The MacBook Air line-up just got an unexpected RAM upgrade

Shop new MacBook Air laptops with 16GB RAM

The Apple Store

MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$999 at The Apple Store

The Apple Store

MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$1,099 at The Apple Store

The Apple Store

MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$1,299 at The Apple Store

Best Buy

MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$999 at Best Buy

Best Buy

MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$1,099 at Best Buy

Best Buy

MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$1,299 at Best Buy

Apple’s Mac Week has kicked off with huge announcements of the brands most powerful computers yet. The M4 chip, which we first experienced in the iPad Pro, is now coming to the iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Pro. But that list excludes one very important device — the MacBook Air. While the Air doesn’t appear to be getting the M4 chip this time around, it’s getting another crucial update.

The MacBook Airs have long been criticized for their starting memory of just 8GB RAM. The laptops have powerful processing with both M2 and M3 chip options available, however, the puny 8GB RAM starting point has never made the Air a great laptop for creatives. Apple has apparently been listening to the internet’s gripes because it finally upped the MacBook Air’s starting memory.

Now, all MacBook Air models start with 16GB of RAM, or as Apple calls it, Unified Memory. The MacBook Air is available witth the M2 and M3 chips, and both versions come in 13-inch models, but the M3 Air is also available in a 15-inch size. Despite the upgrade, the MacBook Air remains Apple’s most affordable entry level option, starting at $999. All models now come with 16GB of memory, and are available for purchase at both The Apple Store and Best Buy.

A 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip