Why You Can Trust CNET MacBook Air M2 vs. MacBook Air M1: The $200 Question
Yes, Apple still sells a $1,000 laptop, but it misses out on the latest features.
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Apple's MacBook Air is the company's lightest, thinnest and most affordable laptop. The Air is regularly our top recommendation for anyone in need of a solid, reliable everyday laptop. And when Apple released the 2020 MacBook Air with its first-gen M1 system-on-chip, the performance was as impressive as its design for the $999 price.
Now, the new MacBook Air is here with Apple's new M2 SoC. The M2-based Air looks better in every way, but you're going to pay more, too, with a starting price of $1,199.
MacBook Air (13-inch, M2) vs. MacBook Air (13-inch, M1)
| MacBook Air (13-inch, M2) | MacBook Air (13-inch, M1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1,199, £1,249, AU$1,899 | $999, £999, AU$1,499 |
| Display | 13.6-inch, 2,560x1,664-pixel Liquid Retina (500 nits brightness) | 13.3-inch, 2,560x1,600-pixel Retina (400 nits brightness) |
| No. of CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| No. of GPU cores | Up to 10 | 7 |
| Starting / max RAM | 8GB / 24GB | 8GB / 16GB |
| Starting / max storage | 256GB / 2TB | 256GB / 2TB |
| Wireless | 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 | 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Connections | Thunderbolt/USB 4 USB-C (x2) | Thunderbolt/USB 4 USB-C (x2) |
| Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 720p FaceTime HD camera |
| No. of speakers / mics | 4 / 3 | 2 / 3 |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Power adapter | 30-watt USB-C (8-core GPU), 35-watt dual USB-C (10-core GPU) | 30-watt USB-C |
| Weight | 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg) | 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg) |
The MacBook Air M2's design changes from the tapered wedge look of the 2020 and earlier models to more of a blocky slab, more like the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops from late 2021. The 2022 Air didn't receive all of the additional ports of the 2021 Pro models: There's no SD card slot, it doesn't get an HDMI output for an external display and it has just two USB-C Thunderbolt ports. However, the updated Air does have MagSafe charging.
Built around a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, the MacBook Air M2 has a new fanless body available in four colors: silver, space gray, starlight and midnight. The laptop is just 11.3 millimeters thick and weighs only 2.7 pounds (1.2 kilograms) -- a touch lighter than the M1 version.
If video call quality is important to you, which is probably a "yes" for everyone at this point, going with the M2-based Air gets you a higher-resolution 1080p webcam along with three mics and a four-speaker sound system.
The MacBook Air M2 unsurprisingly delivers better performance. Apple said with the new M2 chip, Final Cut Pro performance is nearly 40% faster than on the M1 Air and Photoshop is up to 20% faster. Battery life is up to 18 hours of video playback and with an optional 67-watt power adapter it can charge up to 50% in 30 minutes. You can see some of our own performance test results below, with even more in the full MacBook Air M2 review.
Geekbench 5 (multicore)
Cinebench R23 (multicore)
With all of that said, though, many people don't need all those extras, especially at a $200 premium. The good news is that Apple is keeping the M1-powered MacBook Air in the lineup at its $1,000 starting price. Though the new model is great, the Air M1 should still provide excellent performance for everyday use for years -- particularly important if you're looking for a lower-cost option to get through high school or college.
The updated Air not only has a new look but its performance is closer to that of a MacBook Pro than past Air models. Along with the upgraded processing power, you'll find a larger, better display, a full-HD webcam, four-speaker audio and it's even a touch lighter. You will pay a little more for it, however.
The M1-powered MacBook Air from 2020 stays on as Apple's entry-level laptop. The design hasn't been updated since 2018 really but not exactly a knock against it -- it's still one of our all-time favorites. Performance and battery life remain excellent for anyone looking for a grab-and-go productivity machine. Plus, the starting price, especially with an educational discount, makes it a great pick to carry a student through high school or college.