Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
2022 MacBook Air Rumors: Non-Tapered Design With Notched Mini-LED Display, MagSafe, 'M2' Chip, and More
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The one thing that I think will save us from white bezel hell is the notch. You can’t hide a white notch the way you can with a black one.
They update their CPU cores every year, so I think it’s safe to expect yearly updates.
If the MBP is any indication, we'll probably see the M1 MBA stick around at $999 or $899 and then this M2 will start at $1199 or $1299.
Those colors are way too saturated and vibrant for today's Apple. The current iPad Air has about as much vibrance as Apple is comfortable with. Even on the iMac they hid the bold color on the back and went with something pale for the sides and front.
In other words: the iMac Pro might soon be the only Mac with straight black bezels. Didn’t see that one coming.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Do we really think M2 would seem to step back from something branded M1 (Pro & Max)? Yes, I know how things have been done with A-series processors. But why not proceed directly to M2 Pro & Max instead of "only" M2... then wait-wait-wait for the equivalents of what was just released in M2 pro & max? Again, I understand how things have worked with A-series chips over the years but M is not obligated to replicate the A pattern.
Does iMac 27-30" roll out with M2 while laptops released about "6" months ago have "tangibly more power/capabilities?" Are we enthusiastic about that if that's how it rolls? Premier Apple desktops NOT as toe-to-toe powerful as 6-month-old laptops optimized for mobile/battery power?
And for what real purpose? Once the "power" cat is out of the bag, why somewhat put it back in? If Pro & Max are basically M-Series release 2, shouldn't release 3 build upon them in what amounts to 2-4 or 5 Macs to be updated: iMac 27-30, maybe Mac Mini, Pro and/or maybe hypothetical Pro Jr... plus one laptop model (air)?
I would think that other than those who really need new desktops, the reveal of Pro & Max begs for "waiting" on M2 Pro & Max if "only" M2 is rolled out in the next round. Unless I really needed a new Mac, I'd probably wait for Fall if M2 doesn't tangibly overrun these new M1 chips.
The trick with applying A-series updates is that, in general, the bulk of the products that use the new chip almost entirely roll out at the same time of year- FALL (with only a few exceptions). Here you have a diverse line of Macs that seems like they will NOT all get on a big annual release schedule... so which makes the most sense to get the "higher number" chip? To me, it seems the "power" Macs should have the most powerful chips. If M2 is not Pro & Max updated, would it be seen as the most powerful chip or would Macs not traditionally viewed as the most powerful Macs have the power Ms and the big desktops have what might be argued as a weaker one?
If we envision iPhone tick-tock like updates, would an iMac (bigger) roll out with M2 and then iMac 24" get M2 Pro & Max in the Fall? That doesn't seem to make much sense.
Or would we envision maybe M1 Pro & Max in these spring releases too?
Or the config CHOICES of new Macs with M2 OR M1 Pro & Max? It seems pretty easy to envision arguments flying against the new M2 because M1 Pro & Max have "more power"... unless M2 is better in the ways that Pro & Max are now... which then seems to effectively point to building on M2 Pro & Max vs. some M2 minus those goodies that came with those new chips.
None of this is any kind of attack on Apple. As a consumer of Apple products, I'm simply thinking out loud... and questioning the broad assumption that M-series will tick-tock just like A-series chips have. Given that computing devices mostly plugged in don't need optimization that phones/tablets need, I'm not seeing WHY that's an applicable assumption. Instead, I'm thinking we just had the second generation of M revealed to us. Wow! Very impressive gains!!!
The traditionally MOST powerful Macs that still need to transition seem like they should get a third generation that rises even higher in ALL the ways that these do. Else, what happens in the fourth round of Mac upgrades next fall: several with M1s now inherit the M2 and those upgraded in the spring get upgraded again to M2 pro & max or M3 in the Fall (2 iterations of iMac 27-30 in 2022 in only about 6-8 months)?
Or would laptops- like iPhone- generally lead with the most powerful M chips and desktops generally be behind a M-chip generation/iteration?
Regardless of naming and A-series tick-tock history, I would think the premier desktops of iMac (bigger) and maybe Pro probably MUST step up M again... not with a higher number printed on the chip but with equivalent pro & max power upgrade. Maybe M2 for Air and Mini and M2 Pro & Max for iMac (bigger) and Pro/Pro Jr?
Does iMac 27-30" roll out with M2 while laptops released about "6" months ago have "tangibly more power/capabilities?" Are we enthusiastic about that if that's how it rolls? Premier Apple desktops NOT as toe-to-toe powerful as 6-month-old laptops optimized for mobile/battery power?
And for what real purpose? Once the "power" cat is out of the bag, why somewhat put it back in? If Pro & Max are basically M-Series release 2, shouldn't release 3 build upon them in what amounts to 2-4 or 5 Macs to be updated: iMac 27-30, maybe Mac Mini, Pro and/or maybe hypothetical Pro Jr... plus one laptop model (air)?
I would think that other than those who really need new desktops, the reveal of Pro & Max begs for "waiting" on M2 Pro & Max if "only" M2 is rolled out in the next round. Unless I really needed a new Mac, I'd probably wait for Fall if M2 doesn't tangibly overrun these new M1 chips.
The trick with applying A-series updates is that, in general, the bulk of the products that use the new chip almost entirely roll out at the same time of year- FALL (with only a few exceptions). Here you have a diverse line of Macs that seems like they will NOT all get on a big annual release schedule... so which makes the most sense to get the "higher number" chip? To me, it seems the "power" Macs should have the most powerful chips. If M2 is not Pro & Max updated, would it be seen as the most powerful chip or would Macs not traditionally viewed as the most powerful Macs have the power Ms and the big desktops have what might be argued as a weaker one?
If we envision iPhone tick-tock like updates, would an iMac (bigger) roll out with M2 and then iMac 24" get M2 Pro & Max in the Fall? That doesn't seem to make much sense.
Or would we envision maybe M1 Pro & Max in these spring releases too?
Or the config CHOICES of new Macs with M2 OR M1 Pro & Max? It seems pretty easy to envision arguments flying against the new M2 because M1 Pro & Max have "more power"... unless M2 is better in the ways that Pro & Max are now... which then seems to effectively point to building on M2 Pro & Max vs. some M2 minus those goodies that came with those new chips.
None of this is any kind of attack on Apple. As a consumer of Apple products, I'm simply thinking out loud... and questioning the broad assumption that M-series will tick-tock just like A-series chips have. Given that computing devices mostly plugged in don't need optimization that phones/tablets need, I'm not seeing WHY that's an applicable assumption. Instead, I'm thinking we just had the second generation of M revealed to us. Wow! Very impressive gains!!!
The traditionally MOST powerful Macs that still need to transition seem like they should get a third generation that rises even higher in ALL the ways that these do. Else, what happens in the fourth round of Mac upgrades next fall: several with M1s now inherit the M2 and those upgraded in the spring get upgraded again to M2 pro & max or M3 in the Fall (2 iterations of iMac 27-30 in 2022 in only about 6-8 months)?
Or would laptops- like iPhone- generally lead with the most powerful M chips and desktops generally be behind a M-chip generation/iteration?
Regardless of naming and A-series tick-tock history, I would think the premier desktops of iMac (bigger) and maybe Pro probably MUST step up M again... not with a higher number printed on the chip but with equivalent pro & max power upgrade. Maybe M2 for Air and Mini and M2 Pro & Max for iMac (bigger) and Pro/Pro Jr?
$1299 for 256/8 would be perfect. M2 512/16 would cost $1699 and helps to upsell some customers to get the base MBP.
I would rather have an extra USB C port on the right side than MagSafe on the Air. In my view the MBP redesign is most appealing to those who make videos & do heavy 3D rendering. Developing software does not require old ports. With the M1 chip the Air has become my pro machine, it does everything I previously needed my pre-2021 MBP 16" without any noise and without getting hot. I'd be happy if they make the mentioned screen improvements, add a USB C port, & I'd also like a TouchBar option on the Air.
I would say that the pattern is pretty clear - the first M1 MBA and MBP 13 were "transitional" models with the M1 put in old-style housings. The 24" iMac, the first ground-up Apple Silicon design, shows the new "Design Language" for consumer machines - multi colours with white bezels & keyboard - and now the M1 Pro/Max MBPs show the design language for "pro" machines - space grey or silver with black bezels/keyboard.
...except, as the article points out, the notch messes up the whole idea of the white bezel, because you can hide a black notch against a black bezel by making the "ears" black (i.e. no light emitted) but it's harder to hide a white notch against a white bezel by making the ears white, because you're trying to mimic reflected light with emitted light. In dark/fullscreen mode you'd need a honking great white light-emitting bar at the top of the screen, and in light mode, on the desktop... well, the notch would be less prominent than a black one, but it's not going to disappear.
Ho hum... no the notch is not important in the great scheme of things, but that doesn't stop it being stupid.
Ty98 also said that the next MacBook Air will "look much better" because Apple will eliminate the current wedge design that has been synonymous with the company's thinnest notebook since October 2010, when the tapered unibody chassis was introduced.
Look better? Who has ever thought the functional, comfy-to-use wedge design looked “bad?” SMH
Hopefully there is a 12" and 14" version of the new Air.
can they lose the stupid air name already? its so irrelevant in 2021. just call it the MacBook and have it come in different price points like they do with the pro. save the confusion
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
The just-released iPad Mini 6 has a 1080p FaceTime camera in a very thin top bezel with no notch. I don't have a caliper to be precise but it looks like it is 10mm. It is possibly the SAME camera in these new MBpros. I presume the new MB top bezel is slimmer than the iPad Mini bezel. Else, if they can fit 1080p FT cameras in Mini and Pro iPads (which do have M1), it could be done in Mac screens too.
If the "extra image" argument applies, what about using the iPad 10mm bezel at top and slightly dropping the whole screen with the "extra image" down the few mm necessary to "fit" the 1080p camera in the bezel just like iPads? That seems like it would please those who "love the notch" because it "adds extra screen to the left & right" (with the bonus of getting the middle too) AND jettison the notch for those who don't like the look.
I don't know what the top bezel size is on new Mac with notch, but 10 minus whatever it is would point to the overall screen shift DOWN need to dump the notch and deliver all of the "extra image" including the image that would be there if not obscured by a notch.
If there is insufficient room for such a shift without requiring no/too-thin bezel at the bottom, maybe make all Macs a few mm taller to "absorb" the notch cutout AND deliver the "extra screen". If that turns out to be 5-7mm taller, I'm questioning if anyone would tangibly notice or care. 7mm more would still fit the same laptop bags, is certainly NOT "fat bezels," etc.
Personally, I do think the bezel on the Mini 6 is a terrific width: much thinner than before but enough to work in the camera without taking a "bite" out of the screen. Comparing it to my Intel 15" MBpro, it's easily half of the width of the bezels in that MBpro.
Last edited:
I loved my second gen MBA, in particular for it’s shape and the ease with which you could type all day long on it. I’ve moved on to an M1 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and didn’t think about this previously, but the keyboard being so flat is one reason it’s just so great to type on - there is no added height so my forearms and wrists rest naturally flat on the desk.
In regards to the looks of the MBA, what I would say is it’s a design that could use updating, as it does have the look of a device from more than 10 years ago, and has been copied over the years. They could bring back the form of the MacBook, which was really a flat version of the Air.
Add a 1080p camera and this will be the best computer for 95%+ of the general population.
I suspect the M2 will either meet if not marginally exceed performance compared to M1 Pro and M2 Pro will see similar performance increases. It will keep the entry level cpu and gpu performance a year or generation behind the Pro branding.
I was thinking about purchasing a MacBook Air, but I think I’ll wait. There’s a good possibility that we could see a bunch of new Macs in the spring, along with larger iMacs and the rumored new Mac Mini. My guess is that they’ll wait for WWDC to announce a Mac Pro, but I may be wrong. Spring tends to be the time they announce education-friendly devices, and my guess is the MacBook Air sells well to college students.
ProMotion will probably be assigned to “Pro” labeled products like iPad, iPhone, laptops and possibly AIO.
The overall thickness will be slightly slimmer than the thickest portion of the wedge.
I like the wedge it’s a shame but curious to see what Apple delivers.