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How does the M3 chip performance compare to M2 in the MacBook Air?

Published: January 29th, 2024
Last Updated: February 1st, 2024
Apple 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M3 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, Touch ID; Midnight 16GB RAM 512GB Midnight Without AppleCare+ (3 Years)

The new 2024 MacBook Air with the M3 chip adds some pretty cool advancements compared to the previous M2 model. A lot of folks are buzzing about its ability to support two external displays, which you can set up using the Thunderbolt/USB-C ports.

But, here's something important: to use these dual displays effectively, you'll need to keep the laptop's lid closed, which disables the built-in screen.

This is a nice upgrade from older MacBook Air models that only let you connect one external monitor. It can be super handy for anyone who likes working with multiple displays—like if you're into video editing or design and need more screen space.

But, there are a couple of things to consider. When you're using both displays, all the USB-C ports get used up, so you might need to get a USB hub if you have other devices to connect.

Plus, keeping the lid closed might not work for everyone, especially if you like using the MacBook’s keyboard and trackpad along with the monitors.

If you’re someone who needs more flexibility with ports and display options, checking out the MacBook Pro might be worth it. It offers more versatility for complex setups or if you often switch between using your MacBook as a laptop and a desktop.

Overall, the M3 chip brings some exciting improvements, especially with that dual-display support. It's just a matter of figuring out if they fit your style of working, especially with those little quirks.

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If you're still curious about the Apple MacBook Air M3 (2024) 13-inch, 512GB SSD, here are some other answers you might find interesting:

Hey! So, when it comes to hooking up dual external displays to the MacBook Air M3, it's a bit of a mixed bag.

The M3 chip in the MacBook Air is pretty powerful and improves on the previous models, but according to the manufacturer's specs and our research, it’s mainly geared towards supporting just one external monitor at a time.

If you're thinking about having two external displays, unfortunately, the MacBook Air M3 doesn't natively handle that. You can connect a single monitor easily via USB-C or Thunderbolt, but for two, you'll have to explore some other options.

Some folks have had luck using third-party software or docking stations to get that setup going. Just a heads-up though, these workarounds might not be as seamless or reliable as we'd hope, and your experience could vary.

If having dual displays is super important for you, you might want to think about looking into a MacBook Pro.

They're known for having better support for multiple monitors right out of the gate.

Hope that helps!

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💻

How does the M3 chip performance compare to M2 in the MacBook Air?

Published: January 29th, 2024
Last Updated: February 1st, 2024

The new 2024 MacBook Air with the M3 chip adds some pretty cool advancements compared to the previous M2 model. A lot of folks are buzzing about its ability to support two external displays, which you can set up using the Thunderbolt/USB-C ports.

But, here's something important: to use these dual displays effectively, you'll need to keep the laptop's lid closed, which disables the built-in screen.

This is a nice upgrade from older MacBook Air models that only let you connect one external monitor. It can be super handy for anyone who likes working with multiple displays—like if you're into video editing or design and need more screen space.

But, there are a couple of things to consider. When you're using both displays, all the USB-C ports get used up, so you might need to get a USB hub if you have other devices to connect.

Plus, keeping the lid closed might not work for everyone, especially if you like using the MacBook’s keyboard and trackpad along with the monitors.

If you’re someone who needs more flexibility with ports and display options, checking out the MacBook Pro might be worth it. It offers more versatility for complex setups or if you often switch between using your MacBook as a laptop and a desktop.

Overall, the M3 chip brings some exciting improvements, especially with that dual-display support. It's just a matter of figuring out if they fit your style of working, especially with those little quirks.

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So, if you're curious about the battery life on the 2024 MacBook Air with the new M3 chip, here's the scoop: according to our research, it's quite impressive, giving you up to 18 hours on a typical day of use.

That's pretty much all-day power for things like working, browsing, or streaming without needing to find a power outlet.

The M3 chip not only boosts performance but also helps keep that battery running longer, which is a big plus for stuff like watching videos or doing some light work.

Of course, this can vary depending on what you're up to. If you're multitasking with a bunch of demanding apps or using external monitors through the Thunderbolt ports, you might see the battery drop a bit faster.

The manufacturer states that you should get a long stretch of usage under normal conditions, and our research backs this up. Many folks are happy with how the battery holds up, especially when out and about.

Basically, whether you're catching up on your favorite shows, getting through your workload, or just doing everyday stuff, the battery should have you covered for the day.

Just keep in mind, if you're diving into some power-intensive tasks, it might be smart to have your charger handy just in case.

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