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While we’re all patiently waiting for Tim Cook to wander across the stage later today at Apple’s annual iPhone launch event, I thought I’d fill the void with some non-rumour-based waffle about an existing product.
Yes, it’s the M2 MacBook Air. Again. And, no, I’m not going to mention the things I said I’d never mention ever again.
Instead, I’m going to highlight five things that I’ve learned about Apple’s latest thin slab of computing loveliness during the time I’ve spent with it (which is considerable).
It’s rarely seen in the wild
Have you seen an M2 MacBook Air in the wild yet?
I appreciate it takes a while for brand-new devices to infiltrate everyday life, but I made the same observation about the AirPods Max a couple of months after their launch and nearly two years later they’re still nowhere to be seen.
I’ve done a fair bit of travelling recently, too, therefore I know this isn’t limited to Warwickshire.
My guess? The price of the M2 MacBook Air is going to make it a very slow burn in terms of it ever reaching ‘at least one in every coffee shop’ status.
The battery performance is even better
The crowning glory of the M1 MacBook Air was its battery performance. The in-use time was better than any other laptop I’ve used, but it was the standby time that really knocked my socks off. That thing lasts for weeks off charge.
I have a feeling the M2 MacBook Air has even more stamina.
Now, if you know me, you know I’m not about to throw a bunch of numbers at you; I have undertaken zero tests or comparisons between the two laptops when it comes to battery performance. And I never will.
But the M2 MacBook Air feels even better when it comes to standby time. I spent a long time with the M1 MacBook Air, and I’ve been welded to the M2 version since it arrived. I’m therefore acutely aware of how these batteries perform, and Apple has clearly continued its quest to make these the most convenient laptops ever.
It might be the best LAPtop ever
While we’re on the subject of convenience, it’s impossible to talk about the M2 MacBook Air without referring to its design and the benefits that provides in the real world.
The M2 MacBook Air weighs 2.7 pounds. Its predecessor clocks in at 2.8 pounds. That’s the most marginal of differences, but in reality, the new kid on the block feels so much lighter.
It’s a smart trick that has been achieved by swapping the wedge design for consistent height and depth all around. As a result, it’s the easiest laptop to swing under your arm or carry one-handed while open.
However, when you place the M2 MacBook Air on your lap, that’s where the magic happens. I’ve never used a laptop that’s as easy to type on or as comfortable when used as the name encourages.
Confidence grows – quickly
It takes me a while to trust the robustness of a device. This was particularly the case with the M2 MacBook Air which feels far too light and thin to be durable.
But it is. You can chuck this thing around a bit without worry. I haven’t bent it in my backpack, either (partly aided by an awesome hard case from Inateck).
I’m not quite at the stage of haphazardly placing stuff on top of it or, god forbid, applying stickers… but I think I’ll get there sooner than I thought.
It’s still the best writing device
I’ve dabbled with the iPad and Magic Keyboard combo for writing. I’ve really tried. Like, really tried.
But I always come back to the MacBook Air.
The combination of macOS, a lovely keyboard, and, in the M2 MacBook Air’s case, the best possible lap companion means I always turn to Apple’s thinnest notebook for writing duties.
If you’re a writer or someone who spends a lot of time bashing stuff into the keyboard, I don’t think you’ll find a better device for the task.
Final thought
Oddly (perhaps, tellingly) I’m still yet to hear from many people who have actually bought an M2 MacBook Air. There have been brief mentions here and there in the comments sections of my videos, but the M1 version still garners far more discussion.
I’m therefore interested – have you bought an M2 MacBook Air? If so, what has been your experience? And if you haven’t bought one, what’s stopped you from doing so?
Get involved in the comments section!
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Got an M2 to replace my M1 and love it for all the reasons you state. M1 was great but this is better.
On spotting it in the wild: around here I’m afraid most of the MacBooks I see in my local coffee shop (besides mine which is paid for by work) still have the glowing logo in the lid! People really do hang on to these things for a long time.
M2 here! It’s replaced my iPad Pro as my go-to device when at home and took the M2 on a road trip a few weeks ago and left the iPad Pro at home even though the Pro has a cellular plan. I used my phone, when needed, as a hot spot but relied on hotel WiFi for most of the trip. I have another trip coming up and I will need to bring the work laptop (15″ MacBook Pro). I don’t see the need to travel with two laptops so will probably bring the iPad Pro along.
Noted, I replaced a 2017 MacBook Pro with the M2 Air, I was due 🙂
Haven’t got one yet, but soon, very soon… Can’t wait, this laptop seems just amazing, from what I’ve read (most of it courtesy of you).
I’m not sure why, but since I’ve got older the ‘allure’ of buying the latest and greatest releases from Apple has started to wane. Whilst I can easily convince myself that I ‘need’ a new laptop, phone or iPad the reality is that I usually don’t. Instead of convincing myself that I’m missing something I now have to convince myself that the device I want to replace is actually incapable of doing what I ask of it.
Take my M1 MacBook Air as an example, it’s lightweight, it’s portable and it has a phenomenal battery life. It’s also one of the most utilitarian Apple devices I’ve ever owned. The M2 Air would offer me a small increase in performance and a marginal improvement in battery life. Do those improvements mean my M1 won’t do what I ask of it? No! So, whilst I’d invariably love to own a M2 Air it actually wouldn’t do anything for me that my M1 won’t. So, short of winning one, or being offered one at a knockdown price, I can’t see me replacing my M1 anytime soon.
The thing I am afraid about MacBook Air M2 is the heating issue and it’s effect on the long run on the performance and the laptop it self
I almost ordered one as my only mac, but there is too little difference in (felt) weight and price to the minimum M1 Pro with so many useful things: much better screen, hdmi (I’d carry an adapter around and would need to plug in on the left side), sound, computing power if needed, and still smaller dimensions than the old airs. For me, the pro has become too light and small to warrant an air. I upgrade from dinosaur i7 2012 hardware, so I probably won’t even touch the M1 pro power for a while but who knows what developers come up with in the next decade.