What do people look for when they need to buy an “all-in-one” laptop for work, gaming, video, communication, and any possible tasks? It’s almost like with cars: both the exterior and what’s “under the hood” matter. In all respects, the MacBook Air 15″ leads in versatility and multitasking, especially when it comes to the latest generations. And to make sure of this, let’s consider the main characteristics of the MacBook Air from the perspective of an average user. And for example, let’s take the two newest and top models with M2 and M3 chips.
- Large display and fantastically clear picture
For models with M2 and M3 chips, the characteristics of the Liquid Retina display are very similar – and they determine the quality of the image. Let’s see:
- Diagonal – 15.3 inches.
- Resolution – 2880×1864 pixels, screen density – 224 ppi. Images and text with such parameters are incredibly clear.
- Wide P3 color gamut with support for 1 billion colors provides vivid and vibrant images.
- Brightness of 500 nits ensures good visibility even outdoors in sunny weather.
- True Tone technology adjusts the image to the lighting – ideal for reading, working with documents, and overall web surfing.
- 60Hz refresh rates (responsible for how quickly the image changes on the screen) are sufficient for smooth video playback and graphic elements. In games, character movements are smooth.
15 inches is the most popular diagonal among consumers. This Mac is suitable for gaming and other tasks because more content is displayed on such a screen than on a 13-inch one. Editing videos, processing photos, coding, watching movies, and playing games on it are all a pleasure.
The Mac screen is considered the gold standard of quality. It has tiny bezels, so the image is displayed edge-to-edge. The display doesn’t glare, and the image on the screen stands out with stunning color reproduction, brightness, and clarity. This is another reason to buy a MacBook for work, gaming, photo viewing, or video.
Moreover, as we can see, this can be any of the models – M2 or M3 – their image quality is identical. To narrow down the search, let’s look at the characteristics below – there are already differences starting.
2. Just flies! And in games too
For ordinary tasks (internet surfing, video viewing, office programs, etc.), both devices have more than enough power, speed, and memory. Because the main performance characteristics of M2 and M3 are impressive:
- CPU (central processor): 8 cores – 4 productive and 4 energy-efficient.
- GPU (graphics processor): 10 cores.
- SSD (storage): from 256 GB to 2 TB.
- Unified memory: 8, 16, 24 GB.
- 16-core Neural Engine (for neural networks).
- Memory bandwidth of 100 GB/s.
- WiFi 6 (M2) and 6E (M3).
What’s special about M3:
- 25 billion transistors (5 billion more than M2).
- M3’s efficient cores are 15% faster than M2’s, and productive ones are 20% faster.
- Mesh Shading, Hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
- Faster SSD.
What does this mean in practice? Models with M2 and M3 chips are good laptops for any tasks: work, leisure, gaming. Due to the improvements in the processor, M3 apps run even faster, and the graphics are noticeably better, with scene lighting much more realistic. Most of the improvements are related to new technologies: ray tracing, Mesh Shading. They expand gaming capabilities, 3D modeling. Overall, they improve graphics quality, including textures, visual effects, and lighting, reflections, and shadows become more realistic.
The Wi-Fi 6E standard on M3 ensures better connectivity, gaming, and video streaming in wireless networks. The Wi-Fi 6 standard on the M2 model is also progressive, it’s just even faster in the 6E version.
With the same core configuration, M3 has a higher operating frequency than M2. The faster SSD allows for rapid data transfer and parallel task processing. Programs open instantly, files are copied, games are launched – and all of this can be done simultaneously. Since there are more transistors, the computational power is higher, so operations are performed faster.
Moreover, the MacBook Air 15 with the M3 chip has already been named the world’s best consumer laptop for artificial intelligence. An AI device will enhance your photos in Pixelmator Pro and Adobe Firefly, remove background noise in CapCut, check texts in Goodnotes 6, tidy up your email (Microsoft Copilot), convert speech to text, and much more. In general, if you need a fast and powerful modern laptop, any of the two models will please you. And if streaming, 3D graphics, or gaming are more important criteria for selection, then it’s better to consider the M3 chip model.
3. Three-dimensional sound with 6 speakers for work and leisure
The MacBook Air is an ideal device not only for communication, business negotiations but also for gaming, enjoying leisure time listening to favorite music or watching series. And it has everything for this, in both modifications.
- HD camera with 1080p resolution.
- 6 speakers: 2 high-frequency and 2 pairs of low-frequency with noise cancellation function.
- Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos support.
- 3 microphones.
The image during video calls is excellent, and so is the sound. Thanks to the phenomenal sound system and beamforming algorithms, it will be loud and clear. Both models can be comfortably used for calls with colleagues, relatives, and friends.
The new M3 Mac is ideal in this regard. Two features have been added: voice isolation (cuts off background noise) and wide spectrum mode (creates a presence effect). The processor is enhanced for better video quality. Increased voice clarity is provided for audio and video calls.
Both models provide deep low frequencies and rich sound. Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos options create a three-dimensional sound effect – very pleasant additions when watching movies and listening to music.
What do we get: the sound is good in both models, and both are good for communicating with friends, colleagues. And also, for listening to audio, watching movies. If you need special sound effects, as we wrote above, then M3 provides more opportunities.
4. Autonomous like never before
The main advantage of the MacBook Air is its lightweight and compactness. Carrying a charger with you means eliminating this comfort. But with the MacBook Air M2 and M3, you won’t have to do that! They both work equally long without recharging. You can surf Safari for up to 15 hours, and watch videos for up to 18 hours. By the way, this is a record in this category.
You can take the laptop for a weekend to the countryside or work all day in the park. And you can also watch movies all night without being tied to an outlet.
If you are looking for a portable device with great autonomy, confidently choose any of the two models. None of them will disappoint you!
5. The thinnest in the world. And just very convenient
The design of the MacBook Air 15″ M2 and M3 is identical, and it’s meticulously thought out. Both are slim, lightweight, stylish, and super comfortable.
- Dimensions: 1.15×23.76×34.04 cm.
- Weight: 1.51 kg.
- Colors: “Midnight”, “Starry Sky”, silver, space gray.
- Ports: 2 universal Thunderbolt (USB-C), 1 headphone jack (3.5mm), MagSafe 3.
- Comfortable, quiet Magic Keyboard with backlight.
- Precise and sensitive trackpad.
- Touch ID (fast and secure access to applications, convenient for making purchases with Apple Pay).
- External display connections: one for M2 and two for M3.
The M3 model has a nice bonus: anodized coating in “Midnight” color, which retains fewer fingerprints.
At a thickness of 11.5 mm, this is the thinnest 15-inch laptop in the world. And in size, it’s just slightly larger than an A4 sheet of paper: it fits into a bag or backpack and is almost imperceptible. And yet it’s sturdy and reliable. It can be effortlessly opened with one hand.
Having two USB-C ports allows you to connect accessories, an external display. And if you have the M3 model, even two. The magnetic MagSafe charger frees up one of the two USB-C ports. And you don’t have to worry that a passing child or pet will pull out the cable “with meat” or knock over the computer.
Design is not only a matter of aesthetics, it’s also user comfort. In the MacBook Air 15″ M2 and M3, everything is not only beautiful but also functional. By this criterion, both models are among the best on the market.
So, is the MacBook Air 15″ an absolute all-rounder?
Exactly! A high-resolution large display, energy-efficient performance, fast Wi-Fi, 18 hours of battery life, powerful and clear sound, an excellent webcam, a comfortable and beautiful design — all these features can be boasted by MacBook Air 15″ computers with M3 and M2 chips. Today, these are the best universal laptops. They are good for FaceTime calls and video conferences, listening to music and watching movies, gaming, working with documents, web surfing.
Which of the two laptops is better? Honestly, both. The M2 copes well with average and even complex tasks. The M3 is even “faster, higher, stronger”.
When you need to buy a versatile laptop, everyone looks at the characteristics that are important to them. If you like to play games, you definitely need the M3. Maybe it’s not the most powerful laptop for demanding games (unlike the MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max), but it’s quite comfortable, fast, and productive for gaming. If you want to upgrade with future-proofing, get the MacBook Air 15″ M3, which is also ideal for interacting with AI.
At the same time, the M2 hardly yields to it in anything, it will remain relevant for at least another 5 years. This is one of the best laptops for everyday and many professional tasks today. High performance combined with portability, autonomy, ease of use, excellent sound, and stunning picture on a large screen — its main advantages.
If you still have doubts, come to iSpace. Our consultants will advise you on which laptop to choose for gaming, which one for watching movies and web surfing, and which one for professional tasks. And they’ll also show you how to play on a MacBook if you haven’t figured it out yet.
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