Are you exploring the utilization of the M3 MacBook Air for your routine computing requirements? Search no more! This extensive analysis explores the characteristics, efficiency, and overall user-friendliness of Apple’s elegant and portable laptop. This analysis evaluates the suitability of the device for various daily tasks, catering to the needs of students, professionals, and casual users, based on its lightweight design and robust M3 chip. Join us as we analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the M3 MacBook Air to assist you in making a well-informed choice before purchasing your next laptop for daily use.
MacBook Air 15in Review: What’s New?
The initial iteration of the 15-inch MacBook Air represented a novel undertaking. What is the status of the 2024 update? It is visually indistinguishable, thus lacking any novel design or external characteristics. The central focus is on the M3.
However, upgrading to M3 does entail the availability of new features. Firstly, there is an increase in computational power. Additionally, the Air can now support up to two 5K external monitors (one if the lid is open). Furthermore, it offers Wi-Fi 6E (not just ‘plain’ 6) for enhanced connectivity speed.
How I use my MacBook Air
On a typical day, my MacBook Air is utilized to a greater extent than my iPhone. This device serves as my primary tool for various activities, including banking, creative work, entertainment, and online shopping. A clear differentiation has been established among the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Due to the design and compact size of the MacBook Air, I find myself utilizing the device more frequently than I would typically opt for a laptop on a typical day.
In the early morning of a workday, I locate and disseminate copies of documents to my team members. Subsequently, I access my email and address any pending messages. After consuming breakfast, I proceed to launch the Notes application on my Mac and record the tasks that I must accomplish.
Upon receiving copies from team members via email, I proceed to access Google Docs and make revisions. In addition, I utilize the Calendar application on my Mac to locate my daily appointments. Subsequently, my day commences, encompassing a substantial amount of writing and attending to phone calls. Before retiring for the night, I consistently engage in the consumption of one or two podcasts or a documentary. Within my residence, I frequently utilize alternative devices, such as my iPhone, to access platforms like WhatsApp or LinkedIn.
Macbook Air 15 In Review: Display & Sound
Undoubtedly, the primary factor when thinking about purchasing the 15-inch MacBook Air is its display. The panel in question measures 15.3 inches, which is slightly smaller in size compared to the commonly found 15.6-inch diagonal measure found in the market. In my opinion, this is an ideal match, with a sufficient distinction from the larger 16-inch MacBook Pro.
There is ample additional information regarding the display, all of which is identical to its 13-inch Air counterpart in a similar manner. Indeed, the 15-inch panel possesses a greater number of pixels to accommodate its larger surface area, yet the overall density remains unchanged at 224 ppi. The visuals are clear and visually appealing.
The device exhibits a maximum brightness of 500 nits, enabling it to achieve high dynamic range (HDR). Additionally, it encompasses a broad color spectrum (DCI-P3) and incorporates True Tone technology, which adjusts the blue light output by the surrounding ambient light to enhance user comfort. The panel is not excessively reflective, which is crucial for me on days when I work on the move or when the sun is shining.
However, it should be noted that the display of the 15-inch MacBook Air is not flawless in every aspect. The notch on this device is identical to the one found on the 13-inch model. However, due to the majority of apps concealing it with black bar surrounds, you will often overlook its presence. I have essentially lost sight of it.
The refresh rate of the screen, similar to the brightness level, is comparatively lower than that of the Pro range. However, this is acceptable as the 15-inch Air’s 60Hz LCD panel maintains a seamless visual experience during playback, albeit without the inclusion of a 120Hz option. Indeed, while numerous Windows laptops may provide faster refresh rates, they occasionally fall short in delivering the superior visual clarity that Apple excels at.
The MacBook Air 15’s utilization of a six-speaker system is highly commendable in terms of audio accompaniment to its visuals. The device provides support for Apple Spatial Audio during the playback of Dolby Atmos content, thereby enhancing the output with a genuinely immersive three-dimensional experience. This Mac offers a wide range of soundstage capabilities, making it suitable for various activities such as gaming and listening to music.
Macbook Air 15 Review: Battery Life & Charger
The battery capacity of the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is 66.5Whr, which is comparatively larger and more capacious than the battery capacity of the 13-inch M3, which is 52.6Whr. I presumed that this would promptly result in improved innings per charge, but surprisingly, I encountered some initial difficulties during my testing.
When operating at maximum brightness, a 2160p video stream on YouTube depleted the battery in a mere 7 hours, which is significantly shorter than the battery life of the 13-inch model. However, it is crucial to conduct repeated testing and fully immerse oneself in a product. Even a few days after the initial test, except for occasional Zwift graphics crashes, I have subsequently experienced significantly improved performance.
The distance is not a million miles, despite not reaching Apple’s maximum of 18 hours. The 2160p YouTube stream performed significantly better, providing me with slightly more than 13 hours of viewing time. This is lower than the performance of certain other testers I am familiar with, and it is worth mentioning that it is lower than the M2 predecessor conducting the same test. However, it is still a satisfactory outcome overall.
Apple incorporated MagSafe charging into the MacBook Air alongside the introduction of the notched screen design. In addition to the presence of dual USB-C ports, users have the option to select between charging using either one port, the other port, or both ports simultaneously. The box includes a dual-port 35W plug for charging, but if you desire faster charging, you will need to pay an additional fee for the compatible 70W plug.
Macbook Air 15 In M3 2024 Review: Verdict
The ‘Big Air’ in Apple’s MacBook lineup features a 15.3-inch display and is marketed as a MacBook Air. It offers the same features as a MacBook Air, including a slim, lightweight, and portable design, but with a larger screen. Furthermore, the 2024 release of this product boasts enhanced power due to the inclusion of the M3 chip.
What are the concessions you are making? The price of the product exceeds that of a 13-inch model, as anticipated. In my tests, I have observed slight reductions in battery life when compared to the previous model. The presence of an on-screen notch has the potential to further divide the audience.
However, as I increasingly utilize the 15-inch model, my desire to replace my desktop computer grows stronger. As an experienced user of the 13-inch MacBook Air, which offers excellent portability, the larger-screen MacBook Air still maintains a compact size and lightweight design, effectively living up to its name, ‘Air’.
As previously mentioned, the introduction of the 15-inch MacBook Air by Apple garnered significant attention. In 2024, the internal M3 hardware upgrade further enhances its suitability as a larger-screen option. If one does not require a MacBook Pro but has consistently desired a larger display, then this particular MacBook can be considered an ideal choice.
Conclusion
The M3 MacBook Air is a sleek and portable laptop with a 15.3-inch display and M3 chip. It offers greater computing power, can handle up to two 5K external monitors, and has Wi-Fi 6E for faster connectivity. The 15-inch MacBook Air is a perfect fit for daily tasks, including banking, creative work, entertainment, and online shopping. The display has a high density and 500 nits of brightness, making it capable of high dynamic range (HDR) and a wide color spectrum. The 15-inch Air also features a six-speaker system that supports Apple Spatial Audio when playing Dolby Atmos content.
The 15-inch M3 has a 66.5-watt battery capacity, making it physically larger and more capacious than the 13-inch M3. However, it costs more than a 13-inch model and has seen minor battery life decreases in tests compared to the previous model. The larger-screen MacBook Air still maintains a small footprint and lightweight design, making it an even more qualified larger-screen consideration.
FAQS
Is the MacBook M3 coming?
The MacBook Air 13-inch M3 is currently accessible for purchase on Apple’s official website, with a starting price of $1,099. The system is equipped with an Apple M3 chip, which consists of an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU. It also includes 8GB of unified memory (RAM) and 256GB of SSD storage. There are four color options available for all configurations, namely midnight, starlight, space gray, and silver.
How much will the MacBook Air M3 cost?
MacBook Air 13-inch (M3): Pricing and configurations
The 13-inch MacBook Air M3 slots right into the $1,099 starting price of its predecessor. For that price, you get 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, an 8-core CPU, and an 8-core GPU, along with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display.