Recommended
MacBook Air (M3)
from ~$1099
- M3 — much faster
- Bigger 13.6" display
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Two external displays
Apple · Laptop · 2020
Upgrading your MacBook Air (M1)? The best upgrades right now: MacBook Air (M3), MacBook Pro 14" (M4). Compare specs, prices, and buy on Amazon in one tap.
Find your upgrade in the interactive 3D finder →| Display | 13.3" Retina |
|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M1 |
| Memory | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Battery | Up to 18h |
from ~$1099
from ~$1599
Only the specs that actually change are listed — everything else is broadly the same.
| MacBook Air (M1) | MacBook Air (M3) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.3" Retina | 13.6" Liquid Retina |
| Chip | Apple M1 | Apple M3 |
Your MacBook Air (M1) is 6+ years old, which is past the point where most laptops stop receiving full software and security updates and where battery wear is significant. This is a genuine upgrade case — and the gains below are large enough that you'll notice them daily, not just on a spec sheet.
For most people the MacBook Air (M3) is the best balance of price and improvement, starting around $1099. The main gains: M3 — much faster; Bigger 13.6" display; Wi-Fi 6E; Two external displays.
It still works, but at 6+ years you're likely past full software support and well into battery wear. Most owners at this age notice a real difference after upgrading.
Trade-in values move constantly with condition and carrier promotions, so treat any fixed number with suspicion. Check the current offer from Apple, Samsung, or your carrier directly, and compare it against selling privately — private sales usually pay more but take longer.