M2 vs M3 MacBook Air Comparison: When SHOULD you upgrade?
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День томуI've got both the M2 MacBook Air and the all-new M3 MacBook Air here in the studio. I take a close look at all the changes between these two models and thoroughly test them out including copious benchmarks to see how the new model performs and whether or not it is worth the upgrade!
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Chapters ➡
0:00 Intro
0:57 SSD performance
2:47 Wi-Fi upgrade
5:09 Journey Nexa sleeve
6:46 New finishes on MacBook Air
8:51 Two external displays
9:35 M3 benchmarks
12:18 Summary and which to buy
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@AppleInsider 2 місяці тому
Thanks to Journey for sponsoring this video! Grab the Journey NEXA sleeve here 👉bit.ly/nexa-ai
@TechPhotoGames 2 місяці тому
Great review, MBA M3 or M2 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a 5+ year laptop (or longer). I'm still enjoying my M1 and it's been a solid workhorse, may look at upgrading to M4 next year - the AI locality will be strong on the M series systems.
@dk2d254 Місяць тому
I slept dreaming about the M3 air woke went to the store and ended up buying an M1 with more storage. I will invest the change I have in other equipments
@ajleslie2 Місяць тому
Big notice from the pro to the m2 is the speakers. My 2017 had a much nice speaker, but its thicker.
@gasdia10 Місяць тому
Watching this from my 13 MBA from 2015! Thinking about getting the M3 … but the MBA m2 with 16 gb of RAM is tempting
@akshatpruthi Місяць тому
I bought M2 last week, as I wanted to go for a basic laptop and not looking for high performance..
@FFCOACHDAN Місяць тому
I splurged and traded my Starlight (like the unique look, everyone and there Mom has a black or grey laptop) M2 for the Starlight M3 13" Air, same 8/10/16 specs but bumped up to 1TB storage. More a want than a need but love the Air for its lightness traveling and for daily work and wanted the better model. Looking into utilizing the duel monitor capabilities.
@AppleInsider Місяць тому
I like your thinking on the Starlight color! I think 1TB is a good call on storage. I know I do video work but somehow I still end up ballooning the stuff on my device so easily.
@deepakdevellore 27 днів тому
starlight is so underrated , it resists all smudges and looks clean and new even its dirtier than nyc subway
@oo7plasma Місяць тому
I'm on a 2018 macbook pro base model, i was looking at my storage usage and im at only 80GB used, not sure I need to upgrade the 256GB SSD tbh.
@joesalyers 13 днів тому
The one thing to remember is on apple silicon because apps are universal you will use double the space so apps have both intel and apple silicon versions packed together in the same package and are installed. So if you are using 80gb now you will use up about 180-200 GB in the new one. This is why storage has become such a hot topic for apple silicon. But you could still probably get away with 256 as long as you are really good at throwing away files you don't need. Cheers!!
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
II think I'll end up with an M2, especially as your helpful cost comparison shows Best Buy's $999 deal! I had a MacBook Pro before my current Dell (which always ran hot; the fan running constantly makes me crazy). The MacBook Pro completely froze one day as a result of an operating system upgrade. However, it WAS 7 years old. I want to go back to a Mac (and never leave again), but I haven't pulled the trigger because of the 8 GB. I am not in the position to spend $1500 on a laptop right now. I could if I should, but it would be better if I made a more modest purchase. But I don't game or download videos...I work remotely doing teletherapy and I might get into some photo editing. I often do other work with 8 to 12 tabs open. I want a 15 " MacBook Air...just need guidance as to whether 8 GB is sufficient (or will it be 10 in a 15"?) and whether 256 is sufficient? Help! I need to buy a new laptop before this Dell dies altogether...it's almost there! Thanks!
@MrSimonj1970 Місяць тому
I'm in the same dilemma - having watched a load of reviews and comments, it seems like 8gb is enough to edit photos and 4k video, but 16gb is better if you can afford it. The 256gb is OK if you use an external SDD drive with a fast connection, but again 512 is better. If you're used to old macs or PCs like me, I think even the base models will blow us away! I'm going for a refurbished M2 15"/512/8gb direct from Apple UK for £1200 - the M3 version of same spec is £1500, too mucho for me. Good luck!
@asafrevivim Місяць тому
Thank you! If I'm a heavy Chrome user and I want to buy the Air 24 RAM, most my the files I store are in the cloud, would it have any effect if I buy the 256 SSD? over the 512 SSD? Would 256 any slower than the 512 at all?
@TSeven714 4 дні тому
a month and no reply? Unsubbed
@Arkid77777 14 днів тому
Is it just the camera or is the midnight color on the M3 MacBook Air slightly different compared to the M2?
@nepoliansumal3547 13 днів тому
It is the m3 attracts less fingerprints
@mikes7070 2 місяці тому
I have an old MacBook Air and it still does everything I need. The new one does look tempting.
@AppleInsider 2 місяці тому
They last so long! As long as it does what you need, no need to upgrade!
@njpme 2 місяці тому
Right? My M1 Pro is fast but it's tempting to upgrade to the M3 Pro
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
Saw it in the store. Gorgeous clarity and color.
@davidjacobs6244 2 місяці тому
Been using Macs for 13 years and I’ve still only filled just over 100GB so 256GB is still enough for some users.That’s why it still exists.
@committed2thecore 2 місяці тому
My wife has a 2016 256gb MacBook Pro with less than 100gb used.
@naim3968 2 місяці тому
Im using 49 gb after using my mac book for 9 months and i have 9 third party apps including davinci resolve, 256 is adequate for some users.
@AppleInsider 2 місяці тому
Has everything shifted completely to the cloud for you? My install of Baldur's Gate 3 alone is ~137 gigs 🤯
@njpme 2 місяці тому
@@AppleInsiderouch
@mAcroFaze Місяць тому
I've got an early 2015 Macbook Pro with 500GB and over that time, I've used up 200GB (granted, I delete things when I don't need them, and the machine essentially acts as my side computer as opposed to my main machine)!
@rheacutillo5199 6 днів тому
15” Air, choosing between refurbished M2 24gb/2TB or new M3 16Ram/1tb. Thoughts please?
@RobsRemixes 6 днів тому
Depends if you are going to push your M3 to max out the 16gb, it would take a lot of intensive programs and many apps running simultaneously to do so. Also if you’re going to use up that 1tb space but for me I wouldn’t even come close to that. I would recommend M3
@jillf8805 8 днів тому
I’m scared of Apple suddenly discontinuing software updates but I want the M2 so bad!!! Even with the rapid cycling of products, is the M2 still worth it?
@ingramdw1 2 місяці тому
My 15" midnight M3 MacBook Air is on its way already - upgrading from a 13" midnight M2 model - pretty much just like your video. I agree this is the sweet spot machine.
@user-ht7nl5ox3u Місяць тому
Hello. Which one will be better? Basic configuration of M3 Air or M2 witch 10GPU, 16GBRAM and 512GBSSD? No foto and video editing. Only normal use. I want to spend my money well.
@onlylaugh4701 Місяць тому
Then m2 gonna work , even you can go with 8gb 256gb
@CassioHungria85 11 днів тому
😊
@AlexS-hx8zv 2 місяці тому
I just got the M2 MacBook Air last week, and it everything that your average consumer would need. Even more - I film & edit videos
@AppleInsider Місяць тому
For sure! It struggled, but I was able to edit some short 4K videos on the old 12" MacBook (my favorite Mac of all time) and these new ones just blow it away!
@nimi6072 Місяць тому
How much ram?
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
8 G?
@MrPrins82 2 дні тому
How much ram?
@shaikhhar6911 5 днів тому
The problem with 256GB ssd is not the storage space itself. 256 is more than enough for most preofessional. I have 140GB free out of 256GB in mine and I work professional software development task in it with multiple servers running locally, tabs open, docker instances, etc The issue with 256 GB is if paired with low RAM and heavy usecase, which cause a lot of swapping hence causing lot of writes to the drives called (TBW) Now higher the SSD storage , higher is the TBW rating. Eg 256GB has 150TB, 512 has 300TB and so on. So if you have low RAM and use it heavily, your SSD 'might' die sooner than if you had higher Storage SSD. So either have sufficient RAM in which case get the least SSD (upgrade not worth 200$ or more for just 256GB extra) Or get enough SSD (Atleast 512GB) because not only these SSDs are not upgradeable in Apple but more importantly they are also non-replacable, hence if your SSD dies then your whole otherwise perfectly functioning macbook is rendered useless
@phillip147 26 днів тому
I bought the very base model MacBook Air m2, I am very interested with this laptop, I am a history and education student in college so I do A LOT of research and write research papers, I have a lot of apps and Chrome tabs open and running all at once and have never had an issue with this laptop, maybe because my previous MacBook was an MacBook Pro with an intel 7 chip so this is just stupid fast in comparison but I honestly do not think anyone needs the pro unless your like an Justine type of person, oh and my current mac I never have had it get slightly warm when doing all that intense stuff for school on it where my MacBook Pro i7 would have been hot as a frying pan just doing internet browsing
@txaggies07 2 місяці тому
Where did you get the wallpaper on the M3 in the thumbnail?
@AppleInsider 2 місяці тому
Our friend Basic Apple Guy! Check out his site! He also collaborated with us in creating t-shirts available below the video! They're so cool! basicappleguy.com
@BhaskaraVijay 2 місяці тому
I am pretty much contented with my Macbook Pro M1 (base variant - 256 GB) which i purchased on the day of its launch in November 2020. The battery life is still amazing! I hardly shut down my laptop unless there is a software update. I have multiple tabs open in my Safari/ Chrome and have multiple applications running. At times it becomes difficult to close the application at the end of the day and reopen it the next day. I charge once in 2 days and in my opinion this can never be achieved in any windows laptop.
@njpme 2 місяці тому
Same here with same specs
@BhaskaraVijay 2 місяці тому
@@njpmeok great! 😊
@SamA-xt5hm Місяць тому
Hey, can you clarify if M2 MacBook Air can do two external displays or is it just the M3 MacBook Air ?
@dhrv7585 Місяць тому
Only m3 I think, it’s on the apple store
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
It's only the M3...that's a selling point.
@w15792 Місяць тому
@AppleInsider; I basically need to upgrade from Macbook pro 2013 model. So shall I go for Macbook air M2 or M3 ? My use if basic office use and not much into graphics etc. Please advise
@hamza1517 Місяць тому
Go with M2
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
I think M2 will do fine. You could even get a 15" screen. He has a link above with a cost comparison at various stores. Best Buy has the best price. Also check out the same specs in Apple's Certified Refurbished.
@paulho5673 22 години тому
better not to get a m2 with 16gb ram?
@Thanoz. Місяць тому
Here's me still using a i9 2019
@gurugamer8632 Місяць тому
Is 8GB okay?
@jarrelshotya2573 Місяць тому
For very light use. Like things you would do with your phone
@frog5448 Місяць тому
10:03 M1, M2 = Geekbench5 scores M3 = Geekbemch6 scores Should do test again
@AppleInsider Місяць тому
No, they were Geekbench 6. I have the machines on hand and tested them just for this video with the latest OS.
@wazitSomethingISaid 2 місяці тому
the performance of the 13 and 15 inch models are very different due to battery size and case size etc.... so this isnt a very good compare
@AppleInsider 2 місяці тому
The Battery life will be different due to the physical size of the battery, but otherwise the internals are extremely similar. You can get a GPU that's a bit more under-powered in the 13" at the base level, but we made sure to compare the 10-core M2 13" GPU to the 10-core 15" so that wouldn't be a discrepancy in our measurements. There's some wiggle room as to where they thermal throttle due to chassis size, but it's not going to matter to anybody who is making the choice based on size.
@wazitSomethingISaid 2 місяці тому
@@AppleInsiderthanks for your reply 🙃 I ordered the 15
@Dany_IsPanico85 Місяць тому
899 m1 / 1069 m2 / 1349 m3 .. what do you suggest today ? (It could be my first MacOs pc)
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
M1 is officially obsolete....don't get it. M2 may meet your needs for just about everything. M3 runs a bit faster for some things, though M2 will meet my needs just fine. M3 allows you to connect 2 external monitors but you can only use them with the laptop closed. M2 will let you use 1 external monitor while still using the laptop screen. Up above, he has a cost comparison on M2 with some great deals - Best Buy has $999. That beats the Apple store as well as refurbished Apple. Try Best Buy.
@fightnight14 28 днів тому
M2 512GB is only $1,050 right now
@jutjub22 Місяць тому
Your Geekbench scores for M1 and M2 are completely OFF. Single core M1 is 2300, M2 is 2600, M3 is 3150. Great comarison anyhow Based on tests, MBA 13" m3 seems better heat wise vs M2 . It does throttle earlier than M2, but that way it runs cooler 5-6℃, and still performs faster than M2. I think MBA 13" 16/512 (for about 1300 Euros) is best choice for powerful portable laptop. No more MBP 13", and MBP 14" is too heavy, thick... EDIT. seems Geekbench 5 and 6 have difference of 500-600 points. confusing :)
@raphaelaespindola2814 25 днів тому
Please help me which one to buy? 16GB 512GB M3 13- inch or 24GB 1TB M2 13- inch? For me to study
@AndreLuiRamosProvincia 18 днів тому
16gb 512gb it’s enough, plus with m3 so cool.
@Real_Han_Solo 3 дні тому
m3
@shaun1900 Місяць тому
The Apple upgrade arms race, UKposts reviewers would be out of business without Apple annual Upgrades. Pro tip, the annual upgrades are incremental and not worth fussing over
@lamewatcher1 Місяць тому
Your M2 Single Core Geekbench score is inaccurate. Extremely misleading.
@hiw.shorts 24 дні тому
Please response m3 256 vs m2 512 ??
@AppleInsider 23 дні тому
Ooooo tough call! I mean, it would depend on the workload! For me, I save so much stuff I'd need the storage. Im not plugging in an external drive constantly. If you're at a desk, do the 256GB M3 with a docking station and extra storage. If you are constantly mobile, do the M2 512GB! Both still super fast
@anshulsingh0310 25 днів тому
Should I get m2 512gb or m3 256gb? Cuz I have budget and both of them cost the same
@emmagrace3166 19 днів тому
Hey, I’m in the same situation, have u decided yet?? Pls share:)
@anshulsingh0310 19 днів тому
@@emmagrace3166 not yet still confused but thinking to go for m3 256gb and then carry a SSD along with it cuz it would cost less than half to get a 1tb ssd
@emmagrace3166 19 днів тому
@anshulsingh0310 we both, lol. That makes sense, I'll probably end up doing the same. Thank uu!
@anshulsingh0310 19 днів тому
@@emmagrace3166 🫠🫠🫂🫂
@just-a-bajan6643 2 місяці тому
Well lucky you
@fightnight14 28 днів тому
M2 Air 512GB is $1,049 right now thats a no brainer for sure get that over the M3 Air
@MuhammadYusran13 Місяць тому
MacBook Air M3 or MBP M2 PRO 14 Inch?
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
From all the UKposts videos I've watched, that's easy. MacBook Air M3.
@emmagrace3166 19 днів тому
Heeelp!! M2 8gb, 512 or M3 8gb, 256 ??? Pleeease🙏
@noobvictor8916 19 днів тому
Same buddy
@emmagrace3166 18 днів тому
@@noobvictor8916 thank u!
@siminsmn2810 29 днів тому
this is not apple to apple comparison
@tibo2090 4 години тому
M2 15 inch 24GB/512 or an M3 15 inch 16GB/512. only for photoshop. The M2 is €200 cheaper
@MariusXMelisa Місяць тому
I bought 256g. Don’t be like me 😂
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
Thanks! I was just trying to decide that. When did it pose a problem. I don't game or download videos, or other big files.
@MariusXMelisa Місяць тому
512 is the best. trust me.@@michelletiger3903
@tonyb92681 2 місяці тому
This cant be just me, because I see on my phone, iPad, Mac and TV, but you have a blurry spot on your feed. From my perspective, petty much dead on center top to bottom, and about 2/3 of the way across from my left, horizontally
@Pongo8844 2 місяці тому
vegan leather is an oxymoron
@AppleInsider 2 місяці тому
I think it gets a bad rap these days. It's always been a historically low-quality, plastic-y material used in cheap products. Lately, we're seeing companies come up with eco-friendly synthetic materials that mimic much of the benefits of leather like the soft, warm feel and durability. That's what I feel like this sleeve is. It doesn't feel cheap but has a very premium feel to it.
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
I always think the same. It's a marketing ploy. LOL
@arasmutluay Місяць тому
M2 Air 16gb ram or M3 Air 8gb ram?
@arasmutluay Місяць тому
For mostly software development*
@jutjub22 Місяць тому
16gb of course
@hiddengems2844 13 днів тому
More confused than when I started
@just-a-bajan6643 2 місяці тому
Bro this is a base model MacBook
@AppleInsider 2 місяці тому
Yup! I specified that right at the beginning!
@phykios 2 місяці тому
Why is this even a question? Just get a refurbished M2 for much cheaper.
@AppleInsider Місяць тому
Here's my case against. It's a pretty simple one. As a generality, MacBook Air users tend to hold onto their machines. They aren't yearly or bi-yearly upgraders. So when buying, you want a machine that will last as long as possible. With that being the goal, buying a machine that is more than a year old, with an outdated processor (despite it being as good as it is) will shorten the lifespan of the machine. You're saving maybe $100-$200 now for a year less of usage. On top of that, while you're using the machine, it's going to be slower than a new model would have been. So in short, nothing wrong with a refurbished M2 at all. If you're on a budget, totally a great option. BUT if you want it to last as long as possible, it's a shortsighted tradeoff that will shorten the overall lifespan and perform worse over its time in use. Both valid choices for different reasons!
@michelletiger3903 Місяць тому
I was planning on it but look at his link above for cost comparison. Can get a brand new M2 for a great price at Best Buy. Though I can upgrade to 512 and save $200 with a refurbished, so there's that.
@phykios Місяць тому
@@michelletiger3903 Yeah these UKpostsrs think everyone with a Mac is editing photos or videos or coding. Some just want a modern Macbook to do simple tasks and to use it with their iPhones and iPads in the Apple ecosystem. Even if they want to do some light video editing, it’s literally usable. 8gb is also fine. I have an M2 air with 8gb and 256 storage, and it has never slowed down on me or overheated in the last 2 years. Macs with the M1/M1 Pros are still good, even some UKpostsrs don’t find the need to upgrade. So I don’t know why theres an agenda to push average users to upgrade to an M3 when it literally will not make a difference even in the future. M1 was released in 2020 and 4 years later barely any difference with M3 if youre an average user
@just-a-bajan6643 2 місяці тому
Ok at 7:09 I’ve had enough
@AppleInsider 2 місяці тому
Do you have a different favorite color MBA?
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