Apple Announces MacBook Air Now Starts With Increased 16GB of RAM With No Price Increase - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Announces MacBook Air Now Starts With Increased 16GB of RAM With No Price Increase

Apple today in its new MacBook Pro press release announced that the MacBook Air lineup now starts with 16GB of RAM, up from 8GB previously.

m3 macbook air blue
This change applies to the 13-inch model with the M2 chip, the 13-inch model with the M3 chip, and the 15-inch model with the M3 chip.

In the U.S., the MacBook Air lineup continues to start at $999, so there is no price increase associated with the boost in RAM.

Apple:

MacBook Air is the world's most popular laptop, and with Apple Intelligence, it's even better. Now, models with M2 and M3 double the starting memory to 16GB, while keeping the starting price at just $999 — a terrific value for the world's best-selling laptop.

In addition, the highest-end MacBook Air configurations now include 24GB of RAM at no extra cost, as part of a corresponding lineup adjustment.

This increase comes after Apple announced new iMac, Mac mini, and base 14-inch MacBook Pro models this week with a minimum of 16GB of RAM as well, ending the 8GB of RAM era for the Mac after years of criticism from a vocal contingent.

No other changes beyond RAM were announced for the MacBook Air today.

The latest 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the M3 chip were released in March, and new models with the M4 chip are expected in March again next year.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Air (Neutral)
Related Forum: MacBook Air

Popular Stories

macbook air blue

M6 MacBook Air: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Thursday June 18, 2026 8:11 am PDT by
Apple refreshed the MacBook Air with the M5 chip in March 2026, but attention is already turning to what comes next. While the next-generation model isn't expected to arrive until next year, early rumors suggest it could mark the beginning of a more ambitious phase in Apple's chip roadmap. From potential advances in processor technology to the prospect of higher prices, here's what the...
apple price hike

Apple Just Increased Prices on MacBooks, iPads, and More

Thursday June 25, 2026 5:44 am PDT by
Apple today dramatically increased device prices across multiple product lines. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. After temporarily taking it down earlier today, Apple's online store is back up with a series of product price increases. The changes are as follows: HomePod mini: $129, up from $99 (+$30) HomePod: $349, up from $299 (+$50) Apple TV: $199, up from...
2026 Macs and Studio Display 2 Feature

Apple Adds More 2026 Macs and Studio Display 2 to Refurbished Store

Friday June 26, 2026 7:12 am PDT by
Earlier today, we reported that Apple added the MacBook Neo to the refurbished store on its website, and it turns out the new additions go beyond that. The other products added to Apple's refurbished store in the U.S. and Canada for the first time today include the MacBook Air with the M5 chip, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and the second-generation Studio Display (2026)....

Top Rated Comments

DrJR Avatar
22 months ago
That's great, but I heard they have moved the charge port to the bottom of the machine.
Score: 81 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
22 months ago
If I only had a nickel for how many defender posts I've read making Apple RAM out to be super special and thus rationalizing $200 for 8GB more vs. commoditized RAM available at retail for quantity 1 unit at peanuts. Here's absolute evidence that Apple RAM is not so expensive because we know they don't just throw away "nearly $200" cost for nothing.

And once again, I'm looking for those defenders who wrote thousands of posts about how 8GB was plenty for nearly all users to now rip into Apple for "forcing too much" RAM on all buyers. But I haven't even seen 1 such post yet... as if they didn't really mean what they were writing but just pushing whatever the company was selling. If they believed what they wrote as recently as last few weeks (and often throughout 2024), they should now find fault with Apple for "forcing" too much. Where's those comments? (rhetorical- we know- as Apple makes such hops, so evolves their passionate opinions to align with the Corp).

Congrats to all who look forward to buying base spec Macs at third party retailer sale prices. We finally were thrown a consumer bone instead of having every bit of focus on shareholder maximization. More of this Apple! More!

A magical side effect of delivering more consumer value is that it can move customers to BUY MORE and/or BUY NOW... which then benefits them shareholders too via volume accumulations instead of squeezing every penny out of each transaction.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cczhu Avatar
22 months ago
impress me with 512GB storage as base
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
22 months ago
Tim can I get a $200 refund for the cash I spent to upgrade to 16GB?
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vertsix Avatar
22 months ago
Very nice but 256GB storage is still laughably low...
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aka757 Avatar
22 months ago
The M2 13" MBA with 16GB RAM for $899 from the education store brand new seems like a really good deal to me!
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)