The 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air models are Apple's newer entry-level laptops that come with a modern design, an M2 chip, MagSafe, and more. The MacBook Air has been Apple's most popular laptop for many years, and many reviewers praised the M1 MacBook Air that came out in 2020 as the perfect notebook for most people.
Apple silicon unlocked the MacBook's potential, and we now see that taken to a new level with the M2 MacBook Air models. So, here are all the reasons we think the 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air models are worth buying.
1. The Modern Design
Apple has updated many of its products with a squared-edge design. It started with the iPad Pro and eventually made its way to the MacBook Pro in 2021. Now, both the 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air resemble the current MacBook Pro's design. The design is refreshing since the last time we got a design overhaul for the MacBook Air was in 2018.
The M2 version takes the MacBook Air's design in a new direction since it's the first MacBook Air without a wedge-shaped design. Fortunately, the new design still allows the 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air to be relatively thin and light. They also feature slimmer bezels and a notch for more screen real estate.
2. Aggressive Pricing
Even though the redesigned MacBook Air lost its legendary $999 price tag, the 13-inch version is still competitively priced for a high-quality laptop at $1,099. And for those who need slightly better graphics performance and storage, you can get the 512GB variant for $1,399.
If screen real estate is a concern for you, you'll be happy to know that Apple offers the base 15-inch M2 MacBook Air at $1,299. That model is perfect for those who want a big laptop without having to spend big money on a 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro.
3. Value for Money
It's no secret that Apple silicon chips deliver stellar performance. The base M2 chip can handle everyday tasks like web browsing, media consumption, email, and more without breaking a sweat. You can also use creative applications for basic workflows and get solid performance.
While the M2 is not a giant leap over the M1, it does provide an 18% faster CPU, a 35% faster GPU, and other improvements. The performance of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air is particularly impressive for laptops that lack an internal fan to cool things down.
4. The Longevity
One tradeoff you make when you purchase an older device at a reduced cost is that it won't receive updates for as long as a new device. Apple has said it will support Intel Macs for years, but they have a more limited lifespan for software updates compared to Apple silicon Macs.
Apple already cut off support for multiple Intel Macs with macOS Ventura in 2022. Apple silicon Macs not only provide incredible performance, but they will receive software updates for many years to come.
5. Port Selection
While the M2 MacBook Air didn't receive an HDMI port or an SD card slot like the high-end MacBook Pros, it did get MagSafe. The addition of MagSafe provides an arguably better charging solution and frees up another USB-C port on the laptop.
Having a MagSafe port allows you to connect more peripherals to your MacBook Air since you don't have to use a USB-C port to charge. Besides MagSafe, the redesigned MacBook Air models also sport a headphone jack that supports high-impedance headphones.
Older models, like the M1 MacBook Air, only had USB-C ports and a regular headphone jack, which could be limiting, especially if you needed to charge your MacBook and use the ports for other functions.
6. Unmatched Battery Life
Apple laptops had solid battery life when using Intel processors, but Apple silicon has changed the game. The M2 MacBook Air line gets an estimated 15 hours of web browsing and 18 hours of movie playback, according to Apple.
The laptops can last well on a single charge throughout the day while doing regular tasks such as web browsing, emailing, or word processing. Compared to Windows laptops, these machines are way ahead in the battery department.
Furthermore, you can get a 70W power adapter that can fast-charge the M2 MacBook Air if you select it during checkout for an additional $20 with the base model 13-inch model. Apple offers the 70W charger for free with the higher-spec models.
7. Improved FaceTime Camera
A high-quality webcam is nice to have in the age of remote working or learning, where we rely on video calls often. The MacBook Air features a much-improved 1080p FaceTime camera, while the M1 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro still have a 720p camera.
The difference is very noticeable during FaceTime and Zoom calls. MacBooks in the past have had poor webcam quality, but the M2 MacBook Air line offers an exceptional camera.
How Does It Compare to the Mac Lineup?
Apple's MacBook lineup has become crowded since the introduction of the M2 MacBooks. Apple didn't discontinue the M1 MacBook Air, so it sits right below the 13-inch M2 Air at $999. The 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air models are ideal machines for most people, offering the best combination of new features and design changes the MacBook Pro first received in 2021 while keeping the price relatively low.
While there are multiple reasons to avoid the base model M2 MacBook Air, the $1,399 13-inch model is the sweet spot since it comes with an M2 chip with more GPU cores and a 512GB SSD.
The argument for the M2 MacBook Air line becomes more complex when you upgrade the hardware. For instance, if you select the $1,399 13-inch model and add 16GB of RAM, the computer ends up costing $1,599, which is just $400 less than the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
Additionally, the 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM comes in at $1,699, just $300 below the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
While the M2 chip is more powerful than the base M1 chip, it isn't as capable as the other chips in the M2 family, like the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips. The MacBook Pro also features an excellent ProMotion display and has fans for demanding tasks. So, if you are concerned about the fanless design or are looking for more power, you should definitely consider the 14-inch MacBook Pro instead.
However, the MacBook Air has been, and still is, the perfect laptop for regular users since it's relatively affordable, features a premium design, and offers excellent performance that can handle everyday usage. Both the M2 MacBook Air models also deliver excellent battery life that can last a full day.
The M2 MacBook Air Models Are Well-Rounded Machines
The 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air models are well-rounded laptops. They feature a great design, impressive performance for the price, great battery life, and more. These machines are excellent entry-level Macs and are perfect for most Mac users. So, if you're in the market for a long-lasting MacBook to do regular daily tasks, look no further.