MacBook Air M3 Discontinued: Is it Still the Best Value Laptop in Late 2025?

If you’ve tried to find the M3 MacBook Air on Apple’s official website today, you’ve likely noticed a glaring absence. As part of Apple's massive 2025 product refresh—which saw over 20 devices retired, including the iPhone 16 Pro and the M2 MacBook Air—the M3 has officially reached "Legacy" status.

Why did Apple discontinue the M3 so quickly? The move was purely strategic. With the M4 MacBook Air launching at the same $999 starting price, Apple chose to streamline its lineup rather than offer the M3 at a discount. The high production cost of the M3 chip made it less viable for Apple to keep as a "budget" option compared to the efficiency of the newer M4.

The Silver Lining: Clearance Season is Here While you can't buy it from Apple, the "discontinued" tag is actually great news for your wallet. Third-party retailers like Amazon, Flipkart, and B&H Photo are currently aggressive in clearing their backstock.

· The Price Drop: We are seeing M3 base models (16GB RAM / 256GB SSD) dropping as low as $799–$849—a steal for a machine that is barely a year old.

· The "Refurbished" Secret: The Apple Certified Refurbished store remains the only way to get a "like-new" M3 with a full Apple warranty at a significant markdown.

M3 vs. M4: Do you really need the upgrade? The M4 offers a 20% boost in CPU performance and a much faster Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence. However, for 90% of users—students, writers, and casual browsers—the M3 is still an absolute powerhouse. It features the same modern, flat design and incredible 18-hour battery life.

Final Verdict: If you find an M3 MacBook Air for under $850 this holiday season, buy it. It remains one of the most balanced laptops Apple has ever made, even if Apple wants you to forget it exists.