Apple MacBook Air M3 13-inch Review

At the heart of the 2024 MacBook Air is the new M3 chip, Apple’s latest 3-nanometer silicon. On paper, it delivers a modest but noticeable performance uplift over the already excellent M2. In practice, everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and streaming media feel indistinguishable from its predecessor. Where the M3 truly flexes its muscles is in more demanding workloads. Compiling code, editing 4K video timelines in Final Cut Pro, or applying complex filters in Photoshop all see a tangible speed improvement. The upgraded GPU architecture also brings hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, which, while niche for a typical Air user today, future-proofs the machine for next-generation applications and games. The M3 isn’t a revolutionary leap, but it provides significant headroom that solidifies the Air’s position as a device capable of handling professional tasks in a pinch, all within a silent, fanless chassis.

If you’ve seen the M2 MacBook Air, you’ve seen the M3. Apple has carried over the modern, squared-off chassis, and that’s no bad thing. The all-aluminum unibody construction feels incredibly rigid and premium, with zero flex or creak. It remains astonishingly thin and light, making it an ideal travel companion. The color options, including the popular and fingerprint-prone Midnight, also return, now with a new anodization seal that Apple claims reduces smudges—a claim that holds up, but only moderately. While the lack of a new design may disappoint those seeking visual novelty, it’s hard to fault Apple for sticking with a form factor that is already best-in-class for its balance of aesthetics, durability, and portability.

The M3 Air inherits the best features of its forerunner, including a bright and color-accurate Liquid Retina display, an excellent backlit Magic Keyboard, and a massive, precise Force Touch trackpad. Battery life remains phenomenal, easily lasting a full workday and then some. The two standout upgrades are Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless networking and, more significantly, support for dual external displays. This has been a long-standing limitation of Apple’s base-level silicon. However, there’s a major caveat: this feature only works when the laptop’s lid is closed. While it’s a welcome addition for those with a dedicated desk setup, it’s a frustrating trade-off for users who want to use the internal display alongside two external monitors. It’s a classic case of Apple giving with one hand and taking with the other.

The MacBook Air M3 is not an essential upgrade for anyone currently using an M1 or M2 model. The real-world performance gains for typical use cases are marginal. However, for those coming from an older Intel-based MacBook or entering the Apple ecosystem for the first time, this is unequivocally the laptop to buy. It represents the peak of ultraportable design, offering pro-level performance for many tasks, class-leading battery life, and a superb user experience. The M3 Air is a masterclass in refinement, confidently taking the torch from its predecessor to become the new default recommendation for nearly everyone.