Apple M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air: Should you upgrade?

Apple M3 MacBook Air vs M1 Air
Is the latest MacBook Air M3 worth it? (Image via YouTube/The Everyday Dad)

The competition between the Apple M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air has become a trending topic of discussion following the company's launch of its new Air series lineup, which promises to deliver smoother performance. While the latest MacBook Air retains some features of its predecessor, you will find some new advanced specs in the machine. However, is it really worth the upgrade?

This article discusses all the key differences between the two generations of Air laptops to help you make an informed decision.


Apple M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air: Specs comparison

MacBook Air M1 and M3 specifications (Image via Apple)
MacBook Air M1 and M3 specifications (Image via Apple)

To begin our Apple M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air comparison, let’s check the core specifications of both models:

Specifications

Apple M3 MacBook Air

Apple M1 MacBook Air

CPU

8 Core

8 Core

GPU

10 Core

10 Core

Memory

Up to 24GB

Up to 16GB

Storage

Up to 2TB

Up To 2TB

Battery

Upto 18 hours

Up to 18 hours

Display size

13.6-inch || 15.3-inch

13.3-inch

Display type

Liquid Retina Display

LED-backlit display

Pixels

2560x1664 pixels || 2880x1864 pixels

2560x1600 pixels

Brightness

500 nits

400 nits

Price

Starts at $1099

NA

As seen above, Apple has launched two screen sizes, with up to 24GB of memory available. We also see a difference in chipset and display. Having said that, we don’t see any other significant upgrade.


Apple M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air: Which offers optimal performance?

The new Air series is faster (Image via Apple)
The new Air series is faster (Image via Apple)

One of the major differences between the two devices is the core processor. Apple claims that the latest MacBook Air M3 models are 60% faster than those with the M1 chipset. The GPU core has also increased to 10 from 7. Moreover, they boast hardware-accelerated ray tracing and 100GB/s memory bandwidth.

Other than that, the performance also depends on the memory and space requirements. While the storage options remain the same, the latest Air series offers more memory options than its predecessor. So, the M3 Air gets a point here for better performance.


Apple M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air: Which has the better display?

MacBook Air-M3 has improved display (Image via Apple)
MacBook Air-M3 has improved display (Image via Apple)

The MacBook Air-M1 features a 13.3-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology. Meanwhile, the latest Air laptops boast a Liquid Retina display. The brightness levels have been boosted by 100 nits. Other features like Wide Color (P3), pixels (better in the 15.3-inch M3 variant), and True Tone technology are identical in both variants. Thus, the MacBook Air M3 has a slightly better display.


Apple M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air: Which has the superior battery?

Which MacBook has a better battery? (Image via Apple)
Which MacBook has a better battery? (Image via Apple)

The battery capacity of the new Air generation has improved on paper. However, Apple has stated similar running times for both devices – around 18 hours on normal tasks. However, the MacBook Air-M3 models support chargers rated up to 67W for the 13-inch variant and 70W for the 15-inch variant.

We can say they both last just as long on a single charge. However, the latest Air laptop charges faster than its predecessor.


Apple M3 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air: Final Verdict

If you own an Apple MacBook M1 and are looking for an upgrade, the M3 MacBook Air is worth considering. While there are many similarities in both, the latest generation has a better processor, more GPU cores, and an improved display, making it worth the switch.


Check other articles:

MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro || MacBook M3 Pro vs M1 Pro

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Edited by Dinesh Renthlei
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