The M3 MacBook Air vs M1: A Comparative Analysis

The recent release of the M3 MacBook Air has been making waves in the tech community, with many enthusiasts and critics alike eager to compare it to its predecessor, the M1. In this article, we'll delve into the key differences between these two powerful laptops and explore which one is better suited for your needs.

One of the most striking aspects of the M3 MacBook Air is its impressive performance. According to benchmarks, such as Cinebench R24, it outperforms the M1 in both single-core and multi-core tests. This is a significant achievement, considering the M3 has been around for only three years. The increased processing power is likely due to advancements in technology and Apple's continued investment in research and development.

The additional power comes with some interesting benefits. For instance, the M3 boasts features like real-time ray tracing, which can enhance gaming experiences on the laptop. Additionally, the improved display capabilities are sure to please graphics enthusiasts and professionals alike. However, it's essential to note that this increased performance comes at a cost. The M3 is significantly more expensive than the M1, with prices starting at $1,000 for the base model.

Another area where the M3 excels is in portability. Weighing in at just 2.75 pounds, the MacBook Air is one of the lightest laptops on the market. This makes it an excellent choice for travelers and those who need a reliable computer for work on-the-go. The battery life is also noteworthy, with Apple claiming up to 18 hours of use on a single charge.

In comparison to its predecessor, the M3 has made significant strides in terms of portability. While the M1 was already an excellent choice for travel, the M3's improved performance and sleeker design make it an even more compelling option. However, it's essential to consider that both laptops have similar battery life, with the M3 offering a slight advantage.

One area where the M3 falls short is in port capabilities. Despite being from two different generations, the two laptops are almost identical when it comes to ports. The M3 has an additional HDMI and SD card slot, but for desktop setups, Thunderbolt USBC is becoming increasingly important. Both laptops have the same number of USB-C ports and offer seamless connectivity with existing peripherals.

This similarity in portability is likely a misstep on Apple's part, considering the importance of expandability in professional environments. In contrast to previous MacBook Pro models, which have always been designed to seamlessly integrate into existing home computers, the M3's limitations may be a hindrance for some users.

Another key benefit of the M3 is its improved audio and display capabilities. The new laptop boasts better speakers, a more excellent keyboard, and enhanced web camera functionality. For those who frequently use their laptop for video conferencing or presentations, these features are sure to make a significant difference.

One aspect where the M3 genuinely outshines the M1 is in terms of build quality. Apple has managed to craft a laptop that feels premium and durable, with high-quality materials and construction. This attention to detail will undoubtedly ensure the M3 lasts for four years or more without showing signs of wear.

However, if you're looking for an actual Pro computer at this price point, there are better options available. The M1 MacBook Air remains the best value on the market, offering unparalleled performance, fantastic build quality, and a remarkable price tag of $680. This laptop is perfect for those who need a reliable computer for work or travel, with no compromise on power or features.

Ultimately, whether you choose the M3 MacBook Air or stick with the M1 depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you're looking for the best value for that dollar, the M1 remains an excellent choice. However, if you need a more powerful laptop with cutting-edge technology and sleek design, the M3 is undoubtedly worth considering.

In conclusion, both laptops have their strengths and weaknesses, and it's essential to carefully weigh these factors before making a decision. With its impressive performance, improved display capabilities, and enhanced audio features, the M3 MacBook Air is an excellent choice for those who want the latest technology at a premium price. However, if you're on a budget or require a laptop that meets your needs without breaking the bank, the M1 remains the best value option.

The Final Word:

The Apple ecosystem has always been renowned for its seamless integration and compatibility across devices. The M3 MacBook Air continues this legacy, offering an exceptional user experience that is sure to delight both tech enthusiasts and professionals alike. While it's essential to consider the costs involved, especially when compared to more powerful Pro computers, the M3 offers an unbeatable combination of performance, portability, and design.

In terms of overall value, there are still some limitations to the M3's capabilities, particularly in terms of portability and expandability. However, if you're looking for a laptop that checks all the boxes without compromising on power or features, the M3 is undoubtedly worth considering.

Whether you choose the M3 MacBook Air or stick with the M1, one thing is certain – Apple has created a truly exceptional laptop experience that will continue to impress users for years to come.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe two cheapest computers of their generation go head-to-head the king maker standard itself the M1 MacBook Air is pound-for-pound the single best computer ever made seriously I'll probably never stop talking about it the M3 MacBook Pro on the other hand is a budget option in a line not known for saving money it's definitely the one with something to prove today so how do they compare against each other and which one would I recommend well I guess the first place to start off is let's start this video off by comparing these specs and price information because honestly at the end of the day most folks will think about this purchase in these terms the M1 MacBook Air comes equipped with the M1 standard processor that's an 8 core CPU seven or8 core GPU depending on the version you buy 256 GB of storage and 8 GB of unified memory you could also upgrade this to 2 tabt of storage and 16 GB of unified memory but uh again we're talking budget today this can be had for as little as $680 r n from Amazon $849 refurbished from Apple or $999 brand new from Apple obviously I would not recommend paying almost $300 more for the brand new version the M3 MacBook Pro on the other hand comes equipped with the M3 standard processor this newest version comes with an 8 core CPU with it does have the same four efficiency and four performance core layout as the M1 8 GB of unified memory 512 GB solid state drive and a 10 core GPU this can be had as of the release of this video brand new from Apple for $15.99 if you've if you're watching this a few months in advance you may be able to find this refurbished at that point now one thing to note is that $1599 is more than double the price of the renewed version and almost twice the price of the refurbished M1 version so is it actually worth twice as much that's the title that's the title right well when we get into the direct comparisons physically there are some significant differences between the two laptops the M1 MacBook Air is built off of an older design 13.3 in liquid red a display when using the computer it's really shocking just how small it feels in use it's from a whole different Apple world of smooth edges and more rounded shapes but it doesn't feel too out of place in a tech kit like it doesn't feel like an old cheap piece of equipment it feels and looks pretty modern and pretty good the M3 MacBook Pro is definitely from Apple's today design language it looks like everything else in the lineup for good or bad depending on your preferences I guess it's more or less the 14-in MacBook Pro so comparatively the M3 MacBook Pro has a larger display and larger overall body which I do think is both a positive and a negative against the M1 clearly I like the larger display laptops are all about portability and having usable capabilities wherever you go so having a bigger more useful display is absolutely a win but the laptop because of that is much bigger and much heavier so if you were trying to save weight or not carry around a bag that's going to hurt your back that lightness might be something you are looking for and the weight isn't just in your head if you hold one and then you hold the other you're probably not going to be able to tell the difference but the M3 Pro weighs half a pound more than the M1 air that doesn't sound like a lot but over time that will definitely add up when it comes to those displays itself like looking at them it's not even close the M1 MacBook Air because it is an older style has some pretty significant bezels to it that isn't something I normally complain about in these videos but here the difference is pretty Stark not only is the M3 screen bigger but it takes up more of its display space I guess you could say the M3 is more efficient with its screen to body size ratio like there's a lot of wasted space on the M1 there's not a lot of wasted space on the M3 it's not just the size of the screen though that is a major Plus in the column for the M3 this also has the high-end display from the rest of the updated MacBook Pro Series that means super high contrast ratio incredible dynamic range faster refresh rate than you'll find on anything outside of a dedicated gaming laptop 200 more of brightness in standard modes compared to the M1 no like no qualms about it this display is one of the best displays you can get on a laptop today it's if you care most about having the best display on your computer you can stop watching right here because the M3 is better than almost every other computer available now that's not to say the MacBook Air display is bad it's actually pretty good I mean it does have a major weakness apart from the smaller size is its brightness it can only go up to 400 nits of Max brightness at any time that's not the worst thing when you're sitting in an office or a classroom or a home studio but if you want to work from a coffee shop airport lounge outside anything that has direct sunlight it gets pretty hard to see the screen the retina display here is still one of the best when you compare it outside of the Apple laptop Apple laptop lineup wow it was way harder to say that than I thought the next major realm for comparison will be performance the M3 MacBook Pro performs better than the M1 there you go boom performance section is over wow this video is going to be easy the more okay we ha haa Gary the more interesting question though is how much better does it perform because it's 3 years newer that it performs better is that's not a surprise right when you look at the benchmarks that have been around on cinebench r24 it's pretty impressive the amount of performance gain that Apple has been able to achieve in such a short amount of time both single core and multi-core is better on the M3 and the M3 has other gaming goodies like raate tracing to go along with that beautiful display but in reality in Practical use you can see on the bars here the difference isn't that far off the base model M3 has some of the same limitations as the M1 namely the amount of unified memory you can see the M3 is not more powerful than the M1 Max in certain situations so it's not that big of a difference and it will be bottlenecked from allowing the CPU to run free because of memory limitations you're not going to be just like traveling across the digital planes here if you start upgrading that memory now you're looking into MacBook Pro 16 levels of price so what are you even doing here yes it's going to come down to each individual person but I think the interesting part looking at these benchmarks is how well the M1 still holds its own despite being a first generation product the other major difference I wanted to talk about today was how these laptops fit into a versatile personal Tech system so for example if this is your only computer how much capability do you get to go from your office to traveling and vice versa shockingly enough it's pretty darn close between the two battery life is better on the M3 but not overly so both are great by the way don't let my earlier comments take away from them both of these computers have fantastic battery life and both computers will have their full power even when running on that battery life which is still wholly unique and novel to the Apple laptop lineup dang it I said it again and it took me twice another place that they line up really close is Port capability and it's crazy to me that despite these two computers being from two wholly different generations and three years apart they are almost identical with Port capability now the M3 does have an additional HDMI and SD card slot which is great don't get me wrong but for a desktop setup anymore Thunderbolt USBC kind of rules the world world and here the computers have the exact same USBC ports the same numbers same capabilities Etc both computers will only export out to a single display and I've been complaining about this for years at this point and I imagine we'll continue seeing this in the standard processor every single year which at least it gives me something to talk about right this is something to note here because normally when I pit the MacBook Air against the MacBook Pro especially the new Macbook Pros one of the strengths of the higher-end machine is that ability to seamlessly tie into an existing home computer desk I really think this is a misstep here because Pro computers not being able to plug into two displays makes me laugh out loud in like the bad way not like the Santa Claus happy chuckle like it's not good a few other key benefits for the M3 that I don't expand on too much but I do think is important enough to quickly mention it has better speakers a better keyboard better web camera better microphone for meetings and it does have a MAG Safe Port if you are clumsy like me and you have a habit of running into your cables that change will potentially save your ports and your laptop from being like yanked off the desk okay 1,500 words later which one would I recommend is there enough extra features in the M3 to justify that extreme additional cost I don't think so yes it is better in some ways and much better in some of those ways but if you are looking for an actual Pro computer there are better options out there for the same price or just slightly more if you are looking at either of these what I think you're really looking for is the best value for that dollar and in that regard I still do not think you can touch the M1 MacBook Air for Value it's got performance that will do everything a general computer needs to do today it still has fantastic build quality that will last four years it's just about the perfect travel computer all this time later and all of that at $680 nothing else even comes close we'll need to get into a world of programs just needing more power than the M1 can provide before I will stop recommending it as the best value on the market but what about you do you have either of these computers what would you recommend to those that watch let us all know in the comments below and if you like this video click here to see the overall best apple ecosystem for 2024 click click click click click click click thanks for watchingthe two cheapest computers of their generation go head-to-head the king maker standard itself the M1 MacBook Air is pound-for-pound the single best computer ever made seriously I'll probably never stop talking about it the M3 MacBook Pro on the other hand is a budget option in a line not known for saving money it's definitely the one with something to prove today so how do they compare against each other and which one would I recommend well I guess the first place to start off is let's start this video off by comparing these specs and price information because honestly at the end of the day most folks will think about this purchase in these terms the M1 MacBook Air comes equipped with the M1 standard processor that's an 8 core CPU seven or8 core GPU depending on the version you buy 256 GB of storage and 8 GB of unified memory you could also upgrade this to 2 tabt of storage and 16 GB of unified memory but uh again we're talking budget today this can be had for as little as $680 r n from Amazon $849 refurbished from Apple or $999 brand new from Apple obviously I would not recommend paying almost $300 more for the brand new version the M3 MacBook Pro on the other hand comes equipped with the M3 standard processor this newest version comes with an 8 core CPU with it does have the same four efficiency and four performance core layout as the M1 8 GB of unified memory 512 GB solid state drive and a 10 core GPU this can be had as of the release of this video brand new from Apple for $15.99 if you've if you're watching this a few months in advance you may be able to find this refurbished at that point now one thing to note is that $1599 is more than double the price of the renewed version and almost twice the price of the refurbished M1 version so is it actually worth twice as much that's the title that's the title right well when we get into the direct comparisons physically there are some significant differences between the two laptops the M1 MacBook Air is built off of an older design 13.3 in liquid red a display when using the computer it's really shocking just how small it feels in use it's from a whole different Apple world of smooth edges and more rounded shapes but it doesn't feel too out of place in a tech kit like it doesn't feel like an old cheap piece of equipment it feels and looks pretty modern and pretty good the M3 MacBook Pro is definitely from Apple's today design language it looks like everything else in the lineup for good or bad depending on your preferences I guess it's more or less the 14-in MacBook Pro so comparatively the M3 MacBook Pro has a larger display and larger overall body which I do think is both a positive and a negative against the M1 clearly I like the larger display laptops are all about portability and having usable capabilities wherever you go so having a bigger more useful display is absolutely a win but the laptop because of that is much bigger and much heavier so if you were trying to save weight or not carry around a bag that's going to hurt your back that lightness might be something you are looking for and the weight isn't just in your head if you hold one and then you hold the other you're probably not going to be able to tell the difference but the M3 Pro weighs half a pound more than the M1 air that doesn't sound like a lot but over time that will definitely add up when it comes to those displays itself like looking at them it's not even close the M1 MacBook Air because it is an older style has some pretty significant bezels to it that isn't something I normally complain about in these videos but here the difference is pretty Stark not only is the M3 screen bigger but it takes up more of its display space I guess you could say the M3 is more efficient with its screen to body size ratio like there's a lot of wasted space on the M1 there's not a lot of wasted space on the M3 it's not just the size of the screen though that is a major Plus in the column for the M3 this also has the high-end display from the rest of the updated MacBook Pro Series that means super high contrast ratio incredible dynamic range faster refresh rate than you'll find on anything outside of a dedicated gaming laptop 200 more of brightness in standard modes compared to the M1 no like no qualms about it this display is one of the best displays you can get on a laptop today it's if you care most about having the best display on your computer you can stop watching right here because the M3 is better than almost every other computer available now that's not to say the MacBook Air display is bad it's actually pretty good I mean it does have a major weakness apart from the smaller size is its brightness it can only go up to 400 nits of Max brightness at any time that's not the worst thing when you're sitting in an office or a classroom or a home studio but if you want to work from a coffee shop airport lounge outside anything that has direct sunlight it gets pretty hard to see the screen the retina display here is still one of the best when you compare it outside of the Apple laptop Apple laptop lineup wow it was way harder to say that than I thought the next major realm for comparison will be performance the M3 MacBook Pro performs better than the M1 there you go boom performance section is over wow this video is going to be easy the more okay we ha haa Gary the more interesting question though is how much better does it perform because it's 3 years newer that it performs better is that's not a surprise right when you look at the benchmarks that have been around on cinebench r24 it's pretty impressive the amount of performance gain that Apple has been able to achieve in such a short amount of time both single core and multi-core is better on the M3 and the M3 has other gaming goodies like raate tracing to go along with that beautiful display but in reality in Practical use you can see on the bars here the difference isn't that far off the base model M3 has some of the same limitations as the M1 namely the amount of unified memory you can see the M3 is not more powerful than the M1 Max in certain situations so it's not that big of a difference and it will be bottlenecked from allowing the CPU to run free because of memory limitations you're not going to be just like traveling across the digital planes here if you start upgrading that memory now you're looking into MacBook Pro 16 levels of price so what are you even doing here yes it's going to come down to each individual person but I think the interesting part looking at these benchmarks is how well the M1 still holds its own despite being a first generation product the other major difference I wanted to talk about today was how these laptops fit into a versatile personal Tech system so for example if this is your only computer how much capability do you get to go from your office to traveling and vice versa shockingly enough it's pretty darn close between the two battery life is better on the M3 but not overly so both are great by the way don't let my earlier comments take away from them both of these computers have fantastic battery life and both computers will have their full power even when running on that battery life which is still wholly unique and novel to the Apple laptop lineup dang it I said it again and it took me twice another place that they line up really close is Port capability and it's crazy to me that despite these two computers being from two wholly different generations and three years apart they are almost identical with Port capability now the M3 does have an additional HDMI and SD card slot which is great don't get me wrong but for a desktop setup anymore Thunderbolt USBC kind of rules the world world and here the computers have the exact same USBC ports the same numbers same capabilities Etc both computers will only export out to a single display and I've been complaining about this for years at this point and I imagine we'll continue seeing this in the standard processor every single year which at least it gives me something to talk about right this is something to note here because normally when I pit the MacBook Air against the MacBook Pro especially the new Macbook Pros one of the strengths of the higher-end machine is that ability to seamlessly tie into an existing home computer desk I really think this is a misstep here because Pro computers not being able to plug into two displays makes me laugh out loud in like the bad way not like the Santa Claus happy chuckle like it's not good a few other key benefits for the M3 that I don't expand on too much but I do think is important enough to quickly mention it has better speakers a better keyboard better web camera better microphone for meetings and it does have a MAG Safe Port if you are clumsy like me and you have a habit of running into your cables that change will potentially save your ports and your laptop from being like yanked off the desk okay 1,500 words later which one would I recommend is there enough extra features in the M3 to justify that extreme additional cost I don't think so yes it is better in some ways and much better in some of those ways but if you are looking for an actual Pro computer there are better options out there for the same price or just slightly more if you are looking at either of these what I think you're really looking for is the best value for that dollar and in that regard I still do not think you can touch the M1 MacBook Air for Value it's got performance that will do everything a general computer needs to do today it still has fantastic build quality that will last four years it's just about the perfect travel computer all this time later and all of that at $680 nothing else even comes close we'll need to get into a world of programs just needing more power than the M1 can provide before I will stop recommending it as the best value on the market but what about you do you have either of these computers what would you recommend to those that watch let us all know in the comments below and if you like this video click here to see the overall best apple ecosystem for 2024 click click click click click click click thanks for watching\n"