MacBook Air M3: Everything we know so far
Apple hasn’t formally introduced the MacBook Air M3, however rumors and reviews recommend the corporate would possibly launch its ultraportable laptop computer as quickly as Fall 2023.
MacBook Air laptops are arguably one of the best MacBooks for most individuals on account of their slim light-weight design and affordability. To that finish, we count on Apple will ultimately launch an up to date mannequin that includes the rumored Apple M3 chip.
Rumors are as skinny because the laptop computer, however what we’ve heard sounds intriguing. Here is the whole lot we’ve heard in regards to the MacBook Air M3 so far.
MacBook Air M3: Rumored launch date
In one among his earlier Energy On newsletters, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned we can count on new M3-powered Macs to drop following Apple’s launch occasion in September. It’s anticipated one of many Macs shall be an M3-powered 13-inch MacBook Air.
As for launch date, Gurman believes Apple will launch new Macs in October. This fall’s Apple occasion is predicted as quickly as September 12, so an October launch would make sense.
We haven’t heard any rumors about worth nevertheless it’s affordable to imagine Apple gained’t elevate the associated fee considerably, if in any respect. Proper now, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Air M2 prices $1,099. Apple would possibly preserve the successor laptop computer at this worth or maybe cost $100 further. It’s arduous to inform presently, however we’re positive Apple desires the Air lineup to stay reasonably priced for most individuals.
Gurman listed an M3 MacBook Air 15-inch in his report however mentioned nothing about worth and availability. For the reason that MacBook Air 15-inch M2 launched in June 2022, it’s uncertain Apple will launch its successor in the identical 12 months. We would see an M3-driven 15-inch Air in 2024, however that’s hypothesis on our half.
MacBook Air M3: Rumored specs
The rumored MacBook Air will allegedly pack the Apple M3 chip, which is itself nonetheless very a lot a rumor. The processor will reportedly use TSMC’s 3nm course of. Apple could be the primary firm to make use of this superior course of node, if true. In apply, this might make the subsequent Macs far extra highly effective than their predecessors whose chips use TSMC’s 5-nanometer expertise.
In his newest Energy On e-newsletter for Bloomberg, Gurman, citing developer logs, outlines the specs of Apple’s M3, M3 Professional, M3 Max and M3 Extremely chips together with which new Mac fashions they’re going to be present in. He notes that the precise specs may change throughout the manufacturing course of. The model customers get their fingers on could differ from what Apple’s testing internally.
You possibly can learn our Apple M3 vs M3 Professional vs M3 Max vs M3 Extremely: The specs you’ll want to know article to see a full breakdown. For the aim of this text, we’ll element the bottom M3 chip’s specs alongside the entry-level M2 for simpler comparability.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Specs | Discovered on these Mac fashions |
|---|---|---|
| M3 | 8 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores | MacBook Professional 13-inch, 13-inch MacBook Air, 15-inch MacBook Air, Mac mini, iMac |
| M2 | 8 CPU cores, 8 GPU cores | MacBook Professional 13-inch, 13-inch MacBook Air, 15-inch MacBook Air, Mac mini |
As with the whole lot on this piece, take the above with a wholesome dose of skepticism. That mentioned, if these rumored M3 specs are reputable, the subsequent MacBook Air will probably be essentially the most highly effective MacBook Air ever. When you personal an older mannequin just like the MacBook Air M1 and even an Intel MacBook, you would possibly need to maintain off on shopping for a MacBook till the M3 chip arrives.
MacBook Air M3: Rumored design
We haven’t heard a lot in regards to the rumored MacBook Air M3’s design however we don’t count on Apple will alter the laptop computer in any vital method given how its M2-driven predecessor already launched a brand new design for the MacBook Air lineup.
Just like the MacBook Professional 14-inch and MacBook Professional 16-inch launched in 2021, each the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air laptops characteristic a flatter, extra utilitarian design. The M3 Air will probably preserve this characteristic, together with MagSafe charging. Each of the M2 MacBook Airs are available in 4 colours so it’s affordable to count on the identical for the MacBook Air M3.
Equally, the MacBook Air M3 will probably additionally sport the identical vivid and colourful 13.6-inch (2,560 x 1,664) Liquid Retina show because the M2 mannequin.
MacBook Air M3: Outlook
The MacBook Air M3 continues to be a rumor so it’s greatest to take the whole lot written above with a grain of salt. That mentioned, Mark Gurman has a fairly good observe report together with his Apple reviews so it’s not unreasonable to imagine most of what we coated right here will come to go in some kind — particularly given the recognition of MacBook Air laptops.
With Apple’s anticipated September occasion developing, it’ll be good to see the corporate give us a sign in regards to the new MacBook Air and the M3 chip it’s reportedly operating on. Keep tuned for extra updates as we get them.