I'm currently using a mid-2012 MBP that I bought in 2016 and I'm planning to get a new computer since I'm going to law school this fall. I know I don't need another MBP so I've been debating whether I should splurge and get the new M2 MBA or if I should save $200 and get the M1. I use my computer for pretty basic stuff and don't think I will need it to be super powerful for school. I've seen a lot of critiques of the M2 which makes me afraid that it will be a waste of my money. I really like the newer design but I know that's not a good enough reason to drop the extra cash. My knowledge of computers is pretty limited so I likely won't be able to notice big differences in performance and other minor details. I'd appreciate any insight from people who are more knowledgeable about this stuff. Thanks!
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M1 or M2 MBA?
- Thread starter t8erman
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If money is a constraint I would go with M1 for sure, I love mine! It would get things done without breaking a sweat! Reading and annotating is not gonna push these machines to their limits. If you have a tight budget M1 Air is way to go. But if 200 bucks (retail price, but you can find the M1 Air cheaper at Amazon, Apple Refurbished etc.) is not gonna hurt your wallet that much, I would go with the newer M2. Along with the new design you would get 1080p camera (instead of 720p from M1 Air), better speakers (as reviewers claim), brighter screen (400 nits for M1 Air while M2 Air goes up to 500 nits), MagSafe (which saves one more USB-C port for peripherals, M1 Air charges via USB-C only) and M2 chip. Yes it's mostly "cosmetic", if you are going to use it just as a computer but I think it's well worth it.
My budget isn't really tight other than my impending lack of salary. I have the money to buy the M2 right now. I'm just overly frugal about these things since I could always use the $200 for something else (like an iPad in the future if they upgrade the base model). The cosmetic changes, camera, and MagSafe are definitely appealing but I can't figure out if they are worth the price difference.
M1 Air for you it is then! If you don't care about these stuff, M1 Air won't disappoint you. Enjoy your new Mac!
It boils down to how much is your budget.
Don't underestimate the slow SSD speed. If you go with 8GB of RAM, once the system needs swap memory, the performance difference can be felt.
If your choice is strictly only between the base M1 MBA and base M2 MBA, I would personally go with the M1 MBA. But if you want 512GB storage, then go with the M2 model as the SSD issue is only on the 256GB base model. If budget permits, I would go with 16/512 M2 Macbook Air for $1599.
Don't underestimate the slow SSD speed. If you go with 8GB of RAM, once the system needs swap memory, the performance difference can be felt.
If your choice is strictly only between the base M1 MBA and base M2 MBA, I would personally go with the M1 MBA. But if you want 512GB storage, then go with the M2 model as the SSD issue is only on the 256GB base model. If budget permits, I would go with 16/512 M2 Macbook Air for $1599.
I am a lawyer. I used a 2015 13 inch MacBook Pro through law school, which I started in 2016. I don't ever remember wishing I had a more powerful computer either in law school or at my job so the M1 Air would be more than sufficient for you. I also only use one external monitor at home so that limitation for both Airs is fine with me (although two is nice if you are in a paperless office and need to refer to different documents while drafting something).
Although I am going to upgrade that 2015 laptop to the M2 Air because I think the features you listed are worth the extra $200 if I am going to keep the laptop for five plus years. The extra vertical space that the M2's notch provides is probably minorly helpful for legal work but like one extra line of text shouldn't sway your decision.
Apple is introducing a feature which will let you use your iPhone, if you have one, as your webcam. The M1 is a great computer, go for that one.
I'd suggest M2. With the new model, you're really paying extra for the longer support from Apple. There will be a day when Apple drops M1 support for macOS and it will be before M2.
For most users, M2 makes more sense. M1 is good if you really don't keep the hardware long or use in a risky environment (e.g. kids).
For most users, M2 makes more sense. M1 is good if you really don't keep the hardware long or use in a risky environment (e.g. kids).
I'm currently in a similar position.
I recently knocked a glass of wine over my 2012 MBA. It's no urgency as I've a maxed out 2012 MBP, though as I think about it, the MBP really should be relegated to my "surfing, chatting, basic photo editing" machine. I don't do video editing (yet - though there is time).
Whether M1 or M2, I'd have the 512GB storage as a basic. Any comments?
I recently knocked a glass of wine over my 2012 MBA. It's no urgency as I've a maxed out 2012 MBP, though as I think about it, the MBP really should be relegated to my "surfing, chatting, basic photo editing" machine. I don't do video editing (yet - though there is time).
Whether M1 or M2, I'd have the 512GB storage as a basic. Any comments?
The M1 is more than powerful enough, and it's the best value (especially refurbished). It's even powerful enough for video editing. The M2, while more expensive, is great as well.