Laptops

Apple unveils M3-powered MacBook Air

In 13″ and 15″ models

Published

March 5, 2024

GadgetMatch

Apple’s very own “laptop for everyone” gets a jolt of power with the infusion of the M3 chip. Moreover, the MacBook Air now comes with faster Wi-Fi, and support for up to two external displays, and a promise of up to 18 hours of battery life.

Faster than ever with M3

The new MacBook Air is up to 60 percent faster than the M1 model and up to 13x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air. Users will feel the blazing speed of M3 in everything they do, from everyday productivity, to demanding tasks like photo and video editing, and software development.

With M3 also comes some gaming capabilities previously unheard of for the MacBook Air. Game titles like No Man’s Sky run up to 60 percent faster than the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M1 chip.

These bump up speeds can also be felt when working in Excel (35 percent faster vs M1) and video editing with Final Cut Pro (60 percent faster vs M1).

AI ready

Much like most laptops coming out in 2024, the M3 chip has a neural engine making it AI-capable. Enhancing an image with AI using Photomator’s Super Resolution feature is up to 40 percent faster than the 13-inch model with the M1 chip, and up to 15x faster for customers who haven’t upgraded to a Mac with Apple silicon.

With a broad ecosystem of apps that deliver advanced AI features, users can do everything from checking their homework with AI Math Assistance in Goodnotes 6, to automatically enhancing photos in Pixelmator Pro, to removing background noise from a video using CapCut. Combined with the unified memory architecture of Apple silicon, MacBook Air can also run optimized AI models, including large language models (LLMs) and diffusion models for image generation locally with great performance.

It also supports cloud-basedAI solutions such as Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365, Canva, and Adobe Firefly.

The MacBook Air you know and love

Despite the performance boosts, it’s still the same MacBook Air you know and love. It comes in either 13-inch or 15-inch models with the ever eye-friendly Liquid Retina Display. It has support for two external displays even when the laptop lid is closed.

For connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 6E, MagSafe charging, two Thunderbolt ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The cameras, mics, and speakers are the same high quality that Apple has offered for a couple of years now and of course, you still get the Magic Keyboard and Touch ID.

Price and availability

The MacBook Air M3 will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting Friday, March 8.

In the US, pre-orders begin on March 4.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 starts at $1,099 (U.S.) and $999 (U.S.) for education, and the 15‑inch MacBook Air with M3 starts at $1,299 (U.S.) and $1,199 (U.S.) for education. Both are available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space gray.

In Singapore, pre-orders begin on March 6 at 9AM, SGT.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 starts at SGD 1,599 and SGD 1,449 for education, and the 15‑inch MacBook Air with M3 starts at SGD 1,899 and SGD 1,749 for education. Both are available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space grey.

In the Philippines, the 13-inch model starts at PhP 69,990 while the 15-inch model starts at 82,990.

Laptops

Spotlight: ASUS Zenbook A16

The first Windows laptop that feels different

Published

May 7, 2026

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

The ASUS Zenbook A16 is one of the most interesting Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops right now, but how does it actually perform?

After two weeks of traveling to Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Manila, Los Angeles and back to New York, here’s THE Michael Josh covering the Zenbook A16’s battery life, performance, OLED display, and real-world use.

This is the first Windows laptop that feels different.

Check further:

> Zenbook A16

> Zenbook A14

Laptops

MacBook Neo already “supply constrained” amid unexpected demand

New purchases are reportedly getting delayed.

Published

May 4, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

It’s been a crazy month for Apple fans on a budget. The debuts of the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo have brought the classic Apple experience to a wider market. Though the former is a bright spot on its own, the new MacBook Neo is currently breaking the company’s expectations as new orders are already “supply constrained.”

Last week, Tim Cook held an earnings call (via Six Colors) which includes the latest additions to Apple’s lineup. For the affordable iPhone, Cook gave a special shoutout as “the newest addition to what is already the strongest iPhone lineup we’ve ever had.” However, he was much more appreciative for the MacBook Neo’s role in the company’s notebook lineup.

Responding to a query about the new notebook, Cook says that the company “undercalled the level of enthusiasm” generated by the MacBook Neo. He also cited “tremendous enthusiasm” for the device in his main presentation.

Though he didn’t have the numbers to bolster his claims, he did give anecdotal examples of public schools switching over to Apple from Chromebooks and Windows PCs.

Finally, he says that the MacBook Neo is currently “supply constrained,” meaning new purchases will likely come with a delay before delivery.

Outside of the corporate perspective, there has been a lot of excitement for the notebook. Even if it uses the A18 Pro chip, the MacBook Neo promises a powerful notebook experience as is typical of Apple’s more traditional MacBooks. And to top it all off, it starts at only US$ 599, creating one of the most tempting offers for users who want to dip their toes into the Apple ecosystem.

Laptops

MacBook Neo officially arrives at Power Mac Center

Nationwide limited-time offers available

Published

April 24, 2026

Manila Connoisseur

The all-new MacBook Neo has officially arrived in the Philippines through Power Mac Center. Simultaneous launch events were held at Greenbelt 3 and SM Megamall.

Customers who lined up for the launch received an event-exclusive bundle which includes an AirPods Pro 2 and AirTag 4-pack, as well as over PhP 12,000 worth of freebies for those with qualified pre-orders.

In addition, those in Greenbelt and SM Megamall who lined up until the evening got a chance to win up to PhP 600,000 worth of prizes (PhP 300,000 per location).

And great news even for those unable to attend: PMC is extending its opening promotions over the coming days.

Now available in Power Mac Center stores nationwide, the MacBook Neo comes with these exclusive offers:

Up to 50% off on a wide selection of accessories until April 30 for sstraight payments
Redeem up to Php 5,000 off (2,500 points) through the 1 Infinite program, no minimum spend, until April 26
UpTrade: Score up to PhP 4,000 additional trade-in value with a MacBook Air (M2 or earlier) until May 10
Complimentary 90-day software fix and free Basecamp training for purchases until April 30

For flexible financing, the MacBook Neo is also available through 0% interest installment plans of up to 36 months. This is through major banks and other financial institutions.