M1 MacBook Air vs M3 MacBook Air: M3 is worth the extra cost for most buyers in 2025

Regarding the MacBook Air: The M1 Air is still a capable machine for browsing, email, and Office, but it’s a 2020 chip. The M3 delivers noticeably faster performance, better battery life, longer macOS support, and better resale value. The real kicker: the M3 supports two external displays vs the M1’s one — worth the upgrade if you ever dock it.