I’ve spent the last decade watching Apple iterate on their hardware, and honestly, the MacBook Air 2024 15 inch is one of those releases that feels both inevitable and surprisingly refined. It’s the M3 chip. That’s the headline. But if you just look at the spec sheet, you’re missing why this specific machine is currently the "Goldilocks" laptop for almost everyone who isn't editing 8K video for a living.
It’s big.
It’s weirdly thin.
And, for the first time, it feels like Apple isn't artificially holding the Air back just to make people buy a Pro.
Why the MacBook Air 2024 15 inch is winning the "laptop fatigue" war
Most people are tired of choosing between a brick-heavy workstation and a tiny 13-inch screen that makes you squint at your spreadsheets. When Apple dropped the M3 version of the 15-inch Air in early 2024, they essentially killed the entry-level MacBook Pro 14-inch for the average consumer. You get that massive 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, but it’s only 11.5mm thin. Carrying it feels like carrying a large, stiff folder.
The M3 chip isn't just a marketing bump. While the jump from M2 to M3 isn't as life-altering as the original transition from Intel to Silicon, there are architectural shifts here that actually matter for things like gaming and 3D rendering—specifically hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading.
Basically, the MacBook Air 2024 15 inch handles light-to-medium graphics tasks much better than its predecessor. It doesn't get hot instantly. It stays silent because, remember, there is still no fan in this thing. Zero. If you’re coming from an old Intel Mac, that silence is the biggest luxury of all.
The dual monitor situation finally makes sense
Apple finally listened to a very specific, very loud complaint.
Previous Air models could only run one external display natively. If you wanted two monitors, you had to jump through "DisplayLink" adapter hoops or buy a Pro. The MacBook Air 2024 15 inch supports two external displays. There is a catch, though: you have to close the laptop lid (clamshell mode) for both to work. It’s a compromise, sure, but for desk setups, it’s a massive win.
I’ve talked to developers who were holding out on the Air for this exact reason. Now, they can have their dual-monitor setup at home and a lightweight machine for the coffee shop.
Real talk about the M3 performance
Let’s be real. If you’re just browsing Chrome and writing emails, you won't feel the difference between an M2 and an M3. You just won't.
But if you’re using Logic Pro, or maybe you're a photographer Batch-exporting 500 RAW files from a wedding shoot, the M3 chip in the MacBook Air 2024 15 inch shows its teeth. The 3nm architecture is more efficient. Apple claims it’s up to 60% faster than the M1 model, which is a fair assessment when you factor in the Neural Engine improvements for AI-related tasks like background removal in video or automated photo editing.
Speaking of AI, Apple is leaning hard into the "world’s best consumer laptop for AI" branding. While most of that is marketing fluff, the 16-core Neural Engine in the M3 is genuinely snappy when running local LLMs (Large Language Models) or using Adobe’s Firefly tools. It’s future-proofing, mostly.
Does the 15-inch size feel awkward?
I get asked this a lot. Is it too big for a tray table on an airplane?
Kinda. It’s tight. But the trade-off is the screen real estate. You get more vertical space than a 14-inch Pro, which makes multitasking actually feasible without an external monitor. You can have a browser window and a Word doc side-by-side and actually read both of them.
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The weight is about 3.3 pounds. It's light enough to lift with one hand, which still feels like a magic trick given the size of the chassis. Compared to a 15-inch PC laptop, which usually weighs 4 or 5 pounds and requires a massive charging brick, the Air is a revelation.
The "Midnight" problem is (mostly) gone
If you bought the M2 MacBook Air in Midnight blue, you know the pain of fingerprints. It looked like a crime scene after five minutes of use.
For the MacBook Air 2024 15 inch, Apple added a "breakthrough anodization seal" to the Midnight finish. It’s not fingerprint-proof—let’s not get ahead of ourselves—but it is significantly better. It’s more of a matte finish that resists oils. If you were scared off by the smudges last year, you can safely go back to the dark side now.
Battery life: The 18-hour myth vs. reality
Apple says 18 hours.
In the real world? If you're at 100% brightness and jumping between Zoom calls and Slack, you're looking at 10 to 12 hours. Which is still insane. You can leave your charger at home for a full workday. That is the true "Air" experience. The 15-inch model has a slightly larger battery (66.5-watt-hour) than the 13-inch, but because it’s powering a bigger screen, the actual longevity is roughly the same.
Where Apple cut the corners
It's not all perfect. I'd be lying if I said there weren't frustrations.
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- The Base Model Trap: Apple still starts this machine with 8GB of Unified Memory. In 2024, that’s almost insulting for a machine that costs over a thousand dollars. If you’re buying this, please, for the love of your future sanity, upgrade to 16GB. macOS is efficient, but it isn't magic.
- The Refresh Rate: You’re still stuck at 60Hz. If you’ve used an iPhone Pro or a MacBook Pro with ProMotion (120Hz), the scrolling on the Air will look a little "choppy" to your eyes at first. It’s fine for work, but it lacks that buttery smoothness.
- The Ports: Two USB-C ports on one side and a MagSafe charger. That’s it. If you have a lot of peripherals, you’re living the dongle life.
Comparison: 13-inch vs 15-inch Air
If you're torn, think about your bag. The 13-inch is a notepad; the 15-inch is a canvas.
The 15-inch also has a better speaker system. It uses a six-speaker setup with force-cancelling woofers. It sounds much fuller. It’s actually loud enough to fill a small room for a movie night. The 13-inch sounds a bit thin by comparison.
Is it worth the upgrade?
If you have an M2? No. Don't do it. The gains aren't worth the depreciation on your current machine.
If you have an M1? Maybe. If you want the bigger screen and the better design, it’s a great jump.
If you have an Intel Mac? Yes. Immediately. The difference in heat, noise, and speed will make you feel like you've moved from a horse and buggy to a Tesla.
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How to configure your MacBook Air 2024 15 inch
If you’re ready to pull the trigger, don't just click "buy" on the base model. Here is the realistic way to spec this machine so it lasts you five years:
- Processor: The base M3 is fine. Don't overthink it.
- Memory: Upgrade to 16GB. This is non-negotiable for anyone doing more than basic web browsing. 8GB will swap to the SSD constantly, which slows things down over time.
- Storage: 256GB is tight if you store photos or videos. 512GB is the sweet spot.
- Power Adapter: Go for the 70W USB-C Power Adapter if you want fast charging. The dual 35W port one is cool for charging your phone at the same time, but it’s slow.
The Verdict on the 15-inch M3
The MacBook Air 2024 15 inch is the best "big" laptop Apple has ever made for the general public. It doesn't have the fancy XDR display of the Pro, and it doesn't have an SD card slot. But it also doesn't cost $2,500.
It’s a specialized tool for the unspecialized user. It’s for the student who needs a big screen for research papers, the office worker who wants to see more rows in Excel, and the traveler who wants a big movie screen on a plane without the weight of a workstation.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your current RAM usage: If you’re on a Mac right now, open "Activity Monitor" and look at Memory Pressure. If it's constantly yellow or red, you definitely need the 16GB (or 24GB) upgrade on the new 15-inch.
- Measure your bag: It sounds silly, but the 15-inch is wide. Make sure your favorite backpack or messenger bag actually fits a 15-inch laptop before you order.
- Choose your color wisely: Space Gray and Silver are the safest for scratches. Midnight is beautiful but still a magnet for skin oils, even with the new coating.
- Look for Education Discounts: Apple often runs "Back to School" promos or year-round education pricing that can shave $100 off the price and sometimes include a gift card. Check your eligibility before paying full retail.
- Skip the M3 Pro if you don't do video: Unless you are color-grading 4K footage or doing heavy 3D CAD work, the Air is more than enough. Save the extra $800 and spend it on a nice external monitor or a high-end backup drive.