The Apple MacBook Air M2 can be ordered in Malaysia for two weeks and direct purchase is now possible. Apple’s marketing strategy for the Macbook Air M2 is a bit odd because the MacBook Air M1 is still on offer. In contrast to the MacBook Pro 13 which is currently offered with an M2 chip only.
When the pre-order opened, we received some questions as to whether it was still worthwhile to buy a MacBook Air M1 whose selling price starts from RM4399 compared to the Macbook Air M2 which is sold at a starting price of RM5499 each. The relatively large price difference is around 25% higher.
The answer to the question "good or not" depends on several factors and needs. First of all we start with screen technology.
Screen - 13.6 vs 13.3
The MBA M2 screen is a 13.6 ″ IPS LCD with retina resolution. Only slightly larger than the MBA M1 with a 13.3 ″ IPS LCD screen. There are no major technological improvements except for 100 nits brighter and the existence of a notch for the camera. After using the MBA M2 for a few days, the existence of this notch is not a big issue with only menus in some applications like Photoshop now placed to the right of the notch. After a few hours this notch disappeared from view as we got used to the notch on the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The majority of this "larger" screen is just a display space that is now 2 cm higher than on the MBA M1 so it does not actually bring significant changes. The screen also still has the same viewing angle, aperture angle and color profile. the issue of the screen not being so obvious in the scorching sun still exists because of this lack of IPS LCD.
Processor Chip - Apple M2 vs Apple M1
In the benchmark test we did the CPU power increase was around 10% on a single core and around 14% in the multi core test. The difference in GPU performance is more significant at around 35%. For those who edit video using the ProRes format, the M2 is a chip that has better native support.
We wrote this article from the perspective of the average user who spends 90% of their time in the office typing in Google Docs, Sheets, Office applications and through WordPress. The increase in CPU and GPU performance between M1 and M2 in the above work situations does not directly impact. Even the M1 is too powerful to be used as a work computer.
The improved performance of the M2 can only be seen in heavier tasks such as processing video and performing Photoshop edits that require neural networks. In sight the time taken is shorter. But without a fan-cooled system, the MacBook Air M2 and M1 both face heating issues so chip performance is reduced to avoid damage. In a review for the MBA M2, we said that if you plan on doing a lot of long video editing, the MacBook Air isn’t the most suitable computer. Pay less for a MacBook Pro 13 M2 that has an active cooling system.
SSD and RAM performance
Don’t be fooled as there is a significant performance difference between the 256GB SSDs used on the MBA M2 and MBA M1. On the MBA M2, this most basic SSD storage provides only half the read and write speeds compared to that used on the mature MBA M1 model. To achieve comparable performance, models with 512GB SDD should be selected on the MBA M2. RAM performance is still the same due to the use of the same components.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Both keyboards are from the Magic Keyboard family with a more durable scissor mechanism than butterfly wings that are no longer in use. The typing experience is the same and very comfortable. Magic Keyboard is among the most typing -friendly laptop keyboards we have ever used.
The difference is small where the first line of the Magic Keybord in the MBA M1 is smaller (about half) than the other keys. On the MBA M2 all keys are the same size and the symbols appear clearer especially in the dark and the lights are faulty. The power button with Touch ID is also larger speeding up the unlocking process with biometric support.
Audio - 4 Speakers vs 2 Speakers
The speakers on the MBA M2 are much more robust with it seemingly coming straight out of the screen. In addition to Dolby Atmos it also supports spatial audio. These four new speakers are hidden between the body and the screen so there is no more audio lattice on the right and left sides of the keyboard. The issue of obstructed speakers while typing no longer occurs on the M2 MBA. The audio on the MBA M1 is still better than the majority of laptops on the market but the difference in audio experience between these two laptops is very noticeable. One more thing both still have 3.5mm audio jacks.
Battery-MagSafe 3 vs USB-C
The MagSafe 3 charger returned to the MacBook via the MacBook Pro 14/16 last year. On the MBA M2, this means the issue of lack of USB-C port when charging is resolved. The MagSafe 3 cable is also of the embroidered type which is more durable than the MBA M1 PVC cable. In terms of charging there is no power change as it is still 30/35W depending on the model.
The larger battery is also used on the MBA M2 (52.6 Whr vs 49.9 Whr) but its life is comparable i.e. up to 18 hours. From personal experience there is no difference because the battery can last up to 14 hours once charged in the use of normal office work tasks.
Web Camera - 1080p vs 720p
Welcome to the world of Apple models! The 1080P camera is finally used on the MBA M2 which is placed in the screen notch we mentioned in the first paragraph. There is indeed an increase in resolution, quality and sharpness of images on the new camera. If you plan on doing a lot of video calls and participating in teleconferencing sessions the MBA M2 pad camera is satisfying.
Design - Boxed vs. Aerodynamic
Finally, we touch on the question of the aesthetics of partners which is difficult to measure because human tastes are different from each other. We sincerely say the design of the MacBook Air M1 is more aerodynamic and iconic as it has been used by Apple since the first generation From the side it looks like a thick airplane wing blade at the front before becoming thinner at the tip. This design is so iconic it is imitated by other manufacturers on their compact laptops. The curved side of the MBA M1 cover makes it look luxurious enough that Apple re -uses it as the roof of several Apple Stores.
But it should also be said that this design has been recycled since 2008. Sir Jony Ive is no longer with Apple so his design should be replaced with a fresher one. The MBA M2 has a boxed body and a flatter plane surface. The design is now more in line with the iPhone, iPad, iMac, and MacBook Pro. Looks more modern than previous generation Apple products. Is it between liking classic design or contemporary design? The answer to this question will make you buy a different product.
Good or Bad MacBook Air M1?
The MacBook Air is a series of laptops marketed specifically for light work tasks where the highest performance is not required all the time. That’s why it’s popular among students and office workers who want a MacBook without having to spend more.
From our observations, the MacBook Air M1 is still worth buying in 2022 due to several factors. The Apple M1 chip is still powerful for the majority of work needs. An increase of around 14% on the CPU doesn’t make the 25% price increase worth it. Better speakers on the MBA M2 are also not a big factor because from our observations in the office many use earphones/headphones.
No changes to the keyboard and touchpad are still comparable. So is the performance of the battery which has no improvement despite its increased size. The "larger" screen is not noticeable because it just adds a workspace that is 2 cm higher. Webcams are better and the MagSafe 2 is also not the strongest reason to pay more for a laptop.
We recommend you buy the MacBook Air M1 16/512 GB at a price of RM5999 which gives the best value when compared to the MacBook Air M2 8/256 GB at a price of RM5499. SSDs are twice as fast and ample RAM for up to 5 years ahead. Buy while the model is still offered by Apple.