Getting started with the Macbook Air M3: Apple's star in the making

Apple recently released the new generation of Macbook Air computers powered by the M3 chip. We were able to try a model for several weeks to give you our verdict.

The Macbook Air M2 only better. Hereà how we could already summarize our test of the very latest generation of laptops from Apple & #39; destination for students and young professionals. The Macbook Air line was never really there. a great innovation for the firm and is content, in general, to take up the improvements initiated by the Macbook Pro in order to offer computers there. ger, fine and very efficient for the general public.

This is why, instead of a big test, we will mainly discuss the new features present within the Macbook Air M3 rather than the new ones. t than take the entire product whose characteristics you can find within the Macbook Air M2 released in 2022. Apple's new laptop includes the same design with two screen sizes available (13 and 15 inches), a 30x21cm chassis, two Thunderbolt/USB4 ports, a Magsafe charging port and a Jack port.< /p>

The 15-inch Macbook Air M3 (right) & side of the 13-inch Macbook Air M2 (left) © Linternaute/Julian Madiot

Always faster and more powerful

The new Macbook Air is therefore equipped with the latest chip from Apple: the M3. Already Present in the latest Macbook Pros, this homemade chip guarantees performance up to 100%. 60% faster compared to the M1 processor released in 2020. The Macbook Air M3 would also be equipped with of a better writing speed on its disk compared to his predecessor.

We subjected our Macbook Air M2 as well as the new Macbook Air M3 to the same writing and reading tests. Our results are as follows:

Writing and reading measurements on Macbook Air M2. © Blackmagic/Linternaute

Writing and reading measurements on Macbook Air M3. © Blackmagic/Linternaute

The results vary greatly but remain much better on the new Macbook Air M3. As announced, Apple's latest computer shows very good results in terms of performance. We were also able to launch several very resource-intensive games like Baldur's Gate 3 in high quality. maximum, without feeling any slowdowns or pronounced heating of the device. An excellent result but one that was already difficult. possible on the Macbook Air M2 when it is released. So you'll benefit more from reduced loading times than better graphics.

Our CPU analysis results also show better performance on the CPU side. M3. On average and across all our comparisons (writing speed, chip performance, display of average FPS on a game, etc.), the Macbook Air M3 displays around 20% of performance. 30% more performance compared to Macbook Air M2.

Side autonomy, Apple does not indicate any change regarding the battery of the Macbook Air M3 compared to the previous version. his predecessor. By carrying out exactly the same operations on the two computers, we were however able to observe that the battery of the Macbook Air M3 drained a little slower than that of our M2.&nbsp ;This may, however, be due to the fact that our Macbook Air M2 is not brand new, but these readings have also been updated. observed by other editorial staff and experts and this is why we prefer to note them.

An anti-finger coating with visible effects

The other big new feature is of the Macbook Air M3 communicated by Apple is in the coating of the chassis. The firm applied a new material that was already found elsewhere. in the latest Macbook Pro M3, and which guarantees the "Midnight" better protection against fingerprints.

Although we were unfortunately unable to test its effectiveness, several external trials and tests have demonstrated that the Macbook Air M3 "Minuit&quot ; actually retains fewer finger passages. The latter are, however, not completely invisible and some traces always remain during daily use. The other available colors (Starlight, Space Gray and Silver) remain unchanged.

An improved microphone but little communicated

Among the improvements of the Macbook Air M3 that haven't been much improved put forward by Apple, we find a new microphone &agrav; improved insulation. On its official website, the firm indicates new modes of voice isolation and greater clarity. Improved voice support during audio and video calls.

Testé During several meetings and audio and video calls, the microphone on the Macbook Air M3 seems much more muffled. than that of the M2. Ambient sounds are thus much less perceptible and this will appeal to students and professionals forced to operate in a slightly noisy environment.

© Linternaute/Julian Madiot

Our conclusion à getting started with the Macbook Air M3

It's difficult to be choosy about the arguments of the Macbook Air M3. The latest laptop from Apple benefits from excellent performance, high-end finishes, but also very good battery life. Of course, à a fixed starting price &agrav; 1299 euros, you will be able to find a Windows PC capable of almost similar capabilities, but we know how to do that. how well Mac computers last for many years.

Their only real competitor to the Macbook Air M3 would rather be its predecessor. Apple continues to offer the Macbook Air M2 on its online store and it is still as efficient today. Potential buyers could therefore turn more towards M2 in order to make some savings. However, this is a remark that was already observed previously. &agrav; the release of the latter while the Macbook Air M1 was also very interesting and less expensive.

There is no doubt that the future of the Macbook Air M3 will be bright and that it will establish itself as one of the best computers laptops on the market given its excellent quality/price ratio. However, we will always regret the absence of numerous video games on the MacOS platform as well as the lack of connections (notably USB and HDMI).