Expert review Apple MacBook Air M3 (2024)
Tested MacBook models
- Thanks to its compact size, you can easily take the MacBook with you.
- Thanks to the low 1.24kg weight, it's ideal for on the go.
- Enjoy clear sound with the 4 speakers and 2 woofers.
- Fingerprints are more noticeable on the dark casing.
- You won't miss any details on a larger screen.
- Thanks to its light weight of only 1.51kg, you can also easily take this MacBook with you.
- Enjoy the best sound with the 6 speakers and 2 force-canceling woofers.
- This model fits less easily on small surfaces, like on the train.
First impression of MacBook Air M3 (2024)
I carefully remove the adhesive strips from the bottom of the box and take off the lid. My MacBook is wrapped in transparent, paper foil. In the compartment below the MacBook, I find a compact 30W USB-C power adapter, a 2m long USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable, instruction manuals, and Apple stickers. I open the lid and the configuration assistant helps me with the installation.
Ideal for on the go
The design of the 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch models is exactly the same. I can see a MagSafe connector, 2 USB-C ports, and a mini jack connector. Both models easily fit in a work bag. The 15-inch model is less suitable for small surfaces though. Think of continuing to work on the train where the tables aren't very big. Even though it has an anti-fingerprint coating, I can still see some fingerprints on the dark casing of the 13-inch model.
Super fast and energy-efficient
Thanks to the M3 chip, everything I do on my MacBook goes very fast and smoothly. I mostly notice this when doing general tasks, but also during more demanding tasks like photo and video editing. My MacBook doesn't slow down and my creations render quickly. I can play a light game from the App Store at the same time. Thanks to the new mesh shading and ray tracing technologies, images look even more fluent. The MacBook Air is also very energy-efficient: the battery only ran out after 2 days of intensive use.
Sharp image and clear sound
I'm positively surprised by the quality of the Liquid Retina display. This True Tone screen supports up to 1 million colors, so everything looks more realistic. Even when I'm lounging on my couch, details look razor-sharp and I can enjoy my favorite Netflix series. The speakers complete my experience. The 13-inch MacBook Air has 4 speakers, 2 woofers, and 2 tweeters. The 15-inch model has 6 speakers, 2 force-canceling woofers, and 2 tweeters. That way, you hear the sound all around you.
Business use
Of course, I also use my MacBook Air for work. Previously, I just connected 1 external screen to my MacBook. With M3, you can connect up to 2 extra monitors to a closed MacBook. This is ideal when I work in large spreadsheets. Meanwhile, I divide my work between various tabs and smoothly work in online management systems. I'm also very happy with WiFi 6E: I'm always ensures a fast and stable connection.
Conclusion
With the M3, the MacBook Air comes even closer to the MacBook Pro. You can smoothly work on projects and connect up to 2 external screen so you can multitask faster. Are you on the go often? Both models are easy to take with you. The 15-inch models don't fit on smaller surfaces that well, though.
