MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is a line of laptop computers from Apple Inc. They serve as an ultrathin, lightweight alternative to Apple’s MacBook Pro line. They also cost less: The Air series is designed for typical consumers and students, not professionals.

Currently, the computers come in 13-inch and 15-inch versions. No matter the size, they offer two USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt.

Apple moved the MacBook Air line to Apple silicon in 2020, starting with the M1 processor. The current models run on an M3 chip. Like all MacBooks, they run macOS, Apple’s own operating system.

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduced the MacBook Air on January 15, 2008, pulling it from a standard manila envelope and calling it the “world’s thinnest notebook.”

Entry-level M3 MacBook Air uses significantly faster SSD

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The new MacBook Air with M3
Base M3 MacBook Airs ship with faster storage than their predecessors.
Photo: Apple

Apple fixed the slow storage speed that plagued M2 Macs on the M3 MacBook Air. Early testing indicates the entry-level M3 MacBook Air delivers significantly faster read/write speeds than its predecessor.

The slow SSD transfer speed only affected entry-level M2 Macs due to them using a single-chip NAND.

M3 MacBook Air benchmarks sound amazing, but what’s next? [The CultCast]

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M3 MacBook Air promo image with The CultCast logo (episode 637).
These new MacBook Airs sound like absolute screamers.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Surprise! Apple drops new MacBook Airs with M3 chips inside. The new laptops’ specs and first benchmarks make the performance boost sound quite impressive indeed. But what should we expect next for the MacBook, and when should we expect it?

Join us for a titillating conversation about the current state (and future) of Apple’s laptops.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple launched the M3 MacBook Airs with amazing specs, but nothing but a press release. Sounds like it’s about to do the same with new iPads. There’s a lot to look forward to if you’re a fan of Apple tablets.
  • An inside look at the canceled Apple car project offers fascinating details about crazy prototypes, dashed dreams and crushing indecision.
  • How cool would a MacBook with a folding 20-inch screen be?
  • The European Union demands a cool 1.8 billion euros from Apple over its dealings with Spotify. Sounds like a shakedown!
  • iOS 17.4 brings some useful new features to your iPhone, and Griffin tells us all about the best ones.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

2024 MacBook Air review roundup: Serious performance boost

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2024 MacBook Air M3 in use
One reviewer says the 2024 MacBook Air offers, "excellent performance, gorgeous screens and incredible battery life."
Photo: Apple

The highlight of the 2024 MacBook Air is the Apple M3 processor, and the first round of reviews show a 25% increase over the earlier M2-based models.

Otherwise, Apple didn’t tinker with the design of previous versions of its 13- and 15-inch consumer-oriented notebook.

MacBooks make up whopping 90% of Mac sales

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Best-selling Macs - MacBook-Pro-M3-trio
MacBook Pro models account for a bit more than half of Mac sales.
Photo: Apple

MacBook Pro and MacBook Air combine to account for a staggering 90% of Apple’s Mac sales. That’s according to a new report Wednesday about best-selling Macs from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).

The laptops’ dominant popularity over desktop Macs has long been evident. But the new report showing 2023 data really puts an exclamation point on it.

M2 vs. M3 MacBook Air: Which laptop is right for you?

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M2 vs. M3 MacBook Air comparison
Aside from a faster M3 processor, what upgrades did Apple add to the 2024 MacBook Air lineup?
Photo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh

The 2024 MacBook Air lineup looks a lot like the previous models. However, the M3 chip inside gives the laptops a performance boost, and the new laptops come with several additional upgrades. But in an M2 vs. M3 MacBook Air showdown, what are the differences? And is the new model worth paying more?

Find out in our M2 vs. M3 MacBook Air comparison.

Early benchmarks show M3 chip gives MacBook Air hefty performance boost

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M3 chip gives 2024 MacBook Air hefty performance boost
Dropping the M3 into the 2024 MacBook Air significantly pumps up the performance.
Photo: Apple

The Apple M3 processor in the 2024 MacBook Air brings a 25% increase to the upgraded notebook’s performance, according to early benchmark results. And the increase over the M1-based version is even more spectacular.

The M3 is Apple’s latest processor family, and it’s made using a cutting-edge 3nm production process.

No Apple March event for new iPad and MacBook [Update]

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Get ready for new MacBook and iPad models at Apple March 2024 event
No March Apple event in the pipeline for new iPads and Macs?
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is preparing to launch new M3 iPads and MacBooks this month. But don’t expect an Apple March event for their unveiling. Instead, the company reportedly will announce the devices through a “series of online videos and marketing campaigns.”

Update: This is now confirmed, as Apple unveiled the M3-powered MacBook Air on Monday via a press release.

New M3 MacBook Air gets big specs boost with same awesome battery life

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The new MacBook Air with M3
Looks familiar, but there’s a lot of new specs inside.
Photo: Apple

The 2024 MacBook Air lineup launched Monday by Apple runs on the company’s M3 chip, bringing a significant performance boost to the laptop. It also benefits from Wi-Fi that’s up to twice as fast. Plus, the new MacBook Air can support two external displays. This all comes in the same thin design, with the same two display sizes and four colors.

Apple’s press release says that “with a faster and more efficient Neural Engine in M3, MacBook Air continues to be the world’s best consumer laptop for AI.”

The M3 MacBook Air starts at the same $1,099 price as the outgoing M2 model, which remains on sale starting at $999. You can order the new MacBook Air now from the Apple Online Store and it will be available this Friday.

Take up to $400 off MacBooks while you can

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save $400 on MacBooks at Best Buy
These MacBook deals at Best Buy range from $150 to $400 off.
Photo: Best Buy

Looks like the end of February is a great time to score an incredible deal on MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. And that’s because Best Buy offers save $400 on MacBooks. Various models on sale include a powerhouse 15-inch MacBook Air at a record low price.

So if you’re ready to save, check out select sale items below.

Act fast to chop $200 off M2 MacBook Air 

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M2 MacBook Air
$200 off is nothing to sneeze at.
Photo: Apple

There’s no time like the present to jump on a great deal on a very cool laptop computer — $200 off an M2 MacBook Air. You can get that price on a midnight- or spay gray-colored model at B&H Photo.

Right now you can get the highly rated laptop — 4.9 out of 5 stars at B&H — for just $1,149, down from $1,349. That’s a great deal on a bantamweight machine that packs a powerful punch, thanks to Apple silicon.

Find the best laser printer for your Mac

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Best laser printer for Mac
For most cases, laser printers outshine inkjet printers. Here's how to find the best laser printer for Mac.
Photo: Cult of Mac

What is the best laser printer for Mac users? When choosing between laser or inkjet, we recommend laser. Laser printers used to be prohibitively expensive, but prices have come down, and you’ll have fewer headaches. Inkjet printers are better for photos but are a pain to own. Replacement ink costs a fortune, the heads clog, and they dry out if the printer isn’t in regular use.

Laser printers, on the other hand, can sit idle for weeks without problems. They cost more up front, but are often cheaper to own in the long-run.

In this guide, we’ll explore which brand of printer works best with Mac and top laser printers that are fully compatible with macOS, whether you need a printer for your personal use, a home office or a small business.

The MacBook Air you really want is nearly $400 off [Updated]

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15-inch MacBook Air
Don't miss this deal on 15-inch MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

Amazon’s latest deal slashes nearly $400 off the price of the 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB storage to a new low of $1,103.

While Apple’s 15-inch Air has been frequently discounted since launch, this is the best deal on the machine yet.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Score latest iPad Air in any configuration at $150 off

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iPad Air 5
If you didn't buy an iPad 5 when they came out, here's your chance to save big.
Photo: Apple

A great sale at Best Buy brings you one of Apple’s greatest tablets, the iPad Air (5th Generation) at $150 off — no matter which configuration you want. That includes the base 64GB model with Wi-Fi only, up through the 256GB model with Wi-Fi and cellular coverage, and in a choice of five colors. See the deals below.

M1 MacBook Air falls to its lifetime low price after $249 off

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MacBook Air M1 2020
Get the M1 MacBook Air at its all-time low price.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Macs are expensive, but their performance and build quality help justify their steep price tag. But what if you are on a tight budget? Amazon has a deal just for you, knocking a whopping $249.01 off the M1 MacBook Air.

With the discount, the 2020 MacBook Air is available for an all-time low price of $749. If you want to buy a new Mac for cheap, do not miss this deal.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

15-inch MacBook Air returns to record low price

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15-inch MacBook Air deals
You can take $300 off a few different configurations of the slim and lightweight machine.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s popular 15-inch M2 MacBook Air once again hit its lowest-ever price, sliding down to $999 at Best Buy on Monday for the base model.

And while that’s for the entry-level configuration with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, a few different configurations are $300 off, so you can add unified memory and/or storage space and still save a bundle.

Save big on 15-inch MacBook Air with AppleCare+

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15-inch MacBook Air
Get up to $200 off on the 15-inch MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

A fantastic deal on the 15-inch MacBook Air knocks its price down by $200. That drops the price of the world’s slimmest laptop to as low as $1,099.

If you are looking for a sleek new laptop, the 15-inch MacBook Air is probably your best option. And that’s why you should not miss this deal.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

MacBook Air with speedy M3 chip on track for spring launch

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M2 MacBook Air comes i 13-inch and 15-inch versions
Apple M3 processor will reportedly reach the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air soon.
Photo: Apple

The sleek MacBook Air will get upgraded with the recently released M3 processor this spring, according to a trusted source of insider info.

The Apple M3 is also supposedly coming to the iPad Pro, probably at the same event.

Today in Apple history: MacBook Air becomes ‘world’s thinnest notebook’

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A plain manila envelope became a key stage prop for selling the MacBook Air.
A plain manila envelope became a key prop for selling the MacBook Air.
Photo: Apple

January 15: Today in Apple history: MacBook Air becomes 'world's thinnest notebook' January 15, 2008: Steve Jobs shows off the first MacBook Air at the Macworld conference in San Francisco, calling the revolutionary computer the “world’s thinnest notebook.”

The 13.3-inch laptop measures only 0.76 inches at its thickest point and 0.16 inches at its tapered thinnest. It also boasts a unibody aluminum design, thanks to an Apple engineering breakthrough that allows the crafting of a complicated computer case from a single block of finely machined metal.

In a brilliant piece of showmanship during the MacBook Air launch, Jobs pulls the super-slim laptop out of a standard interoffice envelope. (You can watch his keynote introducing the MacBook Air below).

Score a whopping $249 off latest MacBook Air

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Woman uses 15-inch M2 MacBook Air
The M2 MacBook Air is powerful despite being incredibly slim and lightweight.
Photo: Apple

You can nab a 15-inch M2 MacBook Air for $1,049.99 on Amazon right now — $249 off the regular price of $1,299. That’s only about a buck behind the all-time low price the behemoth retailer has offered for the machine.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Signs point to a slow, steady year for the Mac in 2024

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The Mac in 2024
2024 will be a slow burner year for the Mac.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

2024 is expected to be a slow and steady year for the Mac, with the iPad and Vision Pro taking center stage. After Apple’s thunderous launch of the M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips in the MacBook Pro and iMac a few months ago, these chips will roll out as spec bumps in the MacBook Air M3 and the rest of the lineup next year.

And don’t hold your breath for an M4 MacBook Pro. That probably won’t debut until early or mid-2025.

How to set up your new Mac like a pro

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Set Up Your New Mac: Moving to a new Mac is fast — we’ll get your Mac on track in no time.
Let's get that nice new Mac set up, shall we?
Image: Apple

It’s a great season to get a new Mac. Every Mac today is a great buy. If you’re one of the lucky people to get one this year, here’s how to set it up like a pro.

So rip open that box, tear off that plastic and get to the good stuff.

If this is your first Mac with Apple’s powerful new chips inside, you’re in for a real treat. It’s pretty easy to set up whether you have an old Mac to transfer data from or you’re starting from scratch. There are a few choices to make along the way, though, and some essential tricks and apps you’ll want to consider, so we’re here to take you through the process.

Here is Cult of Mac’s guide to setting up your new Mac the right way.

Top 10 Best Buy holiday deals on Mac and iPad

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M3 MacBook Pro in space black
Yes, an M3 MacBook Pro in space black is on the list.
Photo: Apple

With gift-giving season at full-tilt, Best Buy offers its Apple Sales Event on a full range of fabulous products you can check out here. We’d thought we’d focus below on 10 great Mac and iPad deals you won’t want to miss. Click on the prices below to go straight to the products.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Ugreen’s potent new power bank charges 3 gadgets on the go

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Ugreen 100W 20000mAh Power Bank
Ugreen's new power bank works with most devices and recharges itself in just a couple of hours.
Photo: Ugreen

The new Nexode 100W 20,000mAh Power Bank lets users fast-charge three devices at once on the go, the company said Tuesday.

And the portable charger’s 65W “rapid recharge” feature lets it fully power itself back up from an empty battery in just 2 hours.