MacBook Air M2 vs M3 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

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MacBook Air M3 & MacBook Air M2 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the MacBook Air M3 rather than the MacBook Air M2. 

Contents hide
1 Why Do I Recommend The MacBook Air M3?
1.1 Side By Side Comparison
1.2 What Common Both Can Do?
1.3 Common Features
1.3.1 FAQ

Why Do I Recommend The MacBook Air M3? 

  • The MacBook Air M3 has an advanced M3 chip built on a 3nm process for faster performance, improved energy efficiency, and smoother multitasking, compared to the MacBook Air M2’s 5nm M2 chip.
  • MacBook Air M3 supports up to two external displays in clamshell mode for enhanced productivity and flexible workstation setups, compared to the M2’s single external display capability.
  • It features a next-gen GPU with Dynamic Caching and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for better graphics rendering and smoother creative workflows, compared to the M2’s previous-generation GPU.
  • The MacBook Air M3 includes Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and better performance in congested environments, compared to the MacBook Air M2’s Wi-Fi 6.
  • MacBook Air M3 has an improved image signal processor for sharper video calls and enhanced image clarity during FaceTime or virtual meetings, compared to the M2’s older image processing pipeline.
  • It comes with a fingerprint-resistant coating for a cleaner, more polished look over time, compared to the MacBook Air M2’s smudge-prone Midnight finish.
  • The MacBook Air M3 supports AV1 hardware decode for more efficient video streaming with lower power consumption, while the MacBook Air M2 lacks AV1 support.
  • MacBook Air M3 offers better sustained performance under load for more reliable operation during intensive tasks, whereas the MacBook Air M2 may throttle more quickly.

Maybe the MacBook Air M2 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the MacBook Air M3. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Check Air M3 Best Price

Check Air M2 Best Price

Side By Side Comparison

Feature MacBook Air M3 MacBook Air M2
Processor Apple M3 chip Apple M2 chip
CPU Performance Up to 20% faster Slower
GPU Architecture Next-generation GPU with Dynamic Caching Previous-generation GPU
Ray Tracing Support Hardware-accelerated ray tracing Not supported
Media Engine Improved with AV1 decode support No AV1 decode support
External Display Support Up to 2 external displays Only 1 external display supported
Wi-Fi Version Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 6
Finish Midnight with fingerprint-resistant coating Midnight without coating
Startup Sound Option Added toggle for startup chime No toggle
Battery Life (15″ Model) Slightly improved efficiency Slightly lower efficiency
Thermal Management Better sustained performance Slightly lower under load
macOS Version at Launch macOS Sonoma macOS Ventura
Price Check Air M3 Price Check Air M2 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Liquid Retina Display: Both models feature a sharp Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color and True Tone, offering vibrant visuals and accurate color for creative professionals and media consumption.

  • Battery Life: Each MacBook Air provides up to 18 hours of battery life, ensuring a full day of usage without needing a charger for typical workloads.

  • Fanless Design: Both laptops operate silently thanks to a fanless design, delivering a quiet and thermally efficient experience ideal for portability.

  • 1080p FaceTime HD Camera: Each model includes a high-quality 1080p webcam, making video calls clearer and more professional.

  • Spatial Audio: Both offer a four-speaker system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support, enhancing entertainment with immersive sound.

  • Magic Keyboard & Touch ID: You get the same comfortable Magic Keyboard and convenient Touch ID for fast, secure login and Apple Pay on both.

  • Unified Memory Options: The RAM configurations (8GB/16GB/24GB) and fast SSD storage options (up to 2TB) are identical across both M2 and M3.

  • Ports and Build Quality: Both come with MagSafe charging, dual Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, a headphone jack, and are made from Apple’s premium recycled aluminum unibody.

Check Air M3 Best Price

Check Air M2 Best Price

Common Features

Feature MacBook Air M3 MacBook Air M2
Display Size (13.6″) 13.6-inch Liquid Retina 13.6-inch Liquid Retina
Display Size (15.3″) 15.3-inch Liquid Retina 15.3-inch Liquid Retina
Display Brightness 500 nits 500 nits
Color Gamut P3 Wide Color P3 Wide Color
True Tone Technology Yes Yes
Fanless Design Yes Yes
Battery Life Up to 18 hours Up to 18 hours
Front Camera 1080p FaceTime HD 1080p FaceTime HD
Speakers Four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio Four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio
Microphones Three-mic array with beamforming Three-mic array with beamforming
Keyboard Magic Keyboard with Touch ID Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Ports Two Thunderbolt / USB 4, MagSafe, Headphone jack Two Thunderbolt / USB 4, MagSafe, Headphone jack
Webcam Resolution 1080p 1080p
Operating System Compatibility macOS Sonoma macOS Sonoma
Storage Options 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB SSD 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB SSD
RAM Configurations 8GB, 16GB, 24GB unified memory 8GB, 16GB, 24GB unified memory
Build Material Recycled aluminum enclosure Recycled aluminum enclosure
Backlit Keyboard Yes Yes
Touch ID Yes Yes
Color Options Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Space Gray Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Space Gray
Price Check Air M3 Price Check Air M2 Price

FAQ

What chip does the MacBook Air M3 use, and how is it different from the M2?
The MacBook Air M3 uses Apple’s new M3 chip built on a 3nm process, offering better performance and efficiency compared to the M2 chip’s 5nm architecture. This results in faster processing, improved graphics, and enhanced power efficiency.

Can the MacBook Air M3 support two external displays?
Yes, the MacBook Air M3 supports up to two external displays when the lid is closed, a major upgrade over the M2, which supports only one external display.

Does the MacBook Air M3 have better GPU performance than the M2?
Yes, the M3 includes a next-gen GPU with features like Dynamic Caching and hardware-accelerated ray tracing, providing a noticeable improvement in graphics performance over the M2’s GPU.

Is there a difference in Wi-Fi performance between M3 and M2?
The M3 supports Wi-Fi 6E, which allows for faster speeds and more reliable connections on supported networks, whereas the M2 only supports Wi-Fi 6.

What display sizes are available for the MacBook Air M3 and M2?
Both models come in 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display variants, offering the same resolution, brightness, and color capabilities.

How is the battery life between the M3 and M2 models?
Both the M3 and M2 models offer up to 18 hours of battery life, though the M3 is slightly more efficient in certain workloads due to its newer architecture.

Do both models have the same webcam and microphone quality?
Yes, both the MacBook Air M3 and M2 feature a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and a three-microphone array, although the M3 benefits from enhanced image processing via the new ISP.

Are the speaker systems the same in both M3 and M2 models?
Yes, both feature a four-speaker system with support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, providing rich and immersive sound experiences.

Do both models offer the same RAM and storage configurations?
Yes, both support 8GB, 16GB, or 24GB of unified memory and offer SSD storage options of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB.

Is the keyboard and Touch ID functionality the same across both models?
Yes, both the M3 and M2 models come with the Magic Keyboard and Touch ID sensor, offering a secure and comfortable typing experience.

What operating system does the MacBook Air M3 ship with?
The MacBook Air M3 comes with macOS Sonoma out of the box, while the M2 originally shipped with macOS Ventura but is fully compatible with macOS Sonoma as well.

Has the Midnight color been improved on the M3 model?
Yes, the M3’s Midnight color now includes a fingerprint-resistant coating, unlike the M2 version, which is more prone to visible smudges.

Are both models fanless and silent during use?
Yes, both MacBook Air M2 and M3 feature a fanless design, making them completely silent and ideal for quiet workspaces.

Who should upgrade to the MacBook Air M3 from the M2?
Users who rely on multi-display setups, need improved graphics capabilities, or want future-proof wireless tech like Wi-Fi 6E will benefit most from upgrading to the M3. Those happy with the M2’s performance and don’t need dual external displays can comfortably stick with it.

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