Best MacBook for Coding: A Developer’s Choice
When it comes to choosing the best MacBook for coding, the decision can feel overwhelming. Apple’s lineup is packed with options, each promising to be the perfect companion for developers. But as someone who’s spent years juggling between IDEs, terminal windows, and way too many Chrome tabs, I’ve learned that the “best” machine isn’t just about raw power — it’s about how it fits into your workflow.
Recently, I stumbled upon a fantastic video (creative common) by Alan Ziskin, a developer and YouTuber who put the M3 MacBook Air through its paces for a week. He also compared MacBook air M3 with M2 Air and M1 Pro MacBook Pro etc.
His insights were so compelling that I couldn’t help but share them here. Alan’s experience with the M3 MacBook Air confirmed what many of us have been wondering: is this the ultimate coding machine for developers? Let’s break it down.
The M3 MacBook Air: A Familiar Face with a Powerful Heart
At first glance, the M3 MacBook Air doesn’t look much different from the previous, M2 MacBook Air. The sleek, lightweight design is still there, and the only noticeable external change is the new anodization process, which feels a tad more premium. But don’t let the familiar exterior fool you — the real magic lies inside.
The M3 chip is actually a beast, it’s not just a minor upgrade; it’s a significant leap forward. In his tests, the M3 consistently outperformed the M2 and even gave the M1 Pro a run for its money in single-core tasks. For example, a C++ single-core sorting operation that took 3 minutes and 55 seconds on the M1 Pro MacBook Pro was completed in just 2 minutes and 58 seconds on the M3 Air. That’s almost a full minute faster!
Benchmarks are the basic fun when you are testing devices, but what matters most is how the machine performs in real-world coding scenarios.
Real-World Developer Performance
Alan’s workflow is a chaotic mix of tools, much like many of ours: Xcode for iOS development, Android Studio for Android projects, VS Code for web development, Docker for containerization, and of course, Chrome with its endless tabs (everybody procrastinate with 30 tabs open these days).
1. Geekbench Benchmark (Brief Mention)
While Alan promised to only mention Geekbench once, he did note that the M3 chip showed better benchmark results compared to the M2 (we have to believe him, he is quite a pro). This was expected, as the M3 chip had already been tested in the MacBook Pro lineup. However, Alan emphasized that benchmarks alone don’t tell the full story — real-world performance is what matters most.
2. Mandelbrot Python Test (Multicore Workload)
Alan ran the Mandelbrot Python test, a multicore workload that stresses the CPU by performing complex mathematical calculations. This test is great for evaluating how well a machine handles parallel processing.
Results: The M3 MacBook Air completed the test in 44 seconds when driving an external display (slightly slower than the onboard screen but still faster than the M2).
Takeaway: The M3’s performance cores (built on a 3nm architecture) showed significant improvements over the M2, especially in single-core tasks. However, the M1 Pro MacBook Pro, with its higher number of performance cores, still outperformed the M3 Air in multicore tasks.
3. Xcode Benchmark (Large Code Compilation)
Alan tested the M3 Air using Xcode Bench, a benchmark that simulates large Xcode project builds. This test is particularly relevant for iOS and macOS developers.
Results:
- Single-core performance: The M3 Air completed a C++ single-core sorting operation in 2 minutes and 58 seconds, compared to 3 minutes and 55 seconds on the M1 Pro MacBook Pro.
- Multicore performance: The M3 Air took 3 minutes and 2 seconds for a multicore build, while the M1 Pro MacBook Pro finished in 2 minutes and 39 seconds.
Takeaway: The M3 Air’s single-core performance is impressive, but the M1 Pro’s additional performance cores give it an edge in multicore workloads.
4. Real-World Development Workflow
Alan put the M3 Air through his typical development workflow (most of us would have it), which included:
- Running multiple instances of Terminal for Git commands and CI/CD interactions.
- Using Xcode for iOS development, including running iOS simulators.
- Testing Android Studio (with a caveat about memory usage).
- Running VS Code and Zed for text editing.
- Using Postman for testing REST APIs.
- Occasionally spinning up Docker containers.
- Keeping Chrome open with 20–30 tabs (because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t?).
Results: The M3 Air handled all of these tasks simultaneously without noticeable slowdowns, even with the base model’s 8GB of RAM.
- Takeaway: For most developers, the M3 MacBook Air is more than capable of handling everyday tasks. However, Alan noted that memory-intensive tools like Android Studio and Docker can push the limits of the 8GB model.
5. Thermal Throttling Test
Since the M3 MacBook Air is fanless, Alan wanted to see how it handles sustained heavy workloads and whether thermal throttling becomes an issue.
Test: He ran CPU-heavy tasks (like large code compilations) for extended periods to monitor temperature and performance.
Results:
- After about 2 minutes of sustained heavy load, the machine began to throttle to prevent overheating.
Takeaway: For short bursts of intense activity, the M3 Air performs exceptionally well. However, for tasks that require sustained performance (like game development or machine learning), the lack of active cooling can be a limitation.
6. Memory Management Test (8GB RAM)
Alan tested the base model’s 8GB of RAM by running memory-intensive applications like Android Studio, Docker, and Chrome with multiple tabs.
Results:
- Android Studio alone used nearly 3GB of RAM, and Docker consumed another 1GB.
- With all his tools open, Alan noticed some slowdowns when switching between tasks, but macOS’s memory swapping helped mitigate the impact.
Takeaway: While the 8GB model is surprisingly capable, Alan recommends opting for 16GB of RAM for a smoother experience, especially if you’re working with memory-hungry tools.
7. Dual External Monitor Support
One of the new features of the M3 MacBook Air is its ability to support two external monitors (when the lid is closed). Alan tested this setup to see how it impacts performance.
Results:
- Driving two external monitors added a slight performance hit, but the M3 Air still performed admirably
- The Mandelbrot Python test took 44 seconds with external displays, compared to slightly faster times on the onboard screen.
Takeaway: Dual external monitor support is a welcome addition, but Alan hopes Apple will enable this feature for M2 MacBook Air models in a future update.
Check Out the Best MacBook Air M3 Deals for Today!
13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB) ➡ (18% Off)
15-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB) ➡ (15% Off)
13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB) ➡ (15% Off)
15-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB)
(Please Note: deal and discount rates are subject to change overtime)
Alan’s Final Th
The M3 MacBook Air handled all of this with ease. Even with multiple instances of Terminal running, Git commands flying around, and Docker containers spinning up, the machine showed no signs of slowing down. Alan was particularly impressed with how well it handled his NX monorepo, which includes multiple iOS and Android apps, as well as TypeScript web projects.
But note down that Alan was testing the base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Yes, you read that right — the base model. While he acknowledges that 8GB can feel limiting (especially when running memory-hungry tools like Android Studio or Docker), he was surprised by how well macOS manages memory through smart swapping.
Who Is the M3 MacBook Air For?
Alan breaks it down beautifully:
- Students and Everyday Users: If you’re a student or someone who uses their laptop for everyday tasks, the M3 MacBook Air is a no-brainer. It’s lightweight, portable, and has incredible battery life (you could forget your charger at home, sleep over at a friend’s place, and still have enough juice to get through the next day)
- Professionals on the Go: For developers who value portability and battery life, the M3 Air is a dream. It’s perfect for those who travel frequently or move between workspaces. As Alan puts it, “It’s super light, super thin, and has a long battery life. What else is there to say?”
- Media Creators (Sort Of): While the M3 Air has been praised for video workflows, Alan admits he’s a stubborn Adobe Suite user and still prefers the MacBook Pro for video editing. However, if you’re into Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve, the M3 Air might just fit the bill.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
As much as Alan loves the M3 MacBook Air, he’s quick to point out its limitations:
- Thermal Throttling: The M3 Air doesn’t have a fan, which means it can throttle under sustained heavy workloads. Alan recommends keeping CPU-heavy tasks (like large code compilations) under 2 minutes to avoid thermal throttling.
- RAM and Storage: While the base model is surprisingly capable, Alan suggests opting for the 16GB RAM and 1TB storage configuration for longevity. He even admits that buying the 24GB model was a mistake, as the extra RAM doesn’t justify the cost for most developers.
- Not for Heavy Workloads: If you’re into serious machine learning, game development, or running large virtual machines, the M3 Air might not be the best choice. Alan recommends the MacBook Pro or Mac Studio for these tasks.
Should You Upgrade?
Alan’s advice here is spot-on:
- If you’re on an Intel MacBook Air, it’s time to upgrade, Go for M3 MacBook Air. The difference is night and day.
- If you’re on an M1 MacBook Air, the upgrade to M3 MacBook Air is worth considering, especially if you want better performance and resale value.
- If you’re on an M2 MacBook Air, there’s no urgent need to upgrade unless you really want dual external monitor support (which, by the way, Alan hopes Apple will enable for M2 models in a future update).
Amazon does offer deals and discounts from time to time, Check Out the Best MacBook Deals Today!
13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB) ➡ (18% Off)
15-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB) ➡ (15% Off)
13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB) ➡ (15% Off)
15-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB)
13-inch M2 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB) ➡ (20% Off)
15-inch M2 MacBook Air Renewed (8GB/256GB) ➡ (7% Off)
(Please Note: deal and discount rates are subject to change overtime)
My Take: Is the M3 MacBook Air Right for Me?
After watching Alan Ziskin’s thorough review of the M3 MacBook Air, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own coding setup. I’ve been using the M1 MacBook Pro for the past two years, and while it’s been a reliable workhorse, the idea of switching to something lighter and more portable is tempting.
Alan’s tests showed that the M3 Air handles everyday developer tasks with ease, even with the base model’s 8GB of RAM. But as someone who often runs multiple Docker containers and keeps dozens of Chrome tabs open, I’d probably opt for the 16GB model. Sure, macOS does a great job with memory management, but I’d rather not risk hitting a wall during a critical debugging session.
One thing that stood out to me was Alan’s point about thermal throttling. While the M3 Air’s fanless design is great for silence, it’s not ideal for sustained heavy workloads. As a developer who occasionally compiles large codebases, I’d have to keep an eye on those CPU temperatures.
So, would I switch to the M3 MacBook Air? For now, I’m sticking with my M1 Pro. But if I were in the market for a new machine — especially as a student or a developer who’s always on the go — the M3 Air would be at the top of my list.
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