Apple has announced new MacBook Air models in 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes with its own M3 chip. The 13-inch model starts at $1,099 ($100 less than the M2 Air model), and the 15-inch model starts at $1,299. Both variants are available for pre-order in the US starting today, with general release scheduled for March 8.
Apple unveiled the M2 MacBook Air in 2022 and added a 15-inch model to its portfolio last year.
Both MacBook Air models feature 18 hours of battery life, a 1080p webcam, and upgraded Wi-Fi 6E radios. It also has two Thunderbolt ports along with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Two external displays are also supported, but only when the lid is closed.
The M3 chip, released last year, combines an 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU. The new set of MacBook Air devices features a three-microphone array to improve voice clarity during calls.
“MacBook Air is our most popular and beloved Mac. More customers are choosing MacBook Air over other laptops. And today, it’s even better with the M3 chip and new features.” Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said in a statement.
Both models are available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Space Gray color options.
Apple’s announcement of its new MacBook Air devices came on the same day that the European Union fined Apple 1.84 billion euros (about $2 billion at current exchange rates) for violating antitrust rules in the music streaming market.