M3 MacBook Air: 3 new features you won't find on the M2 MacBook Air

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The new M3 MacBook Air, coming in two flavors —13-inch and 15-inch models — is hitting store shelves soon.

The question is, what — exactly — are the new features that differentiate it from the MacBook Air? For a more in-depth look at the differences between the two, check out our M2 MacBook Air vs. M3 MacBook Air face-off. However, if you just want a quick, glanceable look at how the M3 MacBook Air stands out against the M2 MacBook Air, you’ve come to the right place.

M3 MacBook Air: 3 new features you won’t find on the M2 MacBook Air

At first glance, you may think that there aren’t any major upgrades with the new MacBook Air. However, the M3 chip alone yields a significant performance uptick. The MacBook Air is up to 60% faster than the M1 chip that launched inside MacBook Air models in 2020.

13-inch M3 MacBook Air
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

In other words, the MacBook Air, if Apple’s claims are true, should keep up with your workflow better than ever. As such, programs should launch faster on the M3 MacBook Air compared to the M2 MacBook Air. Plus, rendering photos and videos via your favorite creator-focused apps should be zippier and more seamless.

But of course, aside from the obvious, what else does the new MacBook Air have that its predecessor doesn’t? Allow me to list three new standout features.

1. WiFi 6E

The new M3 MacBook Air models now have WiFi 6E, a step up from the last-generation model that supported WiFi 6.

15-inch M3 MacBook Air
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

How does WiFi 6E differ from WiFi 6? Without getting too nerdy, compared to WiFi 6, WiFi 6E is designed to reduce latency and deliver faster wireless speeds. Thanks to WiFi 6E, Apple claims that data transmission should be twice as fast as the previous generation.

2. Dual-display support

The new M3 MacBook Air now has support for up to two 5K, 60Hz external displays — but only when the laptop lid is closed. (The M2 MacBook Air only supported one external display.)

It’s also worth noting that the M3 MacBook Air can support one external display with up to 6K resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate.

15-inch and 13-inch M3 MacBook Air models
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As MacRumors pointed out, it’s unclear whether this new feature was made possible by a software-level update or a hardware-based change.

3. Midnight Black

When Apple unveiled a novel Midnight Black color after releasing the new M3-based MacBook Pro models last year, I was salivating. Why? It has an anodization seal that reduce fingerprints. Now, I love my M2 MacBook Air, but it can get smudgy at times.

13-inch M3 MacBook Air
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Fortunately, thanks to the Midnight Black M3 MacBook Air colorway, fingerprint smears should be less of an issue, allowing you to leave your microfiber towel behind.

The new M3 MacBook Air also comes in Starlight, Silver and Space Gray.

Is the M3 MacBook Air worth it?

As someone who owns an M2 MacBook Air, and is using it to write this very piece, I’d recommend purchasing an M3 MacBook Air.

As apps and programs become more resource intensive, the new M3 chip inside the MacBook Air has swooped in to save the day with more “oomph” to better handle AI tasks, creator-focused apps, and more.

If having a faster, zippier, more seamless is important to you, and you want to see less of those colorful spinning wheels (without splurging on a Pro-level MacBook), the M3 MacBook Air is where it’s at.

The 13-inch model starts at $1,099 and the 15-inch variant has a starting price of $1,299. Both will be available on March 8.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

M3 MacBook Air (13-inch)