March 29, 2024, refreshes the MacBook Air, making it a powerhouse that is closer to its Pro cousin than ever before. The MacBook Air range has seen some refinements by Apple that have been intertwined with design cues from and significant behind-the-scenes updates not immediately visible but very effective. The introduction of the M3 chip in the 13-inch MacBook Air serves as a milestone for Apple as it ventures into the realm of AI-enhanced computers.
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This keeps both devices looking similar, now having square-ish cases and identical functionality between these two models β the 13- and new 15-inch MacBook Airs. There may be those who would ask why they are moving away from their iconic wedge shape but this brings about uniformity which makes it look sleeker and modern so that it matches with what Apple wants for its computers.
Unlike this year, Apple has not offered MacBook Air buyers the chance to choose between an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip; it is a deliberate decision aimed at keeping apart the line as well as the pricing strategy. The new M3 13-inch MacBook Air starts from βΉ1,14,900 with the previous generationβs M2 model still available is relatively cheaper.
Battery life remains static; however, there are noticeable performance leaps from both M2 and even much more so in the case of M1. Compared to earlier yearsβ Intel-based Macbook Air models, Intelβs Intel-based Macbook Air models have been outpaced by improvements made possible by the m3 chip.
Appleβs focus on the AI capabilities of the M3 chip shows how personal computing is changing. The M3βs 16-core Neural Engine is designed to perform better than most Windows laptops in AI jobs like webcam enhancements, noise cancellation etcetera.
This focus on AI processing also indicates a move towards more personal computing that does not rely heavily on cloud services. Apple developers are encouraged to leverage the Neural Engine of the M3 chip using such applications as Pixelmator, Goodnotes 6, Canva, Adobe Firefly and Microsoft 365 Copilot which are expected to benefit from enhanced AI computing capabilities. This growing ecosystem of AI-optimized apps demonstrates how ready MacBook Air is for future computing needs.
Notwithstanding significant internal upgrades, certain external features of the 2024 MacBook Air remain unchanged from its predecessor including port selection and Liquid Retina display specifications. The 2024 MacBook Air is a testament to Appleβs idea of what future computing should be like; where form meets function with AI at the front. Additionally, this device has been built to survive and thrive through all manner of digital challenges and possibilities.
