Apple launches new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip

Apple's most affordable laptop has gotten an upgrade.
By Stan Schroeder  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Apple MacBook Air
Finally, you can connect two external displays to these. Credit: Apple

Apple's new MacBook Air laptops are here as predicted, and while the upgrades are only on the inside, they're quite notable.

The new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air now both feature Apple's M3 chip, which the company says is up to 60 percent faster than the model with the M1 chip (Apple doesn't compare with the M2 chip, likely because the differences aren't that big).

The M3 chip offers some additional benefits, such as faster Wi-Fi (thanks to support for the Wi-Fi 6E standard), as well as being able to connect the laptop to two external monitors, though only if the lid is closed. The M3 also has a 16-core Neural Engine, which translates into faster performance for AI-related tasks.

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Apple MacBook Air
The external design of the new MacBook Air hasn't changed compared to the previous version. Credit: Apple

Other specs of note include 18-hour battery life, up to 24GB of RAM, and up to 2TB of storage for both the 13-inch and the 15-inch variant (none of these have changed compared with the previous models).

On the outside, the new laptops look exactly the same as the previous variants, and have the same dimensions.

The new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air start at $1,099 and $1,299 respectively, and are both available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space gray. The new laptops go on sale on March 8 in Apple Store locations and at Apple Authorized Resellers.

Notably, you can still buy the M2 version of the MacBook Air from Apple, but only the 13-inch variant, which starts at $999.

Apple MacBook Air

Apple's new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air

Topics Apple

Stan Schroeder
Stan Schroeder
Senior Editor

Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.


Recommended For You

Our favorite laptop just reached its best price ever
A MacBook Air sitting on a table in a café

Get the M1 MacBook Air for an all-time low price of $649 at Walmart
By Palash Volvoikar
MacBook Air on pink and green background

Get the M2 MacBook Air for an all-time low price of $799 at Amazon
By Palash Volvoikar
2022 MacBook Air M2 laptop open against a blue backdrop with cloud patterns


More in Tech
Spotify is piloting a Premium membership tailored for kids
A person drawsingthe Spotify logo wearing a pair headphones in chalk.

The best 40th birthday gift ideas
By Liz Zack
gift box with the number 40

Budget-friendly dorm essentials: Snag last-minute deals for college students
Female student sitting on floor, reading books, studying for final exam at university. Beautiful student at home eating cereals.

Harris-Trump presidential debate: When it is, how to livestream
Kamala Harris strides on to the DNC stage.

Harris-Trump presidential debate time and live streaming options
Kamala Harris speaking enthusiastically at the DNC podium.

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 16
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 16
a phone displaying Wordle

Webb telescope peers into our galaxy's outskirts, sees stunning scene
An artist's conception of the James Webb Space Telescope observing the cosmos 1 million miles from Earth.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: What are the differences?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on the left next to an iPhone 16 Pro Max on the rght

'Should I upgrade to iPhone 16?’ Only if you fall into these 5 categories
iPhone 16 Plus at Apple Glowtime event
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!
  翻译: