M3 MacBook Air (2024) release date, price, and specs confirmed

The Apple MacBook Air M3 is finally here

Marla Broadway

Marla Broadway

Two M3 MacBook Air (2024) laptops positioned back to back, displaying colorful graphics on their screens, with a small logo in the upper right-hand corner.

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With the more powerful M3 chip coming to the MacBook Pro and the iMac late last year, it might just be a matter of counting down the months till we see the M3 arrive on the MacBook Air. As the successor to the successful M2 MacBook Air, the M3 model promises to deliver enhanced performance, improved features, and an overall superior user experience. Here’s all the essential info you need to know about the M3 MacBook Air 2024, including its confirmed release date, price, display and design changes, hardware specs, and much more.

M3 MacBook Air (2024) release date

Apple officially unveiled its 13 and 15-inch MacBook Air laptops starring its upgraded M3 chipset in a press release on March 4, 2024. The laptops, with refreshed specs and even more streamlined design, can now be pre-ordered, with availability starting on March 8th.

Since the M3 chip was launched, Apple fans have been eagerly awaiting its integration into the MacBook Air lineup. While the M2 MacBook Air was released in 2022, Apple introduced an M3 MacBook Pro in October of 2023, leading many to speculate whether the MacBook Air would receive a similar upgrade. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman initially suggested a fall 2023 release for the M3 MacBook Air, but his later predictions have shifted towards a 2024 launch; more specifically, a recent Power On newsletter narrowed down the end of March for the possible debut of these new models. This proved marginally correct, with Apple launching the new MacBook Air at the beginning of the month rather than the end.

This is a lot earlier than expected, so it looks like we could be waiting a bit longer for the new iPad Pro and iPad Air that were anticipated to be launched alongside the MacBook Air M3. We’ll have to wait and see what a later Apple Event or the WWDC in June 2024 has in store, as Apple has let

M3 MacBook Air features

Design

With the introduction of the M2 MacBook Air, Apple unveiled a complete redesign, departing from the tapered design and embracing a more traditional form factor reminiscent of the 14-inch MacBook Pro. As expected, the M3 MacBook Air has retained the same design language as its predecessor, with only a few minor tweaks.

The M2 MacBook Air already stands as one of the thinnest and lightest laptops available, making it an attractive choice for users seeking portability without compromising on performance. Its successor follows in its footsteps, being just 11mm thin and coming in a larger 15-inch model that’s returned alongside the traditional 13-inch MacBook Air, giving buyers the option of saving a bit of money by compromising on a smaller size.

M3 MacBook Airs come in four colors, including starlight, space gray, and silver. There’s also a midnight color that features an anodization seal that’s supposed to reduce fingerprints. What’s more, each one comes with a matching MagSafe charging cable

Display

The display is a crucial aspect of any laptop, and Apple has consistently delivered impressive visual experiences across its Mac lineup. The M3 MacBook Air is expected to feature a similar display to its predecessor, the M2 MacBook Air. Currently, the M2 MacBook Air offers a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2,560-by-1,664 pixel resolution, a maximum brightness of 500 nits, P3 color support, and True Tone technology.

While the M3 MacBook Air’s display is likely to retain these specifications, there’s a possibility of Apple transitioning over to the use of mini-LED technology. Mini-LED displays offer improved brightness and energy efficiency compared to traditional LCD panels. Although the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are rumored to receive OLED displays, mini-LED adoption for the MacBook Air remains uncertain. To further keep a specs distance between the Air and Pro, Pro-level features such as ProMotion and HDR are unlikely to be present on the M3 MacBook Air.

Considering the current design, the M3 MacBook Air is expected to retain the notch at the top of the display to accommodate the 1080p FaceTime camera, as this is a design choice that doesn’t interfere with the 16:10 aspect ratio of the screen below it.

Specs and performance

The M3 MacBook Air features the M3 chip, which represents a significant leap in performance and efficiency compared to its predecessors. The specifications of the M3 chip include an 8-core CPU and an 8- or 10-core GPU, manufactured using a new 3nm process. This process allows for more transistors, resulting in improved performance and power efficiency. Alongside this, the M3 MacBook Air is expected to benefit from a unified memory system, ensuring smooth multitasking and seamless performance across various applications.

The MacBook Air lineup has traditionally featured fanless designs, and the M3 MacBook Air isn’t one to deviate from this trend. The absence of internal fans contributes to the MacBook Air’s silent operation but may result in slightly reduced performance during sustained CPU or GPU-intensive tasks. However, the increased efficiency of the M3 chip is expected to mitigate any potential performance impact, providing users with an exceptional computing experience. What’s more, it could become the most proficient MacBook Air gaming so far, so it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re keen to play Apple Arcade games and such.

Operating system

The M3 MacBook Air will undoubtedly ship with macOS Monterey, Apple’s latest operating system. macOS Monterey introduces a range of exciting features and enhancements, further optimizing the user experience on Apple silicon Macs. While specific features and improvements are yet to be announced, users can expect seamless integration with other Apple devices, enhanced privacy features, and increased performance.

MacBook Air M3 2024 price

In terms of pricing, Apple has maintained the same pricing structure as its current M2 MacBook Air lineup. Following the release of the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air in June of 2023, Apple chose to reduce the price of the 13-inch model by $100/£100 to $1,099.00. Unsurprisingly, the M3 MacBook Air 13-inch has the same MRSP as its 2022 predecessor.

13-inch MacBook Air M3 pricing:

  • M3 MacBook Air 13-inch, 8-core GPU, 256GB SSD Storage – $1,099
  • M3 MacBook Air 13-inch, 10-core GPU, 512GB SSD Storage – $1,299
  • M3 MacBook Air 13-inch, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage – $1,499

15-inch MacBook Air M3 pricing:

  • M3 MacBook Air 15-inch, 10-core GPU, 256GB SSD Storage – $1,299
  • M3 MacBook Air 15-inch, 10-core GPU, 512GB SSD Storage – $1,499
  • M3 MacBook Air 15-inch, 6GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage – $1,699

How long can I expect my MacBook Air to last?

Given their quality and Apple’s promised years of security and software updates, it’s reasonable to expect that your MacBook Air could live around five to seven years depending on how heavy your usage is. As is the same with any technological device, your MacBook Air will last longer if you look after it.

Current MacBook Air models:

Conclusion

The M3 MacBook Air is set to redefine the standards of portable computing, combining exceptional performance, cutting-edge features, and stunning design. With its expected release in 2024, Apple enthusiasts can look forward to an upgraded MacBook Air lineup that delivers the unparalleled user experience that comes alongside the M3 chipset. From its speculated release date and price predictions to its design, display, specs, and battery life, the M3 MacBook Air promises to be a worthy successor to its predecessors.

Marla Broadway

Marla Broadway

Marla writes across a wide range of topics across PC Guide, including AI, PC hardware, and news on the latest tech releases. She's a passionate writer that's interested in the future of technology.

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