M3 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air — who wins the battle?

Last month, one of my BFFs, who calls me an iSheep, called me and asked, “Hey, I'm planning to buy a Mac Air. But I’m so confused between M2 and M3. Everyone is saying to buy an M3 because it’s the latest model, but what do you think?”

Based on her preferences, I recommended the M2 model, and today, she’s happy with her purchase.

But that’s not the answer for everyone. 

I’ve seen many people saying there is almost no difference between M2 and M3, but that small difference is noticeable enough to consider when choosing between both models. The M3 model has got noticeable upgrades in terms of performance, features, and capabilities, thanks to Apple’s new 3nm chip technology. 

So, it’s worth taking time to understand the difference between M3 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air. After all, buying a Mac is a big investment, and you can’t go wrong with it. 

So, let’s get started.

Overview of MacBook Air M2 and MacBook Air M3

Apple announced its second-generation processor, called M2, in June 2022 with an improved performance compared to the previous M1 processor. In July 2022, Apple released the 13-inch version of the MacBook Air M2 and the 15-inch version in June 2023. Mac Air M2 is 18% more powerful than its M1 version. The M2 supports much better graphic capabilities and up to 24GB of RAM than the MacBook Air M1, which maxes out at 16GB. Besides, M2 received many major upgrades, making it better than M1.

Then, in March 2024, came the MacBook Air M3, which had even better performance, higher efficiency, and more advanced features than its predecessor. Available in 13.6—and 15.3-inch display sizes, M3 is built on Apple’s 3nm process, delivering faster speed, enhancing graphics-intensive apps' capabilities, and improving energy efficiency.

Specs and configurations: MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M2

The following table shows a breakdown of the biggest differences between the M3 MacBook Air and the M2 MacBook Air:

Let’s compare!	MacBook Air M3	MacBook Air M2
Display size	13-inch and 15-inch	13-inch
CPU and GPU	8-core CPU and 10-core GPU	8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
Unified memory	16GB unified memory standard (configurable to 24GB)	8GB unified memory (configurable to 16GB or 24GB)
Storage	256GB SSD configurable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB	256GB SSD configurable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB
Battery	Up to 18 hours	Up to 18 hours
Camera	1080p FaceTime HD camera	1080p FaceTime HD camera
Ports	2x Thunderbolt / USB 4, MagSafe 3 charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack	2x Thunderbolt / USB 4, MagSafe 3 charging port, 3.5mm headphone jack
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
Touch	No	No
Price	Starting at $1,099 (subject to change)	Starting at $999 (subject to change)

As you can see, both models share a similar design, battery life, display quality, and port configurations. But I believe performance is the topmost priority for many (including me). This is where the big difference comes in between M2 and M3.

Here, I’d like to recommend my favorite tool, Novabench. It’s a fantastic benchmarking tool that lets you test the main components of your Mac within just minutes. You can test the CPU, GPU, RAM, and disk speed of your Mac in different conditions, giving you a complete performance overview of your device. Plus, using the app’s Stress Test feature, you can test your Mac’s RAM, GPU, and CPU under heavy load to ensure stability and performance, no matter what M-chip Mac you have.

Here is how to use Novabench:

1. Install and open the app.
2. Click Start All Benchmark Tests.
3. Wait for the results.

Now, you’ll get a Novabench score for Mac’s overall performance, along with specific scores for CPU, GPU, memory, and Apple SSD. You’ll also see a graph for CPU and GPU temperatures, power, and load. 

What's the main difference between MacBook Air M2 and MacBook Air M3?

As you can see, the MacBook Air M3 debuted with some notable improvements over the M2 model:

• Processor performance: The M3 chip is built on a 3nm process, which offers improved performance and energy efficiency over the M2 chip, which uses a 5nm process.
• GPU capabilities: The M3 has a new GPU architecture that makes M3 15% better graphic performance than M2.
• Wireless connectivity: The M3 model supports Wi-Fi 6E, providing faster and more reliable wireless connections, whereas the M2 uses Wi-Fi 6.
• External Display Support: The M2 MacBook Air supports only one external display, while the M3 model can handle two external displays.

Want to go further and discover everything about M-series chips? Check out the article on the differences between M1 and M2 chips.

Who should buy the MacBook Air M2?

The MacBook Air M2 is suitable for the following audiences:

• Students who use their laptops for note-taking, web browsing, and video meetings.
• Casual users who use their laptops for emails, web browsing, streaming, and office apps.
• Creative professionals involved in basic photo editing, video editing, or graphic design.

Who should buy the MacBook Air M3?

On the contrary, the MacBook Air M3 is suitable for the following audiences:

• Power users and professionals who need excellent performance for demanding tasks and apps.
• Buyers who want to ensure their MacBook stays relevant for years to come with the latest components.
• Graphic designers engaged in high-resolution photo-editing, video creators, and alike.
• For professionals who need multiple monitors because M3 supports up to two external displays.

MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3 comparison

Now, let’s compare both MacBook Air M2 and MacBook Air M3 for key specs like processor, storage, display quality, compatibility, design, and price.

Let’s begin.

Processor and performance comparison

The biggest upgrade in M3 is the switch to a 3nm process, which makes it 19% faster in single-core performance and 20% faster in multi-core performance. So, if you’re like me and can compromise performance for nothing, go for the Mac Air M3 for significantly faster productivity performance.

Similarly, the M3 GPU is 76% faster than the M2 GPU, thanks to the new Dynamic Cashing memory system, built-in hardware mesh shading, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing. So, I’m sure M3 will impress you if you’re into gaming, 3D rendering, and graphics-intensive tasks.

Plus, although both chips have a 16-core Neural Engine, the M3 Neutral Engine is faster, making it more suitable for machine learning and AI-related tasks.

Tip: When it comes to CPU performance, I’d really like to mention App Tamer. It’s a highly useful app that takes the burden off your CPU by slowing down or stopping apps that hog the CPU for no good reason. Put simply, App Tamer manages your Mac’s CPU usage on an app-to-app basis.

You can even control or customize CPU usage for specific apps using App Tamer. Here’s how to do this:

1. Instal and open App Tamer.
2. Type the app name in the search bar.
3. Click on the app under HIGHEST CPU PROCESSES.
4. Choose the option you want to control the app’s CPU usage. That’s it.

Battery life comparison of M2 and M3 models

In video playback tests, the M2 model shows 16 hours during video playback loops, and the M3 model achieved around 18 hours in similar tests. This means both models support a full workday of web browsing, video playback, and other uses. Broken down, Apple says that the batteries of both M2 and M3 Macs support 15 hours of web browsing and 18 hours of video playback.

Here is how it works:

1. Install and open Endurance.
2. Click the Endurance icon in the menu bar > Open Endurance Preferences.
3. Select the options you want to save the Mac battery.

RAM and storage options

The 13-inch and 15-inch base models in both laptops feature 8GB unified memory and a 256GB SSD. In October 2024, Apple doubled the MacBook Air base RAM to 16GB on M2 and M3 models without added cost.

In simple words, you can say both M2 and M3 laptops (all versions) come with 16 GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Both sizes can be maxed out at 24GB of RAM and 2TB of storage at an added cost.

MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Display quality and size

Both laptops have the same flat, utilitarian design and share identical display specifications:

• Screen resolution: 2560 x 1664 pixels (Except 15.3-inch MacBook Air M3)
• Brightness: 500 nits
• Color Support: Wide Color (P3) and True Tone technology
• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz

One important change to the MacBook Air M3 is its 15-inch version, which has a larger display with a screen resolution of 2880 x 1864 pixels. So, you can expect the same consistent color accuracy across models.

Thermal efficiency and cooling system

Both laptops feature a fanless architecture. So, they use passive cooling, letting the natural flow of air while some heatsinks and chassis keep the CPU from getting too hot. The fanless design offers silent operation but may result in higher surface temperature during prolonged use and high-performance tasks.

When it comes to thermal efficiency, M2 may become warm and cause thermal throttling during prolonged high-performance tasks. The M3 model, on the other hand, uses an advanced 3nm process that improves energy efficiency and performance. But, a stress test shows that M3 can reach 114 degrees Celsius on its hottest core. Despite this, the M3 can maintain performance without immediate thermal throttling. But higher temperatures certainly affect the performance.

Well, that’s not all There is another ultimate app — iStat Menus — that provides at-a-glance details about the inner workings of your Mac, from the load on the CPU and memory usage to the health of your Wi-Fi connection. You can access all these details by clicking little icons at the top of the screen in your menu bar.

You’ll see graphs and statistics showing real-time CPU and GPU usage by system and user. Expand CPU sections to know which processes are consuming the most CPU power. By clicking on the other options of the sidebar, you can check memory, disk, temperature, and battery to check the complete performance of the Mac.

macOS compatibility: What to expect

All versions of M2 and M3 laptops are compatible with macOS 14 Sonoma and can be upgraded to the latest macOS 15 Sequoia.

One of the most noticeable things about macOS Sequoia is the maximized use of Apple Intelligence. The M2 chip supports AI features, but it's not as robust as the M3 when it comes to AI processing capabilities. 

Otherwise, both models can efficiently handle other features of macOS Sequoia, including:

• iPhone mirroring: Control your iPhone via Mac.

• Window tiling: Drag windows to the left or right of your screen to better organize open apps.

• Passwords app: A new end-to-end encrypted Passwords app to store your Wi-Fi passwords, security codes, and passkeys in one place.

Other features include an improved gaming mode, new videoconference tools, upgraded Notes app, and updates to Safari.

MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M3: Design and build quality comparison

Here, the difference is negligible, or I’d say both M3 Air and M2 Air look almost the same. Let’s discover how.

Exterior design and materials

• Design: Both models share the same ultra-thin, wedge-less design with curved corners and a flat, minimalist chassis that make these Macs visually appealing and ergonomic.
• Material: The enclosure of both models is made of 100% recycled aluminum with a premium, polished finish.
• Colors: Midnight blue, starlight, silver, and space grey. 

Portability and weight differences

The 13-inch models are both 0.44 inches thick and weigh 2.7 pounds. The 15-inch models are 0.44 inches thick and weigh 3.3 pounds, slightly heavier due to the larger display.

Cost comparison for MacBook Air M2 vs. M3 models

The M2 MacBook Air is available at $999 for the 13-inch model. The M3 MacBook Air 13-inch is $1,099, and the 15-inch version is $1,299.

Pros and cons summary table

What will be the best option? Let’s once again compare the features of the MacBooks:

What’s better option?	M3 MacBook Air	M2 MacBook Air
Performance	Faster and more efficient thanks to the M3 chip	Features M2 chip, still suitable for most everyday tasks
Display support	Supports up to 2 external displays with closed lid	Supports only 1 external display
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 (slightly slower)
Standard RAM	Available with 16GB as standard	8GB standard upgradable RAM
Graphics	Improved GPU performance for graphics-intensive tasks	Decent GPU performance but less powerful than M3
Energy Efficiency	More power-efficient, longer battery life	Efficient but less so than the M3
Features	Incremental updates; many features (like RAM/storage upgrades) are identical to M2	Fewer advanced features compared to M3 (e.g., external display support, Wi-Fi 6E)
Value	Higher prices may not be justified for users with basic computing needs	Offers excellent value for budget-conscious users

MacBook Air M2 vs M3: The verdict

To sum up, the MacBook Air M2 and MacBook Air M3 are almost identical, except that being the latest model, the M3 has some notable improvements, like faster performance, excellent AI capabilities, and highly improved GPU functioning. I suggest identifying your requirements and preferences and choosing a laptop that best suits your needs.

Also, the apps mentioned are truly very useful when it comes to managing my Mac’s performance: 

• App Tamer identifies and stops CPU-hogging apps so that you can use the resource for important tasks. 
• CleanMyMac is an all-in-one Mac care app that allows you to run performance optimization, free up space, and manage apps smoothly.
• iStat Menus collects and displays key stats about your Mac, from CPU load and disk usage to memory load, fan sensors, battery life cycles, and many more.
• Endurance helps make your laptop battery last longer by up to 20%. 
• Novabench provides detailed metrics about the capabilities and limitations of your MacBook. 

The best thing is you can access all these apps under one subscription with Setapp. Take the free 7-day try, subscribe, and access 250+ powerful apps for your MacBook.

FAQs: MacBook M2 vs. M3