Soon after Apple unveiled the MacBook Air with the M3 chip, benchmark results from test devices began circulating online, underscoring a clear edge over the previous generation. GizmoChina reported these early findings, setting the tone for what observers would later discuss widely.
In Geekbench 6 tests, the MacBook Air powered by the M3 achieved 3,157 points in single-core performance and 12,020 points in multi-core performance. For contrast, the MacBook Air with the M2 chip posted 2,600 points in single-core and 10,000 points in multi-core. The data point to roughly a 21% improvement in single-core and an 18% uplift in multi-core performance, signaling meaningful gains in responsiveness and throughput for everyday tasks and demanding workloads alike.
The Apple M3 chip, introduced to the market in 2023, features an eight-core CPU and a GPU option that scales up to ten cores. A notable advancement is the inclusion of hardware-accelerated ray tracing graphics, marking a first for Apple’s silicon family and expanding potential for graphics-heavy applications and gaming on portable devices.
Pricing in the United States places the updated MacBook Air at a starting MSRP of $1,099, with shipments commencing shortly after release. The assortment of configurations provides a range of options for students, professionals, and casual users who value portability paired with stronger processing and graphics capability.
Earlier reports indicated a broader trend where Apple reached settlements involving millions of dollars paid to iPhone users, reflecting ongoing regulatory and consumer matters in the tech ecosystem. This context underscores how Apple continues to navigate scrutiny while delivering machine changes that appeal to a wide audience.