The new MacBook Air with M2 chip is now hitting the shelves and Mac lovers couldn’t be more excited. The 2022 MacBook Air is a big step up from the previous generation model, which while it had the first generation Apple Silicon chip, the M1, was largely the same as the 2018 Intel model. We all assumed that the generation 2022 could continue with the same design and just a new chip, as happened with Apple’s flagship chips. However, the 2022 MacBook Air is brand new. Brand new. Before we dive deep, know that the MacBook Air M2 comes in two variants in India. The base version with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and an 8-core GPU will set you back by Rs. 1,19,900. The top-end version has 512GB of storage, a 10-core GPU and a 35W dual-port power brick, priced at Rs. 1,49,900. You can get both models in four new colors – Midnight, Starlight, Silver and Space Grey. We have with us the base 256GB variant in the Space Gray configuration. The new MacBook Air M2 is new in terms of design. Gone is the wedge-shaped corner profile, and in its place sits a sturdy and chunky profile reminiscent of the 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro. As someone using the MacBook Air 2020, this new rounded profile is easier to hold and a breath of fresh air. The overall layout remains largely similar on the outside, except for the MagSafe charging port that sits alongside the two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. The 3.5mm audio jack also remains. Unfortunately, there are no USB-A or HDMI ports on the Air. Oh, and that Apple logo is bigger on the M2 model. Open the lid and that new laptop feeling continues. The MacBook Air gets the new notch0-style display from the Pro versions, keeping a new 1080p webcam. The notch looks unusual at first, but if you’re used to an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, it soon disappears from your peripheral vision. The rest of the bezels are thinner, but the “chin” is still as thick as the previous model. With all the fat reduction in the bezels, the screen is now 13.6 inches – notably larger than the 2020 model. The keyboard and trackpad layout is also largely similar, save for the full-sized Fn keys on top, and overall larger keycaps throughout. Even the fingerprint sensor has been enlarged. The speakers have gone from the sides and are now inside the hinge mechanism. In summary, the new MacBook Air M2 looks neat and modern compared to the M1 model.
Apple MacBook Air M2 Features at a Glance
While the design is fresh, there are several other new pieces that have caught our attention in the first few hours. First is the screen, which doesn’t look any bigger but is also brighter. This is still an LCD screen, and I wish Apple had found a way to use an OLED panel – most laptops at this price come with OLED screens as standard. Viewing angles also seem limited. Then there’s the new M2 chip, which promises modest gains over the M1 chip. This is a 5nm chip and we have yet to see its capabilities in a normal usage pattern. The M1 MacBook Air is still not impossible, and we can only wait to be surprised with the M2 chip. The new quad speakers also look promising and at first glance sound good. But is it better than the dual-speaker setup on the M1 and compared to the Windows laptop competition? Apple claims battery life is the same as the M1 model, and you still get a 30W charging brick in the box with the base 256GB model. However, the MacBook Air M2 supports Apple’s 67W fast charging that promises a 0-50 percent charge in 30 minutes. It sounds tempting and we need to find out if it works.
Apple MacBook Air M2 First Impressions
It’s only been a few hours with the new MacBook Air M2 and it already looks like a major step up from the previous generation model. The brand new design makes it refreshing and we assume it will prove to be more practical than the design of the older model. What we’re most excited to see is how the M2 chip fares in real-world performance situations, and if it’s possible to see gains in battery life. The MacBook Air M2 is already on sale right now, but if you want to see if M1 users should upgrade or if it’s great for those switching from a Windows laptop, stay tuned for our full review.
