Exciting Future for the MacBook Air: What’s Next for the M3?
Written on
Chapter 1: Anticipating the New MacBook Air
The buzz surrounding the potential release of a 15-inch MacBook Air is palpable. What should we expect?
As the WWDC approaches, speculation mounts about the introduction of the M3 chip within a 15-inch MacBook Air. While some reports suggest this may happen soon, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my experience with the M2 MacBook Air over the past ten months, as well as what’s on the horizon for Apple’s entry-level laptop.
Initially, I underutilized my MacBook Air; after purchasing and reviewing it, it mostly sat idle, merely serving as a tool for checking emails. I now recognize how much I wasted the potential of this device.
In the studio, I had been relying on my older 2015 iMac for tasks like light edits in Lightroom, simple Photoshop work, and recording audio. Recently, out of curiosity, I decided to see how the MacBook Air would perform in these areas.
To my surprise, after reinstalling Creative Cloud, the MacBook Air performed exceptionally well. This lightweight notebook, priced at £1200, outpaced my heavily outfitted 27-inch iMac, showcasing the remarkable advancement of Apple silicon over the past seven years.
The Longevity of the Midnight Air
The Midnight color I selected for my MacBook Air has remained pristine over the last ten months, free from scratches even around the ports. I didn’t have to worry about fingerprints, but if I were to purchase another in the future—perhaps the 15-inch model—I might opt for a more conservative color to match my other equipment.
The display quality is impressive. Early headlines claimed the Air’s screen was dimmer than that of the MacBook Pro. However, the Pro's maximum brightness of 1600 nits is only relevant for HDR content. For standard SDR usage, both devices perform identically at 500 nits. While the Pro's 120Hz ProMotion display offers smoother scrolling and deeper blacks, the MacBook Air’s screen is still vibrant and color-accurate, meeting modern standards. Yet, it seems we might soon see an even better and larger display.
Limitations and Opportunities
While my current specifications aren’t ideal, they were what was available on launch day. My MacBook Air has 8GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage. Although the storage isn’t an issue due to my use of external drives, the limited RAM has proven to be a challenge. I believe that 16GB of RAM paired with the 10-core GPU and 8-core CPU would have made for an optimal setup. While the MacBook Air isn't designed for heavy content creation, a little extra RAM would provide the necessary capacity for applications like Photoshop and Lightroom.
The two USB-C ports have functioned well, especially with the return of MagSafe charging, freeing up both ports for use simultaneously. Battery health appears good, and I’m now trying to cycle it more often rather than keeping it plugged in constantly. Connectivity via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth has been reliable.
However, I’m eager to shift focus from last year’s model to the exciting developments we may see shortly.
The Future of the MacBook Air
So, what’s happening with the M3 chips and the upcoming MacBook Air? Reports suggest a 15-inch MacBook Air could be on the way, potentially debuting at WWDC or even sooner. According to industry expert Ross Young, the 15-inch Air is still slated for release, possibly even before the end of this month. With Mac sales currently sluggish, Apple is likely keen to stimulate sales with this new model. Production of the necessary panels was reportedly ramped up in March, indicating that an announcement may be imminent.
Should we see a 15-inch MacBook Air by WWDC, it will likely feature the M2 chip. A processor matching this configuration was recently identified in developer logs, suggesting it will include 8 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. The Macs running these specs are compatible with macOS 14, which will be unveiled in June but may launch with Ventura and update later.
While the display resolution is expected to be similar to the 14-inch MacBook Pro, it may not be as sharp. More significant advancements are anticipated with the transition to a 3-nanometer production process, which promises enhanced performance and efficiency.
Although I know you may be hoping for an M3 chip in a 15-inch MacBook Air by WWDC, I doubt that will happen, as it doesn’t align with Apple’s broader strategy this year. Besides the 15-inch Air, we can expect two other releases by summer: the Mac Pro and an update for the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Looking Ahead
In summary, it seems that the M3 3-nanometer chip won’t be ready until fall, with its debut likely in an updated iMac that hasn’t seen any changes since its launch, followed by the 13-inch MacBook Air. The more powerful M3 variants—Pro, Max, and Ultra—are expected early next year.
The decision to release the new 15-inch Air with an M2 chip this summer is a strategic one, aimed at boosting sales during a downturn. A new model would attract interest, and Apple could then introduce the 13-inch Air with the M3 chip in time for the holiday season.
The only scenario in which we might see an M3 earlier in a MacBook Air would involve a downgrade to the A16 Bionic chip, which would still be based on 5-nanometer technology—essentially a stopgap measure.
In terms of design, I anticipate that the new MacBook Air will look quite similar to the current model, with the next generation focusing on a larger display, enhanced speed, and the shift to 3-nanometer architecture. If they could incorporate an SD card slot, that would be a bonus!
Final Thoughts
Do you think Apple will unveil both sizes of the Air at WWDC, with the 5-nanometer M3 chip, or follow the more logical route of launching the 15-inch Air with the M2, reserving the M3 chips for a later release?
Recently, I’ve rekindled my appreciation for my MacBook Air and have come to realize just how quick, quiet, and efficient it is. The moment my iMac's fans kicked in while I was typing a script was a clear sign that it was time to move on.
The 15-inch MacBook Air seems poised to meet several important needs. The larger screen could reduce the necessity for an external display, all while remaining lightweight and portable compared to the MacBook Pro.
I’ve come to see the value of utilizing my MacBook Air more frequently, and if the 15-inch model is released by WWDC, I’ll not only ensure I use it more but also learn from my earlier missteps.
Getting Involved
If you enjoy my articles and want to keep up with my latest insights, consider joining Medium through this link. You’ll receive my blogs daily as soon as they’re published, along with email notifications.
Additionally, you can subscribe to my free weekly video newsletter. Just share your details here, and I'll send you a recap of the week every Sunday.
This video explores the top 23 tips and tricks for maximizing your experience with the M3 MacBook Air.
In this video, learn why you might want to reconsider purchasing the M3 MacBook Air at this time.