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Apple has recently released the M3 MacBook Air, and for those of us still using the M1 model, you might be wondering if it’s time for an upgrade.
After all, two new models and chips have come and gone, so some users might be worrying that their M1 MacBook Air is becoming somewhat of an antique. Apple seems to be pushing this narrative, claiming the M3 Macbook Air is up to 60% faster than its M1 predecessor, specifically when it comes to gaming and video editing.
But as we’ve previously discovered, chip upgrades aren’t all that noticeable unless you have particular performance gripes. So, apart from the new M3 chip, is there any other compelling reason why you should buy an M3 over an M1 MacBook Air?
Maybe you’re hankering for a 15-inch display, or you need more memory, or you like to just have the latest Apple devices. Let’s see if it’s worth making the leap and parting with your cash in our buying guide.
M1 MacBook Air vs M3: Chip
We’ve covered the differences between the Apple M1, M2, and M3 chips before, so if you want the details, you can find them here.
But for now, here are the main points!
CPU performance
The M1 MacBook Air and the M3 MacBook Air differ quite noticeably regarding speed in benchmark tests. This is partly because the M3 chip is based on the A17 Pro chip from the iPhone 15 Pro and the M1 is closer to the A14 in the iPhone 12.
The M3 series also has a faster CPU clock speed, with a maximum of 4.05 GHz compared to the M1’s 3.2 GHz. That means, Apple claims, that the M3’s 8-core CPU is up to 35% faster than the M1 series. An increased clock speed gives the M3 faster processing times and improved efficiency when multitasking.
It’s not going to be noticeable to most everyday users, but for those of us who have a million tabs open all at once (you know who you are, shame!), you might appreciate the update.
GPU performance
The M3 is being touted by some as Apple’s first chip for gaming due to its hefty support for GPU cores and additional processing features.
In general, the GPU controls the graphics, special effects, and video performance of your laptop. The M3’s superior GPU efficiency means that, according to Apple, it is up to 60% faster than its M1 sibling. But this mostly comes from the M3’s ability to support a whopping maximum of 40 GPU cores on the M3 MacBook Pro. You can only get a maximum 10-core GPU in the new MacBook Airs, only two more than the M1 MacBook Air. So the difference on paper is negligible.
The M3 chip also has hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, making graphics processing on Mac better than ever before. However, if you use a MacBook Air, I doubt you will be performing graphically demanding tasks like 3D rendering or video editing. These shiny GPU gains will go largely unnoticed.
If you want to do some of those tasks, you’ll find a MacBook Pro more useful!
Energy efficiency and battery life
The M3 chip offers superior energy efficiency compared to the M1 Series, meaning you should get a slightly longer battery life. This is because the M3 chip has a 3nm architecture, which allows it to achieve higher performance without a proportional increase in power consumption. Bigger is not better when it comes to processing nodes, and the M1 has a larger 5nm node.
That being said, the battery lives of all Silicon MacBook Airs sit roughly around the 18-hour mark maximum.
So, it shouldn’t be a defining factor concerning your upgrade decision.
M1 MacBook Air vs M3: Specifications
So what else is there? In our eyes, while the specifications don’t show any groundbreaking differences, it might be worth a look for some users…
Display, Unified Memory and SSD
Both the base level M3 MacBook Air and the M1 have a 256GB SSD, configurable up to 2TB.
They both come with 8GB unified memory (the same as the M2), but the M3 bests the M1 with the fact you can upgrade to 24GB, while the M1 can only get to a maximum of 16GB.
That’s not a major issue as most consumers are low-intensity users who find the 8GB plenty for their word processing or spreadsheet editing needs. And if they need more, 16GB should do just fine. However, if you’re a graphic designer or you’re into heavy video editing, then you will find the M3’s 24GB maximum very handy indeed.
If you are the video editing sort and don’t want to buy a MacBook Pro (for some reason), the M3 has something else that might come in handy…
A 15-inch display option!
Unfortunately for the M1, consumers are restricted to the smaller 13-inch.
But if you’re okay with this, and are not bothered about the 8GB/16GB unified memory, then the M1 is a fine choice. Plus, if you do change your mind about your storage needs later in life, you could always get an external hard drive. It should be noted though that you cannot upgrade you memory once you have bought a MacBook.
Ports
The M1 Macbook Air can only support one external display (the same as the M2). However, the M3 can support 2.
Even though the M1 and M3 both have two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, the M1 is without the MagSafe 3 charging port. MagSafe is a charger variant developed by Apple that doubles as a safety feature to prevent people or pets from damaging it.
Those are some of the more significant changes you will see if you trade in your M1 MacBook Air for an M3.
But when considering a new device, there’s one thing that should always be a factor in your decision-making…
M1 MacBook Air vs M3: Price
After releasing the new M3 MacBook Air, Apple discontinued the M1 Air, so you won’t be able to buy a new one directly from Apple. Other stores should still have some stock left to shift though.
You can still get a refurbished one from the Apple store for around $759/£759 or buy one from Best Buy starting at $674.99. If you take the plunge on a new M3 MacBook Air, the pricing starts at $1,099. That’s a difference of at least $400 if you’re buying in the US.
The company has education pricing, so if you’re a student or educator, you get a discount when you purchase a new MacBook Air. Or you could always go refurbished if you feel like you need an M3 MacBook Pro.
M1 MacBook Air vs M3: Design and Colours
This is obviously highly subjective, but we think the M3 does look cooler than the M1.
The M3 (and M2) has a more retro design, reminiscent of the first-ever MacBooks. It doesn’t have the M1’s tapered skeleton so when closed it has a squarer form.
A slight, almost imperceptible difference is the weight of these aluminium models. The M3 MacBook Air weighs the same as the M2 at 2.7 lbs, while the M1 weighs 2.8 lbs. It’s hardly worth mentioning, but some of you out there might care about the extra gram!
In terms of colour, the M1 Air comes in Gold, Silver and Space Grey while the M3 Air can be bought in Midnight, Starlight, Silver and Space Grey
Something to note is Apple has claimed that their new M3 Macbook Air is more environmentally friendly than the M1 model. Apparently, it’s “the first Apple product to be made with 50 per cent recycled content, including 100 per cent recycled aluminium in the enclosure, 100 per cent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets and, in another first for Apple, 100 per cent recycled copper in the main logic board.”
So, while the minimal weight difference might not sway you, the newer colours, squarer shape and more environmentally conscious design could give some users a valid reason to choose the M3 Air over an M1.
Is the M3 MacBook Air really that much better than the M1?
It’s an evolved product, so it is literally more advanced. But does that mean better?
The only truthful answer to that is yes, but marginally. In reality, most MacBook Air users won’t utilise the things that matter like improved graphics processing and super high threshold performance gains. However, if you are swayed by the M3 MacBook Air, you won’t be let down.
As we’ve stated in other articles, all of the M-series Macs will serve you well for at least the next five years and realistically more.
However, if you want to purchase a MacBook Air but the M1 doesn’t attract you, you could consider the M2. It’s extremely similar to the M3, and you’ll save yourself £100 when buying new, at the very least!
Either way, unless you’re a heavy-duty user who doesn’t want to buy a MacBook Pro, the M1 will suit you equally as well as the M3 for now.
What do you think is the most significant development between the M1 and M2 MacBook Air generations? Drop us a comment below!
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2 Comments
A well thought through article and assessment, I feel. As an Apple user for nearly 35 years and purchaser of more than 8 desk top machines as well as a dozen lap tops, I’m a fan boy you could say – albeit now nearly 80 years old. I’ve had all the Macbook Airs since day 1 of them. Currently with a 16/512 M1. I love the wedge shape which is nearly like the original, but not quite. My professional applications of the tech have ended, since I’m now retired. So why do I hanker after a new 15in M3 MacBook Air? The short answer is, “I’m playing now.” Possibly I’m just proposing to waste some of my pension. Not wise. Hmm. I can’t decide at all – especially after reading this. I’ll go and take a look at one in the flesh next week and see if it’s a toy I can’t live without. But I do love the original wedge shape just quite a lot.
It’s tempting, isn’t it… I wonder if having a look in person will make you cave and buy!