
MacBook Air M1 Vs M2 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?
MacBook Air M1 & M2 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design & connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the MacBook Air M2 rather than M1.
Why Do I recommend the MacBook Air M2?
- The MacBook Air M2 is equipped with the latest Apple M2 chip, which enhances performance efficiency, faster processing & better multitasking capabilities compared to the Air M1 chip.
- It has a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits brightness compared to the M1’s 13.3-inch Retina display with 400 nits brightness. M2 offers a brighter, more detailed, and vivid visual experience.
- M2 upgrades the webcam to a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, which provides clearer & sharper video calls, whereas the M1 has a 720p camera.
- It includes a MagSafe 3 port, which allows fast charging without occupying one of the Thunderbolt ports & more secure power connectivity than the M1’s USB-C port.
- The Macbook Air M2 has a 100GB/s memory bandwidth, which allows it to access more memory faster, compared to 68.25GB/s with the M1.
- Four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio of M2 provides better sound quality than the MacBook Air M1 stereo speaker.
- Its 52.6-watt-hour lithium polymer battery is a notable upgrade from the M1’s 49.9-watt-hour battery, which lasts for 17 hours and 10 minutes.
Maybe the MacBook Air M1 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the MacBook Air M2. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
Feature | MacBook Air M2 | MacBook Air M1 |
Processor | Apple M2 (8-core CPU, 8/10-core GPU) | Apple M1 (8-core CPU, 7/8-core GPU) |
Memory Bandwidth | 100 GB/s | 68.25 GB/s |
Memory | 8GB, 16GB, or 24GB unified memory | 8GB or 16GB unified memory |
Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display | 13.3-inch Retina display |
Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2560 x 1600 |
Brightness | 500 nits | 400 nits |
Design | Slimmer, more uniform design | Classic wedge-shaped design |
Weight | 2.7 pounds (1.24 kg) | 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg) |
Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches |
Color Options | Space Gray, Silver, Starlight, Midnight | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
MagSafe Charging | Yes | No |
Charging Port | MagSafe 3 | USB-C |
Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 720p FaceTime HD camera |
Battery Capacity | 52.6-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery | 49.9-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery |
Power Adapter | 35W dual USB-C port with 10-core GPU | 30W USB-C Power Adapter |
Speakers | Four-speaker system with Spatial Audio | Stereo speakers with wide sound |
Video Playback | Dolby Vision and HLG support | Dolby Vision support |
FaceTime | 1080p FaceTime HD camera | 720p FaceTime HD camera |
Price | Check M2 Price | Check M1 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Unified Memory Architecture: Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air use a unified memory architecture, meaning the CPU, GPU, and other components share the same memory pool, allowing for faster and more efficient data access.
- SSD Storage Options: Both models offer the same SSD storage capacities: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. This provides a range of options for different storage needs.
- Retina Display Technology: Both models use Retina display technology, which offers high resolution and pixel density for sharp and vibrant visuals.
- True Tone Technology: Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air include True Tone technology, which adjusts the display’s color temperature based on ambient lighting for a more natural viewing experience.
- P3 Wide Color: Both models support the P3 wide color gamut, providing more vibrant and accurate colors compared to the standard sRGB color space.
- Magic Keyboard: Both laptops feature the Magic Keyboard with a scissor mechanism, which is known for its stability, comfort, and quiet typing experience.
- Force Touch Trackpad: Both MacBook Air models have a Force Touch trackpad, which provides precise cursor control and pressure-sensitive capabilities for various functions.
- Battery Life: Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air offer up to 18 hours of battery life, ensuring long-lasting performance for all-day use.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Both models support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, offering fast wireless connectivity and compatibility with a wide range of devices.
- Operating System (macOS): Both laptops run macOS, Apple’s desktop operating system, which provides a seamless and integrated user experience with other Apple devices and services.
- Touch ID: Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air include Touch ID, allowing users to securely unlock their device, authenticate purchases, and use Apple Pay with their fingerprint.
- Fanless Design: Both models feature a fanless design, which ensures silent operation while maintaining efficient thermal performance.
- FaceTime HD Camera: Both laptops come with a FaceTime HD camera, ensuring clear and sharp video calls.
- Speakers and Microphones: Both models are equipped with stereo speakers that provide wide stereo sound and a three-microphone array with beamforming for clear audio input.
- USB-C Ports: Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air have two USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt and USB 4, enabling fast data transfer, charging, and connectivity with external devices.
- Security: Both models have a Secure Enclave to protect sensitive data and ensure secure boot processes, enhancing overall device security.
Common Features
Feature | MacBook Air M2 | MacBook Air M1 |
SSD Storage Options | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD |
True Tone Technology | Yes | Yes |
P3 Wide Color | Yes | Yes |
Magic Keyboard | Scissor mechanism | Scissor mechanism |
Force Touch Trackpad | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
macOS | Yes | Yes |
Touch ID | Yes | Yes |
Heat Management | Fanless design | Fanless design |
FaceTime | FaceTime HD camera | FaceTime HD camera |
Speakers | Four-speaker sound system | Stereo speakers, Wide stereo sound |
Microphones | Three-microphone array with beamforming | Three-microphone array with beamforming |
USB-C | 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports | 2x Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports |
Security | Secure Enclave | Secure Enclave |
Price | Check M2 Price | Check M1 Price |
FAQ
Q: What is the primary difference in the processors between the MacBook Air M1 and M2? A: The MacBook Air M1 features the Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and options for a 7-core or 8-core GPU. The MacBook Air M2, on the other hand, comes with the Apple M2 chip, which also has an 8-core CPU but offers options for an 8-core or 10-core GPU, providing up to 18% faster CPU performance and up to 35% faster GPU performance compared to the M1.Q: How does the memory capacity differ between the MacBook Air M1 and M2? A: The MacBook Air M1 offers 8GB or 16GB of unified memory, while the MacBook Air M2 adds a 24GB option, allowing for greater flexibility and higher memory capacity for demanding tasks. Q: Are there any differences in the display technology between the two models? Q: What are the design differences between the MacBook Air M1 and M2? Q: What color options are available for each model? Q: Does the MacBook Air M2 support MagSafe charging? Q: How do the audio and camera features compare between the two models? Q: Are there any differences in the keyboard and trackpad? Q: What are the similarities in battery life between the MacBook Air M1 and M2? Q: Do both models support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0? Q: What operating system do the MacBook Air M1 and M2 run? Q: Is there a difference in security features between the two models? Q: Are both models fanless? Q: What ports are available on the MacBook Air M1 and M2? Q: How does the starting price compare between the MacBook Air M1 and M2? |