My MacBook Air

Introduction: A New Air in the Room (Cue dramatic synth intro)

Apple has done it again—reinvented a classic while making it sleeker, faster, and more capable than ever before. Much like when I upgraded from the Rover to the Lexus. With the launch of the 15-inch MacBook Air powered by the M3 chip, Apple is signaling a new era for lightweight computing. It’s not just a laptop; it’s a lifestyle choice. Like buying a suede jacket or converting your garage into a broadcasting studio.

Mine’s the Space Gray one, obviously. Because when you’re choosing a laptop, you go for the one that says, “This man has seen Top Gun more than once and knows his way around a podcast.”

Whether you're a student, a professional, or someone who simply likes opening a MacBook in public places to look productive, this machine delivers. In this extended review, I’ll be breaking it down like Alan Hansen analysing a poor defensive line. Strap in.

Chapter 1: First Impressions and Design Philosophy (Design so sharp it could slice a Camembert)

Right, the design. At just 11.5mm thick and weighing in at around 3 pounds—about the same as a decent Sunday joint—the 15-inch MacBook Air is what I’d call gorgeously waifish. Apple’s engineers must’ve worked like absolute demons to make something this thin without involving black magic or dieting tips from the 90s.

Now, let’s talk colours. Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Space Gray. I went for Space Gray because it says, “This man’s not here to muck about. He’s decisive, bold, and owns a Bluetooth speaker.”

The aluminium body feels premium and cold to the touch, like shaking hands with a Scandinavian architect. Recycled materials are involved too, so somewhere in the world, a sea turtle is probably high-fiving its flipper mates.

Bezels? Thin. Edges? Crisp. The keyboard is full-sized, meaning you can type with confidence and authority, especially if you're firing off a strongly worded email to a local councillor.

Chapter 2: Display – Bigger and Better (and quite frankly, lush)

Here we go. 15.3 inches of Liquid Retina glory. It’s bright (500 nits!), it’s sharp (2880 x 1864 resolution!), and it makes everything look better—even spreadsheets. That’s right. This display made my electricity bill look like a piece of digital art.

Wide P3 colour gamut? Tick. True Tone? Tick. Eye strain? Non-existent. You could stare at this thing for hours, which I’ve done while pretending to work and secretly watching 80s music videos.

It’s the kind of screen you’d want to take home to meet your parents. And with that extra real estate, you can finally have two windows open side-by-side without needing a telescope or the patience of a saint.

Chapter 3: The M3 Chip – Silicon Superiority (Or as I call it, “the V8 under the bonnet”)

This isn’t just a processor—it’s a silicon sledgehammer wrapped in silk. The M3 chip is built on a 3nm process. I don’t fully understand what that means, but it sounds impressive and scientific, so I’m on board.

You’ve got 8 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. It’s like the Red Arrows of computing, working together in perfect, high-speed harmony. Add to that a 16-core Neural Engine—because, yes, this laptop thinks for itself now—and you’ve got a machine that absolutely purrs. No fan needed. Just cool, confident silence, like me when I sneak past Fiona in the kitchen after using the last of the milk.

Editing videos? Easy. Running Logic Pro? Piece of cake. Using GarageBand to produce a banging synthwave remix of the BBC News theme? Done.

Chapter 4: 16GB Unified Memory – Room to Breathe (Like a pair of comfy elasticated slacks)

Unified memory. Not RAM. Unified memory. It’s the difference between a hotel buffet and a single sad sausage roll.

16GB means you can do more—much more—without your MacBook flapping about like a pigeon in a conservatory. More tabs, more apps, more projects. It’s basically a green light for digital hoarding.

I’ve got Chrome open with 37 tabs, Pages running, Mail pinging, and Apple Music playing “Vienna” on repeat—all at once. Not a hiccup. It’s like having a team of tiny digital butlers saying, “No problem, Alan, we’ve got this.”

Chapter 5: 512GB SSD – The Right Kind of Storage (Not too little, not too much—just right, like Baby Bear's porridge)

Let’s face it, 256GB is fine for amateurs and monks. I went for the 512GB SSD because I live dangerously. And by that, I mean I like to keep Final Cut Pro libraries and three seasons of The Thick of It on my laptop at all times.

It’s fast. I’m talking lightning-in-a-bottle fast. Files open instantly. Apps launch before your finger even finishes the click. And there’s plenty of room for my many, many half-finished writing projects (working titles include “Knowing Me, Knowing Mac: A Tech Memoir”).

Honestly, with 512GB, it’s like carrying an invisible briefcase full of clever things. You just feel more capable—more Mac-capable, if you will.