Does the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3) work with Linux?

Not cleanly: there are significant gaps, so we don't recommend it for Linux as-is. Linux on Apple Silicon means Asahi Linux (Fedora Asahi Remix).

What does the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3) cost?

RRP is about 1099 USD (1299 EUR in the EU); street price is often lower.

Is the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3) good for office and web work?

For office and web work we score it 6/10 on value and 8/10 on performance.

How heavy is the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3)?

1.24 kg (2.73 lb). That's light enough for daily commuting.

What's the battery life like?

A 52 Wh pack, around 14 hours real-world mixed use. We score battery 10/10.

Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?

RAM is soldered, so the 8 GB it ships with is the RAM it dies with. Storage starts at 256 GB on this configuration.

Photo: Thomas Amberg · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Apple · 2024

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3)

Name: Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3)
Brand: Apple
SKU: MacBook Air 13 (M3)
Price: 1099 USD
Availability: InStock

Outstanding battery and build for macOS users; a poor pick if Linux is the goal.

from € 1.299 $1,099 RRP

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Best for office and web work study creative work basic everyday use
Linux: gaps

Compiled & edited by Dennis de Kruijf · updated 2026-05-18 · how we rate

Scorecard

8.2 / 10

Mean of six category scores, 0 to 10. Compiled from public sources. How we rate.

Strongest on battery and build, with no category below average.

Battery 10/10
Display 8/10
Build 9/10
Keyboard 8/10
Speed 8/10
Value 6/10

Worth knowing

Stands out

Bright 500-nit screen, readable in sunlight
Wide 100% P3 colour, creative-grade
Light at 1.24 kg
Long 14h real-world battery

Watch for

Linux needs significant work on this hardware
RAM is soldered, no upgrade later

Compare with other laptops

Linux: significant gaps, expand for details

Linux readiness Not rated

Not rated · Confidence: low · not enough verified data to score this honestly. · How we score

Specs

Specifications for Apple MacBook Air 13
CPU	Apple M3 (8-core)
GPU	Apple M3 GPU (10-core)
RAM	8 GB (soldered, not upgradeable)
Storage	256 GB
Screen	13.6" 2560x1664 @ 60Hz, 500 nitsvery bright, easy in direct sun
Weight	1.24 kgvery light to carry
Battery	52 Wh, around 14 h real-world

Common questions

Does the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3) work with Linux?: Not cleanly: there are significant gaps, so we don't recommend it for Linux as-is. Linux on Apple Silicon means Asahi Linux (Fedora Asahi Remix).
What does the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3) cost?: RRP is about 1099 USD (1299 EUR in the EU); street price is often lower.
Is the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3) good for office and web work?: For office and web work we score it 6/10 on value and 8/10 on performance.
How heavy is the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M3)?: 1.24 kg (2.73 lb). That's light enough for daily commuting.
What's the battery life like?: A 52 Wh pack, around 14 hours real-world mixed use. We score battery 10/10.
Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?: RAM is soldered, so the 8 GB it ships with is the RAM it dies with. Storage starts at 256 GB on this configuration.