The MacBook Air M3 can also be used as a heater: the temperature of the chip reaches up to 114 degrees Celsius

The MacBook Air M3 is out, and initial testing shows it's pretty hot. Not in a metaphorical sense.

The MacBook Air no longer has a fan since switching to Apple's own chips in 2020. This means you can work in complete silence and not have to worry about whether your MacBook is getting enough air. But it also has a major drawback: high temperatures.

Although the model with the M1 chip was still efficient enough to remain relatively quiet, that was not the case with the faster MacBook Air with the M2 chip. The new MacBook Air M3 is also disappointing in this area, according to the YouTube channel's tests Max Tech.

In testing, in which the 15-inch Air was run with two demanding benchmark applications, the M3 chip's hottest core reached a temperature of 114°C. To prevent damage, the air automatically applies “thermal throttling”. This means that the chip is slower to control temperature. However, the M3 chip remained stuck at around 100°C during more demanding programs.

Now, this doesn't mean the MacBook Air M3 will melt your skin when you use it: the heat from the chip is distributed throughout the aluminum chassis. The hottest point in the case was around 46 degrees Celsius, according to Max Tech. This is uncomfortable on your lap, but not harmful – it only becomes dangerous at around 60°C.

If you want to get the most out of the M3 chip, the Air case isn't really for it. Only the MacBook Pro with the M3 chip can actually dissipate its heat, thanks to the presence of the fan. So, if you have heavy programs that you want to run for a longer time, it is better to choose Pro. However, for light tasks, the M3's hot-in-the-air chip won't bother you – and this model is designed for those types of tasks.