Which configuration of MacBook Air M2 will you order?

[Trouble1]

Seems I'm in the minority. Base model 8/256. I want Magsafe. In November I bought a M1 MBA 8/256 that for the most part meets my needs... the only trouble I have is with Thinkorswim, it sucks up RAM and I cannot have multiple desktops running multiple opened tabs of safari especially watching YouTube. Closing them just seems like responsible use anyway... lol
Giving the M1 MBA to my girlfriend, she will love it.
Soooo... I'm wondering, more RAM? 16GB, I easily can afford it, but do I need it. Maybe the M2 RAM (cache/speed) is improved. It's never really in the red zone on the memory pressure chart.
After my 2013 MBP 13" "e" key died, I decided that I would no longer keep any laptop longer than 2 years. Once the Apple and MasterCard warranty runs out, I want out, buy the next generation.
Also, I do not want this to be my main computer, only to use around the condo and take on trips because I prefer the MacOS Thinkorswim (even though I can and have used the iPadOS Thinkorswim). I plan to get a Mac mini/keyboard/monitor as my main system at home.
Indecisiveness is my life

 

[Hey_Apple]

I am thinking of going with 8/10/16/512 silver. My only concern is if I should go with 24gb of ram instead as I am going to school for CS and I am wanting to use the air for getting into coding (Xcode etc...) so not sure if the extra ram is necessary? I will likely keep for 4-5 years (until no longer can update to latest MacOS) I want to future proof, but also not spend more than I have to. Ugh or go with MBP 13 M2 since it has internal cooling

 

[New York]

I would actually really appreciate some advice on this. I’m a ‘non-technical’ person so don’t really understand the specs (for example, if I’m currently using 210GB of flash storage, does that mean I need 210GB of SSD storage??? - I have no idea).

I currently have a six year old MacBook that was working perfectly well for my needs until it fell a few months ago (no MagSafe argggg!), which killed the screen. I’ve been plugging it into an external monitor while waiting patiently for the new M2 MacBook Air announcement.

I use it for basic functions - email, small Word/Excel files, Teams and Safari (including to stream Netflix). I never have more than a couple of Safari browsers open at a time.

It’s got 500GB of flash storage, of which I’m using 210GB (90GB of which is for TV shows I’d forgotten I’d downloaded and am happy to remove).

I have the money to pay for more than the base M2 Air model, but don’t want to spend more if I don’t have to. I would like to have the new one for at least six years.

I think I should be good with the base model, but would appreciate any advice…

 

[neo_cs193p]

I would actually really appreciate some advice on this. I’m a ‘non-technical’ person so don’t really understand the specs (for example, if I’m currently using 210GB of flash storage, does that mean I need 210GB of SSD storage??? - I have no idea).

I currently have a six year old MacBook that was working perfectly well for my needs until it fell a few months ago (no MagSafe argggg!), which killed the screen. I’ve been plugging it into an external monitor while waiting patiently for the new M2 MacBook Air announcement.

I use it for basic functions - email, small Word/Excel files, Teams and Safari (including to stream Netflix). I never have more than a couple of Safari browsers open at a time.

It’s got 500GB of flash storage, of which I’m using 210GB (90GB of which is for TV shows I’d forgotten I’d downloaded and am happy to remove).

I have the money to pay for more than the base M2 Air model, but don’t want to spend more if I don’t have to. I would like to have the new one for at least six years.

I think I should be good with the base model, but would appreciate any advice…

My opinion is that you would do great with the base model (250 GB SSD), if you can delete or move some of the TV shows to an external drive. I would recommend keeping ~ 100 GB free on your internal disk for OS needs like memory swap and updates. This will let your computer work fast, as intended. Otherwise, if you want to be loose with managing storage, you can buy the 512GB SSD version.

 

[StoneJack]

My opinion is that you would do great with the base model (250 GB SSD), if you can delete or move some of the TV shows to an external drive. I would recommend keeping ~ 100 GB free on your internal disk for OS needs like memory swap and updates. This will let your computer work fast, as intended. Otherwise, if you want to be loose with managing storage, you can buy the 512GB SSD version.

Yes good advice

 

[DHagan4755]

8GB of memory is fine for light workloads: web browsing (low amount of tabs), office productivity apps (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Pages, Numbers, Keynote), Apple Notes, Music, Photos, and iMovie. A chromium browser like Chrome, Edge, or Brave browser are going to use more memory but if you keep your tab count low you should be ok with only 8GB. Also Electron apps like Spotify, Slack, WhatsApp, TradingView should be ok too. It gets dicier with Discord and Teams, but doable.

HOWEVER (and this is a big however) you need to manage expectations with only 8GB of memory. Once you start getting into anything more robust like Lightroom, Photoshop, Affinity Photo/Designer, Final Cut, Logic, or Resolve, you’ll want 16GB.

I think most people should upgrade to 16GB regardless. 16GB future proofs it.

24GB of memory if you’re going to use virtual machines, or want the smoothest experience possible with Final Cut, Davinci Resolve or Logic.

Some people will buy this Air as their powerhouse on the go but do their main heavy lifting on a desktop. I’d still get 16GB.

SSD size is kind of subjective. Some don’t like working on limited space because you don’t want external SSDs hanging off your computer — that’s totally understandable. Suffice it to say 512GB is probably going to be best for most people. 256GB SSD is for the light workload crew.

 

[Cirlonde]

Since we're talking advice for the less technically-knowledgeable people...my dilemma is about the GPU cores. From what I've read, I think 8 is sufficient for me. But since it's "only" $100 to upgrade to 10, I am waffling. While I have a good grasp on what my money is buying when it comes to RAM and SSD space, I don't really have any idea what 10 cores gets me.

My typical use-case is going to be internet browsing (rarely more than 4-6 tabs open), an administrative software application which is browser-based (Ellucian/Banner), low to moderate sized Excel spreadsheets, streaming video (HBOMax, Netflix, etc.), Teams, Zoom, Outlook. However, I game on a Windows desktop and it might be nice to have the option to use the Air to log some time while traveling.

Am I correct in my understanding that (of the listed uses) the additional cores would only truly benefit the gaming? My concern is that it's not worth the money for the very rare occasions I might want to game on the Air, especially since all other things considered it would be a greatly lesser experience versus my desktop (and ultrawide monitor). Plus with the fanless design, the heat would likely handicap performance to some extent. Is there any other benefit to the extra cores that I am missing?

Thanks in advance!

 

[fisherking]

i've lived 6 years with 8/256, on an intel macbook (this cracks me up; it's a dual core m3, which puts me leagues ahead of anyone getting an M2) 🤣

i think anyone who wants to future-proof, wants breathing room, and/or is unsure of what their needs are, should consider at least 16/512.

 

[MTD's Mac]

8GB of memory is fine for light workloads: web browsing (low amount of tabs), office productivity apps (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Pages, Numbers, Keynote), Apple Notes, Music, Photos, and iMovie. A chromium browser like Chrome, Edge, or Brave browser are going to use more memory but if you keep your tab count low you should be ok with only 8GB. Also Electron apps like Spotify, Slack, WhatsApp, TradingView should be ok too. It gets dicier with Discord and Teams, but doable.

HOWEVER (and this is a big however) you need to manage expectations with only 8GB of memory. Once you start getting into anything more robust like Lightroom, Photoshop, Affinity Photo/Designer, Final Cut, Logic, or Resolve, you’ll want 16GB.

I think most people should upgrade to 16GB regardless. 16GB future proofs it.

24GB of memory if you’re going to use virtual machines, or want the smoothest experience possible with Final Cut, Davinci Resolve or Logic.

Some people will buy this Air as their powerhouse on the go but do their main heavy lifting on a desktop. I’d still get 16GB.

SSD size is kind of subjective. Some don’t like working on limited space because you don’t want external SSDs hanging off your computer — that’s totally understandable. Suffice it to say 512GB is probably going to be best for most people. 256GB SSD is for the light workload crew.

This is an excellent, practical overview for anyone shopping for a new Mac. Well done!

One small thing, regarding 256GB storage. Yes, it's not a lot, and plenty of people will find themselves needing more, but I consider myself part of the "medium workload crew" (use my M1 Air exclusively for a professional job, plus family stuff and entertainment) and get by just fine with 256, in addition to iCloud and Google Drive storage. People comfortable with cloud storage services might be happy with 256 local storage, even without external drives.

 

[MTD's Mac]

(this cracks me up; it's a dual core m3, which puts me leagues ahead of anyone getting an M2) 🤣

I had forgotten all about Intel's "m3" designation! Clearly Apple didn't think any of us would remember it by the time Apple M3 chips roll out in 2023/24.

 

[DHagan4755]

Since we're talking advice for the less technically-knowledgeable people...my dilemma is about the GPU cores. From what I've read, I think 8 is sufficient for me.

Yep, you'll be ok with 8. 10 will enhance performance of gaming, of course.

M2 isn't in the wild yet so we can only guesstimate the performance improvement of 10 over 8. But with the benefit of the system on a chip that is the M2, the more memory your computer has means it can give more memory to those 8 graphics cores when needed.

 

[fp99]

Base model + RAM upgrade to replace 2014 MBA.

 

[ascender]

Midnight Blue with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. This isn't my primary machine, so I don't need a lot of storage, but do want enough that I can have a few virtual machines on there without worrying about disk space.

 

[vasim]

Base model blue.

 

[reallynotnick]

8core GPU, 16GB RAM and 512GB storage likely in Midnight (it's for my SO and that's what they want, personally I'd go silver if it was for me to avoid finger prints and chips plus it just matches the color of my accessories better) maybe I will upgrade the power brick too.

 

[Matt Leaf]

going off of the m2 mbp, it looks like anything other than the standard config pushes back wait times. i wonder if going with a base but changing the power adapter, ie the two port usb-c or the 67w, would add to shipping delay?

i'd survive with a 256 but would prefer 16gb. i wish the 2nd option was 8/10/16gb/256

 

[vasim]

So what is the difference between MBP and MBA M2? Except the price..

 

[jdb8167]

So what is the difference between MBP and MBA M2? Except the price..

Additional colors, midnight and starlight
Magsafe
Full height function keys vs Touch Bar
.44” vs .61”
2.7 pounds vs 3.0 pounds
2560x1664 @13.6” vs 2560x1600 @13.3”
Fast charging
1080p camera vs 720p

 

[Skippymon]

I'm still using a mid 2012 8/256 MBA that has been well looked after and is superb. One new battery and mother board but its not supported anymore so I am gagging to get the M2 MBA. My 2012 still runs great but it can't handle any videos my iPhone produces which sucks.

I'm going balls deep and getting 24GB RAM 2TB in midnight blue, not sure about cores yet but may as well go for 10. I can't wait to order. Its been so long since I had a new laptop!

 

[Yuukon]

I'll be going for starlight, with a 10 core GPU. Not entirely sure yet about 16 or 24GB of RAM, but 16 at minimum. Probably 256GB SSD becauses I do most of my work either on external drives or in the cloud, so spacewise, 256GB is plenty.
Adding the dual charger, since I already have a pretty good fast charger from Anker here.

 

[5105973]

I’m not sure. I know I want Starlight. I know I want at least 1 TB storage. I’m not sure if I want 16 gb or 24 gb RAM.

I don’t know what to make of the 8 vs 10 core gpu choice despite what I’ve been reading so far.

I’m replacing a 2011 non Retina MBP. I’ll be using my late father’s max specced core i7 1 TB Dell Laptop that my husband is hoping to get when I get my MacBook Air. So I’m wanting my Air to have some parity with that laptop.

I want it to last as long as I possibly can stretch it. I can’t use OLED or mini LED displays due to pwm flicker causing migraines, so it’s got to last me if Apple’s going to switch all to OLED.

I can afford to max everything, I just don’t know if that’s necessary for maximum longevity.

I’m going to be editing photos and light video editing. Nothing cinematic and fancy, just very basic family oriented home movie kind of work. I will also play Sims 4 on it plus whatever games I decide to try. I usually keep at most 10 browser tabs open at a time.

The model I have saved in my account is

Starlight 8/8 cores, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB storage.

Edit: After using a base model M1 Air I decided it was sufficient to my needs and ordered myself a refurbished M1 Air with 8 core GPU and 16 gb RAM and 1 TB drive for $1399. And I get it tomorrow, yay. I never ordered refurbished before so I hope I made the right choice.

 

[OAG7]

Midnight 10/24/512.

 

[vasim]

I finally bought the M2 MacBook Pro (Basic) ignoring the rumors about a slow drive because I believe that the new Air with the same drive will come. I did not regret it at all, the M2 MBP is a great machine.

 

[Dealmans]

None. Got a 14” 16/1TB for 20% off, same price as same config Air 2.

 

[Wokis]

Starlight 10/24/512 or 1 TB depending on how frisky I feel on the day.

Today I added the displaylink-adapter to my thunderbolt hub so that I can hopefully have two monitors going with this thing. Seems to work fine (tested on my intel macbook pro) for 2560x1440 60Hz with just a tiny bit of latency, but that shouldn't matter that much for me as I'm mainly looking for space to put my gallery/lightbox/scopes/etc in Resolve.