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Here’s how the new M2 MacBook Air compares to the M1 MacBook Air

While Apple’s WWDC focuses primarily on new software for Cupertino, California’s large product catalog, it came as no surprise when Apple unveiled its M2-powered MacBook Air.

Several notable distributors said they expected Apple to release a new MacBook Air in new colors before the end of the year, and it came true.

The new MBook-equipped MacBook Air brings with it some notable changes inside and out. The device will not be available until next month, so you still have some time to determine whether you need a new one equipped with M2 Air or 2020 M1 Air will suffice.

Let’s dive in and see how the MacBook Air 2020 compares to the MacBook Air 2022.

Display and design

If you’re a fan of the wedge-shaped Air, launched in 2020, you’re out of luck. The 2022 Air looks similar to the square design used in the MacBook Pro with rounded edges, and loses the slim look that the old air was synonymous with.

The M2 Air’s display also received a slight increase in size, moving from 13.3 inches on older models to 13.6 inches while the M2 Air’s frame was shrunk. In addition, along with the larger screen, the M2 Air also boasts a slightly higher resolution, ranging from 2560 x 1600 pixels on the old Air to 2560 x 1664 on the new model.

MacBook Air 2022 MacBook Air 2020 MacBook Air 2022 MacBook Air 2020

In addition, the M2 Air also has a slot similar to the Pro models, while the M1 Air does not. Both displays support True Tone and Wide Color (P3, although the M2 Air can reach a peak brightness of 500 nits, while the M1 Air is limited to 400 nits.

In terms of weight, the two machines are not very different. The new MacBook Air is 2.7 pounds (approximately 1.2 kg), which makes it only 0.1 pounds more than its predecessor.

Internal elements

While subtle changes on the outside make a difference, changes made on the inside make the M2 Air a laptop worth getting. Although we have not yet been able to get the new Air, MobileSyrup reporter Bradley Bennett was able to get acquainted with the MW variant of WWDC 2022. According to Bennett and the specifications provided by Apple, The M2 Air’s Processor is approximately 18 percent more faster than the M1, and its Neural Engine is 40 percent faster.

In addition, two additional GPU cores (a total of 10 vs. 8 in the 2020 version) provide 35 percent improved graphics performance. Both the M1 and the M2 MacBook Air do not have an internal fan, and according to Apple, the M2 chip is up to 1.4 times faster than the M1.

The M1 variant reaches a maximum of 16 GB of RAM, while the new M2 model has up to 24 GB of RAM. “I couldn’t really test the new chip in Apple’s field of practice, but the laptop felt like a zipper during my short time with it. “Since the M1 series of chips performed so admirably, I would expect it to be an excellent computer,” Bennett wrote in his practical work.

The M2 Air also supports MagSafe charging, something its predecessor did not, releasing one of the two USB-C ports for accessories. The M2 Air is also ahead of the M1 Air in terms of battery life. The new model has a 52.6Wh lithium-polymer battery, larger than the 49.9Wh lithium-polymer battery of the M1 Air, although according to Apple, both models offer similar 15 hours of Internet and 18 hours of video time.

Both models feature Touch ID, an array of three directional beam microphones, a headphone jack, Dolby Atmos support with Spatial Audio and two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports.

Both the 2020 and 2022 models are available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage models.

Colors and prices

The MacBook Air 2020 starts at $ 1299 in Canada and is available in Space Gray, Gold and Silver, while the MacBook Air 2022 with 8-core GPU and 10-core GPU will start at $ 1,499 and $ 1,899, respectively. In addition to Space Gray and Silver, the M2 Air will also be available in Starlight and Midnight colors.

MacBook Air 2022 MacBook Air 2021

If you are already an M1 Air user, upgrading to the M2 variant is not required. Although the new Air offers faster calculations, a refreshed design and an improved camera, it doesn’t explicitly include anything that the M1 variant doesn’t offer other than MagSafe charging, of course.

If you own an older Apple laptop or don’t own a MacBook at all, getting started with the M2 Air will feel like a solid upgrade, especially if you’re going to use it for video editing. Plus, it costs $ 200 more than the M1, so that’s not a big difference considering what the M2 chipset has to offer.

For all Apple news from WWDC 2022, follow this link.