Apple unveils MacBook Air M3: Faster chip, WiFi 6E, Dual Display
Apple has lifted the curtain on its latest iteration of the MacBook Air, showcasing upgraded performance and features powered by the company's cutting-edge silicon. Retaining its sleek design, the new MacBook Air promises a significant boost in power compared to its predecessor, along with several enhancements across the board.
Continuing its tradition of innovation, Apple introduces the MacBook Air M3 in both 13 and 15-inch variants, a departure from the sequential release pattern seen with the M2 Air. Despite this, the design remains consistent, featuring the signature flat-edged chassis and display notch that users have come to recognize.
One notable improvement lies in the device's connectivity capabilities, with the M3 variants now capable of driving two external displays simultaneously, albeit with the caveat of requiring the laptop lid to be closed for dual display functionality. Additionally, both models retain the acclaimed Liquid Retina screens with 500 nits peak brightness, ensuring vivid visuals for users.
Beneath the surface, the new MacBook Air is powered by Apple's M3 processor, boasting an 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU, and a faster 16-core Neural Engine. Positioned as "the world's best consumer laptop for AI," the M3 promises a substantial performance leap of 60 percent compared to the aging M1 model and boasts a staggering 13x improvement over the fastest Intel-based MacBooks. Gaming enthusiasts will also appreciate hardware-accelerated mesh shading, ray tracing capabilities, and AV1 decoding support for a more immersive experience.
Beyond performance enhancements, the MacBook Air M3 introduces WiFi-6E technology for faster connectivity, along with voice isolation and wide spectrum microphone modes to enhance audio clarity during calls. Notably, the device features a 1080p FaceTime camera, three microphones, and support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos for an enriched multimedia experience.
Available in midnight, starlight, space gray, and silver variants, the midnight option boasts an anodization seal to minimize visible fingerprints, addressing a common concern among users.
Pricing for the MacBook Air M3 starts at $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch variant. In India, prices start at Rs 1,14,900 and Rs 1,34,900, respectively. Pre-orders are now open, with shipments scheduled to begin on March 8th, offering consumers the opportunity to experience the next level of performance and innovation firsthand.