Apple MacBook Air (M2) Review: Achieving Apple’s Long-held Vision

Apple's MacBook Air M2

MSRP: $1,199.00

Rating

“The M2 MacBook Air harmonizes size and performance in an unmatched manner.”

  • Impressively slim design
  • Enhanced webcam and speakers
  • Remarkable performance
  • Outstanding battery life
  • Superb screen and keyboard quality
  • Concerning internal heat generation
  • Limited support for external monitors
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The M2 MacBook Air goes beyond being just another MacBook iteration. It represents the culmination of Apple's years-long aspiration — a laptop design that until now, was restricted by hardware constraints.

The M2 MacBook Air, now armed with the M2 chip, stands as the thinnest functional laptop ever produced. Without the need for fans and devoid of noticeable trade-offs, this device embodies the pinnacle of Apple's MacBook Air ambition.

While not devoid of self-incurred controversies, the M2 MacBook Air embodies the quintessential Apple experience that the company has always strived to create in its compact laptops. And for those attuned to its essence, this laptop delivers an extraordinary experience.

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Design

The M2 MacBook Air doesn't stray too far from its established design. No extravagant color palettes or white bezels. Initially, this might seem a letdown, but disregarding the yearning for a dramatic transformation, the conservative approach proves beneficial for Apple. This move, especially considering the controversy surrounding the M1 iMac, appears sensible.

Nonetheless, these subtle design tweaks offer tangible advantages over the previous version. The chassis now mirrors the contours of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, introducing rounded edges and a flat lid. And, of course, there's the unmistakable notch on the display.

The thinness of this laptop is showstopping.

These modifications are apparent, yet there are even more nuanced design alterations that might escape initial notice. The flattened rubber feet at the bottom come from the MacBook Pro, as do the rounded screen corners. The expanded function key row, previously seen on the MacBook Pro, also makes its way here.

This MacBook, however, shines in its tactile impression. A mere 0.44 inches of metal separates your hands from the table when placed down, while it weighs a mere 2.7 pounds when slid into your bag.

The sheer thinness of this laptop is awe-inspiring. It's delightful to use on a desk, and even with its slim profile, it remains impressively rigid. The hinge's one-finger open remains a hallmark of MacBooks.

This is the MacBook Air, reimagined to leverage the remarkable efficiency brought about by the M-series chips.

Few laptops achieve this level of thinness, and those that do often come with significant drawbacks. No laptop this petite has ever paired this degree of performance; it's all made feasible by the Apple Silicon shift. Conventional Intel and AMD-based systems have much ground to cover.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The new MacBook Air retains the trackpad and keyboard from recent MacBooks. The traditional scissor mechanism for the keyboard offers a familiar, delightful typing experience. There's no learning curve here.

The keycaps are rock-solid, illuminated by powerful white LEDs with extensive brightness control. Unlike most Windows laptops with just a handful of brightness options, macOS provides a full slider for adjustments.

The function keys have been upgraded to full-size, a welcome change. A dedicated key for keyboard backlighting, rather than sleep or spotlight functions, would be my preference, though. On the whole, the enlarged function keys are an improvement.

The Touch ID fingerprint reader resides in the top right corner, atop the power button.

The haptic feedback trackpad remains the oversized Force Touch version present in the M1 MacBook Air. Its precision is unparalleled, effortlessly distinguishing between intentional clicks and accidental taps. Despite similar haptic touchpads surfacing in Windows laptops like the Dell XPS 13 Plus or Surface Laptop Studio, MacBooks continue to lead in this aspect.

Ports

The M2 MacBook Air boasts an upgraded port selection compared to its predecessor. On the left, two USB-C ports and a slim MagSafe 3 charging port are found. This is the same streamlined MagSafe port featured in the MacBook Pro. On the right, a headphone jack is present.

It would have been preferable for the USB-C ports to be split between both sides for more convenient charging.

While HDMI and SD card slots remain exclusive to the MacBook Pro, the extra charging port is a welcome addition, freeing up the USB-C ports for other uses. However, having both USB-C ports accessible doesn't grant the ability to connect two external displays. Similar to the M1 MacBook Air, this laptop supports only one external display (up to 6K resolution) at a time.

The MacBook Air features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity. Although these are Apple's current supported standards, premium Windows laptops have advanced to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

Macbook Air Display

The MacBook Air's 13.6-inch display falls under Apple's classification of a “Liquid Retina” screen. This translates to an advanced LCD technology offering higher pixel density and a broader color spectrum compared to standard Retina displays, such as those in the M1 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro.

In practice, the upgrade is modest. The screen boasts a 2560 x 1664 resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 224 ppi (pixels per inch). It's not as razor-sharp as the “3.5K” setup of the Dell XPS 13 Plus, which delivers 304 ppi, and it slightly trails the 13-inch MacBook Pro due to its larger screen.

The extra screen real estate is attributed to substantially reduced bezels. While the aspect ratio remains 16:10, the slimmer bezels accommodate more screen within the same footprint, akin to Apple's approach with the larger MacBook Pros. This results in the inclusion of a notch as well.

Contrasting this with the 14-inch MacBook Pro reveals a notable discrepancy. While the HDR excellence is absent here, this MacBook Air still presents a commendable display at its price point. It's notably brighter than most Windows laptops, reaching a maximum of 486 nits. Colors are vibrant, boasting a wide color gamut (90% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB) and excellent color precision (Delta-E of 1.08). While it may not lead anymore, particularly against the OLED 4K laptops, it remains an impressive panel considering the cost.

Speakers and Webcam

Apple maintains its speaker superiority in its laptops, eclipsing competitors' offerings. The M2 MacBook Air employs a four-speaker arrangement, an improvement over the stereo speakers of the M1 MacBook Air. These speakers deliver an impressive auditory experience, particularly for a laptop this size.

Though a comparison with the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro slightly favors the latter's bass output, the MacBook Air speakers still perform commendably. They reign as the best among 13-inch laptops.

The MacBook Air also features an upgraded 1080p FaceTime webcam, aligning with the industry's trend toward higher-resolution webcams, a stride taken by larger MacBook Pros as well. The M2's neural engine optimizes image processing, ensuring consistent sharpness and exposure, regardless of lighting conditions. It ranks among the top contenders in the realm of best video conferencing laptops.

Sadly, Face ID is absent from the MacBook Air, much like other Macs.

Apple M2 chip Performance

The new MacBook Air introduces a next-generation chip, the M2. While Apple portrays it as a direct successor to the groundbreaking M1, its rollout presents an unusual trajectory. Unveiled at WWDC 2022, it initially featured in just two devices: the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

Behind the scenes, the reasons are evident. Reports indicated that the true M2 faced production delays attributed to manufacturing issues, compelling Apple to work with a “refined” 5nm node instead of advancing to a 3nm TSMC node. As a result, the M2 evolved into the M3, and the M2 became an incremental update to the M1.

However, the significance of these technicalities diminishes if the M2 manages to deliver a substantial performance boost, a crucial aspect for user satisfaction. This is particularly important as Apple still offers the M1 MacBook Air for $300 less.

Geekbench (single / multi)Handbrake (seconds)Cinebench R23 (single / multi)PugetBench Premiere Pro
MacBook Air (M2)1,925 / 8,9731511,600 / 7,938497
MacBook Air (M1)1,727 / 7,5851561,479 / 6,680320
Dell XPS 13 Plus (Core i7-1280P)1,316 / 8,2071701,311 / 6,308269
HP Spectre x360 13.5 (Core i7-1255U)1,566 / 7,3141691,623 / 5,823N/A
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 7 (Core i7-1260P)1,650 / 8,0801161,587 / 7,682N/A
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M1 Pro)1,760 / 1,2307991,624 / 12,235911

Benchmarked performance paints a promising picture for the M2 MacBook Air, surpassing its predecessor, the M1 MacBook Air. Geekbench 5 scores validate an 11% rise in single-core and an 18% increase in multi-core performance. This substantiates Apple's 18% claim, showcasing honest marketing.

While these advancements might not deliver revolutionary differences, they reflect a typical enhancement seen in generational CPU upgrades. This underscores the significant leap the M1 was and demonstrates that the M2 maintains its exemplary efficiency, even within a fanless framework.

Notably, the M2's most remarkable performance improvement stems from the upgraded neural engine and media engine. The augmented video decoder and ProRes video engine position the M2 MacBook Air as a superior video editing tool. This is evident in the PugetBench Premiere Pro benchmark, assessing tasks from video playback to export duration, while also accentuating the GPU's capabilities. This test underscores the potential impact of the additional GPU cores, available for an extra $100.

A Trade-off for M2 Performance: Heat.

The M2 garners a 36% higher score for GPU effects compared to the M1 MacBook Air. Working in tandem, the CPU and GPU produce export durations 51% faster — a discernible improvement. Nevertheless, transitioning to the M1 Pro in the 14-inch MacBook Pro still constitutes a significant leap, particularly in multi-core and GPU performance. The M2, however, bridges that gap admirably.

However, heightened performance does exact a thermal toll. Under full load, CPU cores peaked at 108 degrees Celsius, an alarmingly high temperature. Intel laptops usually cap temperatures at 100 degrees due to safety considerations. Concerns arise about the potential long-term impact of such elevated temperatures, an outcome Apple likely didn't anticipate. Thermal issues initially surfaced in the M2 MacBook Pro, with Apple gradually integrating fans. Yet, in the fanless M2 MacBook Air, Apple appears to have pushed the system beyond its capacity, prioritizing performance gains for marketing, potentially at the cost of longevity. A more conservative frequency throttling to manage temperatures might be advisable.

Surface temperatures increase during heavy usage, causing the laptop bottom to heat up. However, the MacBook Air adeptly prevents these hotspots from affecting user comfort. Palm rests and the keyboard consistently remain cool. Moreover, the system cools rapidly, a standout feature compared to competitors like the XPS 13 Plus.

Configuration Considerations

Ordinarily, selecting a MacBook configuration mostly centers on storage and memory requirements, with quality assured across the board. However, the M2 MacBook Air differs, challenging this convention. It appears that the base model encounters limitations due to slower storage (attributed to a single NAND chip) and restricted 8GB RAM. This combination results in notable performance slowdowns during memory-intensive tasks, such as exporting images from Lightroom or transferring files from an external SSD.

The reviewed model, priced at $1,499, boasting 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 10-core GPU, doesn't encounter these issues. Yet, discerning users should note the shared 8GB RAM's limitations, evident in Activity Monitor. During my testing, which included a multi-core Cinebench run, 15 active Chrome tabs, simultaneous Spotify streaming, and a playing YouTube video, the system functioned optimally, even while unplugged.

For casual web browsing, social media, and Netflix streaming, the base configuration is likely adequate. However, for mildly demanding tasks like light photo editing or occasional graphic design, investing an additional $200 for the 512GB model proves a wiser choice. Even without extra GPU cores and memory, the $1,399 variant offers commendable value.

Macbook Air M2 Battery Life

Battery endurance remains a domain where MacBooks excel, a domain unmatched by ARM-based Windows laptops despite their extended battery life. The MacBook Air delivers both enduring battery performance and compelling speed, a combination that continues to dazzle, even two years after the M1's debut.

In our web browsing test, the MacBook Air M2 persevered for nearly 18 hours, outlasting most competitors by a considerable margin, and aligning with the M1 MacBook Air's capabilities. Impressively, the 16-inch MacBook Pro enjoys even lengthier longevity.

In a battery capacity evaluation, looping a 1080p video until depletion, the laptop achieved a staggering 21 hours and 9 minutes. This achievement again underscores the MacBook Air's supremacy in its class.

These results ensure a full workday away from power outlets, with potential for extended use even on lighter days.

Final Verdict

The M2 MacBook Air stands as a testament to Apple's unparalleled craftsmanship. It deftly achieves a harmony of performance and form factor, showcasing top-tier elements ranging from its webcam to its keyboard.

While certain configurations may exhibit limitations, Apple's pursuit of enhanced performance seems to have resulted in a minor trade-off. Yet, the M2 MacBook Air's capabilities are undeniably remarkable, especially considering its competitive pricing compared to inferior alternatives.

Are there any worthy alternatives?

The formidable M1 MacBook Air remains a compelling contender. Given that the M2's performance boost doesn't necessarily warrant an upgrade, and no single facet of the new design overwhelmingly shines, the M1 variant remains a strong choice. While the M2 MacBook Pro exists, the M2 Air claims a more compelling position.

Among Windows laptops, the Dell XPS 13 Plus, HP Spectre x360 13.5, and Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 present the closest competition. Although they excel in battery life and performance, they fail to match the MacBook Air's prowess.

Longevity

Expect the MacBook Air to serve faithfully for numerous years. The M-series chips are significantly ahead of competitors, offering performance that remains satisfactory even four or five years down the line. Concerns regarding memory and storage durability exist due to their soldered nature, impeding easy replacements.

Is this Macbook Air worth the investment?

Absolutely. While configuration selection carries more weight, the M2 MacBook Air's blend of size, battery life, and performance renders it a truly exceptional laptop with no parallel.

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