Key Points:
- Apple plans to unveil new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and M3 MacBook Air without a traditional spring event.
- The announcements will be made through the company’s website, utilizing online videos and marketing campaigns.
- Anticipated releases include the M3 MacBook Air models, the iPad Pro refresh, a new 12.9-inch iPad Air, and new Apple Pencils and Magic Keyboards.
- The 13-inch M3 MacBook Air is priced at $1,099, while the 15-inch model starts from $1,299, and both are available for preorder.
Apple is gearing up for significant product releases soon, with anticipated launches including new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, along with the M3 MacBook Air. However, reports suggest Apple will break from its tradition of hosting a big spring launch event for these announcements. Instead, the tech giant plans to reveal the new products on its website through a series of online videos and marketing campaigns.
This marks the second consecutive year Apple has opted out of a spring event. Despite the absence of a formal gathering, the company is expected to introduce a range of new hardware soon. Among the anticipated releases is the iPad Pro refresh, featuring a new 12.9-inch iPad Air. Additionally, Apple is likely to unveil new Apple Pencils and Magic Keyboards. The highlight of the announcement is expected to be the introduction of the M3 MacBook Air, available in 13-inch and 15-inch models.
The recent refresh of the MacBook Air series brought attention to the incorporation of Apple’s proprietary M3 chipset. Previously reserved for the more powerful MacBook Pro line and the latest iMac models, the M3 chip offers substantial performance improvements. Benchmark tests indicate an approximate 17% increase in single-core tasks and a 21% improvement in multi-core tasks. GPU performance has also seen a boost of around 15% compared to the previous M2 chip.
Despite the enhanced chip, the external design of the MacBook Air remains consistent with the 2022 model. The M3 MacBook Air continues to feature a 13.6-inch screen and a robust quad-speaker setup. With the new chipset, the line between the MacBook Air and Pro models continues to blur, as the M3 chip brings notable power to the Air series.
While the new MacBook Air models have 8GB of RAM, they are not positioned as Apple’s power-user laptops. The devices support up to 24GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. Noteworthy features include support for up to two external displays when the laptop is closed and the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E in the 2024 Air laptop family.
The 13-inch M3 MacBook Air is priced at $1,099, while the 15-inch model starts from $1,299. Both new MacBook Air models are open for preorders, with devices expected to be released on Friday, March 8. As part of the announcement, Apple bids farewell the M1 MacBook Air, while the M2 13-inch model remains available for $999.
