Review: Two Weeks With the M3 MacBook Air

[neliason]

I'm still using M1 Air with 8GB ram, I do a ton of development on visual studio, Xcode, hundred of chrome tabs, music, and bunch of other apps. It still flies through, never have noticed a slowdown or heat except when doing very intensive Xcode, that maybe due to Xcode.

I know for a fact, when using Intel chip with 8GB this would cause a huge slowdown, With M1, rams matter less and less.

I have the M1 with 16GB and use it like you do. I’m going to get an M3, but the M1 still works perfectly for me. Like you say, it flies.

The only time I’ve noticed it heating up and, almost assuredly, throttling is when installing MacPort ports. But that process was slow even when I was using an iMac with a fast Intel chip and lots of ram. So, unless you are running a build server for very complicated software, it works great for coding. And the battery life is phenomenal.

 

[ZorploxByte]

i got it just for the anodized midnight colour, but its my first one. I would not ahve upgraded if I had one

 

[Jacquesass]

Would be an instant buy if I could get a 15” with 32GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD. Even with Apple’s rapacious upgrade surcharges, it would still be a lot cheaper than a comparable 16” MBP (and lighter).

 

[mozumder]

Just goes to show you have incredibly next-levelthe M1 was.

 

[Jim Lahey]

At least let me get that power adapter with the Ethernet port in it.

You could consider a hub such as the Twelve South StayGo. Can easily be concealed under a sofa or desk. Run power and ethernet into it, then one USB-C cable of your chosen length and spec into the MacBook. Behold, power and ethernet in a single USB-C cable 👍

 

[gugy]

I have a 16GB M1 Air and and can attest that it runs the latest version of Archicad like a champ, the screen is a little on the small size but is perfectly usable. Plug it into a decent sized 4K monitor and it's fantastic.

Awesome. We have a 27" 4k monitor. Great to hear.

 

[DaveEcc]

I am curious what people's choices would be if hard constrained by price:
-M3 w/10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
-M2 w/8-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
-M1 w/8-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512 GB SSD (which may only be available refurbished and so you get $100 back)

While I am guessing most people on Macrumors are not quite hard constrained on money and would just spend a few extra bucks to get what they want, I think recommendations are more interesting when trading-off specifications rather than money (especially when it's your company's money...).

If hard constrained by price, I'd get the M2. The storage can upgraded with a portable drive easily enough later, while the M3 has 8GB forever... though it would have to be the 10-core GPU option, since the store doesn't let you order the lower-end one anymore, and even if it did, if it's like the M3, adding 16GB automatically bumps the GPU, so the suggested option might not even exist.

Your M3 option weird, with the bumped GPU, but without the bumped RAM. It's an option I can't see many people choosing, but I guess you've got your hard limit.

Why not the M1? The M1 was a 2020 machine. Apple typically supports machines for 7 years, meaning the M1, while having enough CPU power for most tasks, would lose support in just 3 years. I'm not dropping much on a machine at the tail end of support. The M2 still has a fair number of years left. The M1 will have you wanting a replacement sooner, not due to lack of performance, but for OS support, and end up costing you more in the end.

Without the price constraint being as hard, my daughter picked up the education store M3 Air 16/512 for CAD$150 more than the education store has the M2 Air 16/512. I'd say CAD$150 for is worthwhile for an extra 2 years of support, a bump in CPU performance, and a much improved GPU, so in the real world, I'd actually recommend that.

 

[MayaUser]

As MKBHD said..

Most everyone who would buy an Air is better off buying an M2 or M1 at a discount

The gouging and incrementalism has reached the point that a mainstream Youtuber is flat out saying ..."just buy the previous one.."

Nice work Tim

yes, but thats not apples to apples...M3 MBA will be on discount also
Again, the diff between the M2 and M3 in price is too narrow not to take the M3

 

[steve09090]

I future proofed my 2020 M1 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM, and I have never had an issue with it. I guess it's future proofed for a further 4 years.

Unless you KNOW you need 16GB RAM, 8GB will be enough.

 

[Torty]

MacBook Air should be upgraded to 120hz. Would’ve been an instant buy for me. The spec bump from M1 to M3 is negligible for most people buying the entry-level Mac.

If it was windows yes. But if you count on 5 big updates 2025 would be the last macOS update for the M1. If you don‘t upgrade regularly I would always recommend to get the latest stuff if it’s from apple.

 

[@Brett]

As MKBHD said..

Most everyone who would buy an Air is better off buying an M2 or M1 at a discount

The gouging and incrementalism has reached the point that a mainstream Youtuber is flat out saying ..."just buy the previous one.."

Nice work Tim

I would not take advice from MKBHD. Or pretty much any so called tech YouTuber. They have their own agenda. So your own research without paying these people through clicks and views.

 

[Torty]

I future proofed my 2020 M1 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM, and I have never had an issue with it. I guess it's future proofed for a further 4 years.

Unless you KNOW you need 16GB RAM, 8GB will be enough.

Only problem will be the software when apps stop working, sync not working properly with your iphone and iPad etc because the device is dropped from macOS support.

 

[svish]

Glad to see that the base model is now using two NAND chips. M3 Air is a very good Mac.

 

[Mikeske]

I am a retiree and have M1 MBA 13" and it is not my main computer as I have a 27" IMAC 5K that is my main workhorse. The MBA I have is my travel computer and it has gone all over Asia and I never had a problem with it except possible the screen size is a tad on small size until this past month and discovered the screen size is fine but my eyes were the problem as I had cataracts. After I had my cataracts taken care of the screen size issue completely went away, I should have had the cataracts taken care of a couple years ago.

MY use case I the MacBook Air is just a great light good computer for when my wife and I travel. My wife is using a 10 year old intern MacBook Air that she absolutely adores as it is just fine for her.

 

[G5isAlive]

Your points are fine as an opinion, but you werent so much finding it funny as smirking at the other user. Perhaps just be more politie and leave the emoji stuff alone. You should have outgrown it at high school.

eh. and who is casting stones now? sorry, but I give my opinion as I see fit just like everyone else. I happen to think it's better to laugh than try to shame people with words. but you do you.

I stand by my points. The person asked why do people find his remarks funny. I answered.

And there are only so many thumbs down one can leave. So sometimes, laughter will have to do.

 

[AnonymousDude]

As MKBHD said..

Most everyone who would buy an Air is better off buying an M2 or M1 at a discount

The gouging and incrementalism has reached the point that a mainstream Youtuber is flat out saying ..."just buy the previous one.."

Nice work Tim

What’s wrong with introducing an update at the same price? And lowering the price for the previous version?

Should apple eliminate the previous version and only sell the new version at the same price there wouldn’t be such comments.

Or are you suggesting that apple ( or any other company) should sell their updated products at lower cost each time they introduce one?

 

[Lioness~]

I upgraded from a 2018 16 / 256 MBA, and very happy with the new M3 16/500.
I am also very pleased that I upgraded the storage, I've lived with 16/256 too long. Time changes everything and all that...is just what it is.

My recomendation: read up on different sources and find out what you need. Most definitely don't listen to XX on MR who don't know you, but think they know a lot more then they do about your needs.
You know you best, and educate yourself, don't let other educate you if you would'nt pay for the education. Asking for an advice is a different thing, listen a be aware.

 

[mrat93]

If it was windows yes. But if you count on 5 big updates 2025 would be the last macOS update for the M1. If you don‘t upgrade regularly I would always recommend to get the latest stuff if it’s from apple.

I’m inclined to doubt that. I think the norm recently has been about 6 years?

Now that Apple has more control over the hardware. Apple sold the M1 MBA until like 2 weeks ago, and Walmart now carries it as an official retailer. I’d say M1 will get updates until at least 2027, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they just keep them updated longer. There’s little excuse for Apple to stop supporting M1 after 5-6 years.

 

[Torty]

Upgraded from 13” 2012 MBP 8/1TB

I’m inclined to doubt that. I think the norm recently has been about 6 years?

Now that Apple has more control over the hardware. Apple sold the M1 MBA until like 2 weeks ago, and Walmart now carries it as an official retailer. I’d say M1 will get updates until at least 2027, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they just keep them updated longer. There’s little excuse for Apple to stop supporting M1 after 5-6 years.

5 updates are 6 years. First year comes with the pre installed OS.
edit: you are right, it’s 6 updates for macOS. 5 was iOS. So maybe the M1 will get 2026 it’s latest macOS. that’s better but I would never buy a M1 today cause of the expected short OS support.

Checked‘ again: macOS Sonoma: wiki: „…drops support for various models released in 2017“ so I was right with 5 updates.

 

[Queen6]

As MKBHD said..

Most everyone who would buy an Air is better off buying an M2 or M1 at a discount

The gouging and incrementalism has reached the point that a mainstream Youtuber is flat out saying ..."just buy the previous one.."

Nice work Tim

Is exactly what I think and I very much tire of Apple's abusive stance, nickel and diming it's customers at every possible opportunity. Apple want to move Mac's they need to reduce the price or add more features to the lower tier Mac's and cease paywalling them...

Q-6

 

[drsox]

i got it just for the anodized midnight colour, but its my first one. I would not ahve upgraded if I had one

The only comment I would make re Black is the obvious finger marks ( doesn't happen on the Silver models ). Other than that it's the best Mac I've had from 2011 'till now.

 

[drsox]

What industry reinvents itself year after year?

Fashion, PopMusic. All that depend on annual style and "must have new, new" customer behaviour.

 

[drsox]

At least let me get that power adapter with the Ethernet port in it.

I have the Belkin version - indispensable.

 

[steve09090]

Only problem will be the software when apps stop working, sync not working properly with your iphone and iPad etc because the device is dropped from macOS support.

True. Fortunately, that’s rarely an issue with a Mac.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

im waiting for 3 weeks reviews

Well, I'll take nothing less than a 4 week review plus an additional weekend getaway review where Dan travels to Vegas and brings M3 Air along with him while day drinking.

If Dan still loves it after that then I might consider getting one.