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 with Apple's new M2 SoC chip. 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
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.
Watch this:
Hands-On With Apple's New M2 MacBook Air
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 , 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.
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.
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Dan Ackerman/CNET
Apple MacBook Air M2
Entry-level no more
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.
MacBook Air M2 review.
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Dan Ackerman/CNET
Apple MacBook Air M1
Air Classic
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.
MacBook Air M1 review.