Hardware

The MacBook Air with M3 Chip Is Lean, Mean and Affordable

The MacBook Air is often overlooked in favor of the MacBook Pro, but the latest version combines exceptional performance at an affordable price.

Doug Bonderud

Doug Bonderud is an award-winning writer capable of bridging the gap between complex and conversational across technology, innovation and the human condition.

Recently, macOS has made significant headway in the PC market. While Windows maintains a large market share, recent research commissioned by Apple and completed by Forrester found that by purchasing Mac devices, companies could save up to $21.1 million in energy, hardware and software costs, and see a 3.5 percent boost in employee productivity. In addition, the risk of exposure due to a data breach was reduced by 90 percent.

For many enterprises making the move, the MacBook Pro is their go-to purchase. But let’s not forget about its sleek counterpart, the MacBook Air, which offers similar features at a budget-friendly price point. Here’s what IT leaders need to know:

EXPLORE: Apple devices are designed for the modern workplace.

Macbook Pro vs. MacBook Air: What’s the Difference?

The MacBook Pro is fast and powerful, and with the Apple M4 chip it delivers spectacular performance for demanding business tasks and runs all your work apps at lightning speed. It’s great for resource-intensive roles including video editors, graphic designers, IT teams, engineers or developers.

The MacBook Air is lightweight, portable and far more accessible for the everyday user. While it might not have the throughput of its professional sibling, the MacBook Air — built with the Apple M3 chip — is lean, mean and easy to manage, offering more than enough power and performance for staff to complete everyday tasks. The MacBook Air also securely runs apps that teams use every day, including Microsoft 365, Slack and Zoom, so users can get more done faster.

“When people think of MacBooks, they’re going to think of the Pro. The MacBook Air is overlooked performance-wise, but it will actually do everything you need,” says Ian Miller, Apple Services Brand Manager at CDW.

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The MacBook Air runs on Apple’s M3 chip. This delivers up to 2x faster performance compared to a PC laptop running an Intel Core i7 processor. It also offers up to 50 percent faster web browsing and up to 40 percent longer battery life.

Looking at price, the base MacBook Pro starts at around $1,599. Compare that with the base MacBook Air 13", which starts at about $1,099. When you consider this $500 difference for hundreds or thousands of devices used throughout an organization, the tech savings become significant.

Why Have Businesses Been Reluctant to Embrace macOS?

Three barriers have historically limited the adoption of macOS in business: affordability, longevity and compatibility.

From a price standpoint, MacBooks are now on par with devices such as the Windows Surface, which has similar performance capabilities. In terms of lifespan and longevity, IT leaders from the Forrester study reported that Mac devices had a 13 month longer device lifetime over previously used PCs.

When people think of MacBooks, they’re going to think of the Pro. The MacBook Air is overlooked performance-wise, but it will actually do everything you need.”

Ian Miller Apple Services Brand Manager, CDW

MacBooks also retain greater value than their PC counterparts. According to the Forrester study, the average enterprise PC maintained 15% residual value after four years, whereas Apple MacBooks kept 30% of their residual value over the same period; that enabled companies to recoup more of their original investment. Miller also notes that the MacBook Air with M3 is made with 50% recycled materials, which means that MacBook Air is built with sustainability in mind.

For those concerned about adding the MacBook Air to an ecosystem comprised of Window PCs, there is complete compatibility. “Apple and Microsoft work together. All of the Windows apps work on Mac computers, including Teams, Outlook, Word and PowerPoint,” says Miller.

The Advent of Apple Intelligence

The MacBook Air with M3 is also specifically built for Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence is a suite of artificial intelligence tools developed by Apple Inc., designed to enhance user experience across devices like iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It combines on-device processing with server-based models to perform natural language understanding, image generation, and personalized assistance. This makes it a smart investment for any businesses looking to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their workflows.

The company has an established reputation in the AI space. “Apple’s hardware has been AI-ready since 2020,” says Miller. “The M-series chip was the first to introduce the neural engine. Apple has been using it for years for on-device intelligence, while some competitors rely on the cloud for the resources required to manage AI.”

These advancements allow users to leverage AI when they’re connected to local Wi-Fi or larger cloud networks and take intelligence with them no matter where they go.

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An Apple for Everyone

Both the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air offer enhanced operations and AI-ready architecture, thanks to the Apple silicon chip. But for enterprises, it’s not a question of which is better. It’s about which one will better support business goals and user workflows.

Ultimately, the MacBook Air offers the power and performance everyday users need, Miller says, at a price that aligns with tight business budgets.

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