Here's the Thing about the M3 Macbook Air...

Summary

The video discusses the recent refresh of the MacBook Air, highlighting a new anodization for a slightly more fingerprint-resistant exterior and the inclusion of the M3 chip, which offers a 10-20% performance boost over the M2, with a focus on graphics improvements and ray tracing. However, the video argues that the M3 MacBook Air may not be the best recommendation for regular users due to its higher price and the availability of a cheaper M2 model. It criticizes Apple's high markup for upgrades and advises viewers to consider their computing needs before opting for the M3, suggesting that for basic tasks, the M2 or even the discounted M1 MacBook Air could be more suitable.

Takeaways

• 💻 The MacBook Air has been refreshed with two main updates: a new anodization for the exterior and the M3 chip.
• 📦 The new anodization is supposed to be more fingerprint resistant, but it still shows fingerprints without a skin or case.
• 🛍️ A skin from Dbrand is recommended for better fingerprint resistance and a break from the standard MacBook colors.
• 🔋 The M3 chip is a known quantity, having been introduced in the iMac and MacBook Pro, offering performance improvements over the M2.
• 🚀 The M3 chip brings about 10-20% performance improvement, with a focus on graphics and the addition of ray tracing capabilities.
• 🔄 The base storage on the M3 MacBook Air has been improved, addressing the slower storage issue found in the M2 model.
• 💰 The introduction of the M3 MacBook Air has led to a price drop for the M2 model, making it a more attractive option for some users.
• 💡 The MacBook Air is typically easy to recommend, but the M3 model's pricing and the availability of the cheaper M2 model make it less so.
• 💡 The base spec of the MacBook Air (8GB RAM and 256GB storage) may be sufficient for light users but can become expensive with upgrades.
• 💸 Apple's pricing for upgrades is considered high, making the base model seem less of a deal than it appears.
• 🛒 For users needing a MacBook Air for basic tasks, the M2 model offers a cost-effective option, and the M1 model can still be found at retailers like Walmart and Best Buy.

Q & A

What is the main update in the refreshed MacBook Air?

The main updates in the refreshed MacBook Air are the new anodization on the outside, which is slightly more fingerprint resistant, and the new M3 chip inside.

How effective is the new anodization in preventing fingerprints on the MacBook Air?

The new anodization is only marginally effective in preventing fingerprints. It still gets fingerprints if handled regularly without a skin or a case. The speaker suggests relying on a skin from Dbrand for better fingerprint resistance.

What are the improvements of the M3 chip over its predecessor?

The M3 chip offers a performance improvement of around 10 to 20% over the M2, with a heavier lean on graphics improvements and the addition of ray tracing capabilities.

Why might the MacBook Air with the new M3 chip not be the best recommendation for everyone?

The MacBook Air with the M3 chip might not be the best recommendation because the price of the M2 model has been lowered, and for regular, light usage, the M2 chip provides sufficient performance. Additionally, the base spec of the M3 model may not offer the best value due to Apple's high markup for upgrades.

What is the starting price for the new M3 MacBook Air and the M2 MacBook Air?

The new M3 MacBook Air starts at $1,099, while the M2 MacBook Air, after the price drop, starts at $999.

Why did Apple discontinue the M1 MacBook Air?

The script does not provide a specific reason for discontinuing the M1 MacBook Air, but it mentions that Apple has introduced the M3 chip and lowered the price of the M2 model.

How does the base storage on the M3 MacBook Air compare to the M2 model?

The base storage on the M3 MacBook Air appears to be much improved compared to the M2 model, which had a slower storage module in the base 256 GB model.

What are the additional features of the M3 MacBook Air that justify its higher price?

The M3 MacBook Air offers dual external display support with the lid closed and one external display with the laptop open, and it has a more capable M3 chip with improved graphics and ray tracing capabilities.

Why does the speaker suggest that the base spec of the MacBook Air in 2024 might not be usable for some users?

The speaker suggests that the base spec might not be usable for users who need more than the standard 8 GB of shared RAM and 256 GB of storage, as Apple's markup for upgrades is very high, making the base price seem less attractive.

What is the speaker's advice for users who only need a MacBook Air for light computing tasks?

The speaker advises users who only need a MacBook Air for light computing tasks to consider the cheaper M2 MacBook Air or even the M1 model if available, as the M3 model's capabilities may be unnecessary for their needs.

How does the new M3 MacBook Air compare to other Apple devices in terms of performance and capabilities?

The new M3 MacBook Air is a more capable machine than its predecessors, offering improved performance and features like ray tracing and external display support. It is positioned as a high-end device that can handle more demanding tasks compared to the base models.