Apple has announced two new models of the MacBook Air running the new M3 chips that launched last year.
When the powerful M3 chip were unveiled, new MacBook Pros were also announced – but the more affordable MacBook Air was noticeable by its absence.
That’s now changed, as Apple has sprung a surprise launch, with the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Air 15-inch now available for pre-order with the M3 chip.
The MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) starts at $1,099 / £1,099, and the MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) will start at $1,299 / £1,299.
Pre-orders have gone live along with the announcement, and it will be in stores from Friday, March 8.
This news is breaking
Hello and goodbye
While Apple’s announcement was out of the blue, it wasn’t completely unexpected, as there had been rumors swirling that the company was about to release some new MacBooks – and the two MacBook Air sizes seemed the most likely.
With the launch of the new M3 models, we’re also saying goodbye to a couple of models. The original M1 MacBook Air, which for a long time was at the top of our best laptops list, is no longer being sold by Apple. This is a shame as it remained an excellent, and affordable, laptop.
In its place, Apple is continuing to sell the MacBook Air 13-inch with the M2 chip, which will now sell for $999 / £999. This makes it the cheapest MacBook model, and it’s now even better value.
While the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air will continue to be sold by Apple, it looks like the 15-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip will no longer be sold. Seeing as it only went on sale in the middle of last year, that’s a rather short shelf life for a laptop.
Also, even though Apple has not said anything officially, it’s looking likely that the 13-inch MacBook Pro is no more. That version of the laptop has yet to have an M3 model, nor a redesign. It’s the only model that still came with a Touch Bar, and it was increasingly looking like the odd-MacBook-out.
- Empty list