Key insights

• ⚙️ The M3 MacBook Air features surface anization in darker colors to reduce fingerprints
• 🔍 Demonstration showed minimal impact in reducing fingerprints
• 🖥️ M3 MacBook Air can connect to two external displays with closed lid
• 🔌 Using built-in screen limits to one external display due to hardware nature of M1, M2, and M3 chips
• 💼 Apple likely made changes to support enterprise clients, including adding free features and updating base configurations
• 💾 8GB RAM is sufficient for the vast majority of users, but upgrade to 16GB of RAM is costly at $200
• 💰 Consider buying the M2 or M1 MacBook instead of the M3 for cost savings, as the performance difference is not substantial
• 🚀 Improved performance compared to M2, especially in comparison to Intel products, with similar battery life but slightly faster drain during heavier loads

Q&A

• How does the performance of the M3 MacBook Air compare to the M2 and Intel products?

  The M3 MacBook Air shows improved performance compared to the M2, especially in the comparison to Intel products, excelling in handling AI workflows and maintaining its class-leading keyboard, good speakers, and capable screen with 500 nits brightness and 60Hz refresh rate.

• What is the recommendation for those on a budget considering a MacBook purchase?

  For budget-conscious buyers, considering the M2 or M1 MacBook instead of the M3 is advised for significant cost savings, as the performance difference is not substantial and older models offer better value with refurb discounts, especially given the limited CPU gains since the M1.

• Is the 8GB RAM in the M3 MacBook Air sufficient for most users?

  The 8GB RAM in the M3 MacBook Air is considered sufficient for the vast majority of users, with the upgrade to 16GB being costly at $200, a pricing point that is notably higher than industry standards.

• Why did Apple make changes to the M3 MacBook Air to support enterprise clients?

  Apple likely made changes to support enterprise clients, including adding free features and updating base configurations, in response to concerns about compatibility and pricing for high-end clients, particularly those who relied on Intel-based MacBooks for support of two external screens.

• How many external displays can the M3 MacBook Air connect to with the lid closed?

  The M3 MacBook Air can connect to two external displays with the lid closed, but using the built-in screen limits it to one external display, a limitation attributed to the hardware nature of the M1, M2, and M3 chips.

• What are the concerns about the M3 MacBook Air's surface anization feature?

  Despite the surface anization in darker colors to reduce fingerprints, concerns arose as a demonstration showed minimal impact in reducing fingerprints, leading to some skepticism about its effectiveness.

• 00:00 Apple launched the M3 MacBook Air, but concerns and complaints surfaced at the announcement despite it being considered the best in its segment. Some concerns were legitimate, while others seemed misguided. The new M3 models feature a surface anization in darker colors to reduce fingerprints, but the impact seems minimal based on a demonstration with smudging.
• 01:33 The M3 MacBook Air can now connect to two external displays with the lid closed, but using the built-in screen limits it to one external display. This is due to the hardware nature of the M1, M2, and M3 chips.
• 03:05 Apple likely made changes to support enterprise clients, including adding free features and updating base configurations. The changes address concerns about compatibility and pricing for high-end clients.
• 04:37 The 8GB RAM in the MacBook is sufficient for most users but the upgrade to 16GB comes with a high cost. The pricing for RAM upgrades is excessive compared to industry standards.
• 05:59 If you're on a budget, consider buying the M2 or M1 MacBook instead of the M3 for significant cost savings. The performance difference is not substantial, and older models offer better value with refurb discounts. The CPU gains since M1 have been limited.
• 07:22 The M3 MacBook Air shows improved performance compared to the M2, especially in the comparison to Intel products. It has similar battery life but drains slightly faster during heavier loads. The fanless system can run demanding games at lower settings, excels in handling AI workflows, and retains its class-leading keyboard and good speakers.