Recently, the Cupertino team quietly presented a minor update to the MacBook Air line. The update is really minor, laptops are of minimal size from generation to generation.
I decided to compare all three current MacBook Airs on Apple ARM processors and understand which model is better to buy in the spring of 2024: the first Air of 2020, the second Air of 2022/2023, or the new product of 2024.
Appearance and dimensions. The famous wedge-shaped Air style or the familiar lug design
💻 MacBook Air on M1 has dimensions 30.41 x 21.24 x 0.41–1.61 cm and weight – 1.29 kg. The shape of the body is wedge-shaped when viewed from the side. Large panels near display hinges 1.61 cmand the minimum is only 0.41 cm.
The model is available in the following colors: Space Grey, Silver and Gold.
💻 MacBook Air on M2 has dimensions 30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13 cm and weighs 1.24 kg. The thickness of the body is the same over the entire area, the design is in the “proshek” style with small knives at the bottom.
The model is available in the following colors: Space Grey, Silver, Starlight and Midnight.
💻 MacBook Air on M3 has the same parameters as its predecessor. Dimensions 30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13 cm and weighs 1.24 kg. The body is the same thickness over the entire area.
The model is available in colors: Space Grey, Silver, Starlight and Midnight.
Hardware and performance. How much more powerful is the third generation than the first two?
💻 MacBook Air on M1 Runs on first generation Apple ARM chips. This is an 8-core M1 with 8 GPU cores. The base has 8 GB of RAM, with a choice of storage: 256 or 512 GB.
The custom can have up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB of memory. The processor has lower memory bandwidth and only supports hardware acceleration for H.264 and HEVC codecs.
💻 MacBook Air on M2 The second generation chip is turned on. It has an 8-core chip and a 10-core GPU. Base models have 8GB of RAM and 256 or 512GB of storage.
In custom you can install 16 or 24 GB of RAM and storage up to 2 TB. There are media engines that support ProRes and ProRes RAW codecs.
Topic: How do Apple M3 processors differ from M2 and M1. Why is it worth upgrading?
💻 MacBook Air on M3 Currently it is controlled by the latest generation of processors, which has 8 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. The base has 8 GB of RAM, 256 or 512 GB storage.
Custom laptops can be equipped with 16 or 24 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB of storage. There are media engines and hardware accelerated ray tracing.
Display. Regular screen or already familiar “bangs”
💻 MacBook Air on M1 use older generations of Retina matrices, which are still considered one of the best mobile displays on the market. Diagonal 13.3″permission 2560 by 1600 pixels. Maximum brightness – 400 nits.
💻 MacBook Air on M2 received a more modern Liquid Retina screen with a diagonal 13.6″ and develop 2560 by 1664 pixels. The maximum brightness is 500 nits.
💻 MacBook Air on M3 used by the matrix, like its predecessor. Liquid Retina screen 13.6″ and develop 2560 by 1664 pixels. Brightness up to 500 nits.
Other differences. MagSafe, good webcam and longer battery
▣ MagSafe magnetic connector for charging included in models MacBook Air on M2/M3.
▣ MacBook Air on M2/M3 received more capacious battery (52.6∙h versus 49.9 W∙Wh for models with M1). There is support for fast charging and a slightly more powerful power adapter included.
▣ Don’t be careful what’s in the lineup MacBook Air on M2/M3 There is 15″ laptops.
Topic: What’s the difference between the 15-inch MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Air?
▣ Webcam MacBook Air on M2/M3 removes with know 1080p instead of 720p for models on M1.
▣ 3.5 mm jack for headset feet connecting high-impedance headphones in models MacBook Air on M2/M3.
▣ Models MacBook Air on M2/M3 received 4 speakers instead of 2 models per M1.
▣ Newer module Bluetooth 5.3 installed in MacBook Air on M2/M3. Models on M1 older Bluetooth 5.0.
▣ MacBook Pro with M3 will receive support for two external monitors, but this option will appear later, after the macOS software update.
Which MacBook Air to choose
💻 MacBook Air on M1 This is the most affordable MacBook on the market that you can still buy. Resellers and marketplaces offer the basic model at a price from 80 thousandcheck out promotions and offers from 65-67 thousand (including cashback).
The model is still good in performance for undemanding users. The laptop has a classic wedge-shaped case, with a screen without a strange notch.
Typically, buyers use computers for 6-7 years; 2020 models will receive OS updates for another 2-3 years.
💻 MacBook Air on M2 a more expensive laptop, which will begin to fall in price after the new product is introduced on the market. Reseller prices start from 110 thousand for 13″ and from 120 thousand for 15″.
Taking into account discounts and cashbacks, you can find offers on marketplaces from 90 thousand for 13″ and from 95 thousand for 15″.
💻 MacBook Air on M3 on sale from March 8. The first price in the Russian Federation will be inflated. Official price tag in the USA – from $1100 for 13″ and from $1300 for 15″.
❓What’s the result: It’s no longer worth taking the 2020 model; in 2-3 years it will stop receiving system updates. Better wait 2-3 weeks and look for a 2022/23 model with good discounts. The price for them is already pleasant, and after the new products are shown on the shelves, it will become even lower.
There is no point in buying a new 2024 model. Overpaying for an extra 15-20% of the cost is not worth it. The MacBook Air is chosen for its battery life and quiet operation, and the M2 still has enough performance for basic tasks.
Topic:
▣ What happened to MacBook Air on M1 after 2 years
▣ Are you still satisfied? My MacBook Air on M1 is already 3 years old, is it worth buying it now?
▣ I’ve been waiting for this laptop all my life. Review of MacBook Air 15″ with M2 chip
▣ 4 reasons to buy a 15-inch MacBook Air and as many reasons to win
Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
