Ulasan Apple MacBook Air M3 13- dan 15-inch (2024)

The MacBook lineup finds itself in the midst of an identity crisis, with the introduction of the new MacBook Air M3. This latest model offers a straightforward improvement over its predecessor, featuring the same sleek design reminiscent of the Pro lineup, complete with tucked-away speakers and four color options. The trackpad remains as smooth as ever, akin to a freshly Zamboni’d ice rink. With a few new quality-of-life features, the overall experience has been refined.

However, the MacBook lineup is now more crowded than ever, with the 13-inch Air, 15-inch Air, and base model 14-inch Pro all vying for attention. Unfortunately, the base models, starting at $1,099 for the 13-inch and $1,299 for the 15-inch, still lack sufficient memory and storage for the price. This often leads consumers down a path of costly upgrades, adding hundreds of dollars to the final price tag. Thus, while the MacBook Air M3 itself is an impressive device, deciding which MacBook to purchase has become a complex task.

The new MacBook Air M3 offers a range of improvements, including all-day battery life and great performance for basic tasks. The 256GB storage option is faster than that of the Air M2, adding to its appeal. However, some drawbacks remain, such as the device’s tendency to warm up and throttle under intense workloads. The midnight color option also tends to attract fingerprints, and the port options are still limited. Furthermore, the base models continue to start with just 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage.

Apple has made a significant effort to differentiate the Air M3 from its predecessor, the Air M2, which remains available at a slightly lower price point. While the two models share many similarities, key upgrades justify the extra cost of the M3. For instance, the M3 processor offers improved performance, better microphone and Wi-Fi quality, and doubled storage speed on the 256GB version. Additionally, the MacBook Air M3 now supports powering two external monitors with the lid closed, a feature that some users may find particularly appealing.

In terms of performance, the MacBook Air M3 proves to be a capable device for basic tasks and even light gaming. However, heavy workloads may cause the device to struggle, as the passive cooling system can lead to throttling during intense processing. The addition of hardware-accelerated ray tracing is a notable feature, though limited by the device’s GPU cores and memory capacity.

Overall, the MacBook Air M3 offers a compelling package for users seeking a balance of performance and portability. While the base model may require additional upgrades to meet modern computing needs, the device’s sleek design and refined user experience make it a worthy contender in the MacBook lineup.