With the Apple October Event 2023 “Scary Fest” concluded, Apple brought forth much of the expected iDevices in the market, all of which are equipped with new technology, signature of the tech giant. The Macbook Air M3 is here and in a first for the company, Apple has released three chips to power the Macbook.
What’s more- the event also marked the retirement of a laptop and witnessed a much awaited drop in the price of Macbooks. In this blog, Savewithnerds will reveal everything that Apple has unveiled so far about the Macbook Air M3 and what predictions are being made.
The Newly Launched Trifecta of Chips
Despite the fact that the M2 CPU was introduced 16 months ago in June, the M2 Pro and M2 Max are just 9 months old, the Apple event of October marked the release of three new chips, namely the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max, The new chips are being hailed as the first in their field to be manufactured utilizing a 3-nanometer technique. The proliferation of more transistors leads to enhanced processing speeds and improved power use.
Any laptop with an M3 CPU, according to Apple, would have a battery life of up to 22 hours. The M3 model is equipped with a formidable octa-core CPU and the option for a decuple-core GPU, but the M3 Pro variant promises an impressive 12 core CPU and an astounding 18 core GPU. In contrast, the M3 Max’s CPU is equipped with a total of 16 cores, while its GPU has the potential to accommodate up to 40 cores
Apple asserts that these chips have the potential for use in the domain of AI research and development, representing a new endeavor for the company which may seem as a marker of considerable promise. Apple has also talked a great deal about the enhanced performance of the graphics processing units (GPUs) in their current generation, claiming a 1.8-fold increase in speed compared to the GPUs and a 15% improvement in speed when compared to the CPU performance found in the M2 processors
The M3 also has a thoroughly improved graphic processing capability in addition to its increased speed. With this type of capability and the Apple Game Porting Toolkit introduced in June, Macs may start to get a reputation as capable gaming computers. It simplifies the process of converting PC games to Mac OS X.
The Macbook Air M3- What Happened?
With the M3 in the market, Apple pulled a new stunt- instead of releasing it with the Macbook Air like it did with the initial M1 and M2 chips, they made the Scary Fest Event all about the Macbook Pro, derailing all expectations of a new Macbook Air in the market this fall.
It is even stranger since it might end up being a complete two years before the new upgrade to the AIr comes in the market, ever since its last update at the WWDC 2022. While it is indeed a great laptop, Apple has had it crushed with the gigantic Macbook Pro releases in the market. Talk about being left out. This hints at a possible synchronization of updates in the future for these laptops, underscoring that the M3 chip could be exclusively reserved for the “Pro” devices.
By holding back the M3 for the MacBook Pro, Apple effectively underscores the differentiation between its Pro and Air lineups. There is, however, a reason behind this tech ostracism in the Scary Fest event- the company did come out with the 15 inch Macbook Air this June, which too, had the M2 and has been out for only a few months, which will definitely make the release of the Macbook AIr M3 a loss for the company
The M3’s exclusivity for the Pro models enhances the appeal of these laptops, providing a clear distinction in terms of performance and features. Although the MacBook Air may eventually receive the M3 chip, this separation in chip availability enables Apple to maintain a nuanced product hierarchy that caters to diverse user preferences and needs. It helps maintain distinct markets for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, giving customers more options to choose a computer that meets their needs. Apple’s long-term plan includes this suspense over the M3 in the MacBook Air, which will boost the company’s “Pro” reputation and improve the user experience.
Macbook Air M3 Release Date
Mark Gurman’s earlier prediction for the MacBook Air’s release was modified in October, suggesting that the 13-inch and 15-inch M3 models are now in the engineering verification test (EVT) stage, so we can expect the MacBook Air update to be scheduled for the spring or WWDC in June 2024. Both MacBook Air models are likely to receive the update simultaneously.
Macbook Air M3 Design
In terms of design, Apple’s M3 MacBook Air is unlikely to feature significant changes. The M2 13-inch MacBook Air already received a complete redesign, eliminating the tapered design and adopting a more conventional look, akin to the 14-inch MacBook Pro. The M3 iteration, too, is expected to retain its status as one of the thinnest and lightest laptops available with a weight range of 1.29 kg-1.51 kg.
Macbook Air Display
It is quite probable that the M3 MacBook Air will include a display similar to that of its predecessor, the M2 model. The 13-inch MacBook Air models in the market are equipped with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display that has a resolution of 2,560 by 1,664 pixels. This display offered a maximum brightness of 500 nits, P3 color compatibility, and True Tone technology. The use of mini-LED technology in the next version of the MacBook Air would represent a significant advancement, enabling enhanced luminosity while minimizing energy usage.
It is quite probable that Apple will retain the notch positioned at the upper part of the screen, housing the 1080p FaceTime camera. This proactive measure is taken to ensure that the notch does not interfere with the 16:10 aspect ratio found below. The laptop has the capacity to operate an additional external display with a maximum resolution of 6k at a refresh rate of 60Hz. However, achieving this functionality will need the use of supplementary third-party hardware and software components.
Macbook Air M3 Specifications
Regarding specifications, developer logs have hinted at core configurations for the M3 series, indicating that the chip will feature 8 CPU cores (4 performance and 4 efficiency) along with 10 GPU cores. This is in line with the M2, which offers 8 CPU cores and is configurable to 10 GPU cores. The M3 is rumored to employ a new 3nm manufacturing process, potentially resulting in a faster chip with increased performance.
The memory configurations, too, are expected to be similar to the M2, with 8GB of unified memory as the base option and a possible expansion to 32GB, with new configurations like 36GB and 48GB emerging in testing.
The MacBook Air’s internal fanless design, again, is likely to remain unchanged but the incorporation of M3 might improve efficiency and enhance high-end performance without the need for internal fans.
Macbook Air M3 Battery
The battery size of the M3 is anticipated to be similar to that of the M2 models, perhaps accompanied by improved power efficiency that might lead to increased battery longevity. The present iteration of the M2 MacBook Air has been officially certified to provide a maximum duration of 18 hours for Apple TV app movie playing and up to 15 hours for wireless web use. These timeframes have the potential to be extended further with the introduction of the M3 variant.
Charging options are expected to align with the current offerings, including a standard 30W USB-C Power Adapter and a 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter. USB-C to MagSafe 3 power cables will be included with both models. Additionally, the MacBook Air will support fast charging with a 70W USB-C Power Adapter or other compatible options.
Also read: The Scary Fest- Apple October Event 2023- Macbooks, M3, Speculations And More
Conclusion
The new Macbook Air M3 might prove to be another testament of the way Apple has revolutionized the digital landscape by providing a seamless technical experience. With a sturdy set of specs in a sleek frame, not only is it built to last, it will also make processing smooth and breezy. This is everything that Apple has revealed so far, or has been speculated by tech experts about the upcoming Macbook Air M3. Stay tuned to Savewithnerds for latest updates about the new Macbook Air M3 and look for yourself at what the new model has to offer to you.
