Video Comparison: M1 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air

[MacRumors]

Apple last week launched a redesigned version of the MacBook Air that's equipped with a next-generation M2 chip. If you own the original M1 MacBook Air and have been thinking about upgrading, or if you're simply new to the MacBook Air and are trying to choose between the two machines, we've done a hands-on comparison video pitting the M2 MacBook Air against the prior-generation M1 MacBook Air.

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Most Mac updates are iterative and focus on the internals of the machine, but that's not the case with the M2 MacBook Air. Apple overhauled the entire design, getting rid of the tapered look in favor of a flat-edged shape that's much more similar to the MacBook Pro.

The new MacBook Air is thinner and lighter than the prior-generation version, and it's available in new colors that include Midnight and Starlight. The design is a notable update that's fresher and more modern, plus the display is 100 nits brighter.

The M2 chip has the same 8-core CPU as the M1 chip, but it's just a bit faster and more efficient, plus the base machine has an extra GPU core so GPU performance has been boosted. Both entry-level M1 and M2 machines feature 8GB unified memory and a 256GB SSD, but it's worth noting that the M1 has two 128GB NAND flash chips, while the M2 has just one, which has resulted in slower performance on benchmarks.

While the M1 MacBook Air was limited to two USB-C ports, the M2 MacBook Air adds a MagSafe port to allow for extra port access and a better charging experience. The keyboard and trackpad are largely the same, but Apple did introduce some major changes that make the speakers sound better.

Apple is selling the base M2 MacBook Air for $1,199 and the base M1 MacBook Air for $999, so is the M2 worth the extra money? For most people, yes. The M2 offers faster performance, a larger display, MagSafe, and Apple's latest design, which is worth the $200 premium if you can swing it. If you already have an M1, you should probably wait to upgrade because the M1 still offers stellar performance. Make sure to watch our full video up above to see these two machines side by side, and see our M1 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air guide for a more in-depth comparison.

Article Link: Video Comparison: M1 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air

 

[eicca]

Aesthetics alone were enough to make me reconsider my M1 Air purchase. The M2 book feels so incredibly good in the hands.

 

[Menneisyys2]

Also worth checking out for a comparison:

 

[mabaker]

Cannot believe Apple is charging an arm and leg for the new mba yet they skimped on installing a proper heat sink. unacceptable.

 

[!!!]

I bought the M1 Air after they released the M2 Air. $100 cheaper plus I don't have to deal with a notch. At least with the iPhone the notch takes up the majority of the space, but with the Mac notch and phone hole-punches, they just look so out of place on an otherwise clean design.

 

[Rory76]

So glad I have and kept my silver 512/16GB M1 and didn’t sell it for the M2. The M1 design might be outdated, and the M2 might “actually” be thinner on paper. But, purely from a visual standpoint, I think the M1 looks 100x better than the M2. The M2 just appears as a boring slab. Like any other laptop. And even though it’s thin, it gives the illusion of being a chunky money next to the wedge shaped M1. Just my two cents which would only buy .000000000017 gallons of gas.

 

[Karma*Police]

Another bogus review. No review should be recommending the M2 over the M1 Air outside of very few use cases.

Especially when you factor in the big price difference, minimal performance gains, massive drop in performance for some basic real world tasks, M2 throttling issues, and most importantly, the audience they are targeting and the basic computing tasks they are likely to perform.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I honestly miss the old tapered edge MacBook Air design. The new M2 MacBook Air is not just that appealing to me. Heck, it doesn’t even come with a 15” size.

The only thing I do like is the Mid-Night color.

 

[Realityck]

Cannot believe Apple is charging an arm and leg for the new mba yet they skimped on installing a proper heat sink. unacceptable.

With the M2 13" MBP not incorporating an updated cam and speakers, and the 13" MBA without a fan, there certainly could have been one model that encompassed best of both 13" models.

 

[SSDGUY]

Minor point, but listening on Presonus Eris E3.5 monitors, the mic audio on the M2 sounds a bit brittle while the M1 is tad muddy.

 

[DeLaSoul]

The base M1 Air should drop to $699.

 

[SSDGUY]

I bought the M1 Air after they released the M2 Air. $100 cheaper plus I don't have to deal with a notch. At least with the iPhone the notch takes up the majority of the space, but with the Mac notch and phone hole-punches, they just look so out of place on an otherwise clean design.

I'll take the notch since it adds space for the menu bar items, and a bit more screen real estate. To each their own I guess.

 

[Realityck]

I honestly miss the old tapered edge MacBook Air design. The new M2 MacBook Air is not just that appealing to me. Heck, it doesn’t even come with a 15” size.

The only thing I do like is the Mid-Night color.

The low pricing going with the M1 MBA is still a bargain for EDU buyers. They say the M2 MBA affords a bit more power for graphic design, film, or art majors for $300 more. But then you start pulling into the low end of 14" MBPs if you add options. So could say for once Apple has laptops for just about anyones budget this back to school period.

 

[Zaft]

Im not really a fan of the notch on the laptops. The M1 MacBook Air is a really solid laptop and can be found discounted to as low as $829.

 

[Rocko99991]

Magsafe alone is worth it.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Magsafe alone is worth it.

MagSafe also comes with MacBook Pro 14”-16” 😐

 

[andreyush]

I don't think students for example will jump to buy the M2 ANY DAY. In terms of budget the best buy at the moment is still M1 Macbook Air. More than enough power and now it has even a better price.
If you have the bucks yea M2 is worth it but not a must buy at all.

 

[project_2501]

Does the M1 Air have the hardware media encoders like the M1 Pro and M1 Max?

Does the M2 Air?

 

[thadoggfather]

im in a position where I like the M2 design overall and its screen and design enhancements, still not a fan of the SSD slowdown on the 256gb model, but cant bring myself to get rid of my M1 even if it resold for well and still appreciate the 'dated' tapered look.

I have a 2016 intel MBP 13" I dual boot that I won't get rid of either.
this M1
and I dont really want a third laptop

I think common sense should be to keep using my 2020 base M1 for a while.

 

[hans1972]

Cannot believe Apple is charging an arm and leg for the new mba yet they skimped on installing a proper heat sink. unacceptable.

It would probably have increased the temperature of the shell which would be a big downside.

The purpose of the MacBook Air isn't to get the maximum performance out of the M2 SoC.

 

[norbinhouston]

Is this really an Air, or just a MacBook 13?

 

[hans1972]

massive drop in performance for some basic real world tasks

Which basic tasks would those be?

 

[haysoos123]

Does the M1 Air have the hardware media encoders like the M1 Pro and M1 Max?

Does the M2 Air?

M1 does have hardware encoders, but they're not as good as the M1 Pro and Max which added ProRes support. A surprise addition to the M2 was the inclusion of the improved media engine which is actually better than the Pro and Max. And obviously look to see even beefier versions of that in the M2 Pro and Max.

 

[Norco]

Magsafe alone is worth it.

I don’t really understand the obsession with MagSafe. Do people dump laptops on the ground frequently from catching the charge cable?

My USB C 2019 MBPro charger has been extremely handy charging a wide range of devices across manufacturers.

 

[krakenrelease]

The photoshop glow around the M2 makes it better