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Does the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 have a fan?

Published: September 11th, 2024
Apple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M3 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, Touch ID; Space Gray 8GB RAM 256GB Space Gray Without AppleCare+ (3 Years)

Yeah, the 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M3 chip doesn't have a fan. The fan-less design helps keep it super thin and lightweight, which is great for portability and keeping things quiet.

But, there are some trade-offs if you're doing more demanding tasks.

The M3 chip in this MacBook Air offers a big boost in performance and efficiency, so it's great for everyday activities like browsing, word processing, watching videos, and even some light video editing or casual gaming. The manufacturer claims this chip enhances processing power while staying energy-efficient.

However, because there's no fan, the MacBook Air can slow down to prevent overheating during intense tasks like complex video editing or heavy gaming. Our research found that this can lead to occasional slowdowns when the system gets too hot.

For light gaming and less demanding applications, it works fine. The integrated GPU can handle older or less demanding games well. But if you're into high-end, graphically intensive games, this laptop might not be ideal, as you might notice some lag or slowdowns.

Also, the MacBook Air 15-inch supports connecting to two external displays, but only when the laptop lid is closed. This could be a limitation if you want to use multiple monitors with the lid open.

And there's just two USB-C ports, which could be a downside if you need to connect a lot of peripherals.

So, if you're mainly doing typical productivity tasks, some multimedia work, and general office stuff, the 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M3 chip is a good choice.

But if you need a machine for high-end gaming or very intensive tasks, you might be better off with a MacBook Pro or a high-performance Windows laptop that has a dedicated GPU and more robust cooling.

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Where to Buy

Prices last updated: September 20th 2024 7:09 am

Considering the MacBook Air 15-inch (2024)?

Here's our "TLDR" Review

Score

The Apple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop earns its high score due to its outstanding display quality, impressive performance with the M3 chip, and excellent battery life that suits a range of users from students to professionals. However, it has received mixed feedback regarding its limited port selection and occasional reliability issues, which has prompted some users to express dissatisfaction. Overall, it represents a solid option for those needing a lightweight and powerful machine, provided its limitations align with the user's needs.

8.93/10
Expert
6.7/10
Consumer

Pros

  • •Sleek and stylish design.
  • •1nch Liquid Retina Display offers stunning visuals.
  • •Lightweight and portable at only 3.3 lbs.
  • •Long battery life of up to 18 hours.
  • •Apple M3 chip provides excellent performance.
  • •Backlit keyboard enhances usability in low light.
  • •Features like Touch ID and Neural Engine.
  • •Higuality 1080p FaceTime HD Camera.
  • •Available in multiple colors.
  • •Robust storage and memory options.

Cons

  • •Pricey compared to other laptops in the market.
  • •Limited to 8GB Unified Memory.
  • •256GB SSD may not be sufficient for heavy users.
  • •Lacks traditional US ports, requiring adapters.
  • •No Ethernet port, relying on Wi for internet connectivity.
  • •No support for expandable storage.

Bottom Line

The Apple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M3 chip is a sleek, powerful machine perfect for those who value performance and design. It offers impressive battery life, a stunning display, and an array of useful features like Touch ID and a high-quality camera. However, its limited memory and storage, combined with a high price tag, might make it less appealing for heavy users or those on a budget.

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More Answers

If you're still curious about the MacBook Air 15-inch (2024), here are some other answers you might find interesting:

The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 comes in a few nice color choices. You can pick from:

  1. Silver - The timeless go-to.

  2. Space Gray - A sleek, modern vibe.

  3. Midnight - Deep and classy.

  4. Starlight - A lighter, unique option.

So, whether you like a traditional look or something a bit different, there's probably a color you'll like.

Read More
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Does the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 have a fan?

Published: September 11th, 2024

Yeah, the 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M3 chip doesn't have a fan. The fan-less design helps keep it super thin and lightweight, which is great for portability and keeping things quiet.

But, there are some trade-offs if you're doing more demanding tasks.

The M3 chip in this MacBook Air offers a big boost in performance and efficiency, so it's great for everyday activities like browsing, word processing, watching videos, and even some light video editing or casual gaming. The manufacturer claims this chip enhances processing power while staying energy-efficient.

However, because there's no fan, the MacBook Air can slow down to prevent overheating during intense tasks like complex video editing or heavy gaming. Our research found that this can lead to occasional slowdowns when the system gets too hot.

For light gaming and less demanding applications, it works fine. The integrated GPU can handle older or less demanding games well. But if you're into high-end, graphically intensive games, this laptop might not be ideal, as you might notice some lag or slowdowns.

Also, the MacBook Air 15-inch supports connecting to two external displays, but only when the laptop lid is closed. This could be a limitation if you want to use multiple monitors with the lid open.

And there's just two USB-C ports, which could be a downside if you need to connect a lot of peripherals.

So, if you're mainly doing typical productivity tasks, some multimedia work, and general office stuff, the 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch with the M3 chip is a good choice.

But if you need a machine for high-end gaming or very intensive tasks, you might be better off with a MacBook Pro or a high-performance Windows laptop that has a dedicated GPU and more robust cooling.

Read More

Yeah, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 can definitely handle video editing. It’s got the M3 chip from Apple’s 2024 lineup, which means it's built for both everyday stuff and more demanding tasks like video editing. The M3's architecture and performance make it a good fit for those needs.

Plus, it's lightweight and portable without skimping on power, so if you're editing on the go, it’s a solid choice.

From what we found, the high-res Retina display is perfect for video editing. It gives you a clear and crisp view, which is super important for making detailed edits. The battery life is also pretty impressive, so you should be able to work longer without needing to charge all the time.

On top of that, it supports up to 24GB of unified memory, which is more than enough for using video editing software like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro.

The integrated 10-core GPU in the M3 chip helps with rendering and editing videos efficiently as well. And with Wi-Fi 6E, you’ll get faster and more reliable internet, which is handy for uploading or downloading large video files.

All in all, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is a good option if you’re looking to mix portability with solid performance for video editing.

Read More

Alternatives to Consider

If the MacBook Air 15-inch (2024) doesn't quite fit your needs, here are some other options to consider:

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