3 version, I hope you get what you want soon.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I have a 13" MacBook Air M1 with 16 GB RAM.

When the rumours of an 15" Air started, I was so ready to upgrade, but when they released it with "only" an M2, I kind of went back up on the fence.

With the release of the "baby" 14" MacBook Pro, with a standard M3 in it, I was tempted again, but figured I'd at least wait and see how the 15" M3 Air looked. If that's basically just the M2 Air with a new processor, then I'm leaning towards the "baby" 14" Pro being much better value for money.

And so the internal discussion goes...

The thing is though: My current M1 Air is a VERY capable little machine, and I have no real need for an upgrade, and I might stay up on the fence for years, if I'm sensible.

If I'm sensible...

I'm not always sensible...

 

[Fuzzball84]

Its about time, my Macbook Air M2 has been super laggy. On MacOS menus, just laggy. Possibly jelly scrolling too.

In the meantime ill keep my workflow running with my Macintosh LC II… smooth as butter.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

Really want to know when M3 Max Mac Studio is coming out. Really hope it is sooner than June.

Agree...Waiting for and saving for the M3 Ultra Mac Studio...

 

[Fuzzball84]

My M1 will finally get retired for one of these.

That M1 surely has more life in it. If you got an M1 in the forst place… and targeting an Air as an update. Youre hardly using a heavy workflow.

If its the RAM thats the issue… well you probably didnt spec it correctly when you bought it.

Tut tut

 

[Fuzzball84]

Agree...Waiting for and saving for the M3 Ultra Mac Studio...

M4 by then will be the big cheese.

 

[Tuck_]

If Apple were smart, they would upgrade the M3 base model of all their lineup with at least 12GB RAM, as a Mac with M3 chip and 8GB is pitiful performance when you have any other apps open such as multiple web browser windows in the background. For validation of this 8GB RAM performance limitation, see:

They should, but they won't. Maybe next year. The pro having 8gb is confirmation enough.