Anyone excited about getting a Macbook Air M2?

[Technerd108]

With all the gloom and doom on this forum and through a lot of youtube reviews I was wondering if there are people who have had good experiences with their Macbook M2 Air's? Would they like to share their positive experiences?

What do you like most about the new air? What did you have before you got the air M2?

What do you like about the redesign the most? How good are the speakers and screen? Does it feel responsive in your daily use.

Lastly what do you use your air to do? What is your use case?

We have heard all of the negatives so those who don't have an M2 Macbook air I kindly ask that you don't contribute to this thread with the all to common reasons on why not to get it and buy a MBP 14" instead. Please.

Thank you! Really looking forward to hearing people's real world experiences.

 

[russell_314]

With all the gloom and doom on this forum and through a lot of youtube reviews I was wondering if there are people who have had good experiences with their Macbook M2 Air's? Would they like to share their positive experiences?

I love my M2 Air. Most of the YouTube crap on it is clickbait for view counts. Since YouTube pays per view I completely understand that. It's business.

What do you like most about the new air? What did you have before you got the air M2?

That the battery lasts forever and it's thin and light. I can take it anywhere. It replaced a 24" M1 iMac. I wanted something more portable. Even though I use it mostly on my desk I like being able to go somewhere else and use it. With the iMac that isn't really practical. I also like how bright the screen is. Using it in my apartment it's usually on about 50% brightness.

What do you like about the redesign the most? How good are the speakers and screen? Does it feel responsive in your daily use.

I think how slim the bezels are and MagSafe. I had MagSafe a long time ago on a 13" MacBook Pro and I was mad when Apple removed it. The speakers are better than any laptop I've owned but don't expect surround sound. I watch tons of YouTube videos so sound is important to me and I'm happy with it. I'm sure the one's on the MBP are better but that's too be expected due to size. It's very responsive to anything I do. I can't remember what apps now but I've had some that bounced a half a dozen times before launching but I suspect that's more of an issue with the app not the MacBook. It's not the norm with most apps. I think if you want to save money the M1 would do everything just as good without a few features like MagSafe or smaller bezels. I think the newer one is worth it but everyone's budget is different.

Lastly what do you use your air to do? What is your use case?

My use case is lots of web browsing, lots of watching YouTube, MS Office docs, Mail, Apple Notes, some Music, playing a little WoW Classic (Not regular WoW). That's all I can think of now. I'd say this is the main problem with the MacBook Air or Apple Silicon in general. People get upset when it's not performing like the MBP in some extended CPU or GPU intensive tasks but yeah it's not a MBP. With the Intel Air no one would bother with trying that because it would be silly.


I'm going to qualify my comments that I don't have one of the newer MBP to compare it to but I don't suspect it would change my opinion. I've used the $6k Studio display at the Apple Store and have a 144Hz gaming monitor for my PC and my eyes don't catch on fire when using my Air 🤣

 

[Technerd108]

I love my M2 Air. Most of the YouTube crap on it is clickbait for view counts. Since YouTube pays per view I completely understand that. It's business.


That the battery lasts forever and it's thin and light. I can take it anywhere. It replaced a 24" M1 iMac. I wanted something more portable. Even though I use it mostly on my desk I like being able to go somewhere else and use it. With the iMac that isn't really practical. I also like how bright the screen is. Using it in my apartment it's usually on about 50% brightness.


I think how slim the bezels are and MagSafe. I had MagSafe a long time ago on a 13" MacBook Pro and I was mad when Apple removed it. The speakers are better than any laptop I've owned but don't expect surround sound. I watch tons of YouTube videos so sound is important to me and I'm happy with it. I'm sure the one's on the MBP are better but that's too be expected due to size. It's very responsive to anything I do. I can't remember what apps now but I've had some that bounced a half a dozen times before launching but I suspect that's more of an issue with the app not the MacBook. It's not the norm with most apps. I think if you want to save money the M1 would do everything just as good without a few features like MagSafe or smaller bezels. I think the newer one is worth it but everyone's budget is different.


My use case is lots of web browsing, lots of watching YouTube, MS Office docs, Mail, Apple Notes, some Music, playing a little WoW Classic (Not regular WoW). That's all I can think of now. I'd say this is the main problem with the MacBook Air or Apple Silicon in general. People get upset when it's not performing like the MBP in some extended CPU or GPU intensive tasks but yeah it's not a MBP. With the Intel Air no one would bother with trying that because it would be silly.


I'm going to qualify my comments that I don't have one of the newer MBP to compare it to but I don't suspect it would change my opinion. I've used the $6k Studio display at the Apple Store and have a 144Hz gaming monitor for my PC and my eyes don't catch on fire when using my Air 🤣

What is your configuration?

 

[russell_314]

What is your configuration?

10c, 16 GB, 512 GB in silver. I probaly should have saved $200 with the 8c since for my use it isn't going to matter. I got the 16 GB of RAM in case I want to try Parallels again. I had the money so it's whatever.

 

[Technerd108]

10c, 16 GB, 512 GB in silver. I probaly should have saved $200 with the 8c since for my use it isn't going to matter. I got the 16 GB of RAM in case I want to try Parallels again. I had the money so it's whatever.

That sounds like a good configuration to get. The extra gpu cores certainly add a bit of horsepower. I have a similar config with the 8 core gpu.

I wonder if I should have gotten the extra gpu cores but for what I am going to do it is probably not needed.

Thanks for your responses. Good to know!

 

[russell_314]

That sounds like a good configuration to get. The extra gpu cores certainly add a bit of horsepower. I have a similar config with the 8 core gpu.

I wonder if I should have gotten the extra gpu cores but for what I am going to do it is probably not needed.

Thanks for your responses. Good to know!

I'm the same way when it comes to thinking maybe I should have picked a different config but I think either way I would be happy. I just thought in my head "maybe I should have went with the 1 TB version" but looked and I have 429 GB free. I have to make myself not overbuy. My plan is to keep this one for five years unless it dies or Apple comes out with something crazy to replace it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I upgraded from a base M1 MBA.

I really like the redesign of the MBA. I find it much easier to hold than the M1. I also like the slightly larger screen, MagSafe Charger, and the slightly better keyboard feel with the full size function keys and full size Touch ID. I haven't taken the M2 out of the house, yet, and probably won't, seeing how it is max specs. If I need to take a Mac with me, that duty now goes to the M1. I haven't had any problems with the M2 and feel good about my purchase.

 

[1BadManVan]

I was excited to get mine and still excited to own it. My first Mac, what a way to start the experience with these M series chips. I knew it would be quick since I have an M1 iPad, but the battery life is pretty incredible. dont listen to the negative crap around it, still one of the best thin and light 13" laptops you can buy

 

[KPOM]

I’ve had my M2 air since July (Midnight, 24GB/1TB) and like it a lot. It’s replaced my 14” Pro as my daily driver. The 24GB was a splurge but I do use VMs and like giving Windows 11 ARM 8GB. For most users I’d recommend the 16GB if you intend to keep it a few years.

In any case, the Air is significantly thinner and lighter than the 14” Pro (also a great machine), and it is plenty fast for most tasks.

 

[Shh]

I love my M1 and I really wanted to get the M2 Air, but I need a lot more power these days than it provides. Hopefully the new souped-up M2 MacBook Pros come out soon.

 

[Technerd108]

I love my M1 and I really wanted to get the M2 Air, but I need a lot more power these days than it provides. Hopefully the new souped-up M2 MacBook Pros come out soon.

It seems the a16 bionic will be on the same 5nm enhanced process. So I would imagine the M2 MBP should be released early next year with the same chip. Maybe even this year so hopefully not too much longer to wait.

 

[1BadManVan]

I love my M1 and I really wanted to get the M2 Air, but I need a lot more power these days than it provides. Hopefully the new souped-up M2 MacBook Pros come out soon.

What's your main usage with your current air?

 

[Shh]

What's your main usage with your current air?

4k video editing, photography, graphics designs, World of Warcraft.

 

[Scott-n-Houston]

I upgraded from a base M1 MBA.

I really like the redesign of the MBA. I find it much easier to hold than the M1. I also like the slightly larger screen, MagSafe Charger, and the slightly better keyboard feel with the full size function keys and full size Touch ID. I haven't taken the M2 out of the house, yet, and probably won't, seeing how it is max specs. If I need to take a Mac with me, that duty now goes to the M1. I haven't had any problems with the M2 and feel good about my purchase.

I could have written a lot of the above. I would add that I love the slightly brighter screen too. It's noticeable.
Also, I travel with mine a LOT. I take it to my office as well as on the road for work trips. The size, weight, battery combined with performance is incredible for me. It's the best machine I've ever owned.

I bought a 14" MBP to use alongside and compare with plans to return the M2, but ended up returning the MBP. The only benefit I got from the MBP was the nicer screen, but it's not enough of an improvement to offset the negatives of the MBP relative to the M2: lesser battery life and for day to day things, it was slower.
I don't have the use case that makes the MBP worth it, so back it went and I haven't missed it at all.

The M2 MBA, for my use cases of mostly professional stuff (e.g., email, MS Office, Zoom, etc.) along with web surfing, YouTube, Movies/TV, and personal photographs/movie editing, it's phenomenal. No over heating ... not even close ... and so dang fast.

I started with a Midnight base model, but upgraded to 16/512 and switched to Starlight. LOVE Starlight. Looks like jewelry.

 

[1BadManVan]

4k video editing, photography, graphics designs, World of Warcraft.

yea that sounds more like pro level work, depending how intense it is

 

[Shh]

yea that sounds more like pro level work, depending how intense it is

Currently the 4K video editing export makes my M1 cry from overheating. Have to point a big ol' hurricane box fan at it so it throttles less. And WoW is even worse. I'll go from being able to play at mid-high settings to having to drag the slider all the way down to the worst graphics while it lags at 15 fps. From what I've seen on YouTube, the Pro and Max M1's have zero issues with exporting and playing this particular game. I'll hold out for a bit longer and wait for M2's.

 

[joanbcn91]

You have to forget about forum trolls (they are always the same ones) and Youtubers who, as other people say, only make clickbait videos to make money.
The feeling you get when you take the MBA M2 is AWESOME. The thinness, the very light weight ... the screen ... the design .... There are no words. No other MacBook will give you that WOW feeling. The last time I remember this feeling was with the iPhone X and its big change.
In my case I have 8c/16/512 and it has more than enough power.
The battery life is spectacular. The screen brightness I have it at 50-60% at home.
In my case I use it for Web browsing, photo editing and some video, writing and it doesn't even flicker.
Without a doubt, it is the PERFECT MacBook. Buy it and when you have it in your hands you will know it.

 

[Shh]

You have to forget about forum trolls (they are always the same ones) and Youtubers who, as other people say, only make clickbait videos to make money.
The feeling you get when you take the MBA M2 is AWESOME. The thinness, the very light weight ... the screen ... the design .... There are no words. No other MacBook will give you that WOW feeling. The last time I remember this feeling was with the iPhone X and its big change.
In my case I have 8c/16/512 and it has more than enough power.
The battery life is spectacular. The screen brightness I have it at 50-60% at home.
In my case I use it for Web browsing, photo editing and some video, writing and it doesn't even flicker.
Without a doubt, it is the PERFECT MacBook. Buy it and when you have it in your hands you will know it.

Tell us how you really feel.

 

[MajorFubar]

How are we 17 replies in with no sign of @fisherking ?

 

[1BadManVan]

How are we 17 replies in with no sign of @fisherking ?

im pretty sure he got suspended.

 

[MajorFubar]

im pretty sure he got suspended.

Ah, shame (maybe...I didn't see his offending post so I cannot judge).
This was definitely the thread in which he could shine.
Wonder how long he's in MR prison for?
I cannot gloat though, I too was in MR prison for a week for calling an *** hole an *** hole.
Turns out it's best just to use the report button.

 

[1BadManVan]

Ah, shame (maybe...I didn't see his offending post so I cannot judge).
This was definitely the thread in which he could shine.
Wonder how long he's in MR prison for?
I cannot gloat though, I too was in MR prison for a week for calling an *** hole an *** hole.
Turns out it's best just to use the report button.

Haha yup, served my time last month for pretty much the same thing. The instigators seem to get the protection

 

[TorontoSS]

I upgraded from a 2020 intel MBA which I had spec'd to i5 16GB 256. I now have a 10c/8GB/512 MBA.

My use case is really just browsing, Word, a little powerpoint, One Note, and Apple TV/Netflix. I really really wondered if i should get 16GB. I didn't because £200 was too steep and i would have been in 14MBP territory. Knowing i don't need MBP power I just held off. i still get memory anxiety but that's ONLY because i have activity monitor open.

The performance has been literally flawless and i've had the machine since late July. the memory pressure is generally in green but from time to time it goes to yellow and goes back green. that tells me it's fine. I have no problem but youtube videos make you think you need so much. If this was priced 200£ less, I would have gone for the extra memory. But honestly it has been working great.

I LOVE the battery. i didn't need to get rid of my intel mac. in fact i did get 16gb on the intel one two years ago for longevity but the battery was really really bothering me. A lot. any sort of browsing/work/ would make the battery go down significantly. the M2 can last days. I have had so many zoom calls which last hours. Around 2-3 hours and the battery just keeps going nicely. the computer runs so smoothly.

I think it's an amazing machine. Love the screen, the battery, and ulitmately how fast and smooth everything is.

 

[Ifti]

I'll be ordering mine in the next few days - looking to get the 10core GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.
Mine is a secondary system - I have a M1 Max MBP 16" on my desk upstairs, which I use for everything at the moment, but plan to mainly use it as my workhorse FCPX machine, but I want a more portable system I can use around the house and keep in my bag etc.

 

[Ifti]

I'll be ordering mine in the next few days - looking to get the 10core GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.
Mine is a secondary system - I have a M1 Max MBP 16" on my desk upstairs, which I use for everything at the moment, but plan to mainly use it as my workhorse FCPX machine, but I want a more portable system I can use around the house and keep in my bag etc.

And with that, it's been ordered!!!