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Returning my M2 MBA for an M1

D

discofuel

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 21, 2010
281
79
I had such high hopes for the new M2 MBA, but unfortunately I just don't love it like I loved my M1 MBA...

Now I'm trying to decide what to do!

Last year I purchased a 16" M1 MBP as my main computer which is the best Mac I've ever owned.

At the same time, I picked up a base model M1 MBA (for only $850 during an Amazon deal) for use around the house, on the couch etc, with the intension of upgrading to the M2 with a better spec (8gb RAM and 256gb SSD isn't enough for me) when it came out.

As soon as the M2 was available, I preordered a 16GB, 1TB model.

However, after having the M2 MBA for almost two weeks, I really didn't enjoy using and I just kept coming back to the M1.


Why I prefer my M1:
  • The wedge design looks so much more unique and fun, the M2 looks more like a work computer like a smaller version of my MBP and not really an "Air"
  • The wedge design makes it look much thinner, especially on my lap or on a cushion while watching a movie
  • The rose gold color is stunning, the M2 starlight equivalent looks grey
  • The speakers are louder and wider and sound better for music
  • For some reason, the casing feels more robust and solid than than the M2

Things I prefer about the M2:
  • The screen is a lot nicer - colors are much richer. The M1 looks more washed out in comparison. Brightness felt about the same
  • I like the thin bezels - the notch isn't an issue at all because apps like TopNotch make it invisible
  • Magsafe is much nicer
  • Fast charging is really nice
  • Speakers are more balanced and sound better for movies/TV shows

I'm returning the M2 and will most likely replace it with an M1 16GB 1TB but I do feel a little conflicted about buying old technology mainly for the design and getting worse screen etc.

Interested to know if anyone else had a similar experience or thoughts?


------

UPDATE: 12/15/22: I was wrong!

 
Last edited:
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I’m mulling the M2 Air over. Walked into the Store today and had a mess about with the 14 Pro M1 and Air M2.

The Pro is actually nicer. Much prefer that black keyboard. Feels quite reassuring that it’ll be able to take anything, even if I want to play a game in the future.

In two minds now. I do move around a lot at work and take it out sometimes, really miss my old Air for that reason (currently on a 2017 MBP).
 
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Three, maybe even four, of your pros for the M1 are purely aesthetic. All of your pros for the M2 are things that make the actual user experience better.

Edit: the above is only meant to be a caution to you for the long-term, based on your reasonings. As Apple_Robert said below, do whatever makes you happy.
 
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If you already have a 16" MBP then I would be tempted to return the M2 Air for a iPad Pro, if you are using it on the couch. Reading emails, browsing the web and watching movies is a better experience on the iPad Pro on the couch compared to a laptop IMO. At least that is what I do, I have a 16" MBP for anything that involves significant typing, iPad Pro for web browsing and watching movies.
 
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Disco, how does the typing compare? How do you like the wedge vs. the squared-off front side of the M2 MBA for that?

Are you a touch typist?

The aesthetics vs. functionality issue is a perennial one. I saw three of your five pluses for the M1 MBA as functional, as well as aesthetic. They are not so easily separable. I'm more productive on a device that looks good and makes me feel good.

What other functional pros and cons have you seen between the two?

I also saw several of what many would consider “functional” benefits of the M2 as minor or inconsequential — MagSafe is great, e.g., but if you're getting up to 20 hours battery life, tripping over a connected cord matters much less. If you don't watch TV or video on your Mac, but listen to music, the M2 doesn't have an advantage, but a disadvantage! And, so on.
 
discofuel said:
I had such high hopes for the new M2 MBA, but unfortunately I just don't love it like I loved my M1 MBA...
Click to expand...

interesting take. I liked my M1 but I love my M2. Though full disclosure, I had the base M1 so the 256gb chafed my ass the whole time I owned it. But that was my fault for going for the quick ship and not BTO. I did not repeat that mistake this time. I have installed all my gear and still have 700gb left over. I prefer the non-wedge of the M2 also. But yeah, as was said, tote what you love.
 
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discofuel said:
I had such high hopes for the new M2 MBA, but unfortunately I just don't love it like I loved my M1 MBA...

Now I'm trying to decide what to do!

Last year I purchased a 16" M1 MBP as my main computer which is the best Mac I've ever owned.

At the same time, I picked up a base model M1 MBA (for only $850 during an Amazon deal) for use around the house, on the couch etc, with the intension of upgrading to the M2 with a better spec (8gb RAM and 256gb SSD isn't enough for me) when it came out.

As soon as the M2 was available, I preordered a 16GB, 1TB model.

However, after having the M2 MBA for almost two weeks, I really didn't enjoy using and I just kept coming back to the M1.


Why I prefer my M1:
  • The wedge design looks so much more unique and fun, the M2 looks more like a work computer like a smaller version of my MBP and not really an "Air"
  • The wedge design makes it look much thinner, especially on my lap or on a cushion while watching a movie
  • The rose gold color is stunning, the M2 starlight equivalent looks grey
  • The speakers are louder and wider and sound better for music
  • For some reason, the casing feels more robust and solid than than the M2

Things I prefer about the M2:
  • The screen is a lot nicer - colors are much richer. The M1 looks more washed out in comparison. Brightness felt about the same
  • I like the thin bezels - the notch isn't an issue at all because apps like TopNotch make it invisible
  • Magsafe is much nicer
  • Fast charging is really nice
  • Speakers are more balanced and sound better for movies/TV shows

I'm returning the M2 and will most likely replace it with an M1 16GB 1TB but I do feel a little conflicted about buying old technology mainly for the design and getting worse screen etc.

Interested to know if anyone else had a similar experience or thoughts?
Click to expand...
I just went through this exact same episode... in the end I got a 14" mbp to replace the m1 air (I also have the 16" max). I loved the m1 form factor better than any machine, but the screen is infintely better than both m1 and m2 air and will have a longer life span most likely.
 
i returned my M1 air for an M2 air; nothing bad about the M1, but... disappointed how it looked almost exactly like the macbook pro i had in 2015. plus too much bezel, & didn't like the keyboard.

guess we all have our preferences, so.... glad there are, at least, some choices.
 
discofuel said:
I had such high hopes for the new M2 MBA, but unfortunately I just don't love it like I loved my M1 MBA...

Now I'm trying to decide what to do!

Last year I purchased a 16" M1 MBP as my main computer which is the best Mac I've ever owned.

At the same time, I picked up a base model M1 MBA (for only $850 during an Amazon deal) for use around the house, on the couch etc, with the intension of upgrading to the M2 with a better spec (8gb RAM and 256gb SSD isn't enough for me) when it came out.

As soon as the M2 was available, I preordered a 16GB, 1TB model.

However, after having the M2 MBA for almost two weeks, I really didn't enjoy using and I just kept coming back to the M1.


Why I prefer my M1:
  • The wedge design looks so much more unique and fun, the M2 looks more like a work computer like a smaller version of my MBP and not really an "Air"
  • The wedge design makes it look much thinner, especially on my lap or on a cushion while watching a movie
  • The rose gold color is stunning, the M2 starlight equivalent looks grey
  • The speakers are louder and wider and sound better for music
  • For some reason, the casing feels more robust and solid than than the M2

Things I prefer about the M2:
  • The screen is a lot nicer - colors are much richer. The M1 looks more washed out in comparison. Brightness felt about the same
  • I like the thin bezels - the notch isn't an issue at all because apps like TopNotch make it invisible
  • Magsafe is much nicer
  • Fast charging is really nice
  • Speakers are more balanced and sound better for movies/TV shows

I'm returning the M2 and will most likely replace it with an M1 16GB 1TB but I do feel a little conflicted about buying old technology mainly for the design and getting worse screen etc.

Interested to know if anyone else had a similar experience or thoughts?
Click to expand...
Not that I have bought, but what you said why you prefer M1 is the reason I have not bought the M2 MacBook Air
 
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discofuel said:
I had such high hopes for the new M2 MBA, but unfortunately I just don't love it like I loved my M1 MBA...

Now I'm trying to decide what to do!

Last year I purchased a 16" M1 MBP as my main computer which is the best Mac I've ever owned.

At the same time, I picked up a base model M1 MBA (for only $850 during an Amazon deal) for use around the house, on the couch etc, with the intension of upgrading to the M2 with a better spec (8gb RAM and 256gb SSD isn't enough for me) when it came out.

As soon as the M2 was available, I preordered a 16GB, 1TB model.

However, after having the M2 MBA for almost two weeks, I really didn't enjoy using and I just kept coming back to the M1.


Why I prefer my M1:
  • The wedge design looks so much more unique and fun, the M2 looks more like a work computer like a smaller version of my MBP and not really an "Air"
  • The wedge design makes it look much thinner, especially on my lap or on a cushion while watching a movie
  • The rose gold color is stunning, the M2 starlight equivalent looks grey
  • The speakers are louder and wider and sound better for music
  • For some reason, the casing feels more robust and solid than than the M2

Things I prefer about the M2:
  • The screen is a lot nicer - colors are much richer. The M1 looks more washed out in comparison. Brightness felt about the same
  • I like the thin bezels - the notch isn't an issue at all because apps like TopNotch make it invisible
  • Magsafe is much nicer
  • Fast charging is really nice
  • Speakers are more balanced and sound better for movies/TV shows

I'm returning the M2 and will most likely replace it with an M1 16GB 1TB but I do feel a little conflicted about buying old technology mainly for the design and getting worse screen etc.

Interested to know if anyone else had a similar experience or thoughts?
Click to expand...
I am considering an M1 Air for your speaker reason and the gold color. Other than that the battery life on the M1 should be slightly better.

However, same as you, the display and bezel is better in M2. And the processor speed and graphics too. Also the M1 air does not come with 8C GPU anymore.

4743913 said:
interesting take. I liked my M1 but I love my M2. Though full disclosure, I had the base M1 so the 256gb chafed my ass the whole time I owned it. But that was my fault for going for the quick ship and not BTO. I did not repeat that mistake this time. I have installed all my gear and still have 700gb left over. I prefer the non-wedge of the M2 also. But yeah, as was said, tote what you love.
Click to expand...
I agree, I like the non wedge design when holding it. Feels much more balanced and easy to hold.

fisherking said:
i returned my M1 air for an M2 air; nothing bad about the M1, but... disappointed how it looked almost exactly like the macbook pro i had in 2015. plus too much bezel, & didn't like the keyboard.

guess we all have our preferences, so.... glad there are, at least, some choices.
Click to expand...
We meet again! I am considering M1 due to the speaker like we talked. But I agree with you the M2 display looks better!
 
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No matter what you do, Both computers are absolutely incredible.
Cryates said:
Three, maybe even four, of your pros for the M1 are purely aesthetic. All of your pros for the M2 are things that make the actual user experience better.

Edit: the above is only meant to be a caution to you for the long-term, based on your reasonings. As Apple_Robert said below, do whatever makes you happy.
Click to expand...
Agree with all of this.
A lot of the small improvements really make it feel more modern.
Personally, the wedge design stopped being a fun gimmick for me a good seven years ago. A computer being, super super thin… But only on the front, and then very very close to the same thickness as the 2016 MacBook Pro on the back kind of takes away the wow factor.
It makes a cool first impression, and for products like the 12 inch MacBook, where the thickest point is still substantially thinner than the MBP it works.
 
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I have M1 loaded configuration, 16GB of RAM, storage 512 GB. I also purchased a smaller used MacBook 12 inch 2017 and installed Monterey on it, as a small travel machine. It is not a very powerful machine, but perfect for light office work. I was very intrigued about Midnight blue m2, the day M2 became available I went in person to a local Apple Store to see it. After some deliberation I decided to stick with my current notebooks. m2 is a very nice machine, but I don't edit video on it anyway, so the performance increase in office work is not really important for me. In terms of portability and weight, 12 inch MacBook beats both m1 and m2, even if it doesn't have that impressive battery life. So..I will probably stick to m1 and maybe wait for m3 lol (my current Intel CPU in 12 inch MacBook is m3 (intel), funnily).
 
www.notebookcheck.net

Apple M2 SoC Analysis - Worse CPU efficiency compared to the M1

The Apple M2 is here and after our reviews of the MacBook Pro 13 and the MacBook Air M2, we want to have a closer look at the new M2 chip. What changed, which improvements can you expect, and how does the increased power consumption affect the efficiency, especially compared to the previous M1 chip?
www.notebookcheck.net www.notebookcheck.net


Also the M1 is just a more efficient chip
 
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erasr said:
I’m mulling the M2 Air over. Walked into the Store today and had a mess about with the 14 Pro M1 and Air M2.

The Pro is actually nicer. Much prefer that black keyboard. Feels quite reassuring that it’ll be able to take anything, even if I want to play a game in the future.

In two minds now. I do move around a lot at work and take it out sometimes, really miss my old Air for that reason (currently on a 2017 MBP).
Click to expand...
M2 and M1PRO have similar performance when you add a MagSafe cooler to the M2
 
Sammy in SoCal said:
www.notebookcheck.net

Apple M2 SoC Analysis - Worse CPU efficiency compared to the M1

The Apple M2 is here and after our reviews of the MacBook Pro 13 and the MacBook Air M2, we want to have a closer look at the new M2 chip. What changed, which improvements can you expect, and how does the increased power consumption affect the efficiency, especially compared to the previous M1 chip?
www.notebookcheck.net www.notebookcheck.net


Also the M1 is just a more efficient chip
Click to expand...
But they are both efficient just one inherently has higher power draw due to the chip design. Same with the other upcoming M2 variations I assume.

It’s like comparing two Ferraris, one may handle better and the other may be faster in a straight line but they’re both great machines at what they do.
 
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Gelam said:
I am considering an M1 Air for your speaker reason and the gold color. Other than that the battery life on the M1 should be slightly better.

However, same as you, the display and bezel is better in M2. And the processor speed and graphics too. Also the M1 air does not come with 8C GPU anymore.


I agree, I like the non wedge design when holding it. Feels much more balanced and easy to hold.


We meet again! I am considering M1 due to the speaker like we talked. But I agree with you the M2 display looks better!
Click to expand...
an app like boom 3d (i only use it for it's equalizer) can help any small speaker setup (it made my 12" macbook decent enough). to be fair, there are no miracles, and tiny speakers can only do so much.

again, we have choices. enough M1 airs in the wild for people who want one.
 
I guess chip wise updates weren’t the focus this time anyway it was the body shape/new camera/speakers.

The real processor stuff is the next chip after M2..

Or when 16gb and 512 becomes the base for an Air config!
 
fisherking said:
an app like boom 3d (i only use it for it's equalizer) can help any small speaker setup (it made my 12" macbook decent enough). to be fair, there are no miracles, and tiny speakers can only do so much.

again, we have choices. enough M1 airs in the wild for people who want one.
Click to expand...
We can only hope there are miracles :). I might look into boom 3d in the future. Can adjusting equalizer damage the speaker?

Hope that there will be a 15" MacBook Air in the future as choice too!
 
Gelam said:
We can only hope there are miracles :). I might look into boom 3d in the future. Can adjusting equalizer damage the speaker?

Hope that there will be a 15" MacBook Air in the future as choice too!
Click to expand...
the trick with an app like boom is to be cautious; not to, for example, turn the bass all the way up; small speakers can't handle really low frequencies.

i use it to 'even out' the frequency response of the speakers. for example, with my 12" macbook, i just eased back on some areas, ie removing a little 'mud' from the middle. EQ can help, but it cannot create miracles.
 
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