The article concludes by stating that while the new MacBook Airs are capable of running large language models (LLMs) locally, most consumers will continue to rely on cloud-based processing. The author suggests that while programmers and other high-end users may be interested in Pro models, the MacBook Air remains the best choice for most consumers. The author also dismisses Apple's claim that the new MacBook Airs are the "World's Best Consumer Laptop for AI" as marketing hype, noting that most modern laptops and phones are capable of handling current AI tasks.
Key takeaways:
- Apple has recently claimed its new M3 MacBook Airs as the “World’s Best Consumer Laptop for AI”, a statement that is largely based on marketing and the current trend towards AI in the tech industry.
- The new MacBook Airs are not fundamentally new pieces of hardware, but rather refreshes with new(ish) silicon. They are powerful, lightweight, and have great battery life, making them a popular choice for most consumers.
- Apple is expected to lean more heavily into the AI narrative with the launch of the iPhone 16 later this year. The company is investing heavily in the AI category and promises "groundbreaking innovation" in the generative AI field.
- Despite the marketing around AI, most consumers will continue to rely on cloud-based processing when they use large language models (LLMs). Programmers who want to dive deeper into AI will likely be looking at Pro models and other high-end machines.