Which configuration of MacBook Air M2 will you order?

[JoeDoea]

I`m looking for getting MBA M2 16/256.

With regards to the ”SSD gate” in M2 MBP. Are 16 GB RAM going to avoid the worsened performance (compared to M1) or is the 512 GB version the way to go?

 

[jdb8167]

I`m looking for getting MBA M2 16/256.

With regards to the ”SSD gate” in M2 MBP. Are 16 GB RAM going to avoid the worsened performance (compared to M1) or is the 512 GB version the way to go?

Sequential writes will be slower but unless you are doing something pretty specific, you aren't likely to notice. The way that APFS works in the Finder it will hide most of the slowdown since copying a file on the same volume doesn't actually copy any data. It just creates a new metadata container. Then when you modify the original or the new file, only the changes are written to SSD. For most applications, these changes are small and very fast. Large sequential writes are handy for things like streaming video to SSD. But the SSD is fast enough for 4K@60 fps so even that won't benefit.

 

[oldcelt]

Probably Starlight 10/16/1T.

 

[Dealmans]

Again, things I don't really care about. I have 65" TVs, one hooked up to a good sound system, for watching programming.

not better just for Netflix lol

 

[VaruLV]

If, and that is a big IF I decide to order one over 14" base M1 Pro and IF one is in stock/on offer from authorised dealers(no Apple stores in this country) then it would be:
8/8/16 CPU
24GB RAM
1TB SSD
Silver, classic, bright, less wear and tear over the years.

 

[Phil1975]

Midnight blue 16GB/256 SSD not bothered that it might be slower ssd, as I will be using an external nvme drive for all of my important stuff.
was tempted with 10core Gpu but I’m thinking it will have impact on thermals etc…!

 

[apocalyarts]

With the SSD Issues I am now going for 16/512 and my thought is to go for the high-end base model then?

Sure, I get the 10core GPU (which I don't need), but I'm thinking it will arrive faster since the 512 SSD is already installed and it's just BTO for the RAM instead of BTO for RAM AND SSD on the base model? Plus, I want the dual charger, which will cost extra on the base model...

 

[ian87w]

Any computer I'm buying will need to be at least 16/512. If budget allows, then 16/1TB. But 512 is very sufficient as I have most of my stuff in the cloud already. 256 is actually possible, but the reduced performance is a no go for the premium price Apple is charging.

Alas, in my country, we don't have access to BTO options, so Macbook Airs will not be an option as Apple refused to sell a configuration with at least 16GB of RAM. If I were to buy a new Mac, my only option is to go with at least the 14" Macbook Pro since at least it comes with 16GB standard, although I don't need the processing power.

 

[Wokis]

Saw someone in the comments of 9to5mac claiming they had contacts in the retail space that said BTO shipments are expected to slip into October. Jikes, if true. I'm hoping that a super early order can arrive early August still.

 

[DHagan4755]

Saw someone in the comments of 9to5mac claiming they had contacts in the retail space that said BTO shipments are expected to slip into October. Jikes, if true. I'm hoping that a super early order can arrive early August still.

Get your orders in early. The 24GB RAM option might be the one with a long delay for that particular configuration.

 

[fisherking]

Get your orders in early. The 24GB RAM option might be the one with a long delay for that particular configuration.

why? why would that be the case, vs 16gb, or a 2TB drive? they're all custom orders...

 

[DHagan4755]

why? why would that be the case, vs 16gb, or a 2TB drive? they're all custom orders...

24GB of RAM is a longer build time currently on the 13" MacBook Pro by a couple weeks.

 

[johannnn]

16/256. Haven't decided on color.

 

[DanUC6]

16/256. Haven't decided on color.

Same. Keep flipping back and forth. Midnight is sweet…but I am concerned I will get bored of it. I might just go silver. Wish they had a white!

 

[GooseInTheCaboose]

If I was in the market, I would go for 10 core / 24GB / 2TB / Starlight or Silver (I need to see Starlight first).

This is objectively worse value than the 14 inch Pro, so that would be the alternative, but the smaller size and lighter weight are pretty key for me so Air would still be in the running even if I'm sore about the pricing.

Well, portability is a value too. Im trying to decide if the lower ppi and lack of ProMotion and MiniLED are deal-breakers or forgivable omissions for me. I’d get the same config as you, silver hands down tho lol

 

[Squirreljam]

Base midnight w a RAM bump to 16 and the fast charger. Slight possibility of 512 ssd but not likely for college kid w essentially all file storage in cloud

 

[lazyrighteye]

16/512/fast charge/Midnight.
Happy preordering, all.

UPDATE
I ended up preordering Starlight. For those (no one) keeping score. 😜

 

[johannnn]

Wish they had a white!

That white MacBook like 10-15 years ago is still my favorite :-( It was my first Mac laptop.

 

[Dealmans]

If you have 150GB photos/videos and not much else is it worth spending $450AUD to go from base 256 to 512?
It's really just a replacement for a 256GB 12.9" iPad Pro, I also have a 8/512 24" iMac.

 

[New York]

If you have 150GB photos/videos and not much else is it worth spending $450AUD to go from base 256 to 512?

That’s the question I’m asking myself right now. (BTW I think the upgrade is AUD 300 rather than AUD 450 which might make a difference to you). Either way, it’s quite a lot as a percentage of the base model cost which makes me inclined to think it’s better to get the 256GB now and put the $300/$450 towards a new computer when you max out the 256GB, which seems unlikely to happen for a few years… hopefully Apple will have bumped the base spec to 500GB by then 🙄)

 

[Dealmans]

That’s the question I’m asking myself right now. (BTW I think the upgrade is AUD 300 rather than AUD 450 which might make a difference to you). Either way, it’s quite a lot as a percentage of the base model cost which makes me inclined to think it’s better to get the 256GB now and put the $300/$450 towards a new computer when you max out the 256GB, which seems unlikely to happen for a few years… hopefully Apple will have bumped the base spec to 500GB by then 🙄)

I meant the base 512 which has the higher cpu, but yeah it's a whack either way.

 

[captainderry]

I’m upgrading from a 2012 MacBook Pro 15” retina - how much faster is my 16/512 midnight likely to be?! 🙈

 

[apocalyarts]

I’m upgrading from a 2012 MacBook Pro 15” retina - how much faster is my 16/512 midnight likely to be?! 🙈

That thing will slay. I am upgrading from an 2016 MBP and I am SUPER Excited. Will also go for 16/512 and considering I already love the M1 Mini that I have at work I will probably be super satisfied with my new laptop

 

[dmk1974]

My kids this morning ordered the base 8/256 configs, one in space gray and the other in starlight. Base should be sufficient for the next few years of college.

One of them was coming from the 2018 8/128 MBA so this new M2 should be a noticeable upgrade for sure. The other had my "old" 2020 Intel MBA.

 

[5105973]

Our 15 year old is working and saving money too buy the MBA. Considering this will get her through high school/university I don' want her over spending but don't want her to buy too much PC. My thoughts were 8gb/512, 16gb/256. She won't use anything overly heavy or taxing on memory, and worst case buy an external HD if she needs extra space....keeping budget in mind, suggestions? Could even still opt for the M1

I was going to shell out over $1700 for the M2 Air with a 1 TB drive and a minimum of 16 gb RAM. Instead I found a refurbished M1 Air on the Apple Store. It literally is indistinguishable from new. And it’s the 8 core gpu that’s no longer sold. That means a tiny bit of better performance for my games.

The battery was pristine. I don’t know if that’s the case with all refurbished ones but it was in my case. It was a great buy for $200 less than new and around $400 less than the comparable M2 Air configurations I was looking at. And it’s a proven and well reviewed machine.

So I’m just putting that out there as an option. It’s a good way to get more RAM and storage at a more affordable price.

I’d never bought a refurbished Apple product before and had some concerns. I was really knocked out by the quality of what I received and my only regret is I didn’t try this sooner.

There’s the customary return period if you don’t like what you receive.

The only downside to this choice is that the M2 Air has upgrades to the audio, the display and the camera that your daughter might appreciate if she needs to take online classes.