Apple has introduced new iPads and Macs this week. The first surprises were the new iPad Air models and a small update to the education-focused iPad. Then came the new MacBook Air, including a stunning blue finish option, and the new Mac Studio, powered by the ultra-powerful M3 Ultra chip. With so much to cover, let’s dive straight into the updates.
iPad Air with M3: More powerful and available in two sizes
The iPad Air is getting one of its biggest upgrades yet with the introduction of the M3 chip, making it up to twice as fast as the previous M1 generation. Just like before, it’s available in two sizes: 11 and 13 inches, making it a highly versatile, portable device with plenty of power.
The M3 brings significant improvements in graphics performance, featuring a 9-core GPU and hardware-accelerated ray tracing, allowing for more realistic gaming experiences and deeper, more complex graphics in apps. Meanwhile, the Neural Engine is up to 60% faster than the M1’s, making a noticeable difference when using Apple Intelligence.
Alongside the iPad Air, there’s a new Magic Keyboard, maintaining the floating design but with several improvements in typing comfort, a larger trackpad, and an even more appealing price. The new iPad Air is also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, which introduces haptic gestures and pressure sensitivity, unlocking a whole new level of interaction.
Beyond the iPad Air, Apple has also updated the education-focused iPad, now featuring the A16 chip and double the base storage. The most affordable iPad in the lineup is now up to 30% faster than the previous generation and up to six times faster than the best-selling Android tablet.
MacBook Air with M4: Better performance at a lower cost
The MacBook Air gets an upgrade with the new M4 chip, making it up to twice as fast as the M1 model. With a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, performance in video editing, photography, and gaming—as well as everyday tasks—takes a leap forward.
Thanks to the power of the M4 chip, the new MacBook Air now supports up to two external displays, a crucial upgrade for those needing expanded workspace. On the design front, Apple has introduced a new sky-blue color, joining the existing lineup of Midnight, Silver, and Starlight.
To wrap up the good news, the new MacBook Air starts at €1,199 or $999, lowering its cost by €100/$100. For students, the starting price is €1,069 or $899, making it an even more attractive option for those looking for a powerful and versatile laptop.
M3 Ultra and new Mac Studio: Extreme power for professionals
As if this week didn’t bring enough updates, Apple has also unveiled the new M3 Ultra chip—the most powerful chip the company has ever created—now housed in the new Mac Studio. With up to a 32-core CPU and an 80-core GPU, this chip doubles the speed of the M2 Ultra, allowing professionals to handle the most demanding workflows effortlessly.
The Mac Studio with M3 Ultra can run AI models with up to 600 billion parameters directly on the device, thanks to the new Neural Engine and up to 512GB of unified memory. Additionally, it supports Thunderbolt 5, offering transfer speeds of up to 120 Gb/s—ideal for working with external storage and multiple displays.
The new Mac Studio can also connect to up to eight Apple Pro Display XDR screens simultaneously, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for video editing studios, 3D design, and AI development environments.
A refresh coming very soon
This week’s announcements make it clear that Apple is focused on delivering increasingly powerful and versatile devices. The evolution of the iPad Air with M3, the MacBook Air with M4, and the arrival of the M3 Ultra in the Mac Studio are all key steps in that direction.
The new devices will officially launch on Wednesday, March 12, while online pre-orders are already open.
From an iPad Air that now comes closer to the iPad Pro in performance to a MacBook Air that improves both power and price while remaining a leader in portability, Apple continues to set the pace for the industry. Alongside the launch of the C1 chip, these are exciting devices designed to help us do even more.
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