New M3 MacBook Air Models to Have Day-One macOS Update

[MacRumors]

The new MacBook Air models that are set to be released tomorrow will have a day-one update, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

Both the 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch MacBook Air models that are set to launch tomorrow are running a special build of macOS Sonoma 14.3, with a version number of 23D2057.

Users will be prompted to update to macOS Sonoma 14.4 tomorrow, as the software saw a public release today. Given the timing of the software's launch and the debut of the new MacBook Air models, Apple was not able to get the macOS Sonoma 14.4 update installed on them.

Apple's M3 MacBook Air models are priced starting at $1099 for the 13-inch version and $1299 for the 15-inch version. Customers who pre-ordered will receive their machines on March 8, which is also when the new MacBook Air models will be available in Apple retail locations.

Article Link: New M3 MacBook Air Models to Have Day-One macOS Update

 

[chucker23n1]

Makes sense. 14.4 wasn’t quite ready, and also wasn’t needed. 13.3 with minor patches to support the newer hardware is fine.

That said, 14.4 includes quite a few security fixes, so you should update ASAP.

 

[sw1tcher]

Both the 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch MacBook Air models that are set to launch tomorrow are running a special build of macOS Sonoma 14.3, with a version number of 23D2057.

Users will be prompted to update to macOS Sonoma 14.4 tomorrow, as the software saw a public release today. Given the timing of the software's launch and the debut of the new MacBook Air models, Apple was not able to get the macOS Sonoma 14.4 update installed on them.

The prompt to update to macOS 14.4 feels very iPhone 15-ish where you were prompted to update to iOS 17.0.2 to avoid running into issues

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Fuzzball84]

Almost every day there is an update to the OS or Apps I have on any of my products... its not a bad thing... but it just makes me laugh when I remember the days when people would complain about Microsoft and the number of updates for windows.

 

[pdaholic]

So Apple can wirelessly update iPhones in an unopened box, but not Macs?

 

[coolfactor]

Apple's M3 ‌MacBook Air‌ models are priced starting at $1099 for the 13-inch version and $1299 for the 15-inch version.

USD. Not Canadian. Not Yen. Not Mexican Pesos.

Here's to hoping that MacRumors can eventually learn to extend a bit more courtesy to non-US readers by actually mentioning the currency.

 

[12-ThreeFour]

So Apple can wirelessly update iPhones in an unopened box, but not Macs?

Maybe it's because they need the wireless technologies that are only on iPhones like cellular.

 

[coolfactor]

So Apple can wirelessly update iPhones in an unopened box, but not Macs?

Thinking it would be risky doing a software update inside of a closed packaging. The heat would be a concern.

 

[DaveN]

For all the whiners who will diss the day one update. I remember in the 1980s when I was the computer guy in my unit at an Air Force Base. I wasn’t designated as an IT employee but since I was a recent college grad with engineering degrees and computer experience, I was the guy. When we would order a computer it would come in parts. We had a choice. Either I could set it up or we could wait a few months for the IT unit to come and set it up. So I did it. I had to insert the boards, insert ram chips for anything above the base ram. Boot the computer, install the operating system floppy disk by floppy disk and there were lots of them. Then install other programs as needed. So be happy computers update over the network these days. It really is far simpler these days.

 

[jclardy]

Day one update release notes:
- Adds second display support when lid is closed so marketing has a bullet point to launch with

 

[Sippincider]

So be happy computers update over the network these days.

Once got a Windows modem, which required one to go online and download drivers to use the modem...

THAT was a Day-One update. 🤬

 

[Macaholic868]

As much as I loved my previous Intel MacBook Air and knowing I wanted a little more screen real estate I thought long and hard about upgrading to the 15” M2 MacBook Air but held off knowing the M3 versions would be shipping likely in less than a year so I bit the bullet on the base 14” MacBook Pro with 16 GB of RAM (8 GB of RAM in anything labeled a Pro machine at this point is a joke) and a 512 GB SSD and I’m glad I did. The display is superior even though it’s not quite as large as the 15” Air but I do enjoy the additional ports and the active cooling technology that can hopefully sustain the M3’s performance for longer periods of time than you’d get with the passive cooling technology in the Air line.

A part of me still wanted to pull the trigger when these were announced but it’s too much of a PITA to sell my unit on eBay or some other online market place to get closer to fair market value on a system that’s only about 6 months old versus trading it into Apple or Best Buy and then you’d have to pay the difference which would at least be another few hundred for what I assume is a slightly bigger display but with inferior display technology, a lack of extra ports and a a little less battery life. I did love how light and quiet it was but I can barely notice when the fan is running on the MacBook Pro and it still feels pretty darn light for laptop so I’m probably staying put for now and will take good long look at where the Air line is at 3 or 4 years from now when I’m ready to upgrade again.

 

[bLackjackj]

Here's to hoping that MacRumors can eventually learn to extend a bit more courtesy to non-US readers by actually mentioning the currency.

@MacRumors, we have all been asking for a long time. Please simply put $US in front of your listed pricing in any articles.

 

[azentropy]

As my mom always asks.... "you bragging or complaining?"

 

[Polinsky]

Day one update release notes:
- Adds second display support when lid is closed so marketing has a bullet point to launch with

I have no idea what this statement means. What does this have to do with marketing?

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

Now that Apple has a default configuration of 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD for the Macbook Air. I sincerely hope this is the beginning of a gradual change in the default RAM for the Mac.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Maybe it's because they need the wireless technologies that are only on iPhones like cellular.

Glad you brought that up

How in the world do we not have optional integrated Cellular on MacBooks yet?

I thought for sure we'd finally get that when they switched from Intel and could harness the new efficiency to bring us extremely useful, yet power hungry, options like integrated Cellular

This seems like such an obvious and trivial feature to provide (again - optionally, like on iPads)

 

[DaveN]

Once got a Windows modem, which required one to go online and download drivers to use the modem...

THAT was a Day-One update. 🤬

I remember the pre-internet days where you would go to various discussion boards for information. You couldn't download images per se because of file size limits so you had to download them in pieces and then combine the pieces into one file to see the image. It was amazing to actually see an image on your computer screen. Usually low resolution copies of Sports Illustrated swimsuit photos.

 

[KENESS]

Glad you brought that up

How in the world do we not have optional integrated Cellular on MacBooks yet?

I thought for sure we'd finally get that when they switched from Intel and could harness the new efficiency to bring us extremely useful, yet power hungry, options like integrated Cellular

This seems like such an obvious and trivial feature to provide (again - optionally, like on iPads)

Apple doesn't like "module" type upgrades, so at best it'd probably be a dongle. I'm sure everyone here would be totally on-board with that.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple doesn't like "module" type upgrades, so at best it'd probably be a dongle. I'm sure everyone here would be totally on-board with that.

What's a module upgrade?

We have Cellular iPads - and have forever - why not an option for a MacBook with it?

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Literal zero-day exploit on a new Apple model. Sad!

 

[Chuckeee]

What’s the big deal? It seem like almost every piece of new computer hardware (Apple, Window PC, printers) have had day one updates available as soon as I unboxed them and plugged them in for the first time.

I think, The last one that did NOT require a day one update was my Apple //c in 1984.

 

[J InTech82]

What a rushed product launch! /s

 

[svish]

Good to know. Only the first few batches shipped will be requiring the update after which all the units will be shipping with the updated software.

 

[Houpla]

USD. Not Canadian. Not Yen. Not Mexican Pesos.

Here's to hoping that MacRumors can eventually learn to extend a bit more courtesy to non-US readers by actually mentioning the currency.

$ is the currency.