The Apple MacBook Air MLXY3, boasting the new Apple M2 chip, has been generating considerable buzz. This review dives deep into my experience with the 13-inch model (MLXY3/MLXY3B/A/MLXY3LL/A / MLXY3X/A / MLXY3HN/A), focusing on its performance, features, and overall usability.

The MLXY3 immediately impresses with its stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display. The vibrant colours and sharp resolution make everything from photo editing to movie watching a visual treat. True Tone technology further enhances the viewing experience, adapting the display’s colour temperature to the ambient lighting. The sound quality is surprisingly rich and full for a laptop of this size; the stereo speakers deliver clear, well-balanced audio, especially noticeable when listening to music or watching videos. The inclusion of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos adds another layer of immersive audio. The Magic Keyboard remains comfortable and quiet, with the full-height function keys proving incredibly convenient. MagSafe charging is a welcome return, offering a secure and convenient power connection. Touch ID, for quick authentication, is as smooth as ever.

Powered by the Apple M2 chip with its 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, the MLXY3 delivers exceptional performance. Daily tasks such as web browsing, email, and document editing are handled with effortless speed and fluidity. More demanding tasks, including photo and video editing in apps like iMovie and Photoshop, were also remarkably smooth. Even multitasking with several applications open simultaneously resulted in no noticeable lag. The 256GB SSD provides ample storage for most users, and the boot times are virtually instantaneous. Battery life, advertised at 16 hours, lived up to expectations in my testing, easily lasting a full workday without needing a recharge.

I pushed the system with some intensive tasks like video rendering and 4K video playback. The system handled these tasks well, but heavier workloads did show slight heating on the bottom of the unit. This was not excessively uncomfortable, however, and the fan noise remained minimal, even during sustained use.

Pros

• Stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone.
• Excellent performance thanks to the Apple M2 chip.
• Impressive battery life (16 hours+ in my tests).
• Great sound quality from the stereo speakers with Spatial Audio.
• Comfortable and quiet Magic Keyboard.
• Convenient MagSafe charging.
• Sleek and lightweight design.

Cons

• Limited port selection (only two USB-C ports).
• No HDMI port.
• Can get slightly warm under heavy workloads.
• 256GB storage might be limiting for some users.

The MacBook Air MLXY3 is an outstanding laptop that excels in almost every area. The combination of its powerful Apple M2 chip, beautiful display, and long battery life makes it a joy to use. While the limited port selection and potential for slight warming under heavy loads are minor drawbacks, they don’t significantly detract from the overall experience. For most users, especially those seeking a portable and powerful machine for everyday tasks and creative endeavors, the MacBook Air MLXY3 is a highly recommended choice.