I expected to like it, but it did feel too big when I tried it in an Apple store. It’s not just the little extra weight; holding it upright from an edge feels even heavier thanks to leverage of that extra weight sticking out further. My 14” M1 Pro doesn’t feel much different, just thicker, and is big enough for me.
Long term MBpro buyer here with a battery-fading Intel MBpro. I thought I'd "downgrade" the MBpro relative power/flexibility and go with this new MB Air. However, when I configured it as I wanted it, MBpros with equal specs and more flexibility/power could be had for about the same price, if not less. I'm apparently the odd Apple person who actually values hard-earned money so I don't like relative value collisions... especially when considering comparable RAM and SSD prices available on the PC side- where competitors compete instead of being only a single source of such components- to see "the Apple premium" in all its glory. 💰💰💰
So I "kicked the can" and simply opened up the Intel MBpro and replaced the battery myself. That was NOT fun with thoroughly glued-down batteries but the process yielded the prize. Battery cost about $55 and now I have about 10-hour battery life with full bootcamp (complete Windows) all in
one case. As a working Mac person, that 2-for-1 computer in a relatively small (
single) case is a big value. Some clients have some apps that are Windows only. If that keeps up, it makes me think that perhaps the next laptop may need to be a PC.

Then, finish the work on a desktop Mac back at home/office.
Bonus: no nuclear reactor required to power it, no frying eggs on it, etc. It's simply like a new MB again, as Apple themselves made it back when Intel and Intel POWER was coveted by all.
I don't recall it having 10-hour battery when it was brand new but maybe it did. Certainly "20-hour battery life" sounds great but I generally don't work 20-hour days on a laptop, nor even 10-hour days. So 10 is plenty for my purposes.
Now I think I'll ride this one until the wheels actually fall off, so maybe M4 or M5 gets fresh consideration. Or perhaps, it's my last Apple laptop since there is a NEED for (full) Windows but only a WANT for macOS when "on the road."
Had the upgrade pricing not been ridiculou$, I would have probably purchased this new one. But I opt to value the dollars more than just paying any price a corporation wants to fuel "another record quarter of revenue & profit" for shareholders. Maybe next time.