New MacBook Air M3 first look review: This beauty is also a beast
It was already pretty easy to recommend Apple's svelte Air laptops but now there's an even bigger reason to take the plunge and buy one. Apple has now added its blisteringly quick M3 processor to these highly portable machines which makes them more powerful than ever.
Both the 13-inch and 15-inch laptops have been given this ultimate boost and having put the smaller model through its paces Mirror Online has been left mightily impressed.
4K video editing, retouching high-resolution photos and sending out the daily batch of emails won't have the Air huffing and puffing. In fact, it breezes through some pretty intense digital tasks without stuttering or ever getting hot.
New MacBook Air M3 (APPLE)The M3 Air is actually around 60% faster than its older M1-powered sibling - a laptop that wasn't exactly slow in the first place.
All the extra oomph means you feel like you're getting a Pro laptop in a smaller (and cheaper) form factor.
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Along with work, the Air's improved power also makes it excellent for gaming so you’ll have no issues playing some top titles such as The Elder Scrolls and Resident Evil.
New MacBook Air M3 can power dual screens (APPLE)Apple's M3 silicon is not only mighty but also very efficient which means the new Air will easily power you through a day without needing to find a plug. Long battery life is more important than ever and the MacBook Air is now one of the best in the business for keeping the screen glowing when out on the road.
Even if you simply use the Air at your desk all day there's more good news, with this laptop able to power two external screens even when the lid is shut.
That means you can also connect an external keyboard and mouse and use it just like a desktop PC.
If you happen to have a Wi-Fi 6E system in your home you'll also be able to take advantage of that improved broadband technology thanks to full compatibility now inside the Air.
New MacBook Air M3 comes in two sizes (APPLE)Although there's plenty going on under the premium-feeling aluminium bonnet, things haven't changed on the outside.
Not that that's a bad thing with this laptop still featuring a stunning lightweight design and crystal clear Liquid Retina display.
The MacBook Air has long been one of the best-looking laptops money can buy and this new model continues that tradition,
One slight gripe is the beautiful Midnight colour model can be a bit of a fingerprint magnet so avoid this version if you want things looking constantly box fresh.
Our only other issue with the design is that all of the USB-C and MagSafe charging ports are on the same side. It's a shame Apple hasn't popped at least one USB-C socket on both edges of this device - that's something you'll get by going with the MacBook Pro.
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Other than that it's hard to fault the Air. It has a great keyboard, market-leading Force Touch trackpad, fast fingerprint scanner, 1080p FaceTime camera and decent speakers that are easily good enough for an evening's box set binge.
New MacBook Air M3 (APPLE)With a starting price of just £1,099 it's also a little cheaper than the old version was, making it even more attractive to own.
Prices do increase the more memory and disk space you add (it can top out at over £2,200) but it's worth investing now as you can't upgrade the Air after it's been shipped.
The entry-level model doesn't feature the really useful two-port USB-C charger so you can charge your iPhone at the same time as your MacBook - you have to opt for the 10-core version (£1,299) for that more impressive power pack to be included.
It's also worth noting that Apple is now selling the very capable older M2 model for just £999 - that's £100 less than the new M3.
MACBOOK AIR M3 EARLY VERDICT
The MacBook Air was already one of our favourite laptops and this new upgrade has only made things even better.
It's now a ludicrously capable machine that can cope with even the most demanding digital tasks. For the average consumer, there really is nothing this laptop can't do.
Battery life is supremely good, the Retina screen is bright and punchy and, thanks to M3, it's now able to power two external displays - something many users have been requesting.
Wi-Fi 6E means better connectivity and you still get all the great features found on older models including a solid keyboard, great speakers and a super precise trackpad.
The Air is still one of the most portable PCs on the planet and thanks to Apple's latest upgrade this beauty is now an absolute beast.
PROS: Supremely powerful • Still looks stunning • Runs dual screens • Epic battery life • Lower price
CONS: All ports on one side • Midnight colour still picks up fingerprints • Can get pricey if you add more memory
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