Usually at this time of year we share our expectations for a potential Apple March Special Event. However, Apple has surprised us once again by releasing fresh 13- and 15-inch MacBook Airs equipped with the M3 chip, which they unveiled with the 14- and 16-inch devices last autumn.
Whether there will be a Special Event this spring remains to be seen. For now, let’s take a look at all the exciting features of these brand-new MacBook Airs.
Fresh M3 chip
Constructed from industry-leading 3-nanometer technology, unsurprisingly the M3 chip means the fresh MacBook Airs have had a speed and capability upgrade. The M3 processor comes with an 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU, along with support for as much as 24GB of unified memory. Although the chip has the same base RAM (256GB) and the graphics cores haven’t changed, its performance improves by two times the speed. Plus, you can opt to configure for extra RAM and storage.
The MacBook Air’s new chip means it can boast speeds up to 60% faster than the M1 model, and as much as 13% faster than the quickest Intel-based MacBook Air. What’s more, the Neural Engine has higher efficiency and speed. Finally, the M3 processors have an AV1 decode engine, meaning more efficient and higher-quality video.
Additional upgrades
While the M3 chip is the main change, it’s far from the only one. MacBook Air users can now access Wi-Fi 6E from this device, which is up to two times quicker than Wi-Fi 6. They also have the option for two external displays rather than one (when the lid is closed).
If that wasn’t enough, the M3 13- and 15-inch MacBook Airs have Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes, along with better voice clarity. As a result, your Zoom or Teams calls will be much more comprehensible.
What’s stayed the same
The new MacBook Airs hold many of the same valuable features as their predecessors. This includes MagSafe charging, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, two Thunderbolt ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and of course a thin and lightweight design. Plus, they both come in four different colour choices: Starlight, Silver, Space Gray, and Midnight. The latter has an anodisation with anti-fingerprint coatings, just like the Space Black for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
There’s also still 18 hours of battery life – but as you can get the same performance for half the power, this translates to two to four more hours of real-world use than the M2. These devices experience no throttling either, meaning the M3 MacBook Air will trump their predecessors in terms of performance, efficiency, and connectivity.
Make the most of the Mac with Lease Loop
Apple has amended its prices and MacBook Air line-up to accommodate these changes. The price of the M2 MacBook Air has come down, as has the price of the 15-inch MacBook Air. Plus, the 14-inch Air now offers 16GB of RAM and 2TB of storage as standard. There are also now three 14-inch M3 MacBook Airs rather than two. So, while Apple has opted to take the M1 MacBook Air off the market, Mac enthusiasts will have plenty of choice in terms of the M2 and M3 chip-powered Airs.
As usual, we’re updating our website with these changes as well as the fresh devices so that you have the option to lease them. Through us, you can spread the cost of the Mac over time rather than have to pay for all the advantages upfront.
You’ll be supported by us continuously too. For us, leasing isn’t about the transaction, but building relationships and being able to support our customers with their equipment needs as they grow. Get in touch and we’ll help you find a suitable leasing solution – and be there as you achieve your own ambitions.