Apple updates MacBook Air with M3 chip and multiple display support

After introducing the M3 chip in the 14-inch MacBook Pro last October, Apple updated the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air with faster chips in the same thin and light design.

With M3 chip: 8-core CPU/8-core GPU in 13-inch base model; 8-core CPU/10-core GPU in all other configurations: Apple also upgraded Wi-Fi from 6 to 6E and added support for up to two external displays when the lid is closed. Previous MacBook Air models only supported a single display, just like the M3 MacBook Pro.

Otherwise, the new MacBook Air is identical to the M2 models, with the same 13.6- or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, slim aluminum body, MagSafe charging, 18 hours of battery life, and a 1080p FaceTime HD camera. They are available in the same four colors: midnight, starlight, silver and space gray.

The price is also the same, with the 13-inch MacBook Air starting at $1,099 and the 15-inch model starting at $1,299 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. One notable change in the lineup is that the M1 model has been retired and the M2 Air has taken its place as the $999 model.

The MacBook Air M3 is available for pre-order starting today and will ship on Friday, March 8. With this announcement, it appears that Apple will forgo a spring event this year and instead issue press releases for the launch of its new products. We’re still expecting new iPads and possibly an M3 Mac mini to arrive this month, so stay tuned.