The MacRumors Show: Apple's New MacBook Air With M3!

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's new MacBook Air models featuring the M3 chip.


We delve into the new machines' features, exploring upgrades such as the M3 chip, improved microphones, and more versatile external display support. We discuss the MacBook Air's ideal configurations and key buying decisions, weighing the new machines up against the MacBook Pro, and take a look at where the ‌MacBook Air‌ could be headed next amid reports of an significant upgrade to OLED display technology in the future. We also discuss the rest of Apple's rumored announcements for March, which include new OLED iPad Pro models, a new Apple Pencil, and a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory.

The MacRumors Show is now on its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips going forward:

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about Apple's decision to cancel its long-rumored electric vehicle project.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Models at Lower Prices

Wednesday February 4, 2026 7:44 am PST by
Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on its online store in the U.S., with prices discounted by 12% to 22% compared to Apple's current or former pricing for the devices. Here were Apple's starting prices when the devices launched in September 2024: iPhone 16: $799 iPhone 16 Plus: $899 iPhone 16 Pro:...
Apple TV Color

Apple TV Announces 12 New Shows and Films Coming This Year

Wednesday February 4, 2026 12:29 pm PST by
Apple on Tuesday previewed 12 new shows and films that will be premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout 2026. The new series: Imperfect Women — March 18, 2026 Margo's Got Money Troubles — April 15, 2026 Widow's Bay — April 29, 2026 Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — May 20, 2026 Cape Fear — June 5, 2026 Lucky — July 15, 2026 The new films: Eternity — ...

Top Rated Comments

Sixteengigabytes Avatar
25 months ago
8GB ram though. Seems beyond stingy at this point. Not sure if it’s the increased rate of obsolescence and lack of future proofing, or the $300 to add 8GB extra ram, either way I’ll skip this generation yet again. Customers can play this game too, Apple. Make 16gb ram standard and I’ll open my wallet.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SoldOnApple Avatar
25 months ago
If the Air came with 32 or 64GB of RAM I may have considered it. I guess that's what the Pro and Max is for.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
25 months ago

If the Air came with 32 or 64GB of RAM I may have considered it. I guess that's what the Pro and Max is for.
The Air is just not designed for that memory spec… you're well into the spec of Macbook Pro etc with that memory requirement.

The Air is a product for the average consumer apple sells to… and the vast majority will take the base model with 8 GB.

Its like telling people you'd consider a fiat 500, if it came with an engine you'd find in a Ferrari.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redcarlsen Avatar
25 months ago
It's funny the way they talk about a $1k+ machine as being good for people..... Whose tasks would just as easily be fulfilled by a $200 Chromebook or tablet. Lol.
30 years of exponential processing power advancement! Now you can check email and listen to music!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DrewHawk Avatar
25 months ago

The Air is just not designed for that memory spec… you're well into the spec of Macbook Pro etc with that memory requirement.

The Air is a product for the average consumer apple sells to… and the vast majority will take the base model with 8 GB.

Its like telling people you'd consider a fiat 500, if it came with an engine you'd find in a Ferrari.
So this is the problem with Apple's strategy. They are many of use choosing the Air for its light weight only. I want every possible spec possible while keeping it at this weight. Look at the Dell XPS 13. It's specced out like crazy with one of the best screens I have ever seen. The only thing the XPS doesn't have is a good GPU and that's because if they added it it would need a major cooling solution that would make it big and heavy.

They need to stop treating the Air as the "Mainstream budget" model and start just making it as the best ultralight on the market. I would be fine with an Air that cost more than the Pro if it was still 2.7 lbs and had an OLED etc.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SoldOnApple Avatar
25 months ago

The Air is just not designed for that memory spec… you're well into the spec of Macbook Pro etc with that memory requirement.

The Air is a product for the average consumer apple sells to… and the vast majority will take the base model with 8 GB.

Its like telling people you'd consider a fiat 500, if it came with an engine you'd find in a Ferrari.
More like I would consider a fiat 500 if it came with a larger fuel tank.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)