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Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A
Published March 16, 2024
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What are all the differences between the "2024 M3" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models? What are all the differences between these models and the earlier "2022/2023 M2" MacBook Air?
There are three standard "2024 M3" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13", "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13", and "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15".
When Apple introduced the MacBook Air "M3" models, the company discontinued its 15" predecessor -- the MacBook Air "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15" -- but kept the smaller 13" MacBook Air "M2" models -- the MacBook Air "M2" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13" and "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13" -- around at lower price points.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (13" & 15" MacBook Air M3 Models)
If you took even a detailed look at the 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M3" models side-by-side and concluded that they are the same except for display size, that's a pretty accurate assessment (the 15" models also have a six-speaker system instead of a four-speaker one), but they are highly similar. The MacBook Air "M3" models are quite similar to their "M2" predecessors, as well.
Nevertheless, there are a number of similarities that are useful to understand as well as some notable differences. As you likely would expect, the smaller models cost less than their larger contemporaries and newer models cost more than older ones. There are completely different identifiers, also.
External Differences
Naturally, the 13" MacBook Air "M2" and "M3" models are are smaller than the 15" MacBook Air "M2" and "M3" models. The 13" models from each line are the same size and weight. The 15" models from each line are the same size and weight, too.
Specifically, the 13" models are 0.44 inches x 11.97 inches x 8.46 inches when closed and 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg) whereas the 15" models are slightly thicker as well as wider and deeper to accommodate the larger display (0.45 inches x 13.40 inches x 9.35 inches) and heavier (3.3 pounds; 1.51 kg).
Both lines are offered in the same silver, darker "Space Gray", warm gray "Starlight", and dark blue "Midnight" color options. However, Apple claims that the dark blue "Midnight" color on the MacBook Air "M3" models have a "breakthrough anodization seal to reduce fingerprints" compared to its predecessors.
The "Liquid Retina" displays in both lines are the same -- 13" models have a 13.6" (2560x1664) display and 15" models have a 15.3" (2880x1864) display. All displays are LED-backlit with IPS, Wide color (P3), "True Tone" technology that automatically adjusts color temperature, 224 ppi, and provide 500 nits of brightness. All have a "notch" at the top of the screen that holds a 1080p webcam and related sensors, also.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (MacBook Air M2/M3 "MagSafe 3" Connector)
Both MacBook Air "M2" and "M3" lines also have "Scissor Switch" keyboards, large "Force Touch" trackpads, Touch ID authentication, two Thunderbolt 3-capable ports (USB-C connector) ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.3, and a "MagSafe 3" power connector that disconnects cleanly if abruptly disconnected.
However, the MacBook Air "M2" models are equipped with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) whereas the MacBook Air "M3" models support the faster Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) wireless standard and also add improved external display support -- officially two external displays when the lid is closed (instead of just one) -- in addition to improved microphones.
Identification Differences
As carefully hand documented from each notebook itself by EveryMac.com, the MacBook Air "M2" and MacBook Air "M3" models have different Model Numbers, EMC Numbers, and Model Identifiers.
Some MacBook Air identifiers are shared across years, but the MacBook Air "M2" identifiers are unique to these models. At least for now, the MacBook Air "M3" identifiers are unique, as well, although there always is the possibility that they will be shared by some future models.
In general, the Model Identifier in software tends to be a fairly reliable way to differentiate between these notebook lines and others for the long-term:
| MacBook Air | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| M2, 2022 13" | A2681 | 4074 | Mac14,2 |
| M2, 2023 15" | A2941 | 8301 | Mac14,15 |
| M3, 2024 13" | A3113 | 8611 | Mac15,12 |
| M3, 2024 15" | A3114 | 8612 | Mac15,13 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify each of these MacBook Air models by other identifiers, as well.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Differences
Some specific internal parts in the MacBook Air "M2" and MacBook Air "M3" models differ, but for all practical purposes, the "M3" is a "speed bump" update and shares much with its predecessors. In performance terms, the MacBook Air "M3" line is in the neighborhood of 20% faster than the earlier MacBook Air "M2" line. The default MacBook Air "M3" configurations with 256 GB of storage also use paired 128 GB modules rather than a single 256 GB module like its "M2" predecessors, which can result in faster SSD read and write speeds for the "M3".
All of these models essentially are sealed and disposable and all have processors, graphics processors, RAM, and storage that cannot be upgraded after purchase. At least the batteries are straightforward to replace, though.
Comparison Charts
The above differences between the MacBook Air "M2" and MacBook Air "M3" models -- processors, graphics, displays, speakers, microphones, wireless capabilities, external display support, batteries, identifiers, dimensions, weight, and starting prices -- are summarized below:
13" MacBook Air "M2" vs. MacBook Air "M3"
| MacBook Air 13" | 2022 M2 13" | 2024 M3 13" |
| Current Model: | Yes (Discounted) | Yes |
| Display: | 13.6" | 13.6" |
| Resolution: | 2560x1664 | 2560x1664 |
| Speaker System: | 4 Speakers | 4 Speakers |
| Processor: | Apple M2 | Apple M3 |
| Graphics: | 8/10 Cores | 8/10 Cores |
| Default RAM: | 8 GB | 8, 16 GB |
| Max RAM: | 24 GB* | 24 GB* |
| Standard Storage: | 256, 512 GB | 256, 512 GB |
| Max Storage: | 2 TB* | 2 TB* |
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Ext. Displays: | 1 | 2 |
| Microphones: | Yes | Yes (Addl. Modes) |
| Battery Life: | 15-18 Hours | 15-18 Hours |
| Battery W-Hr: | 52.6 W h | 52.6 W h |
| Dimensions: | 0.44 x 11.97 x 8.46 | 0.44 x 11.97 x 8.46 |
| Weight: | 2.7 lbs. (1.24 kg) | 2.7 lbs. (1.24 kg) |
| Model ID: | Mac14,2 | Mac15,12 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1199 US$1499† |
US$1099 US$1299 US$1499 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1499 C$1899 |
C$1449 C$1699 C$1949 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1249 £1549 |
£1099 £1299 £1499 |
| Orig. Price (FR): | €1499 €1849 |
€1299 €1529 €1759 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1899 A$2349 |
A$1799 A$2099 A$2399 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1699 S$2149 |
S$1599 S$1899 S$2199 |
† On June 5, 2023, Apple cut the price of the "2022 M2" MacBook Air models to US$1099 and US$1399, respectively. On March 4, 2024, Apple again cut the price of these models to US$999 and US$1199, respectively.
* These models can be configured with additional RAM and storage at the time of system purchase. The RAM and storage cannot be upgraded later.
15" MacBook Air "M2" vs. MacBook Air "M3"
| MacBook Air 15" | 2023 M2 15" | 2024 M3 15" |
| Current Model: | No (Used Only) | Yes |
| Display: | 15.3" | 15.3" |
| Resolution: | 2880x1864 | 2880x1864 |
| Speaker System: | 6 Speakers | 6 Speakers |
| Processor: | Apple M2 | Apple M3 |
| Graphics: | 10 Cores | 10 Cores |
| Default RAM: | 8 GB | 8, 16 GB |
| Max RAM: | 24 GB* | 24 GB* |
| Standard Storage: | 256, 512 GB | 256, 512 GB |
| Max Storage: | 2 TB* | 2 TB* |
| Wi-Fi: | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Ext. Displays: | 1 | 2 |
| Microphones: | Yes | Yes (Addl. Modes) |
| Battery Life: | 15-18 Hours | 15-18 Hours |
| Battery W-Hr: | 66.5 W h | 66.5 W h |
| Dimensions: | 0.45 x 13.40 x 9.35 | 0.45 x 13.40 x 9.35 |
| Weight: | 3.3 lbs. (1.51 kg) | 3.3 lbs. (1.51 kg) |
| Model ID: | Mac14,15 | Mac15,13 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1299 US$1499 |
US$1299 US$1499 US$1699 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1749 C$1999 |
C$1749 C$1999 C$2249 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1399 £1599 |
£1299 £1499 £1699 |
| Orig. Price (FR): | €1599 €1829 |
€1599 €1829 €2059 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$2199 A$2499 |
A$2199 A$2499 A$2799 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1899 S$2199 |
S$1899 S$2199 S$2499 |
* These models can, or could, be configured with additional RAM and storage at the time of system purchase. The RAM and storage cannot be upgraded later.
So, is a MacBook Air "M2" or MacBook Air "M3" model best for me? Which one should I choose?
If you want a new 15" MacBook Air, this is the simplest choice because you only have one option -- the MacBook Air "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15". Of course, you still could choose to track down a used MacBook Air "M2" model to save a bit of money.
For the 13" MacBook Air, the newer MacBook Air "M3" provides (1) roughly 20% more performance, (2) faster Wi-Fi, (3) official support for dual external displays (with the lid closed/internal display off), and (4) enhanced microphones for an extra US$100 over the 13" MacBook Air "M2".
Because this US$100 represents 10% more money for 20% more performance, the 13" MacBook Air "M3" is a good value and remains the best option for most. If the extra US$100 represents a significant amount of money for you, you likely would be best served by buying a used MacBook Air at an even lower price.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Apple Silicon MacBook Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Air, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Air models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
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