Apple MacBook Air 15 M3 (2024): full specs and tests

Apple MacBook Air 15 M3 (2024) Specifications

MacBook Air 15 M3: Key Specs at a Glance

• Chip: M3 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU)
• RAM: 8GB/16GB/24GB unified memory
• Storage: 256GB–2TB SSD (go 512GB )
• Display: 15.3″ Liquid Retina (2880×1864)
• Battery: 66.5Wh (18 hours )
• Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, headphone jack
• Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)

Apple MacBook Air 15 M3 (2024)

The MacBook Air 15 M3 redefines portable power, blending Apple’s fastest consumer chip yet with a sleek, eco-conscious design. With up to 18 hours of battery life, this ultra-thin laptop (just 0.45” thick and 3.3 lbs) slips effortlessly into your bag, ready to tackle work, creative projects, or gaming marathons.

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The MacBook Air 15 M3 has landed, and Apple’s latest 15-inch ultrabook is already making waves. With a bigger screen, Apple M3 Max GPU , and fanless design, this laptop promises power without the bulk. But is it really the best choice for everyday users, students, and professionals?

I spent a week testing the Apple MacBook Air 15 M3 (2024), pushing it through real-world tasks, creative work, and even gaming (yes, gaming on a Mac!). In this review, I’ll answer the top five questions people ask about this laptop and share my experience using it daily.

Is the MacBook Air 15 M3 Worth It?

The MacBook Air 15 M3 is worth it for most people, especially if you:

✔️ Need a big-screen laptop that’s thin and portable
✔️ Want strong battery life (12+ hours per charge)
✔️ Do light to moderate video/photo editing
✔️ Prefer a fanless, silent design

However, if you’re a hardcore video editor, developer, or 3D artist, you might need a MacBook Pro instead. The Air lacks active cooling, meaning it throttles under extreme workloads (more on that later).

Personal story:
I replaced my MacBook Pro 14 with the MacBook Air 15 M3 to see if I’d miss the Pro’s extra power. Surprisingly, for 90% of my work—writing, emails, light Photoshop, and Zoom calls—it handled everything perfectly. I only noticed slowdowns when exporting 4K videos.

How Does the MacBook Air 15 M3 Perform in Real Tests?

Benchmarks & Speed

I ran the MacBook Air 15 M3 through common benchmarks to see how it stacks up:

🔹 Geekbench 6: 3,200 (single-core), 12,000 (multi-core)
🔹 Cinebench R23: ~10,500 multi-core
🔹 SSD Speed: ~3,000 MB/s read & write
🔹 Final Cut Pro 4K Export: 8-minute video exported in ~5 minutes

Real-World Use Cases

✅ Web Browsing & Multitasking: Effortless, even with 20+ Chrome tabs, Spotify, and Slack running.
✅ Photo Editing (Lightroom/Photoshop): No lag for RAW file editing.
✅ Video Editing (Final Cut Pro): Smooth for 1080p and light 4K editing, but export times are slower than the MacBook Pro.
✅ Gaming: Runs Resident Evil Village at medium settings (~30-40 FPS) with MetalFX upscaling.

What Are the Biggest Pros & Cons of the MacBook Air 15 M3?

✅ Pros (Why You’ll Love It)

✔️ Gorgeous 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display (500 nits brightness, sharp colors)
✔️ Silent, fanless design (zero noise, even under load)
✔️ Lightweight and ultra-thin (3.3 lbs, 11.5mm thick)
✔️ Best-in-class battery life (12-14 hours in real-world use)
✔️ Speakers are shockingly good for a thin laptop

❌ Cons (What Might Annoy You)

❌ Still 60Hz (No ProMotion like the MacBook Pro)
❌ Limited ports (Only 2 USB-C + MagSafe + headphone jack)
❌ No SD card slot or HDMI (Dongles required for creatives)
❌ Can throttle under heavy workloads due to passive cooling

💡 Who should buy it?
✔️ Students (perfect balance of power, battery, and portability)
✔️ Writers & office workers (great keyboard, all-day battery)
✔️ Light content creators (photo editing, casual video work)

🚨 Who should skip it?
❌ If you edit 8K or long 4K videos, get a MacBook Pro 14/16 instead.
❌ Need more ports? Consider a Pro or a USB-C hub.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes When Buying the MacBook Air 15 M3?

Before hitting “buy,” avoid these mistakes:

🚫 Mistake #1: Getting 8GB RAM for Pro Work

Apple’s base 8GB RAM is okay for everyday use, but if you:

• Run multiple apps at once (Photoshop, Final Cut, Chrome)
• Edit high-resolution videos or large files

👉 Upgrade to 16GB RAM. It’s expensive, but it’ll keep your MacBook fast for years.

🚫 Mistake #2: Expecting MacBook Pro-Level Performance

Yes, the M3 chip is powerful, but it lacks active cooling. Under long workloads, it will throttle. If you need sustained power, get a MacBook Pro.

🚫 Mistake #3: Ignoring Storage Needs

🔹 256GB = Basic use (emails, documents, light browsing)
🔹 512GB = Ideal for most users (enough for apps, photos, and light video editing)
🔹 1TB+ = Recommended for creatives and professionals

👉 If you plan to store a lot of videos, go for at least 512GB—you can’t upgrade storage later!

MacBook Air 15 M3 VS MacBook Pro?

💡 Verdict: If you want portability, battery life, and silence, get the MacBook Air 15 M3. If you need more power, ports, and a better display, go MacBook Pro.

Final Verdict: Is the MacBook Air 15 M3 the Right Choice?

After testing the Apple MacBook Air 15 M3 (2024), I can confidently say it’s one of the best 15-inch ultrabooks ever made.

✔️ Buy it if:

• You want a big, lightweight MacBook with strong battery life.
• You’re a student, writer, or light content creator.
• You prefer silent performance (no fan noise).

❌ Skip it if:

• You need more ports or an SD card slot.
• You do heavy video editing or gaming (get a Pro).
• You want a 120Hz display (Air is still 60Hz).

⭐ Final Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐