Tech head-to-head
Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)vsApple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Two Apple models that average 8.4 and 8.7. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) takes Value, 9.2 to 7.8.
8.4
The used laptop most likely to be all a student or writer needs, for less than any other Mac here.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
The newest fanless Air you'll find used in numbers, and the first that drives two external displays.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Where they diverge
The widest gap is Value, Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) ahead 9.2 to 7.8. They come closest on Ease of use, 9.0 to 8.6. Left of center is Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020), right is Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024).
Which one to pick
Take the Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Leads on Value.
- Writing, browsing, schoolwork, and light photo editing on a tight budget
- A silent laptop; there's no fan at all
- A first Mac for someone switching from Windows
Take the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
Leads on Performance, Durability, Ease of use and Design.
- A desk with two monitors that you dock the laptop into, lid closed
- Silence; there is no fan to spin up
- You want the most years of macOS updates on this list
What each one gets wrong
Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
- You'll be on video calls every day; the 720p camera looks soft
- You need more than one external display without a DisplayLink adapter
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024)
- A listing shows 8GB; earlier M3 Airs shipped with it and it's the tier to avoid
- Sustained video exports are a regular job; without a fan it slows under long loads
Specs, side by side
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.3-inch Retina (LCD) | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina (LCD) |
| Chip | Apple M1 (8-core CPU) | Apple M3 (8-core CPU) |
| Memory | 8GB or 16GB | 8GB, 16GB, or 24GB |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4, headphone jack | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4, MagSafe 3, headphone jack |
| Camera | 720p FaceTime HD | — |
| Battery | Up to 18 hrs movie playback | Up to 18 hrs movie playback |
| Weight | 2.8 lb | 2.7 lb |
Rankings they both appear in
Questions
- Both are Apple. Which one do I want?
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) leads on Performance, Durability, Ease of use and Design. If Value matters more to you, take the Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) instead. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) averages 8.4 and Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) averages 8.7, over the 5 axes Tech is scored on.
- Where do the two Apple models actually differ?
- Value is the widest gap, Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) ahead 9.2 to 7.8. Every axis lands somewhere different, so the profile shapes differ as much as the totals.
- Which one ranks higher in "Refurbished MacBooks: five Apple-silicon picks on eBay"?
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024) sits at #2 in "Refurbished MacBooks: five Apple-silicon picks on eBay", Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) at #4.