Adam Kos Even in 2024, 8 GB of operating memory is standard for basic configurations of entry-level Apple computers. After all, we already wrote that. In the past, especially with regard to the basic 13" MacBook Air with the M2 chip, the speeds of the SSD drive were also widely criticized. However, Apple has already learned its lesson here.
The entry-level M2 MacBook Air with 256GB of storage offered slower SSD speeds than its higher-end configuration. The fact that it only had one 256GB chip, while the higher models had two 128GB chips, was to blame, but the M1 MacBook Air had the same problem, so this move by Apple was rather strange. And he also got to "eat it up" for him.
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The video published on YouTube by the Max Tech channel through the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test tool confirms that this change not only results in faster reading but also writing to the SSD disk, as both chips can process requests in parallel. He tested it on a 5GB file on 13" M2 and M3 MacBook Air models with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The novelty achieved up to 33% higher write speed and up to 82% higher read speed compared to last year's model. It can be hoped that this change will also apply to the 15" MacBook Air model.
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But does it even make sense?
Criticism towards Apple was clear for its decision with the M2 chip in combination with the MacBook Air. But whether it was justified is another matter. It is unlikely that an ordinary user would notice the lower speed of an SSD disk during everyday tasks. And the MacBook Air is after all intended for ordinary users, not the demanding and professional ones for whom the higher series is intended.
However, it is true that customers who buy the M3 MacBook Air model no longer need to worry about configuring higher storage to avoid slower disk speeds. But they still have to deal with the operating memory. It could be said that Apple has once again focused on what is not so important in order to make enough money on what really matters. In addition, SSD speed is not commonly communicated. If public tests and analyzes had not been carried out, we would not have known these values in any way. So yes, it's certainly an interesting "upgrade", but somewhat unnecessary for many.
