M1 Macbook Air vs M2 Macbook Air: Which Should You Buy?
Choosing a new laptop can be tough, especially when you’re deciding between two fantastic options. The battle of the Airs is on! We’re diving deep to compare the M1 MacBook Air against its successor, the M2 MacBook Air, to help you make the right choice.
Both laptops boast impressive performance, sleek designs, and the efficiency of Apple’s silicon. But with the M2 chip promising significant upgrades, is it worth the extra investment? We’ll explore the key differences in performance, display, battery life, and more.
This in-depth comparison of the m1 macbook air vs m2 macbook air will guide you through the features and specifications to help you determine which MacBook Air best suits your needs and budget. Let’s find out which Air reigns supreme!
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | M1 Air | M2 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M1 | Apple M2 |
| CPU Cores | 8-core | 8-core |
| GPU Cores | 7 or 8-core | 8 or 10-core |
| RAM | 8GB, 16GB | 8GB, 16GB, 24GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Display | 13.3-inch Retina | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina |
| Brightness | 400 nits | 500 nits |
| Webcam | 720p FaceTime HD | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4, Headphone Jack | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4, MagSafe, Headphone Jack |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs | 2.7 lbs |
| Design | Classic wedge | New, thinner design |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Chip
- M1 Macbook Air: Features the Apple M1 chip, offering an 8-core CPU and an 8-core GPU. It delivers excellent performance for everyday tasks and some creative workloads, but it may struggle with highly demanding applications. It’s known for its efficiency and good battery life.
- M2 Macbook Air: Equipped with the Apple M2 chip, boasting an 8-core CPU and either an 8-core or 10-core GPU. The M2 provides a significant performance boost over the M1, especially in graphics-intensive tasks. It also offers improved media engine capabilities.
- Winner: M2
Display
- M1 Macbook Air: Has a 13.3-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560×1600. It offers good color accuracy and brightness, suitable for general use and content consumption. The bezels are relatively thick compared to the M2 model.
- M2 Macbook Air: Features a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2560×1664. It boasts thinner bezels, a brighter screen, and supports a wider color gamut. It also incorporates a notch for the webcam.
- Winner: M2
Design
- M1 Macbook Air: Maintains the classic wedge-shaped design of previous MacBook Air models. It’s lightweight and portable, but the design feels somewhat dated compared to the newer model. It is available in fewer colors.
- M2 Macbook Air: Sports a completely redesigned chassis with a more modern, squared-off look. It’s slightly thinner and lighter than the M1 model, and offers more color options.
- Winner: M2
Ports
- M1 Macbook Air: Includes two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a headphone jack. It lacks MagSafe charging and offers limited external display support.
- M2 Macbook Air: Features two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, a headphone jack, and MagSafe charging. It also supports one external display.
- Winner: M2
Webcam
- M1 Macbook Air: Has a 720p FaceTime HD camera. It provides adequate video quality for video calls, but the resolution is starting to show its age.
- M2 Macbook Air: Upgrades to a 1080p FaceTime HD camera. This delivers significantly improved video quality, especially in low-light conditions.
- Winner: M2
Performance (Overall)
- M1 Macbook Air: Offers excellent performance for everyday tasks, web browsing, and running many applications. It is fast and efficient, but can be outpaced by the M2 in certain demanding applications.
- M2 Macbook Air: Provides noticeable performance improvements across the board, especially in graphics-intensive tasks and video editing. It is faster and more capable, making it suitable for a wider range of workloads.
- Winner: M2
Battery Life
- M1 Macbook Air: Boasts impressive battery life, typically lasting up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing and 18 hours of Apple TV app movie playback.
- M2 Macbook Air: Also offers excellent battery life, with similar figures to the M1. Battery life is a strong point for both models.
- Winner: Tie
Price
- M1 Macbook Air: Generally available at a lower price point, making it a more affordable option for budget-conscious buyers.
- M2 Macbook Air: Typically costs more due to its newer features and improved performance.
- Winner: M1
Winner by Category:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Overall Performance | M2 MacBook Air |
| Display Quality | M2 MacBook Air |
| Portability | Tie |
| Design | M2 MacBook Air |
| Value | M1 MacBook Air |
| Webcam | M2 MacBook Air |
What They Have in Common:
- Operating System: Both laptops run on macOS, providing a consistent user experience with regular updates and access to the Apple ecosystem.
- SSD Storage Options: Both models offer a range of SSD storage options, allowing users to customize their storage capacity based on their needs, from 256GB to 2TB.
- Keyboard and Trackpad: Both feature the comfortable Magic Keyboard and a responsive trackpad, ensuring a smooth and reliable input experience.
- Battery Life: Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air models deliver impressive battery life, allowing users to work or play for extended periods without needing to be plugged in.
- Portability: Both laptops are designed for portability, making them ideal for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a powerful computer on the go.
M1 vs M2 Macbook Air Buying Guide
Performance for Your Needs
Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air models deliver impressive performance, but they cater to slightly different needs. The M1 chip is incredibly efficient and handles everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and document editing with ease. The M2 chip offers a performance boost, particularly in demanding tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and gaming. Consider your typical workload: If you primarily use your laptop for light tasks, the M1 is sufficient. However, for more intensive applications, the M2 provides a noticeable advantage. The M2 also includes a more powerful media engine, aiding in video exports.
Display and Design Differences
The M2 MacBook Air features a slightly larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with thinner bezels and a notch, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The M1 MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch Retina display. The M2 also boasts a redesigned chassis, with a flat-edged design and a wider color selection, including Midnight, Starlight, and Space Gray. The M1 retains the classic wedge-shaped design. Both are incredibly portable, but the M2 is slightly thinner and lighter. The choice depends on your preference for aesthetics and display size.
Battery Life and Portability
Both MacBook Air models excel in battery life, providing all-day performance. The M1 is still incredibly efficient, offering excellent battery life for its performance level. The M2, with its slightly more power-hungry chip and display, achieves similar battery life, often lasting a full workday. Both are highly portable due to their lightweight design. However, the M2 includes MagSafe charging, freeing up a Thunderbolt port. The M2 also supports faster charging with an optional 67W charger. Both are excellent choices for users who value portability and battery longevity.
Storage and Memory Options
Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air models offer a range of storage and memory configurations. Both start with 8GB of unified memory, adequate for most users, but 16GB is recommended for more demanding tasks. The storage options range from 256GB to 2TB SSD, providing ample space for files and applications. The M2 offers faster storage speeds on the base 256GB model compared to the M1. Consider your storage needs; if you deal with large files, opt for a higher storage capacity. Also, consider the memory; more memory will allow you to work with more applications simultaneously.
Price and Value Proposition
The M1 MacBook Air often comes at a lower price point, making it an excellent value for those on a budget. It still delivers outstanding performance and efficiency. The M2 is more expensive, reflecting its enhanced features and performance improvements. Consider your budget and needs. If you’re looking for the best value, the M1 is a strong contender. If you need the latest features and improved performance and your budget allows, the M2 is the better choice. Check for deals and consider refurbished options to maximize value.
Connectivity and Features
Both models feature Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless connectivity and Bluetooth for connecting peripherals. The M1 has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a headphone jack. The M2 also has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a headphone jack but adds MagSafe charging. The M2 also features a 1080p webcam, an upgrade from the M1’s 720p. The M2 has a better speaker system, supporting Spatial Audio. Consider which features are most important to you; if webcam quality and speakers are important, the M2 is the better choice.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy M1 MacBook Air If…
- You’re on a tighter budget and want a powerful laptop at a lower price point.
- You primarily use your laptop for basic tasks like web browsing, email, and document editing.
- You value the classic wedge design and don’t mind the slightly older aesthetics.
- You don’t need the absolute latest performance or features.
Buy M2 MacBook Air If…
- You want the latest design with a larger display and thinner profile.
- You need a significant performance boost for more demanding tasks like video editing or gaming.
- You want a better webcam for video calls.
- You want access to the latest features like MagSafe charging and Wi-Fi 6E.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between the M1 and M2 chips?
The M2 chip offers significant performance improvements over the M1, particularly in CPU and GPU performance. The M2 also features a more advanced media engine for faster video encoding and decoding. The M1 is still a capable chip but not as powerful as the M2. The M2 chip offers better performance in demanding tasks like video editing, and it supports more advanced features.
Is the M2 MacBook Air worth the extra cost?
That depends on your needs. If you primarily use your laptop for basic tasks, the M1 MacBook Air offers excellent value. However, if you’re a video editor, graphic designer, or gamer, the M2’s performance boost and additional features are worth the extra cost. Consider your usage patterns to decide if the upgrade is justified.
Does the M2 MacBook Air have a better display than the M1?
Yes, the M2 MacBook Air features a slightly larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with thinner bezels and a notch, providing a more immersive viewing experience. The M1 has a 13.3-inch Retina display. The M2’s display also offers slightly improved brightness. The upgrade is noticeable, especially when viewing videos or working with graphics.
How does battery life compare between the two models?
Both models offer excellent battery life, easily lasting a full workday. The M2’s slightly more powerful chip and display consume a bit more power. However, both models can easily last for a workday. The real-world difference in battery life is not significant. Both models are excellent in this regard.
Which MacBook Air is better for video editing?
The M2 MacBook Air is the better choice for video editing. Its more powerful M2 chip, faster media engine, and improved display provide a more efficient and enjoyable video editing experience. The M1 is still capable, but the M2 offers a noticeable performance advantage. The M2 allows for faster exports and smoother playback.
What are the storage and memory options available?
Both models offer a range of storage and memory configurations. Both start with 8GB of unified memory and can be configured with 16GB. Storage options range from 256GB to 2TB SSDs. Consider your storage needs and the types of applications you will be running. More memory is useful for running many programs simultaneously.
Does the M2 MacBook Air have any other notable upgrades?
Yes, the M2 MacBook Air features a redesigned chassis with a flat-edged design, a 1080p webcam, MagSafe charging, and an improved speaker system supporting Spatial Audio. The M2 also has a slightly larger display with thinner bezels. These upgrades make the M2 a more modern and feature-rich device. It’s a noticeable improvement over the M1’s features.
Final Verdict
Choosing between the M1 and M2 MacBook Air depends on your needs and budget. The M1 offers excellent value and performance for everyday tasks. The M2 provides a significant performance boost, a better display, and more features. If you need the latest features and top-tier performance, the M2 is the better choice. If you’re on a budget, the M1 remains a great option.
Winner: M2 MacBook Air