The new M3 MacBook Air, available in 13-inch and 15-inch models, has received mixed reactions. While many consider it the best laptop in its segment, there are concerns about its features. Here's a detailed summary:
-
Fingerprint Resistance: The new M3 models, particularly in darker colors like Midnight and Space Black, are designed with a seal to reduce fingerprints. However, the reviewer found that the seal doesn't significantly reduce smudges compared to the non-sealed versions.
-
External Display Connectivity: The M3 MacBook Air can connect to two external displays when the lid is closed, but only one when the built-in laptop screen is in use. This is due to the hardware's single display controller, which can handle a 6K output for externals.
-
Enterprise Client Pressure: The reviewer suggests that Apple may have added this feature to attract Enterprise clients who were holding back due to the previous models' inability to run two external screens.
-
Starting Configuration: The base model comes with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, which, while sufficient for most regular users, is criticized due to the high cost of upgrades.
-
Performance Gains: The performance gains from M1 to M3 are not significant, making the previous generations a better value for those on a tight budget.
-
Battery Life: The battery life on the M3 MacBook Air is similar to the M2 product from last year, but it seems to drain faster on heavier loads.
-
AI Capabilities: The M3 MacBook Air can run LLMs and diffusion models, demonstrating Apple silicon's effectiveness in handling AI workflows.
In conclusion, while the M3 MacBook Air has some notable features, there are areas of improvement, particularly in terms of fingerprint resistance and the cost of RAM upgrades. The ability to connect to two external displays and the AI capabilities are standout features, but the performance gains may not be significant enough to justify the upgrade for some users.
Summary for: Youtube