MacBook Air is one of the most popular notebooks, recognised for its compact design, performance and long battery life. With the introduction of Apple Silicon processors, starting with the MacBook Air M1, the notebook series received a significant upgrade in terms of performance and power efficiency. In June 2022, the MacBook Air M2 was released, offering even more features.
Let’s do a detailed comparison of the MacBook Air M1 and M2 to find out which laptop is better suited to your requirements. We’ll look at design, display, performance, battery life, and more to help you make an informed decision.
Appearance and design
When it comes to comparing MacBook Air models, it’s important to note the design changes between the M1 and M2.
| Parameter | MacBook Air M1 | MacBook Air M2 |
| Dimensions | 30.41 x 21.24 x 0.41-1.61 cm | 30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13 cm |
| Weight | 1.29kg | 1.24kg |
| Design | Wedge-shaped housing | Flat, no wedge |
| Colours | Gold, silver, grey | Silver, dark night, starlight, space grey |
MacBook Air M1 retains the traditional wedge-shaped design that has become a hallmark of the lineup. The notebook tapers toward the front, giving the illusion of thinness. MacBook Air M2, on the other hand, has a new flat body, making it more modern and minimalist, similar to the MacBook Pro design.
The MacBook Air M2 also offers more colour options, including the new Starlight and Dark Night, giving you a more vibrant and personalised choice.
MacBook Air M1 and M2 Display
One of the key aspects of comparing the MacBook Air M1 and M2 is the quality of the display. Both laptops feature a Retina display, but the M2 offers a few improvements.
| Parameter | MacBook Air M1 | MacBook Air M2 |
| Screen size | 13.3 inches. | 13.6 inches. |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels | 2560 x 1664 pixels |
| Brightness | 400 nits | 500 nits |
| Supports colour gamut | P3 | P3 |
| True Tone Technology | Got it | Got it |
MacBook Air M1 offers a 13.3-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, making it great for text, images, and video. The M1 display supports a wide P3 colour gamut and True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts white balance based on ambient light.
The MacBook Air M2 has increased the screen diagonal to 13.6 inches, adding a little more workspace. The resolution is also slightly higher at 2560 x 1664 pixels. The most noticeable improvement is the brightness of the display, which is up to 500 nits, making the M2’s screen easier to use in bright light, such as outdoors.
Performance and chips
The most important aspect of comparing the MacBook Air M1 and M2 is their performance, as both devices are powered by Apple Silicon processors, but with different specifications.
| Parameter | MacBook Air M1 | MacBook Air M2 |
| Processor (CPU) | 8-core (4 high-performance, 4 energy-efficient cores) | 8-core (4 high-performance, 4 energy-efficient cores) |
| Graphics (GPU) | 7-core or 8-core | 8-core or 10-core |
| Neural engine | 16-core | 16-core |
| Performance | Up to 3.5x faster than Intel MacBook Air | Up to 35% faster in graphics tasks compared to the M1 |
| RAM | 8 GB or 16 GB | 8GB, 16GB, 24GB |
The MacBook Air M1 is the first notebook powered by Apple’s M1 processor, which is a significant performance boost over previous Intel-powered models. This chip includes 8 cores (4 performance cores and 4 power-efficient cores), allowing you to handle everyday tasks, including photo and video processing, without noticeable slowdowns. However, for graphics intensive tasks such as 3D rendering or video editing, the M1 may seem insufficient.
MacBook Air M2 offers more powerful graphics with an 8-core or 10-core GPU, making it up to 35% faster in graphics tasks than M1. This makes it the best choice for users working with professional applications that require high graphics power.
The M2 also supports up to 24GB of RAM, which gives it an edge when it comes to multitasking and handling large files.
RAM and storage
When it comes to comparing the MacBook Air M1 and M2 in terms of RAM and storage, the M2 offers more flexible configurations.
| Parameter | MacBook Air M1 | MacBook Air M2 |
| RAM | 8 GB, 16 GB | 8GB, 16GB, 24GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
While the MacBook Air M1 offers 8GB or 16GB of RAM, this may be a limitation for more demanding users. While the MacBook Air M2 supports up to 24GB of RAM, making it more suitable for professionals working with heavy programmes.
Both laptops are available with SSD storage ranging from 256GB to 2TB, which is enough for most users.
Battery life
When it comes to battery life, both laptops offer impressive power efficiency, but thanks to optimisations in the M2, users can expect slightly longer run times.
| Parameter | MacBook Air M1 | MacBook Air M2 |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours. | Up to 18 hours. |
| Battery capacity | 49.9 W*h | 52.6 W*h |
The MacBook Air M1 and MacBook Air M2 offer up to 18 hours of battery life for video playback, making them ideal for use throughout the day without needing to recharge. While the M2 has a slightly larger battery capacity (52.6Wh vs. 49.9Wh), battery life is similar in practice.
MacBook Air M1 vs M2 Ports and connectivity
| Parameter | MacBook Air M1 | MacBook Air M2 |
| USB ports | 2 Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports | 2 Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports |
| Headphone jack | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm |
| MagSafe | No | Yes |
Both laptops have two USB-C ports each with Thunderbolt 4 support and a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, the MacBook Air M2 gets the long-awaited MagSafe support, which frees up USB ports for other devices while charging.
When it comes to comparing the MacBook Air M1 and M2, a lot depends on your needs and preferences. The MacBook Air M1 offers great performance and is available at a lower price point, making it a great choice for those looking for a reliable laptop for everyday tasks.
The MacBook Air M2, on the other hand, offers significant improvements in performance, graphics, and display, as well as MagSafe support and more RAM options. This makes it the preferred choice for those looking for a laptop for more demanding tasks. So, choosing between the MacBook Air M1 and M2 will depend on your individual needs.
Harness the power of cashback with reBITme! Choose your MacBook Air M1 or M2, activate your cashback and enjoy the added benefits of every purchase. Let savings become your new superhero!
