MacBook Air M2 Review
Index
At the WWDC 2022 conference, Apple introduced updates for iOS 16, macOS Ventura, watchOS 9, and iPadOS 16, but the new MacBook Air M2 was the main highlight of the event.
Apple unveiled the MacBook Air with the new M2 chip alongside an innovative redesign that brings it in line with the MacBook Pro models introduced the previous year.
Thin and solid design
- Dimensions: 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm, 1.24 kg
- Ports: 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt / USB 4), 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Colors: Starlight, Midnight, Silver, Space Gray
- The new MacBook Air M2 looks much more like the MacBook Pro launched in 2021; the design that defined the Air for almost a decade is no longer part of this new model.
- Instead, it has a flatter, more squared-off look. However, those who prefer the wedge-shaped design can still opt for the M1 model.
- Some features were removed to create a thinner and lighter device, and that last trait is more noticeable on this model than on the MacBook Pro. It no longer includes an SD card slot or HDMI ports.
Display
- 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560 x 1664 resolution, 224 ppi
- 500 nits of brightness
- True Tone support
- Wide color P3
This model is 20% smaller than its predecessor, but that does not affect the size of its display. It offers a 13.6-inch screen (2560 x 1664) thanks to the reduced bezels.
At the top of the display, Apple added the notch that houses a new 1080p camera, which was already part of the MacBook Pro lineup.
This new model also upgrades the Retina display found in the M1 model to a Liquid Retina display, delivering a 25% increase in brightness up to 500 nits.
Camera and advanced sound
The MacBook Air comes with a new 1080p FaceTime HD camera that offers twice the resolution and twice the low-light performance compared with the previous generation.
The speaker grilles on both sides, as seen on the MacBook Air M1 and MacBook Pro, are gone. Instead, it features a four-speaker sound system integrated together with the microphones between the keyboard and the display, helping preserve the device’s thin design.
- Support for Spatial Audio from the built-in speakers
- Support for Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking using AirPods
Higher performance from the M2 chip
The M2 chip marks the start of a new generation of Apple chips and takes the performance, power efficiency, and breakthrough capabilities of the M1 chip much further.
- Apple M2 processor with an 8-core CPU and a more powerful GPU with up to 10 cores
- 100 GB/s of unified memory bandwidth and support for up to 24 GB of unified memory, enabling even heavier and more complex workflows
- 256 GB / 512 GB storage (up to 1 TB, 2 TB)
- Even with a larger display and higher performance, the MacBook Air M2 offers up to 18 hours of video playback, just like the previous model
- Only an Apple chip can deliver this combination of performance and capability in a notebook with such a thin, light, and fanless design.
Charging options
It supports several charging options, including the new compact 35 W power adapter with two USB-C ports, which can charge two devices at the same time. For the first time, the MacBook Air offers fast charging, allowing the battery to reach 50% in just 30 minutes with the optional 67 W USB-C power adapter.
MacBook Air M2 (2022) technical specifications
MacBook Air M2
The Air’s most significant redesign in a decade.
Pros
- Modern, thin, and lightweight design.
- Larger and brighter display.
- M2 performance is excellent for everyday use.
- Return of the MagSafe port.
Cons
- Higher entry price than the M1.
- 256GB SSD is slower than the previous generation.
- It heats up under sustained load (fanless).
Author
Alexis PaezAnalysis based on the manufacturer's official specifications. The author did not physically test the product.
