On the evening of March 4, Beijing time, Apple launched the updated MacBook Air 13-inch and 15-inch models in China and around the world online. The laptop comes with the latest M3 chip and has received some other updates. **Following the release of the MacBook Air, Apple began phasing out the M1 version of the MacBook Air and discontinued the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, which was launched in June 2023. So which model should you buy?
M2 vs M3 MacBook Air Buying Guide The 2024 MacBook Air has the same 13 as its predecessor6 inches and 153-inch display sizes are available, with prices starting at 8,999 yuan for smaller models and 10,499 yuan for larger models. It is worth mentioning that in 2022, it will be equipped with 13The 6-inch version of the "MacBook Air" is still in the product lineup, and the current price starts at 7999 yuan. This means that buyers can choose between the 2022 MacBook Air and the 2024 model.
M2 vs M3 chip
The main upgrade for the 2024 MacBook Air models is the M3 chip. In benchmarks, M3 outperforms M2 by about 17% for single-core tasks and 21% for multi-core tasks. In terms of GPU performance as measured by the METAL benchmark, M3 is a significant improvement of about 15% over M2. Compared with the M1 MacBook Air, the M2 model is up to 14 times, the speed of the M3 model has been increased by up to 16 times.
The M3 chip introduces a completely new GPU architecture. The architecture includes a breakthrough feature called Dynamic Caching, which optimizes the allocation and utilization of GPU memory, adapting to different task needs in real time. This enhancement not only improves graphics performance for intensive applications, but also improves the overall power efficiency of the chip. This is especially beneficial for graphics-intensive tasks such as advanced editing, 3D rendering, and gaming. It also supports 1 decoding, which provides more efficient and higher quality from streaming services.
Although the 16-core neural network engine of the M2 and M3 are similar, the 3nm manufacturing process used by the M3 is more efficient for machine learning and artificial intelligence tasks. In addition, the M3 maintains up to 24GB of unified memory like the M2, but utilizes a new process to achieve more efficient memory bandwidth utilization.
Comparison of computing and processing capabilities Another significant difference between M2 and M3 chips is energy efficiency. The 3nm manufacturing process enables the M3 chip to achieve higher performance without a corresponding increase in power consumption, which makes the chip particularly attractive to laptop users who are concerned about the balance of power consumption and battery life.
Overall, the M3 chip is a major upgrade to the M2 chip, which is distinguished by a higher number of transistors, stronger CPU and GPU task performance, and higher energy efficiency. While M3 has a clear improvement, in terms of its superiority, current M2 users don't need to upgrade immediately, especially if their existing workflows can still be done with ease. For new buyers or users upgrading from older models, the M3's improvements in performance and efficiency will be even more noticeable.
Others are different
In addition to the chip, there are some noticeable differences between the two generations of MacBook Air. While these upgrades are smaller, they're worth noting when considering whether or not to buy the latest model.
In terms of the size of the M3 MacBook Air, the M2 MacBook Air is currently only available in 136-inch version, 15The 3-inch model has been discontinued. And the M3 MacBook Air offers 136 inches and 153-inch two versions;
In terms of connectivity, the M2 MacBook Air only supports one external display, while the M3 MacBook Air supports up to two external displays when closed.
In terms of WiFi, the M2 MacBook Air supports WiFi 6, and the M3 MacBook Air supports the faster WiFi 6E.
In addition, the M3 MacBook Air supports "Voice Accentuation" and "Wide Spectrum" microphone modes, making audio and ** calls clearer.
*In terms of terms, the price of the M2 MacBook Air starts at 7999 yuan, and the price of the M3 MacBook Air starts at 8999 yuan.
In terms of other configurations, the M2 and M3 models are almost identical, with a thin and light design, with a battery life of up to 18 hours.
Recommendations
Overall, the M3 MacBook Air is only a minor upgrade from its predecessor, with a primary focus on enhanced performance rather than new features. Its main target audience is those who have an older MacBook Air like the M1 or Intel processor-based models or those who don't have a MacBook Air at all.
Unless you can take advantage of the special benefits of the M3 chip and demand maximum performance from its highly portable form factor, the M3 MacBook Air may not be worth trading in compared to the M2 MacBook Air for most users. However, if you're inclined to use your computer for years, so future development is your top priority, it may be worth spending an extra $1,000 on the latest model. If you have multiple monitors, the M3 model's support for two external monitors may also influence your purchase decision.
If you're planning to buy a MacBook Air from Apple and want a bigger 153-inch version, then the latest M3 model is your only choice, because the M2 version 15The 3-inch model is now discontinued. But despite this, M2 15The 3-inch MacBook Air is still pre-owned, refurbished, and third-party retailers**, which is well below the $10,499 for the latest model. If you want a bigger screen, you might want to consider these discounted M3 models before choosing to buy the latest M2 models outright.
For the vast majority of users, upgrading from M2 to M3 MacBook Air is certainly not worth it. Unless you want a bigger display, it might make more sense to upgrade from the M2 13-inch MacBook Air to the M3 15-inch MacBook Air, but the latest generation has few meaningful feature improvements compared to the previous generation.