Kerry Wan/ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.The MacBook Air M3 (13-inch) from 2024 is down to just $799 -- a fantastic deal on the thinnest, lightest laptop in Apple's laptop catalog. Just for reference, that's $500 off the regular price of $1,299. Amazon Prime Day officially starts on June 23, but deals like this one are quietly kicking off early because the retailer knows inventory is likely to sell out in the first days of the sale. Also: June Prime Day live blog 2026: We're tracking Amazon dealsThe MacBook Air M3 is the "middle child" in Apple's lineup, with the M5 just dropped earlier this year, and the M1 from 2020, the first device with its powerful silicon chip. This means the M3 hits the sweet spot of performance relative to cost, and it's the MacBook I recommend to anyone looking for an affordable laptop without paying several thousand dollars for Apple's expensive Pro laptops -- or settling for a less-capable MacBook Neo. The MacBook Air M3 powers the laptop in ways that hybrid and remote workers will care about: you can connect it to up to two external monitors (with the lid closed) for a seamless transition if you're commuting into the office or working from home. Also, the unified memory provides a smooth, stutter-free experience without graphical lag when working with multiple monitors. The 16GB/512GB configuration on sale is a mid-range spec, more than enough for work-related tasks that require multitasking across various apps. Most importantly, its portable form factor and integration with external displays make it extremely versatile -- especially with the latest MacOS releasing this September, which this laptop will support. Kerry Wan/ZDNETPortability is the main draw here, making for the ultimate device for hybrid and remote workers who need to commute with a laptop but don't want to sacrifice performance. You've got a 1080p FaceTime HD camera for clear, natural-looking videocalls, and a vivid Liquid Retina display that's bright and sharp whether you're working on spreadsheets, editing video, or gaming. Also: 15 of the best Prime Day laptop deals (I'd actually buy myself)Lastly, battery life on the M3 Air is fantastic, with upwards of 15 hours on a single charge, enough for a few workdays without worrying about power. When it's time to charge, you've got fast charging capabilities, reducing the need to be tethered to a power outlet.How I rated this deal This deal is easily a 4/5 for the price relative to hardware. The M3 MacBook Air is absolutely a competitive device in 2026, supporting the latest MacOS and all the new Siri features and iPhone integrations coming to MacOS "Golden Gate" this September. Amazon's Prime Day event launches earlier than usual this year, from Tuesday, June 23 to Friday, June 26, 2026. The event was shifted up from it's usual July timeframe to better align with consumer shopping patterns going into the summer.