Apple has released an update to the MacBook Air, introducing support for multiple monitors with the display closed, a significant improvement from the previous model. This feature, which only supports two screens, is beneficial for those who want to connect to two large external monitors for work. The M2 MacBook Air 13-inch model now takes over Apple’s entry-level option at a competitive $999, a $100 decrease. This new feature allows users to connect their MacBook Air to two external monitors without keeping the laptop open, allowing for a more efficient workspace setup. The decrease in price for the M2 MacBook Air also makes it a more affordable option for those looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. Overall, these changes make the new MacBook Air lineup a compelling choice for those in the market for a new laptop.
Apple M3: Power Efficiency & AI Boost
Apple’s M3 chipset offers significant performance improvements, with the 13-inch M3 being up to 35% faster than the older M1 model in Excel, 60% faster in Final Cut Pro, and up to 40% faster in using AI to enhance an image. This is due to Apple’s move to a 3nm process that increases performance while improving efficiency. Each M3 performance core is 30% faster than M1 cores and 15% faster than those in the M2. The M3 comes in an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU version and an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU version. All versions have the same 16-core Neural Engine that is faster than in the previous version, likely accounting for the AI improvements. Apple also touts the Neural Engine, along with CPU and GPU accelerators that speed up on-device AI functionality, in line with the industrywide AI push that Intel and AMD have seen in their latest chipsets.
M3 Graphics: Boosting Gaming & Pro Apps
Even though the M3 is likely to make a big difference in how well the CPU works, the GPU is where the magic happens. Apple added a bunch of new features to the GPU that will definitely make graphics performance much better. A memory architecture called “dynamic caching” makes the architecture’s unified memory work better, which makes better use of the GPU and speeds up games and apps like Adobe Premiere Pro that use the GPU for demanding tasks. It is great news for gamers that mesh shading is now supported by hardware. The M3 GPU also supports hardware-assisted ray tracing. Apple promised that the new laptops would have 60% faster frame rates in No Man’s Sky than the M1. We will have to test them ourselves to be sure. There is a good chance that the faster GPU, not the faster CPU, is what made Final Cut Pro 60% better.
M3 MacBook Air: Upgraded Performance, Pricier Tag
Apple’s M2 MacBook Airs are fast laptops, but the M3 offers improved performance, particularly on the GPU front. The new models also feature Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity and an external display enhancement. The 13- and 15-inch models remain the same, with the 13-inch model being 0.44 inches and 2.7 pounds and the 15-inch model being 0.45 inches and 3.3 pounds. The M2 model has been reduced in price, starting at $999 for the base model with an 8-core CPU/8-core GPU M2, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. The M3 will be priced the same as the original M2, at $1,099 for the 13-inch base model and $1,299 for the base 15-inch. The 13-inch costs $2,299, and the 15-inch $2,499. Apple expects the M3 MacBook Airs to ship on March 8, with the base model offering 16GB of RAM and faster SSD performance. For budget-conscious users or those who are not gamers or creators, the M2 models offer excellent performance at an attractive price.
