The M3 MacBook Air “Problems”
The M3 MacBook Air “Problems”
My review of the M3 MacBook Air vs M2 MacBook Air. Addressing concerns around the 8GB RAM and double external screen limitations.
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Some clarifications/details as to why I say “it’s just the nature of these chips”
The M1/M2/M3 only have one display controller for handling external displays.
These display controllers take up a large amount of space on the silicon. They are even bigger than performance cores.
See here: https://ibb.co/7r0Z0SB
The reason why they are so big is because Apple separates their display controller from their GPU. Qualcomm does this as well on their Snapdragon chips. These display controllers can process a lot of stuff without leaning on the GPU. This helps alot with power efficiency on ARM chips.
If Apple wanted to add more display controllers to handle more external displays, they would have to make a die trade off. They would either have to reduce the number of CPU or GPU cores, or they’d have to make the base chips larger. IMO neither of these options are worth it for adding an extra external display on the MBA.
Another thing – thermals. Let’s say they did add another display controller on to the base chips. When connected to an external display, these controllers put out heat. On a MacBook Pro, it’s a non issue. but on a fanless MacBook Air you do not want another source of heat. These laptop already have limited thermal headroom. We’d see the threads of “my MBA throttles when I have connect it to external displays” like the 2019 MBA.
Lastly, there is the option of using a Display Link adapter to get more displays going. I’ve run 3 displays on an M1 MBA with them. These use software to get the CPU cores to handle video output. You can even split your 5K output to multiple displays using this adapter. It works but they have CPU overhead. Static images have very CPU use. Video has very heavy CPU use. DRM content has issues using this. (Netflix/Disney/etc) It’s not an elegant solution but it TOTALLY works and if you need more external displays, it’s a good option.
However, I see some commentary that talks about how this Display Link solution is evidence that Apple could easily add more displays. I don’t agree. This is just Display Link doing it’s thing. It’s very cool but it’s not the same as display controllers on the chip.
Hope that helps!
I'm surprised the gaming performance wasn't better.
“By the internals, I mean the externals” lmao
What is that keyboard build? I need it
Apple : Either you give us money or , you give us money 👍.
what a stupid video
dave2greasy 😋
Widescreen monitor + $15 Magnet App solves about 95% of my "I need two monitors" use cases. Not perfect, but really close.
Hey @Dave2D i wanted to ask you what do you think of Alogic Clarity 27” monitor. As i wanted to buy one monitor for my Mac book m3 max. And my second option is dell U2723QE. Can you help me select a monitor under a budget of 1k Australian dollars.
Yikes 2024 and you poor sods put up with such limited screen ourput….and for that price? Fools!!
why would enterprise clients dont just get macbook pro for two external monitors? why would clients get macbook air need 2 external monitors? do receptionists need 3 monitors in total?
Benchmarks: no
Nose rub test: yes
Most of the people dont need more than 8 GB of RAM. Youtubers are another category of people that lives on specs…
Can you have one super wide display? I don't like dual displays that much anyway.
What the world is that keyboard in 1:52 and that hair style…😆
STUPID OVERPRICED HARDWARE
Yeah that RAM thing is insane!
Nice planted tank, why does your house look like a futuristic prison tho?
yo I got unsubscribed to you
I am still looking at the smudge half way into the video…
Hello,
I have 2 1080p 144 Hz monitors.
If I use them with a Macbook Air M3, can I get 144 Hz at 1080p on both monitors?