M3 MacBook Air Supports Up to Two External Displays With Lid Closed

Apple's new MacBook Air models with M3 chip include support for up to two external displays with the laptop lid closed.

Apple MacBook Air 2 up hero 240304
The previous generation MacBook Air models with M2 chip, the 13-inch model of which Apple still sells, only officially offer support for one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz.

By contrast, the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models support one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz with the laptop lid open, and two external displays with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz with the lid closed.

Apple announced the two new MacBook Air models today. Pre-orders are now open on Apple's website, with the laptops set to launch on Friday, March 8. Apple today also discontinued the MacBook Air with M1 chip as well as the 15-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forum: MacBook Air

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro and Air Feature

Two iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Colors Appear to Scratch More Easily

Friday September 19, 2025 10:02 am PDT by
As reported by Bloomberg today, some of the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models on display at Apple Stores today are already scratched and scuffed. French blog Consomac also reported on this topic. The scratches appear to be most prominent on models with darker finishes, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in Deep Blue, and the iPhone Air in Space Black. Images Credit: Consoma ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.0.1 Coming Soon, Likely With iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Fix

Thursday September 18, 2025 9:17 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The update will have a build number of 23A350, or similar, the account said. It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's Henry T. ...
iphone 17 pro max techwoven

Here Are The Best Cases You Can Buy for Your New iPhone 17 and iPhone Air

Friday September 19, 2025 6:46 am PDT by
Apple's new iPhones launch today, and there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to protecting your new device from drops and scratches. In this article, we're taking a look at some of the best options for iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Air cases, as well as a few charging accessories. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

iPhone 17 Pro Max Teardown Reveals Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 Modem for 5G

Friday September 19, 2025 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone Air is equipped with Apple's custom C1X modem for cellular connectivity, all of the iPhone 17 models are outfitted with Qualcomm modems still. A teardown video shared on Chinese platform Bilibili today (via Reddit) appears to confirm the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem in particular. The same modem is likely used in the iPhone 17 and iPhone ...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism From Users

Wednesday September 17, 2025 2:56 pm PDT by
It's been two days since iOS 26 was released, and Apple's new Liquid Glass design is even more divisive than expected. Any major design change can create controversy as people get used to the new look, but the MacRumors forums, Reddit, Apple Support Communities, and social media sites seem to feature more criticism than praise as people discuss the update. Complaints There are a long...
iphone 17 pro inside

iPhone 17 Teardowns Confirm SIM and eSIM-Only Battery Capacities

Friday September 19, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
YouTube channel REWA Technology today shared an iPhone 17 Pro teardown video, offering a closer look inside the model with a SIM card tray. We are still waiting for repair website iFixit to share a more comprehensive teardown of the latest iPhone models, but this video provides a good look in the meantime. The device features various internal design changes, including larger rear camera...

Top Rated Comments

mystery hill Avatar
20 months ago
The M3 MacBook Air now has better external display support than the M3 MacBook Pro.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nfl46 Avatar
20 months ago
Well, it’s become time. Good job, Apple!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JonnyMacx86 Avatar
20 months ago
It's the Mac mini transformer hybrid we've wanted all this time!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hovscorpion12 Avatar
20 months ago
Let’s goo!! Now we’re Talking. Finally, after 3 generations, Apple FINNALY solved dual monitor support.

I am speculating that the iPad Pro M3 will have the same.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brofkand Avatar
20 months ago
How did they figure out such complicated technology? Two external displays...wow!

Maybe next they'll figure out how to do a 1080P webcam without notching the display. But let's not get too crazy!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jakey rolling Avatar
20 months ago

Only with Apple do they get criticized for giving the user more flexibility.
Only with Apple do users have to deal with such a limitation on a premium-priced laptop in the first place.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)