MacBook comparison
MacBook Air M1 vs MacBook Air M3
Compare MacBook Air M1 vs MacBook Air M3 side by side — chip, memory, storage, display, ports, launch price and how each fits in Apple history.
MacBook Air (M1)The third great architecture leap, and the most decisive.
MacBook Air (M3, 2024)A clean M3 update to both Air sizes, finally supporting dual external monitors and adding Wi-Fi 6E.Specs side by side
| Spec | MacBook Air (M1) | MacBook Air (M3, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Release | November 2020 | March 2024 |
| Launch price | $999 | $1,099 |
| Price today | $1,209 | $1,110 |
| CPU | Apple M1 (8-core) · 3.20 GHz | Apple M3 (8-core) · 4.05 GHz |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Display | 13.3" Retina, 2560×1600 | 13.6" or 15.3" Liquid Retina |
| Ports | 2× Thunderbolt / USB 4 | 2× Thunderbolt, MagSafe 3 |
| Operating system | macOS 11 Big Sur | macOS 14 Sonoma |
Method note: historical pricing uses approximate US CPI. CPU clock comparisons are clock-only and do not represent full real-world performance.
Why each matters
MacBook Air (M1)
First Mac with Apple Silicon — and the first fanless Mac that could outrun machines with fans.
MacBook Air (M3, 2024)
First Air able to drive two external displays (with the lid closed).
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Last updated: 2026-07-04