TechComputers & PCsLaptopsI tried the new MacBook Air M3 – it totally crushes my M1 Air as a great upgradeThe 2024 MacBook Air, complete with M3 silicon, is a fanless powerhouseWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechComputers & PCsLaptopsI tried the new MacBook Air M3 – it totally crushes my M1 Air as a great upgradeThe 2024 MacBook Air, complete with M3 silicon, is a fanless powerhouseWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The 2024 MacBook Air, complete with M3 silicon, is a fanless powerhouse
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
I’ve been reviewingthe best MacBooksfor many years now – and there’s certainly no let up in pace from Apple’s production line. Sinceditching Intel entirely for its own silicon, beginning with M1, it’s taken just three years for the evolution to M3 – which is now available in the MacBook Air (both 13-inch and 15-inch models).
Image1of10(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of10(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of10
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
After setup one of the first things I did with the new MacBook Air M3 – aside from snapping lots of pictures, as you can see in the gallery above – was put that latest silicon to the trusty benchmark test, comparing it like-for-like (hence using Geekbench 5) against the M1.
That’s a pretty good indicator of compute and graphical power using simulations, which I’ll see in the coming days ahead of a full review just how that pans out in the real world. Here’s a quick-glance table to present the raw figures from the 13-inch model though – showing a clear jump in performance.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyApple MacBook Air M1 vs M3 (Geekbench 5 CPU test)Row 0 - Cell 0Single-core resultMulti-core resultApple MacBook Air M1 (2020)17327556Apple MacBook Air M3 (2024)237010,810
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Apple MacBook Air M1 vs M3 (Geekbench 5 CPU test)Row 0 - Cell 0Single-core resultMulti-core resultApple MacBook Air M1 (2020)17327556Apple MacBook Air M3 (2024)237010,810
If graphical prowess is more your area of interest then the 13-inch MacBook Air M3 delivered consistent scores of 34,000 (Apple Metal) and around 32,000 (OpenCL). That’s a little higher than the2022 MacBook Air M2 model, but not significantly. But if you want big GPU performance, the Pro series is the route to go (whether laptop or desktop).
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Unlike the2023 MacBook Pro, which I tested in higher-specced M3 Max, the MacBook Air is fanless. That means no whirring sound, whatever you ask the Air to perform, which is a further aid to battery life. No fan will mean some throttling, however, to avoid overheating – which is why the Pro model still very much earns its (much more expensive!) place in the MacBook line-up.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
With M3 on board the new Air can perform other great functions too, including powering up to two 5K monitors. That’s a featurenot even the MacBook Pro line has yet(but it is coming!) and for creatives and office workers with multiple desktops that’s a clear win. All from a silent laptop. I’m so far impressed at how the M3 leaves my current MacBook Air in the dust, so it’s going to be fun to review this new model – and the 15-inch version, too, which updates the2023 M2 model.
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024) and Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020) dealsApple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024)$999ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024) and Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020) dealsApple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024)$999ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024) and Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020) dealsApple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024)$999ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024) and Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020) deals
Apple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024)$999ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769.95ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024)$999ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024)$999ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024)
Apple Macbook Air 13-inch M3 (2024)
$999View
$999
$999
See all prices
Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769.95ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769.95ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020)
Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020)
$844.95$769.95View
$844.95$769.95
$769.95
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Disney+’s most eagerly-awaited new Marvel series also looks to be its most brutalDaredevil: Born Again clearly won’t be for the faint of heart
Daredevil: Born Again clearly won’t be for the faint of heart
One Samsung Galaxy S25 model will be missing from Galaxy Unpacked next weekThough we might still get a teaser
Though we might still get a teaser
