M1 MacBook Air vs M3 MacBook Air: What makes a difference?

When a new product is released, Apple often creates a lot of excitement around it before it ever reaches store shelves. But sometimes, the business decides to surprise everyone in the computer industry by releasing a product quietly and without any attention. With the most recent M3 MacBook Air, this is precisely the situation.

The contrast between the M3 MacBook Air and the M1 model demonstrates how far Apple has gone from its first Apple Silicon computer.

The quiet release may be the result of very minor variations between generations, as we investigated in our comparison of the M3 and M2 MacBook Airs. Apple decided to quietly update the specs of the new chassis rather than risk coming off as lackluster.

When comparing the M1 MacBook Air to the most recent model, the narrative is very different, despite the fact that the changes between the M2 and M3 may seem rather little. The contrast between the M3 MacBook Air and the M1 model demonstrates how far Apple has gone from its first Apple Silicon computer.

M1 MacBook Air vs M3 MacBook Air: Cost and accessibility

New but full price or old but discounted?

The availability of these two models is the primary distinction between them. After four years, Apple ultimately ceased selling new M1 models on its website with the launch of the M3 MacBook Air. This implies that although Apple is only retailing reconditioned versions, you can still purchase it from independent sellers.

Naturally, the M1 MacBook Air is still available for purchase despite its declared lack of availability. It is still available brand new online from certain dealers, and you can also get excellent used or refurbished prices, which makes it a very reasonably priced device.

On the other hand, the M3 MacBook Air is now available and brand-new, both on Apple’s website and in other physical retailers. The 13-inch model with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage costs $1099, while the 15-inch variant with 24GB RAM and 2TB storage costs $2499.

M1 MacBook Air vs M3 MacBook Air: Specifications: the in-depth information

A new Apple Silicone has arrived in town.

The two models’ names reveal the largest specifications difference between them. Depending on the model, the M1 processor in the MacBook Air has eight CPU cores and either seven or eight GPU cores. Apart from that, you get 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB of inbuilt, non-expandable storage along with 8/16GB of unified memory. A 16-core neural engine and a 49.9Wh battery are also included, although there is no media engine. There is just one screen size available for the M1 MacBook Air, which is the popular 13.3 inch format.

In contrast, the M3 MacBook Air is pre-installed with the sleek, modern M3 processor. Compared to the previous design, which we will discuss in more depth later, it’s a significant improvement. Even though it is far quicker than the M1 model, it still has 8 CPU cores. Additionally, you get a 16-core neural engine, 8 or 10 GPU cores, and an integrated media engine that decodes video codecs, greatly speeding up operations like video editing.

There are two screen sizes available for the M3 MacBook Air: 13.6 and 15.3. It may be configured with 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB of inbuilt non-expandable storage and 8/16/24GB of unified RAM.

More specifics on the two machines’ specifications

M1 MacBook Air vs M3 MacBook Air: Updates and enhancements to the design

The previous several years have seen a lot of changes.

The two gadgets have very distinct designs, which is the first change you’ll notice. The M3 MacBook Air boldly presents a new look that is quite different from the previous one, while the M1 MacBook Air is among the final computers to use Apple’s previous design language.

Although we’ll save the display differences until the end of the comparison, be aware that there are some notable variations. The M1 MacBook Air has a well-known wedge form with tapered edges on the exterior of the device. Though it is a little long in the tooth, it is iconic.

The design language of the 2021 M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pros is carried over into the upcoming M3 MacBook Air. It has rounded edges and straight angles, giving it a more squared-off appearance. The four hues that are now available are Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver. Together with excellent build quality and a clean, contemporary design, the laptop also comes in various colors with a brand-new fingerprint-resistant coating that was originally seen on the M3 Pro/M3 Max MacBook Pro.

M1 MacBook Air vs M3 MacBook Air: Pixels, refresh rates, and display brightness

Does one size fit all? Not any longer

As I’ve already shown, the screens on these two devices vary greatly from one another. The M1 has advantages of its own in the display sector, so the benefits of the M3 are not as obvious in this case.

Beginning with the previous iteration, the M1 MacBook Air has a recognizable screen that was first seen in the Air’s 2018 revamp. It’s a good display all around, with a 13.3-inch, 2560 x 1600px screen that produces superb color fidelity. Even at its 60Hz refresh rate and large bezels for a 2024 screen, it performs well. It’s important to note that nothing interferes with your viewing experience since there are no camera cutouts or notches, as you’ll see a little later.

Remarkably, the M3 MacBook Air has chosen to go in a somewhat different direction. For the 13-inch model, it has a 13.6-inch screen with 2560 x 1664 pixels, and for the 15-inch model, a 15.3-inch screen with 2880 x 1864 pixels. Even more attractive and color correct overall, it refreshes at a just 60Hz.

The main distinction is located just above the screen, where a 1080p camera is housed in a notch present in both M3 variants. If you choose the M3 model, you’ll have to learn to live with that gash since it disrupts the otherwise fantastic screen. However, it also makes sure that the bezels are quite tiny, so at least you get something pleasant.

 Performance M3 increases the velocity

At last, we’re getting close to the area of performance where the new M3 MacBook Pro really shines. The IT community was shocked by how quick and energy-efficient the new processors remained when Apple moved to using Apple Silicon. However, the third generation is now much more superior and provides incredible performance after four years.

But first, let’s talk about the M1 MacBook Air. It’s still a competent small computer, particularly taking into account how light and energy-efficient it is, after these four years. Even if it’s no longer the greatest on the charts, it’s still more than sufficient for all of your daily chores and maybe even light picture or video editing. Higher-resolution video editing may not be possible for you because of its absence of a media engine, but 1080p will still work well.

But the M3 MacBook Air is a whole other matter. It’s a performance beast, coming two generations after the M1, but keep in mind that the basic configuration only has 8GB of RAM.

The 10-core GPU in the M3 is at least 50% faster than the 8-core GPU in the higher-spec M1, and the M3 is around 35% quicker in multicore programs and 25–30% faster in single-core apps than the M1. It’s a carnage, but the advantages in performance go far further than that.

Although the M3 is far more powerful than the M1, the M1 is still a perfectly good chip for everyday usage and is by no means sluggish.

The M3’s media engine makes it simple to manage several streams of 4K video, so you can edit even large videos on this portable, thin laptop. If you find a macOS game that runs on it, like Baldur’s Gate 3, you can even play games on it. Not to mention the Neural Engine, which should make all AI tasks easy to handle since it is around 60% quicker than the one in M1.

Although the M3 is often much more powerful than the M1, the M1 is still a perfectly good chip for light usage, so don’t let that deter you from using it.

M1 MacBook Air vs M3 MacBook Air: Life of batteries and charging

a noticeable increase in battery life

To be honest, although many users like the performance during the Apple Silicone changeover, it’s not the most noteworthy modification. The M1 and M3 MacBook Airs have incredible battery lives, hence they deserve to win this award.

It’s interesting to note that the M1 MacBook Air and M3 MacBook Air have very long battery lives. The M1 and M3 MacBook Air models are rated for 15 hours of online surfing or 18 hours of movie playing with the use of the Apple TV software.

Although there is a difference in charging, the speed is not as important. The M1 MacBook Air only supports standard USB-C charging, but the M3 MacBook Air can be charged using both the MagSafe connection and standard USB-C charging. There is no magnetic goodness for the previous version since it does not have a MagSafe connector.

Programs and additional elements

When deciding between the two, or maybe wondering whether it’s time to move to the newest generation, there are a few extra things to consider.

Support for two external displays is the M3 MacBook Air’s first significant improvement. The M3 addresses the major drawback of Apple’s original Apple Silicone chips, which was its inability to handle multiple displays. Although you can only utilize two external displays at this time—and only if your laptop is closed and not in use of the internal screen—it’s still a significant advance over the M1 MacBook Air’s single external screen.

There’s also going to be a noticeable difference in software support. Since the M3 MacBook Air already has macOS 14 Sonoma installed, you can anticipate receiving around 6-7 more macOS updates.

Conversely, the M1 MacBook Air debuted with macOS 11 Big Sur back in 2020. Of course, you can update it to Sonoma, but as of right now, we’re not sure how long Apple intends to provide software upgrades for it. We estimate three to four more upgrades based on Intel-based Mac update lifespans in the past. Your M1 machine will thus have a far shorter lifetime than its M3 equivalent.

Other, smaller distinctions are also noteworthy. While the M1 model of the MacBook Air only supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, the M3 model supports both Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The M1 only has a meager 2-speaker arrangement that sounds substantially poorer than the subsequent variants, whereas the 13-inch M3 Air and the 15-inch have 6- and 4-speaker setups, respectively. Even the M3 version’s headphone jack is superior to the M1 model’s since it can accommodate more powerful headphones.

In summary, which MacBook Air is superior?

It is quite clear to observe that the M3 MacBook Air—whether the 13-inch or 15-inch model—is the higher performing device after seeing all these changes and enhancements. It has a better screen (although one with a notch), is more speedier, and supports more recent features. The M3 MacBook Air is a fantastic option if you only need a basic computer for taking notes, editing photos or videos, or even playing certain Mac games.

Having said that, the M1 MacBook Air is a really good computer, so you shouldn’t let this deter you from purchasing it right now. Even while it’s not as fast and doesn’t have some of the more sophisticated capabilities, it still manages to handle whatever you throw at it and works well for casual work and play. You also get the notchless screen, which is a huge help to those who find it annoying when odd cuts in their field of vision are made.

 Is it better to go from an M1 MacBook Air to an M3 MacBook Air?

Having established which laptop is technically superior, the more challenging issue is: should you have upgraded from your M1 MacBook Air already? As usual, the solution is not that easy to find.

In general, you should definitely continue with your M1 if you’re still satisfied with its performance. It’s still a highly competent laptop, and if all you use it for is work, text editing, or schooling, its performance and battery life should last you for quite a few more years. It can still be used adequately for most everyday tasks.

The M3 MacBook Air, on the other hand, is unquestionably a quicker, better notebook with a number of benefits. If you edit movies often, you may wish to move to the new Air since using the M3’s media engine will make the process go much more quickly. Additionally, the performance is outstanding as always and should easily last you for many years to come.

Apple MacBook Air M3 review: Don’t ignore it