Anyone excited about getting a Macbook Air M2?

[Technerd108]

Just picked up my base MBA (midnight) which replaced my M1 base. After just a couple of hours I am in love with the color, and definitely notice the slightly larger screen as well. Notch is not annoying at all, and battery is still stellar.

I am not a heavy user, but use outlook, excel, and of course safari and chrome with several tabs open each. Does everything perfectly, so I am a happy camper!

PS- I noticed Micro Center was $1099 (for the base) and I could have gone there, but there is a best buy just a couple of blocks from my office so I asked them to price match and they gladly obliged.

Midnight is such great color!

I am glad you were able to get a good deal and Best Buy matched the price!

It is a great laptop and I think it will serve you well! I think it will continue to grow on you over time too!

Enjoy it and thanks for sharing!

 

[rocketbuc]

My silver MacBook Air just arrived today, a day earlier than expected.
Great machine is what I can say so far...just setting it up now and over here in Switzerland it is already 1100pm. Will report back after I had the possibility to look at the machine in daylight and move some of my stuff over.

 

[1BadManVan]

My silver MacBook Air just arrived today, a day earlier than expected.
Great machine is what I can say so far...just setting it up now and over here in Switzerland it is already 1100pm. Will report back after I had the possibility to look at the machine in daylight and move some of my stuff over.

Nice! my replacement might be here next week. Luckily my issues are purely cosmetic so happily enjoying mine still while I wait for the new one to show up. Mine barely ever even feels warm, doing photo editing, YouTube in pip and a dozen tabs open, Facebook, messaging apps etc. All sitting on my couch on battery! lol

 

[driver111]

I have the 10 core, 16gb ,512 SSD.
I use it for mostly web, office, sh*t tonne of browsing tabs, research. This thing can go all day on battery, no heat no thottling. It lived up to my expectations. I always buy mid-range model to make sure it can last the years.

The base model would be fine for how I use it. But if I had 8gb ram instead of 16gb, ram swap would be happening, I think 8gb ram in 2yrs will be a struggle.

 

[geta]

I have the 10 core, 16gb ,512 SSD.
I use it for mostly web, office, sh*t tonne of browsing tabs, research. This thing can go all day on battery, no heat no thottling. It lived up to my expectations. I always buy mid-range model to make sure it can last the years.

The base model would be fine for how I use it. But if I had 8gb ram instead of 16gb, ram swap would be happening, I think 8gb ram in 2yrs will be a struggle.

How many open tabs you having, and how much ram/swap you using?

 

[Dealmans]

If you need 16gb may as well get a 14” base 16/512 on sale which is most people eventually, will last you longer.

 

[rocketbuc]

I am blown away by my first days with the MacBook Air. Everything is fast and the device is super light (old 2012 MacBook Pro is 2.0kg without the charger!). Still setting things up and moving files over (while doing a late spring cleaning).

One issue I have is how to effectively deal with the notch. I have installed TopNotch for a black menu bar but sometimes it still does not seem to work as expected.

Also, it is disappointing from Microsoft that you cannot install Teams (for M1) without Rosetta as there is still an audio driver or something that needs it. How slow can a company be to adapt to a new OS?

 

[fatpolomanjr]

Also, it is disappointing from Microsoft that you cannot install Teams (for M1) without Rosetta as there is still an audio driver or something that needs it. How slow can a company be to adapt to a new OS?

I thought they released a Universal app version for apple silicon devices. Mine says Universal while installed and not Intel, where I'm assuming Intel would require rosetta and Universal will prioritize apple silicon. Is there some driver issue that makes it use rosetta to run?

 

[whizkid11]

Love it. Love it. Love it. Best Apple
laptop ever. Has the form factor of the 14” pro without the weight and without the branding. Better keyboard like the older MacBook Pro.

Got the 16Gb version. Doesn’t even get warm when multitasking.

I take it everywhere with me in my backpack. Goes inside the Von Holzhausen portfolio. Have the shaggymax keyboard cutout cloth to “protect” the screen - although there’s an outline of the cloth that appears on the screen at times but no keyboard marks.

I have a MBP 14” for personal use but wanted something lighter and silent to use solely for med school. I love this MacBook.

Now if Apple can make an iPhone Pro without the notch and with a camera footprint like the 12 pro instead of the newer models where the camera sticks out like a sore thumb and doesn’t lie flat with the Apple case, it would be heaven.

 

[rocketbuc]

I thought they released a Universal app version for apple silicon devices. Mine says Universal while installed and not Intel, where I'm assuming Intel would require rosetta and Universal will prioritize apple silicon. Is there some driver issue that makes it use rosetta to run?

Mine also says Universal in the Finder info. However, to install MS Teams I needed to agree to download Rosetta 2. Not sure how to get rid of it again as I wanted to stay away from Non-Silicon software on my new machine.

 

[jdb8167]

Also, it is disappointing from Microsoft that you cannot install Teams (for M1) without Rosetta as there is still an audio driver or something that needs it. How slow can a company be to adapt to a new OS?

Everything else is now native Apple silicon. It’s just a poorly optimized audio driver now. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Think of it as a small piece of code that the developer never bothered to do any optimization for it. You probably would never notice it as long as it worked.

Not sure how to get rid of it again as I wanted to stay away from Non-Silicon software on my new machine.

Rosetta 2 is fine. You won’t even notice it. As far as I know the only way to get rid of it is to wipe and reinstall your OS. Definitely not worth the trouble in my opinion.

 

[rocketbuc]

I really love my Macbook after a few days of usage. Just one thing: I was so far unsuccessful in finding a good usb-c dock for it that does not break the bank.

My needs:
- Ethernet port
- HDMI or DisplayPort 4k 60Hz
- A few USB-A port
- Long or detachable USB-C cable (I would like to hide the dock under my deck, the short cables offered are not doing it)

Does anyone have suggestions? I thought about ordering the TwelveSouth StayGo which would have been perfect but it is 4k 30 (!) Hz.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[shoppy]

I have a 14” 16” and the air it’s all about choice. I am excited got a standard 512gb version. I initially was against it but I like the style and with an iPad Pro is a perfect companion for my travels

 

[ArkSingularity]

I really love my Macbook after a few days of usage. Just one thing: I was so far unsuccessful in finding a good usb-c dock for it that does not break the bank.

My needs:
- Ethernet port
- HDMI or DisplayPort 4k 60Hz
- A few USB-A port
- Long or detachable USB-C cable (I would like to hide the dock under my deck, the short cables offered are not doing it)

Does anyone have suggestions? I thought about ordering the TwelveSouth StayGo which would have been perfect but it is 4k 30 (!) Hz.
Any help is appreciated.

Would using a USB-C extension cable work for your workflow? I have a little extension cable with mine that helps me keep it neater on the desk, they're fairly cheap compared to getting some of the higher end docks (Amazon has USB4 extension cables for about $20, and there are plenty of inexpensive dongles that have the ports that you need).

Just make sure to get a USB4 cable, some of the cheaper ones don't have all of the pins required by the dongles.

 

[TSE]

I just picked up the M2 MacBook Air last week and am absolutely in love. I got 16 GBs of RAM, a 512 GB SSD, the 8-core GPU, and Silver.

This is coming from an M1 MacBook Air - this is my favorite Apple device I've ever owned.

 

[rocketbuc]

Would using a USB-C extension cable work for your workflow? I have a little extension cable with mine that helps me keep it neater on the desk, they're fairly cheap compared to getting some of the higher end docks (Amazon has USB4 extension cables for about $20, and there are plenty of inexpensive dongles that have the ports that you need).

Just make sure to get a USB4 cable, some of the cheaper ones don't have all of the pins required by the dongles.

Could definitely be an option. Do you have concrete suggestions? When I searched, it was challenging to find a right solution that is not >400 USD.

 

[rocketbuc]

I just picked up the M2 MacBook Air last week and am absolutely in love. I got 16 GBs of RAM, a 512 GB SSD, the 8-core GPU, and Silver.

This is coming from an M1 MacBook Air - this is my favorite Apple device I've ever owned.

Congrats on your purchase. We have almost the same configuration - I'm also very happy with my purchase. Super fast and cool to the touch.

 

[D3ggy]

I get mine Monday. 10 core 16gb ram and 512ssd

Really looking forward to it as it replaces my 2018 Air

 

[maka344]

I get mine Monday. 10 core 16gb ram and 512ssd

Really looking forward to it as it replaces my 2018 Air

Nice. What colour?

 

[ArkSingularity]

Could definitely be an option. Do you have concrete suggestions? When I searched, it was challenging to find a right solution that is not >400 USD.

Honestly, I generally have been pretty happy with some of the cheaper ones on Amazon. The $400 ones are expensive because they are thunderbolt hubs, the cheaper ones aren't and are just USB-C (and use USB 3.x and displayport protocols rather than routing everything through Thunderbolt). It does mean you probably won't want to connect a blazing fast nvme SSD through it, but for everything else they are more or less the same as their more expensive counterparts if all you need is a few extra ports.

 

[rocketbuc]

Honestly, I generally have been pretty happy with some of the cheaper ones on Amazon. The $400 ones are expensive because they are thunderbolt hubs, the cheaper ones aren't and are just USB-C (and use USB 3.x and displayport protocols rather than routing everything through Thunderbolt). It does mean you probably won't want to connect a blazing fast nvme SSD through it, but for everything else they are more or less the same as their more expensive counterparts if all you need is a few extra ports.

I agree with you. Would be great...but I have been unable to find an inexpensive one that fulfills my modest criteria above. If you have concrete suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

 

[TSE]

An underrated feature is the dual USB-port compact charger. I got that option, too. It's tiny, super portable, and there's not two ports. What's not to love?!

 

[1BadManVan]

An underrated feature is the dual USB-port compact charger. I got that option, too. It's tiny, super portable, and there's not two ports. What's not to love?!

I would have gone that route but I already have some anker 40w dual usb c chargers so I went for the 67 watt fast charger. Works like a charm

 

[transphasic]

I really don't understand the need of people who don't own an M2 MacBook Air even commenting on threads for the new air? Some don't own or have no intention of owning an M2 but talk as though they know all the problems with them.

Any device is not going to be perfect in every way and use case is probably the most important aspect with user satisfaction.

For people who have a M1 MBP I am sure if they are happy with it, that it is best for them, but why try to disparage owners of a completely different type of laptop and say it is not a good deal because it costs the same when the use case is different?

Sure on paper the MBP 14" has better specs and is a better laptop BUT most people are not just looking at specs but the actual device and how it works for them.

I am not going to go on threads and trash people who have a MBP 14" or 16" for example and say their computer sucks or was not a smart choice for any reason. I just don't get it?

I had pre-ordered the 14" MBP M1. I returned and I got a base 16". I returned it and bought a custom config of the 16" and I was very happy with it at first. I realized, a. I don't actually need the power it has in my daily use. b. that even though I loved the screen and speakers it was just way too heavy and I use my laptop on my lap or in other settings a lot and I was not using the Mac because it was just too big and cumbersome. Before the M2 air I would have NEVER even considered an air because I hated the outdated design.

Now with the M2 I love the design and felt it would better fit my use case and I could save a bit of money too.

Now that I own the M2 I feel like I made the right decision for me. Is the M2 air perfect? No. Is it the same as the Pro? No. Do I miss the Pro features-NO! The screen is not as nice in some ways as the Pro-no doubt but the air still has a really nice screen so it is not a problem for me. Are the speakers as good-NO but again the speakers on the air are good enough for me.

For me the portability and speed of the Air with the new design work much better than the Pro. Would I like Pro-Motion and Mini Led yes but the mini led also had some drawbacks to me.

So overall I am much happier with the air and it is certainly faster than my M1 Max 16' Pro in some tasks which is frankly pretty amazing.

The device doesn't get hot or throttle in my day to day use. The battery life is SO MUCH better than the Pro was.

All of the claimed issues with the screen, poor build quality or cheap-light-hollow feel of the M2 air I don't see and I am very picky about these things.

I have never owned a device where it almost seems like people are just looking for reasons to throw shade.

Maybe there are a lot of Pro users who for whatever reason slightly regret their purchase but spent a lot of money and feel tied to their devices and because they are envious of not having the absolute fastest machine in every way just want to justify in their mind why their device is still the best.

I have news for the Pro owners, you still have the best Mac available. But not everyone needs the BEST Mac for Pro's and can be happier with a "lesser" device. You still have the Pro-motion mini led screen, ports, and way more cores and gpu power.

For me the M2 Air with its higher clock speed and single core performance, super fast web browsing(fastest laptop there is at the moment) great battery life, improved GPU, light and portable machine that I enjoy using anywhere, great screen and incredible redesign are more than enough for me. That is why I prefer it over the M1 MBP. It is also cheaper than a custom config 14" and certainly cheaper than the 16" I had. I was able to sell my 16" buy a custom config M2 air, buy a new iPad Air and have money left over which was more important to me.

So while the 14" M1 MBP is on sale and is a really good buy right now I was able to get a discount on my custom config and a apple gift card for $150. So it was not the same price but even if it was I would still choose the air for the reasons I stated. I am not in a @ick measuring contest and want to brag about my device. My laptop is a tool to help me be more efficient and productive and the M2 Air is perfect for that. If I was a content creator or other type of "Pro" then an air clearly wouldn't work for me.

But again I wouldn't go and trash Pro users when the new M2 MBP goes out and say it just has an overclocked M1 and all the other stuff thrown our way. Basically for the M1 owners that were able to snag an M1 14" base model for $1599 you got a heck of a deal and the new M2 is only going to have an upgraded processor with everything else staying pretty much the same. Your M1 is still a beast so just calm down. Take a breath and relax.

You enjoy your M1 MBP and I will enjoy my M2 MBA. The thing is for Air users this moment is like when the M1 MBP came out. It has such a better design IMHO than the older M1 Air. It is finally an air that is fast enough and modern enough for me to buy and enjoy. YMMV!

It is not even a question for me so much about the specs of the speed/transfers, etc., there is a large group of laptop buyers who are focused on weight/portability, including myself.

I am not purchasing based upon processor speed or capability as my computer at home serves that purpose of heavier tasks if needed; the laptop is my home computer's "echo" operating outside my home where I travel to or visit.

It is lunacy to even get into an argument about whether the MBA or MBP is "better", its like debating whether a hammer or a screwdriver is a "better" tool - they serve almost totally different purposes. The more sensible argument is which iteration of the MBA or iteration of the MBP is a better value or fit for someone who has ALREADY decided which of the two laptops fit their particular need.

An MBA is apple's ultrabook built for maximum portability, for people who want a sub-3lb laptop and will use it almost exclusively outside their home - it was not really designed for heavy home use, though it can be if someone does not want or have the capacity to purchase two computers.

The MBP is meant for people who will be using the unit at home as their primary computer; its weight and size make it a desktop replacement, esp the 16 inch.

I think those who denigrate the MBA or whine about its "inferior" specs/capabilities to a MBP misunderstand what it was designed for, and who its proper market is. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[waquzy]

Got my base Midnight this morning and it’s an amazing piece of kit. Love the design and especially the weight.

It sure is a fingerprint magnet though, it’s even worse than I thought it would be. But it doesn’t really concern me that much.

Not bad for £939