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Apple MacBook Air M2 vs M1: Which One You Need

The new Apple MacBook Air M2 boasts a better processor and all-new design over its M1 predecessor. Find the M2 and M1 MacBook Airs here👇: Air M2: Air M1: *CNET may get commission for these offers. Dan Ackerman’s full Apple MacBook Air M2 Review: Subscribe to CNET: Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser…

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The new Apple MacBook Air M2 boasts a better processor and all-new design over its M1 predecessor.
Find the M2 and M1 MacBook Airs here👇:
Air M2:
Air M1:
*CNET may get commission for these offers.

Dan Ackerman’s full Apple MacBook Air M2 Review:

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00:00 Apple MacBook Air M2 vs M1
01:21 MacBook Air Design
02:02 MacBook Air M2 (2022) New colors
02:33 Weight
02:57 Screen
03:31 M2 vs. M1
04:51 Ports
05:50 Webcams
07:43 Speakers
8:00 Which MacBook Air Do You Need

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74 Comments

74 Comments

  1. Chevy Stingray

    July 23, 2022 at 12:14 pm

    M2 Issues
    Midnight color – chips and scuffs, fingerprint magnet
    SSD Issue – base model has slower SSD affecting performance during memory swapping
    speaker – M1 has better sounding speakers
    keyboard – shallower than M1, less travel
    trackpad – due to thinner MacBook design, not as good as M1
    price – lower price to performance ratio compared to M1 in real world test (base model M2 VS base model M1)

    NOT GONNA BUY IT!!

    • Urbara Scott

      July 23, 2022 at 12:18 pm

      Thx – very succinct

    • Allen

      July 23, 2022 at 12:32 pm

      I was initially mad because I bought a base model M1 right before the M2 was released. Now I feel alot better. I saved $200 and the M1 works great for my needs

    • andyH_England

      July 23, 2022 at 7:09 pm

      I have seen many reviews that have none of these issues and I get the impression you just take Max Tech word on it as it fits with your agenda. You need to watch some videos from sensible balance reviewers, and even an audiophile said the speakers were better quality (not as loud) than the M1. The chips and scuffs could be just someone treating their machine poorly. The SSD issue is moot on anything other than 256GB and in 90% plus of cases will not be noticeable. The 10% should be using 16GB of RAM. The keyboard is subjective as I prefer shallow feel, miss the old keyboards. Trackpad is forcetrack so no idea how that is worse? $200 more list for the new design and features is fair, the XPS 13 Plus is $400 more than the older XPS 13 design, so if poor value for Apple then Dell are criminal, as at least we get new chip (XPS 13 and XPS 13 Plus have the same chips). With some tests the M2 is 30% plus better than the M1 when 16GB -v- 16GB. Also, the media engines on the M2 makes it 2X faster in some rendering.

      Overall given the choice, the M2 is a must buy over the M1 if you can afford it, just get 16GB as that is what you need if you are doing any pro apps or hardcore browsing. I am gonna buy it when they come in stock as already on Amazon there are discounts, but two months delivery times due to massive demand.

    • Chevy Stingray

      July 23, 2022 at 7:45 pm

      @andyH_England good luck

    • Jav C

      July 24, 2022 at 12:28 am

      @Allen IMO, anybody with the M1 has no reason to upgrade to the M2. That would be like having the iPhone 13 and upgrading to the 14.
      If anybody has the MBA from ’15 or ’17 or ’18, then they might be needing to upgrade for all the improvements to the M2 MBA. Am I right?
      Listen, the midnight color is fantastic and who cares about smudges. That’s a non-issue. If you get a smudge wipe it off. That’s was microfiber towels are for 🤦🏾‍♂

  2. Xcellence

    July 23, 2022 at 12:25 pm

    Neither, get the 14 inch mac pro more power

  3. Fearless Mind

    July 23, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    None

  4. Kreiger Bailey

    July 23, 2022 at 12:38 pm

    Portland, JAMAICA in the Building !!

  5. Jeremy DeBose

    July 23, 2022 at 12:42 pm

    Not sure why I always cringe when reviewers call tech “This guy” or “This little guy” when referencing the mini and it was done 3 times by the first minute 😭😭😭. Still gonna watch though cause it’s Dan 😂

    • Singu Larity

      July 23, 2022 at 2:21 pm

      If it’s a cringe at the infantilisation behaviours we find in nerd/geek types – I’m with you.

  6. Fadi Bshara

    July 23, 2022 at 1:20 pm

    ssd problem man for the base modell
    just mention the hech problem, apple wont be angry with u, all the people doing it

    • Youssef Emam

      July 23, 2022 at 4:22 pm

      what problem and in which mac

  7. Nathan Juan

    July 23, 2022 at 1:22 pm

    That notch is really distracting.

    • Kiarra Campbell-bernard

      July 23, 2022 at 8:58 pm

      You can hide it with an app if it’s that bad

    • Nathan Juan

      July 24, 2022 at 12:19 am

      @Kiarra Campbell-bernard It doesn’t really hide the notch tho. The menu and the clock is still in the black bezel its not like samsung where it really becomes a bezel.

  8. keiji azum

    July 23, 2022 at 1:28 pm

    its 350 more costco is selling only 850

  9. asdfrozen

    July 23, 2022 at 1:35 pm

    If the only thing you use the webcam for is Zoom, Teams, and Meet, 720p is already fine. All of these webconferencing apps top out at 720p for webcam feeds anyway. The 1080p webcam is really just for streaming and FaceTime calls.

  10. TimeTime

    July 23, 2022 at 1:47 pm

    Hmmm not sure if I missed it … it seems like the processor should be the defining difference between the two. Nice to see some esthetic updates though and minor tweaks. Being able to upgrade the ssd would be the game changer for me for being mobile. Think I’ll stick with my 1tb 2017 MacBook Air for now and keep my M1. Mac mini for home use.

  11. John Miranda

    July 23, 2022 at 1:56 pm

    NO Apple product is “reasonably priced.”

    • Kiarra Campbell-bernard

      July 23, 2022 at 8:57 pm

      Apple products last almost 10 years while windows start bugging after 1

  12. Bzake

    July 23, 2022 at 1:58 pm

    If you’re buying a base model, buy the M1. If you’re going to buy an upgraded version, buy M2.

    • David Harrison

      July 23, 2022 at 3:57 pm

      Terrific advice.

    • Gwen Tan

      July 23, 2022 at 6:46 pm

      If you check the apple online store, the default base is 512 gb, the 256 gb is no longer available

    • Kestine Omorodion

      July 23, 2022 at 8:39 pm

      @Gwen Tan same price ? $1200?

    • 1badmanvan

      July 24, 2022 at 7:16 am

      @PCC R the ssd performs better on any storage above the 256gb. I have a 10core/16gb/1tb on order currently

    • Oti el

      July 24, 2022 at 3:24 pm

      💯💯

    • Oti el

      July 24, 2022 at 3:25 pm

      @1badmanvan are you sure M2 and M1 have same thermals if 512gb and above.

    • 1badmanvan

      July 24, 2022 at 5:38 pm

      @Oti el nothing internally was changed based on their storage side. Been a few tear downs, they thermal throttle quicker because they use a higher wattage chip

    • Kestine Omorodion

      July 24, 2022 at 7:35 pm

      @PCC R yes it does. just make sure the ssd is at least 512 then you should be fine

  13. PlaybyRaine

    July 23, 2022 at 2:30 pm

    totally legit 02:50 😅😅 enjoyed your video 😉

  14. Paulo LF

    July 23, 2022 at 2:35 pm

    Incredible how this guy has not mention the criminal SSD speed different in the base model. Terrible review.

    • Kestine Omorodion

      July 23, 2022 at 8:44 pm

      Tech reviewers that are now biased for no just reason . Call a spade a spade mate.

    • Jav C

      July 24, 2022 at 12:29 am

      Who cares about the SSD rumors? When will a casual MBA user be using Final Cut Pro or doing heavy video editing or having 4K and 8K downloads simultaneously? That is fantasy-world!

    • Kestine Omorodion

      July 24, 2022 at 1:01 am

      @Jav C not everyone will be casual. Call a spade a spade and let people make their choices.

    • Kestine Omorodion

      July 24, 2022 at 1:05 am

      @Jav C and yes there are people that do all those things you mentioned on their MacBook Air…. I help tens of People in making decision on what pc/Mac systems they should get… I get my information from these tech YouTube reviewers. Imagine hiding this information from me… I tend to make not well informed recommendations.

  15. Roldan Rodriguez

    July 23, 2022 at 3:09 pm

    I will wait for M5 by that time M2 might cost 450 which means M1 will cost 350. That’s the one I’m buying

    • PupSicle

      July 23, 2022 at 3:48 pm

      Yes, that’s the best strategy.

  16. HumNYC

    July 23, 2022 at 3:38 pm

    I watch a lot of these vids to make an informed decision, but every single one of your videos about the M2 MBA brings up price increase. Get over it. It’s not like an iPhone that comes out every year where they drop the price of the previous model. This gives the opportunity to expand price range and amount of customers getting a MacBook Air since the M1 MBA is still a great machine.

  17. Bogdan

    July 23, 2022 at 3:59 pm

    I’ve just bought my first ever macbook, it’s an air m1 8gbs ram and 256 gbs storage. It’s 1 year old, 98 % baterry health with 65 cycles. Got it with 710 euros, what do you think?

    • zoruaboy

      July 23, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      Pretty good!

    • Schindler Jahudisi

      July 23, 2022 at 6:49 pm

      Good job you are genius!

  18. Alan Gill

    July 23, 2022 at 5:48 pm

    Plus side, it’s a Dan video. That said I don’t see why they made this. Just repeating information Cnet and others have already communicated about the two devices, no original slant to it IMO.

  19. PUNGI-BOO

    July 23, 2022 at 5:58 pm

    What do you think is better? Base model m2 air or an m1 air with 16gb ram instead of 8gb ram?

    • Jav C

      July 24, 2022 at 12:24 am

      Just buy the base model and you will be just fine. The M2 MBA is perfect for the casual user. Any heavy user is going to have the MBP. Why purchase the base model only to spend a minimum of $400 for upgrades. You might as well get the MPB, right?

  20. Scott Scottsdale

    July 23, 2022 at 6:40 pm

    Seriously. The camera is the decider for you? Who the heck cares? But the speakers are not important. This is a horrible review

  21. Gwen Tan

    July 23, 2022 at 6:45 pm

    Apparently, the 256 gb ssd is no longer available for the m2 Macbook air in the apple online store

    • andyH_England

      July 23, 2022 at 6:48 pm

      Here in the UK it is, but 3-4 weeks wait and sold out in store, though I suspect deliveries come during the week for through traffic.

    • Jav C

      July 24, 2022 at 12:26 am

      That is completely false. Of course the base model is available.

  22. andyH_England

    July 23, 2022 at 7:24 pm

    I saw all the anti-Apple trolls ganging up on the M2 MB Pro 13 saying how it is an olde design and why does it exist!! Absolute nonsense of course. Now the same people are hating the MB Air M2 and saying we should buy the even older MB Air M1 design! You could not make it up? So much trash talk on YT these days.

    Apple is the troll capital of tech.

    Anyway, this is a simple answer, if you can afford it pay the extra £200 in the UK for the M2 (Amazon) if all you need is the base model. Usually in tech an older chip, 18 months in this case would have a much bigger discount, closer to half price, so only £200 less is poor value, even though it is solid. The M2 chip is def much better and once optimised and with app updates and macOS Ventura, the M2 will get further and further ahead of the M1. Those recommending the M1 it may be false economy in the longer term.

  23. Dominic Toretto

    July 23, 2022 at 7:36 pm

    Okay, most likely they prefer Macbook Air M1, but it’s already 2 years old. buying it now there is no risk of “burning” two years of future updates by buying a product that is already a few years old?

  24. Ryan X

    July 24, 2022 at 12:17 am

    The notch is inexcusable. Wake Up Sheeple!

  25. GOAT OF DUTY

    July 24, 2022 at 12:42 am

    M1 Air or full nuts with M1 Pro 14/16″!

  26. Luke Parsons

    July 24, 2022 at 2:40 am

    Where I live Apple has removed the MBA M1 512gb SSD upgrade option as a standard product (it is now a ‘custom’ build with a 4 week wait). That forces us into the MBA M2 world where it is essential to buy 512gb SSD to ensure materially better performance than the M1. The price difference is huge. It also moves us within striking distance of the MBP 14 (the MBP 13 is best discarded: there are plenty of reviews explaining why). The performance to value creep led me to buy a MBP M1 14 base with 512GB at twice the price of the base MBA M1 with 256GB. They got me: hook line and sinker! But wow it is an amazing machine.

  27. Gustavo Masis

    July 24, 2022 at 3:58 am

    Who works outside at a café in the sunlight?

  28. PCC R

    July 24, 2022 at 4:05 am

    If I want 1tb ssd and 16g RAM, which would be a better choice m1 or m2 mba??! I love the air and the light weight so pro is not an option for me but I always need more storage and i hate having something hanging off my laptop.

    I hear some concerns of heating up on M2 and I’m just not sure if its worth getting m2 vs m1 mba for the specs i want

    Is the performance difference worth $200 difference?

    • B K

      July 24, 2022 at 12:14 pm

      Performance definitely not. Cause it averagely 10% step up. In terms of life improvement, such as the magsafe, the bigger screen, better webcam, new sleek design, new speaker, then it might worth the 200 $ difference

    • MarioPL

      July 25, 2022 at 6:01 am

      @B K New speaker are not better on the M2 vs M1

    • Tjade Petri

      July 25, 2022 at 12:10 pm

      @B K there is a huge 40% gpu difference tho. And the M2 will receive longer support in updates

  29. Dave the Taswegian

    July 24, 2022 at 8:55 am

    The M2 Air is a brilliant design from what I have seen in the tear downs. It is quite possibly cheaper to build than the M1 Air with a $200 higher price. Genius on Apples part, or perhaps I am just being overly cynical.

  30. VIBE

    July 24, 2022 at 11:07 am

    7:10

  31. FuJhen

    July 24, 2022 at 12:06 pm

    Please clean devices before close ups. That USB ports have disgusting grime when zoomed in that much

  32. alfin kurnia ashari

    July 24, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    REGENERATIVE CHARGING: plug your type-c and MagSafe at same cable

  33. Goobfilm cast

    July 24, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    Hey, CNET….. NO Windows laptop at a similar Price Point, NONE, can touch the M1 or M2 MBAs for performance, both plugged and (especially) unplugged….NONE can touch its battery life and NONE offers the build quality and fit and finish of Apple laptops. Apple wins on the Price/Performance ratio against comparably spec’d Windows offerings from AMD and Intel and likely will for the foreseeable future. If there is a better value for dollar…Please demonstrate it.

  34. Daniel Rice

    July 24, 2022 at 6:36 pm

    Good no nonsense review. I like the M1 without that screen camera cut at the top. Rest of the differences don’t seem worth any extra money. Both look like awesome fan-less machines.

  35. Daniel Gonzalez

    July 24, 2022 at 11:22 pm

    The M1 is nevertheless useful for a socially awkward and depressed student. Any task can be effectively handled by it.

    • Shah Bahram

      July 25, 2022 at 4:39 pm

      Weird take

  36. ponce

    July 25, 2022 at 12:00 pm

    i use like 8 tabs of safari and 2 excel tables……the m2 air base model can handle it regulary?

  37. Jay White

    July 25, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    I’ve got M1 MacBook Air 💻

  38. Jay White

    July 25, 2022 at 1:13 pm

    I’m really happy with my M1 MacBook Air 💻 I won’t be upgrading

  39. AppleBoy '

    July 25, 2022 at 7:48 pm

    Personal advice: If you buy a MacBook Air, Go with the M2. But if you already have the M1, you can skip the M2.

  40. Tolga A

    July 25, 2022 at 9:47 pm

    M2 16GB 512 FOR ME

  41. Chuy

    July 26, 2022 at 3:39 pm

    I’ll stick with my 2012 13” MacBook Pro till it explodes. It’s about to, to be honest…

  42. Toxir Abdumalikov

    July 26, 2022 at 7:09 pm

    Thank you for basically nothing, just stop reviews

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