Computing laptopMacBookApple SiliconM3ultraportable

MacBook Air 13" M3 (2024) Review: The Near-Perfect Laptop for Almost Everyone

18-hour battery, fanless silence, M3 speed, and that iconic thin design — the default choice for students, travelers, and office workers.

10 min read
4.9
MacBook Air 13-inch M3 in Midnight color on a minimal desk setup

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Gallery

Left side showing MagSafe 3, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, and headphone jack
MagSafe 3 charging frees up both Thunderbolt 4 ports
Close-up of Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Force Touch trackpad
Best-in-class keyboard feel and haptic trackpad
MacBook Air M3 driving an external 4K monitor in clamshell mode
Supports one external display (up to 6K) — two with lid closed on M3

Pros

  • Incredible 18+ hour real-world battery life (web browsing, video)
  • Completely fanless — dead silent under any workload
  • M3 chip: 15-20% faster CPU, 30% faster GPU than M2
  • Supports 2 external displays (with lid closed)
  • 1080p webcam finally looks good in low light
  • MagSafe 3 + 2× Thunderbolt 4 + 3.5mm jack

Cons

  • Only 2 Thunderbolt ports (both on left side)
  • 60 Hz display (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
  • 8 GB base RAM is tight in 2024; 16 GB upgrade costs $200
  • Midnight finish shows fingerprints easily
  • No Face ID, no cellular option

Who Should Buy This

  • Students needing all-day battery and silent operation in libraries
  • Travelers wanting the lightest full-power Mac (2.7 lb)
  • Office workers living in browser, Office, Slack, Zoom

Our Verdict

The **MacBook Air 13" M3** is the **closest thing to a perfect mainstream laptop**. Fanless silence, 18-hour battery, M3 performance, and a design that still feels futuristic after 4 years. The 60 Hz screen and 2-port limit are the only real compromises. For 90% of users, this is the Mac to buy. Spend the $200 on 16 GB RAM — future-you will thank you.

Specifications

Chip
Apple M3 (8-core CPU, 8/10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine)
Memory
8 GB / 16 GB / 24 GB unified (not upgradable)
Storage
256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB SSD
Display
13.6" Liquid Retina (2560×1664), 500 nits, P3, 60 Hz
Camera
1080p FaceTime HD with computational video
Audio
4-speaker system with Spatial Audio, 3-mic array
Ports
MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt/USB 4, 3.5 mm headphone
Battery
52.6 Wh (up to 18 hrs web, 15 hrs video)
Weight
2.7 lb (1.24 kg)
Colors
Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Space Gray
Check Price: $1,099

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