M3 CHEERS - MacBook Air M3 13-inch

With its added M3 power, the latest 13-inch MacBook Air is an ideal portable laptop

When it comes to MacBooks, it's the MacBook Air that's long been the favourite for most people thanks to its balance of power and portability. Since Apple ditched Intel inside for its own silicon, the first of those pillars has only increased (as has battery life). And now with the 2024 MacBook Air, we get the latest M3 processor in a fanless and therefore silent design.

While the 2024 MacBook Air with M3 is the same design as the previous Air from 2022 - that model being the first to bring significant design changes to the series - it's the internal boost to SSD speed and computing power that really appeals here.

Predictably the M3 crushes older M1 & M2 Airs, and while you won't get MacBook Pro levels of performance, that's perfectly fitting for this laptop's target market. So is the MacBook Air still the best laptop on the planet for most people?

Bucking the trend of annual price increases, the MacBook Air M3 starts at £1,099 which is less than the previous M2 Air demanded upon its release (then at £1,249).

However, both models are still available for purchase (in the 13-inch size only): the M2's price is now reduced, at £999, giving you a choice. That's a fair price for one of the best lightweight laptops on the market. Design-wise there's no difference, though, it's solely down to whether you want the SSD speed and compute bump from the newer M3 option.

When the previous MacBook Air launched it was a major step change for the series, with a new 13.6-inch display (complete with notch), smaller size and weight, upgraded webcam, improved features and new colour options. All of which was most welcome.

The M3 MacBook Air maintains all of the above, just said features obviously aren't new this time.