The M3 MacBook Air "Problems" 

Some clarifications/details as to why I say “it’s just the nature of these chips” The M1/M2/M3 only have one display controller for handling external displays. These display controllers take up a large amount of space on the silicon. They are even bigger than performance cores. See here: ibb.co/7r0Z0SB The reason why they are so big is because Apple separates their display controller from their GPU. Qualcomm does this as well on their Snapdragon chips. These display controllers can process a lot of stuff without leaning on the GPU. This helps alot with power efficiency on ARM chips. If Apple wanted to add more display controllers to handle more external displays, they would have to make a die trade off. They would either have to reduce the number of CPU or GPU cores, or they’d have to make the base chips larger. IMO neither of these options are worth it for adding an extra external display on the MBA. Another thing - thermals. Let’s say they did add another display controller on to the base chips. When connected to an external display, these controllers put out heat. On a MacBook Pro, it’s a non issue. but on a fanless MacBook Air you do not want another source of heat. These laptop already have limited thermal headroom. We’d see the threads of “my MBA throttles when I have connect it to external displays” like the 2019 MBA. Lastly, there is the option of using a Display Link adapter to get more displays going. I’ve run 3 displays on an M1 MBA with them. These use software to get the CPU cores to handle video output. You can even split your 5K output to multiple displays using this adapter. It works but they have CPU overhead. Static images have very CPU use. Video has very heavy CPU use. DRM content has issues using this. (Netflix/Disney/etc) It’s not an elegant solution but it TOTALLY works and if you need more external displays, it’s a good option. However, I see some commentary that talks about how this Display Link solution is evidence that Apple could easily add more displays. I don’t agree. This is just Display Link doing it’s thing. It’s very cool but it’s not the same as display controllers on the chip. Hope that helps!

The nose test is vital, can't understand why more reviewers don't do it

The issue is not whether 8 GB ram is enough or not. It costs so little nowadays that it makes no sense to have anything under 16 GB considering it is soldered. It is a problem that doesn't exist.

It's not "just the nature of the hardware", it's the nature of Apple. This is intentional. Yes the hardware can't support multiple screens, but that's because it was designed that way. This should be called out not shrugged away.

Thanks for coming back Dave2D! We missed you!

The face rub test should become a staple metric in laptop reviews from now on

I’m a medical student, I use the M2 MacBook Air w/8gb RAM. I usually have multiple tabs for studying and research. Sometimes I need to delete tabs because of memory usage. I still think this is “normal” use, and it’s really disappointing that Apple thinks 8gb RAM is still a viable baseline.

I love the way you structure your reviews a lot of times when I watch reviews I'm kind of like okay cool but I don't really care but with your reviews they are concise and usually answer most of the questions I have without wasting my time thank you for that :)

Non-Pro models of M1, M2 and M3 Macbooks can run up to 3 external displays when you install DisplayLink driver. I have tested and it works, although I used a Minisopuru display adapter to achieve the result. The point is, it's a software limitation.

Installing call of duty takes €154 worth of storage from your hard drive. The pricing is absolutely insane.

"It's just the nature of the hardware." Dave, this is the third generation. It's been a complaint for this long. They could have designed the hardware of the M3 to keep up with the competition considering the price of these devices, instead of just compromising.

An honest review that is straight to the point. Thank you, Dave!

Dave's hair is amazing today, of courses his reviews are always the best.

4:26 Yes true there are 2 issues with the 8gb/256gb variant 1. 8gb 2. 256gb

"eats my soul looking at that configuration" is an accurate way of putting it.

What an honest review! Thanks for this...

Wait, so with your theory about the two displays, does that mean that there could potentially be a patch to the M2 or M1 airs that would allow for the same thing? Would love that for mine!

The biggest problem is charging $1099 for a laptop with a measly 8GB RAM and slow 256GB Storage, which is highway robbery.

I don't ever want 8GB, but that price jump is so shocking I ended up not buying a macbook

I have a Mac Air M2. With a DisplayLink docking station (I have a Dell branded one) it does allow more than 1 external monitor - worth knowing 😊

you know what you did have a good solution for just go with the refurbished MacBook Air M2 with 16Gb ram but yes but not all country apple websites does have the refurbished shop or category. Living in Malaysia, yeah here do have authorized seller like Apple Switch or Apple Machines which is authorized dealer or seller but they doesn’t offer full benefits of official Apple Store experience especially Apple Care Warranty and issues solving and including the refurbished units too.

I love the fact that Dave starts video without any warm up. It's always straight to point.

They got Dave on the "8GB is enough" thing, I've lost faith in humanity.

I just got the 14in M2P MacBook Pro for 1400 at Costco, it was well worth the wait because at Christmas it was at 1600. The warehouse was trying to get rid of them and at the time both Costco in my area had 2 left when I bought mine. There is such minimal separation from previous and new generations it doesn't make sense to buy the latest unless it has 1 koller feature

Imagine a mid range 2024 laptop starting with 256GB of storage.

The ram and storage pricing is something that I can’t get over because it’s highway robbery how much they price 8gb of ram or 256gb of extra storage. You can look up how much companies charge for ram and storage and it’s pennies compared to what apple is charging you and they are definitely paying less then that because they are buying in massive quantities

Great smudge test from the get go, man! And the rest too! Thank you !!

What’s the whole fuss with those external screens? I’ve been running 2 externals plus laptop screen on M1 using displaylink for the past 2 years, no issues

Tim Cook's apple is selling a premium product, at premium prices, with old tech components

so disappointed by the thing starting at 8/256 AGAIN.

You always talk about the truth. Respect, buddy!

$350 windows PC with integrated graphics from 2008: can drive 3 total displays and 2 external displays with absolutely no issue $1300 apple laptop in 2024: why do they allow 2 external displays for free? it's too good! (I get what Dave was saying, I just think that Apple deserves to be called out for this limitation way more than they have been, coming from someone who bought both an m1 and an m3 machine)

Too broke to even watch this

Do you know if 2 displays work with the lid open but the internal screen off? Reason is, what about Touch ID? I use that quite often so even if I don’t use the laptop monitor I still need to keep it open

I thought about going with a MacBook for half a year now and not once I heard that it only supports one screen - I never used less than two screens when I'm not on the go so.. thanks 👍

My work gave me the 8GB m2 model. Even for with just super basic stuff open, web browser, word, excel, slack, and a couple other electron apps, I was getting “out of memory” errors and the system was prompting me to close applications. The web is getting heavier all the time. 8GB is not acceptable on a $1000 laptop.

"I upgraded my Asus G14 2023 from 16GB to 64GB using a non-binary 48GB DDR5 module, and also added a 2TB Samsung 980 SSD. Even with these upgrades, the total cost was still less than $1500. In comparison, a similarly configured Macbook 14 Pro would cost five times more (in my country). Does not make a sense to me to buy Macbook.

If you are using both ports to drive 2 displays, how can you charge it? Can you run one through a hub in order to charge the laptop while you are using it along with expand the ports?

This thing about going for the previous gen products might apply to the upcoming iPads in a few weeks, especially the iPad Pro lineup. There could be some great deals on the M1 or M2 iPads soon.

New hair looks way better you just got 20 years younger!

Prices for upgrades of M3 macbook air 15 are disappointing. Was considering to buy one, but the configuration I need costs crazy $1700 (16GB, 512GB), so now considering to move from my macbook pro 2019 to a windows laptop.

Im considering base m3 model. Will it be laggy when I connect my 4k LG external monitor with lid on laptop closed? Planning to use it for regular tasks, office work, sometimes to play my guitar in logic with tho tracks at the same time, intel user macbook pro 2016 here. Great video btw

I manage a MacOS environment for my employer. The multi display limitation pretty much sank the M1/M2/M3 base devices. Sure DisplayLink is a thing, but that is extra steps and touch. Each step and touch is a chance for a user to call the Helpdesk for support. M3 MBA having Multi Display native is causing us to consider it. Now to see if they back port this to the MBP14 M3, and the M2 devices (which also have the hardware changes required for this to work).

Bro honesty you look younger, I love long hair but looks suits you the best

We had the problem as well with the single external monitor on the docks at my workplace. Our IT department "solved" it with DisplayLink docks. Again can't compete with true multi monitor support.

I picked up a brand new MacBook m3 15 “ Tuesday morning and returned it Tuesday afternoon , sure hope the next iPad shows some real improvement !

Hey Dave, what keyboard is it? Looks so nice.

So Apple was complaining that intels small performance increase each gen was not good ... And now they do the same :D Either its harder than they thought it was or its intentional

Uncle disappeared for a month with no s24 ,oneplus 12, nothing phone 2a or mwc2024 videos and appeared back like nothing happened.

Regarding the external display issue, just have a question. To your point of the M3 not being able to run more than the two. Why is it then that on the regular M3 that got released with the 14” pro, why was that stuck to just one external display and now with the release of the Air, it can run two.

Dave2D's take in this video is mind boggling. I don't even think I need to explain why.

Ima say, 2024 laptops have definitely given some competition, especially the hp spectre 2024

There is so much power in AWT66W I need to hit the toilet again and get rid of it, can't take it all

Thanks Dave that was a really good no bs short video. One thing is new. Normally amazon etc only have the in store base spec models. The m3 now has a 16gb / 512 ssd spec that will be on resellers so hopefully this will end th❤ price theft

Very tempted by the dual external displays. Though I’ll wait for refurb pricing.

2:02 that's an awesome ortholienar keyboard! Is it custom made? Can you share the brand/model?

16gb is most definitely needed now a days. most people aren't buying these laptops just to see emails and a google search every now and then, anything past that with 8gbs makes the experience noticeably worse. if ur typing a paper with multiple google tabs open you will see bottlenecks that shouldn't exist at that price point.

thank you for addressing the fingerprint smudge (nose) issue. Oddly, this is a deciding factor for me... M2 vs M3...

where'd u get that hoodie? omg it looks soo good, esp the colors

New hair 🤯

I'm a former Mac guy (intel based), so my perspective might be a bit out of date, but here goes. Back in the day, if you used your Mac for work, you often used Outlook for email. If you were like me and made your living as an Exchange admin, you needed the features of the PC version of Outlook, so you ran a PC emulator of some sort, which required a fair bit or extra RAM. Nowadays, Outlook for Mac may have caught up feature wise, but the majority of my work apps are now web based, which means multiple browsers, each with multiple tabs open. Long story short, 8 GB doesn't cut it. Add in an enterprise instant messaging client, which is not web based and is resource hungry, and you pony up $200 for 16 GB, but it soon starts to look pretty cramped. The only other option is 24 GB for this model at an additional $200? So you spend $400 to bump your memory up by 16 GB. Check out the price for 16 GB of DDR 5 laptop memory at any of the online retailers and tell me Apple doesn't know how to make money.

1:46 Does Apple allow you to disable the screen and use the laptop's keyboard and speakers, or do you have to close the lid to display image on two external monitors?

Looking fresh Dave!

1:36 bro casually puts laptop into pocket

What's that keyboard? 1:49

true facts dave....5 stars review bruh

Ok, the smudge test really cracked me up 😄

My man deaged by 15 years

Still using my M1 Mac air and got no complains over all these years. The battery is still at 95%. Still looking good over all these years and have absolutely no plans or extra money to jump on a newer macbook M2 3 4 5 6 7....

Im actually planning to buy a macbook air for school and some for light gaming (i know macbooks are not designed for this kind of stuff). Should I get the m2 or wait for m3’s release in my country?

waiting for the review of this year's xps 13 🔥

Dave using an HHKB 40% is CRAZY!

Guys, can you imagine this BOY is actually 44 years young?

dave looking like dave back in 2019...lets goooooooo

Is there a new camera being used? I'm not sure what's different but camera looks new?

With AWT66W the next few months should be really exciting, wouldn't you say so? There is not anything close to that right now and it deserves to be known

Dont defend costcutting measures, critical functionality should always come first.

Dave's out here asking the hard, greasy questions!!

Can you use two monitors with the lid open but turn off the laptop display? I'd want it open so I can use the keyboard and mostly TouchID.

The cost of upgrades is my biggest issue. I have been debating an M3 MBP for software development, but feel like I could be just as fine with a M3 MBA with 24GB of RAM. Once I get to that 512GB/1TB storage configuration with max RAM, I’m close to the MBP spec price anyway. At that point, I feel like I’m choosing form factor and display quality. I may very well just bite the bullet, get the Pro, and plan on keeping it for a year longer than I would the Air.

If 8gb is fine, Dave, why don't you do a video showing us a base macbook air with more than 3 chrome tabs open. I'll wait.

The most honest review about this Macbook I've seen

Should I get the MBA m2 or m3. The difference in price after all discounts comes up to 125usd. My usage is not heavy. No video editing. It's my first macbook and I do use devices for a very long time so is it better to get m3 for future proofing or save my money and get m2 because I won't notice the difference anyway? Also what about the 256gb storage using only 1 drive instead of 2 issue in m2. Is that the case with m3 as well?

Baseline 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD = artificially inflating prices of the usable models = not buying.

What’s the game at 8:40?

thank you dave

i had the macbook air m1 since it came out in 2020, i was an engineering student at that time, it survived 2 years of running matlab simulations with just 8 gb of ram (runing on rosetta2)

what cartoon shooter game was that at the end?

The new standard should be 16gb ram and 512gb storage 😢

Thanks for pointing out that cost for adding more hardware. I've always wanted to try Apple products but because they aren't upgradable I can't bring myself to buy one. I see the costs they want to charge even for a 2 TB SSD and it is crazy! I decided this year to switch back to Linux and call it a day.

With a DisplayLink doc, you can connect many screens with one cable. Also on M1/M2.

8 gig is enough for the most people ... decided who? I personally would like to have 16, because, as you said, upgrade can't cost so much, and the fact that Apple is treating its customers as a cattle, is insane. I have my zephyrus G14 Ryzen 9, 16 GB, 1 TB SSD, Radeon RX 6700S for just 1450 euro

The first and last MacBook Pro I bought was in 2009 Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro. The base model had 4Gb RAM and I paid extra for 8Gb RAM. And 15 years later and the base models only ship with 8Gb RAM 🤯

I agree also about the ram upgrade, eats my head also. I don’t now this strategy.

Still have a base M1 Air that I bought the day it was released. I guess I'll wait another year or two to upgrade.

It would be great if they allow to turn off the screen of the laptop to use two monitors, but still use keyboard and truckpad. Sometimes you don't have another keyboard but you have two monitors available. Espacially in business offices.

I have the M2 15 with 16GB and I love it. Battery life could stand to be slightly better, but it’s been a nearly flawless experience for me so far.

Im currently using a base model 14" M1 Pro Macbook Pro for work (personal device that is used for my company's work) and although I love it, I don't feel comfortable traveling with it since it is primarily a work device. So I was thinking that I would buy an Air as my 100% personal device that I can travel with. Since I don't plan on upgrading for a long time I was just going to max out the ram and upgrade storage to 1Tb. Yes, I realize i could get a M3 Pro MBP for around the same price but I find that the pros are too heavy for me to comfortably carry in a bag.

Which game were you playing, towards the end? and it runs on mac?

1:10 Dave you’re willing to rub devices against your face this is why your tech reviews are _unparalleled_