Since then, Apple has sold millions of units of the one that gave birth to the category of ultrabooks. So inevitably, the arrival of a new model is always an event.
In 2022, Apple is completely revamping its MacBook Air. In addition to the integration of the new M2 chip, it sports an all-new design inspired by the latest MacBook Pros. Surprisingly, Apple keeps the old MacBook Air, equipped with the M1 chip, in the catalog.
Therefore, it is legitimate to ask the question: which MacBook Air to choose between the M1 model and the M2 model? We help you see more clearly in our complete comparison.
MacBook Air 2020 M1 256 GB at the best price Base price: €1,129
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MacBook Air 2022 M2 256 GB at the best price Base price: €1,499
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Design: the clash of generations
Finally ! After years of serving us the same soup, Apple has finally decided to review the design of its MacBook Air. Inevitably, the MBA M2 has nothing to do with its predecessor.
The little new one adopts the same aesthetic codes as the MacBook Pro 14” and 16” (with M1 Pro/Ultra chips). We therefore find a flat format and (we will come back to this) a screen with refined borders with a notch.
More compact than the MacBook Air M1, the M2 is also lighter and thinner. It thus becomes the most mobile MacBook in the family.
The connection does not change. There are therefore two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports and a 3.5 mm jack. From the two MacBook Pro 14” and 16”, Apple also takes over the MagSafe port, resurrected from the dead.
Add to that the enlargement of the upper keys of the keyboard as well as a new Midnight color (night blue) that we will describe as “sublime” (without any exaggeration) and we obtain the most beautiful MacBook Air ever created.
Does this mean that the MBA M1 does not carry weight? Absolutely not. If its look seems a bit “old school” compared to that of the M2, this look has long proven itself and remains a design model in the world of ultrabooks.
- Verdict: MacBook Pro M2, without hesitation
Screen with or without notch
Technically, the MacBook Air M2 has a brand new Liquid Retina panel when the M1 has to be “satisfied” with a Retina panel. In fact, the display quality is almost the same. A past master in the art of panel calibration, Apple delivers two screens of excellent quality.
Nevertheless, with the exception of a slightly increased brightness, the improvement in the display of the MacBook Air M2 is not obvious.
The model released in 2022 stands out above all for the reduction of the contours of the screen, which makes it possible to integrate a 13.6 ” panel against 13.3 ” for the M1, in an even more compact format. On the other hand, those allergic to the notch will have to get used to it since the M2 takes up this design element to integrate a new FaceTime HD camera capable of filming in 1080p.
Finally, note that the screen of the MacBook Air M2 comes with a new audio system compatible with Audio Spatial and Dolby Atmos.
- Verdict: MacBook Pro M2 for the brighter screen (always welcome)
M1 vs M2: in use, it’s kif-kif
This is one of the main new features of the MacBook Air 2022 edition: the brand new M2 chip. According to the brand, the second version of the Apple Silicone era promises improved performance of 18% for the CPU and up to 35%. Figures that our laboratory 01Lab confirms but which, beyond the benchmarks, do not impress so much.
The contributions of the M2 chip are actually debatable. If the chip indeed displays nice scores on the benchmarks, it does not add much to the daily experience. What the MacBook Air M2 does, the MacBook Air M1 can also do with the same efficiency. He might lose a bit more energy for some demanding tasks, though…
The performance differences between the M1 and the M2 will be even less marked since the two MacBook Airs do not have any fans. In fact, the system restricts performance as soon as the machine heats up. And that goes for both models. In terms of uses, the MacBook Air M2 does not bring anything new.
In contrast, new chip promises longer life for 2022 MacBook Air (logical since it came out afterwards). It is even indisputable that the MacBook Air M1 will run out of steam before its successor.
- Verdict: advantage for the M2 version which promises better durability
Similar autonomy
Despite its more contained format, the MacBook Air M2 contains a slightly larger battery than that of the M1 (56.2 Wh against 49.9 Wh). By associating a new generation chip, one could have imagined a significant gain in autonomy. Nay.
In the facts, the MacBook Air M2 can, depending on usage, be slightly more enduring than its predecessor. But the difference can be counted in tens of minutes and does not mark a clear evolution.
On the other hand, the MacBook Air M2 is able to deliver more power while consuming as much energy as the M1 version. But again, no noticeable difference. With fifteen hours of autonomy per day for versatile use, neither of the two machines really stands out on this criterion.
Only the arrival of the MagSafe port on the MacBook Air M2 can delight fans of the first hour. But even if it means repeating ourselves, this element alone is not enough to tip the scales in favor of the new model.
The real difference? The price
If the price is only one criterion among others, it remains all the same decisive at the time of sell an organ get your hands on the wallet. And on this point, the two MacBook Air do not play in the same course.
The MacBook Air M1 is available from 1,199 euros when the MacBook Air M2 is displayed from 1,499 euros. For this price, we have models with 256 GB of storage. So count 230 euros more for a 512 GB SSD more in line with our current uses.
With identical use and in view of the few technical differences between the two models, the MacBook Air M1 unquestionably offers better value for money. It is even the most interesting MacBook at the moment, the one we would recommend without flinching to a student for example.
The MacBook Air M2, on the other hand, will be more suitable for users with more comfortable finances or for those who also wish to have fun. Still, in all transparency, the price positioning of this new generation is a bit overvalued.
- Verdict: The MacBook Pro M1 is better value for money
MacBook Air 2020 M1 512 GB at the best price Base price: €1,399
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MacBook Air 2022 M2 512 GB at the best price Base price: €1,849
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MacBook Air M1 vs M2: which one to choose?
It’s hard to choose between the MacBook Air M1 and the MacBook Air M2. If the new kid sports a brand new, more modern and more attractive design, the technical differences between the two machines do not necessarily justify such price differences.
The M2 chip is certainly more powerful than the M1, but does not provide any real advantage in terms of use. The autonomy is identical, the screen barely more qualitative and the connectivity almost identical.
Thus, the MacBook Air M1 is in our opinion the best value for money and will be ideal for a student. The MacBook Air M2 represents the ultimate MacBook Airs. Therefore, we can only recommend it even if the price of the options (storage, RAM, power etc.) is a bit exaggerated. A useful purchase, but also a pleasure purchase.
Apple MacBook Air 2020 M1 256 GB