Are you satisfied with your m2 air?

[chrono1081]

which configuration air did you get? Im doing the same thing today when I found a stock one at the store... thinking up switching from M1 MPB Base for the new form factor, lighter and battery.... my current battery is at 85%

I have the 8 core CPU, 10 core GPU, 16 gigs ram, 1tb hard drive. I am utterly impressed with this machine. I use it even more than my M1 MacBook Pro work machine just because 1. It's more convenient to lug around and 2. I don't get fired if it gets stolen.

 

[geta]

I have the 8 core CPU, 10 core GPU, 16 gigs ram, 1tb hard drive. I am utterly impressed with this machine. I use it even more than my M1 MacBook Pro work machine just because 1. It's more convenient to lug around and 2. I don't get fired if it gets stolen.

With your work flow/needs, why did you choose 16GB instead of 24GB?
and how is the memory swap?

PS, would you mind making speedtest to the 1TB SSD? wondering how fast it is…

 

[Pug72]

I went through 5 14"s over the past year, trust me when I say the notch will be noticable regardless of Mini LED or LCD Backlit. Backlit might show it more but it's not as if the Mini LED makes the notch disappear on a black background.

I cannot see the notch at all with a black menu bar or full screen browsing/watching media.
The Mini LED off either side of the notch absolutely makes the notch disappear.

It's one of the reasons I'm chuffed I went for it over the Air.

 

[erkanasu]

I got an M1 16gb coming in mail, waiting forever

So what the reason having tried the M2 Base, that you wouldn’t go M2 instead?

I’m flip flopping and thinking about truing M2 instead

actually, I tried the 1499 m2. many reasons, bad speakers, regressed design imo, too hot, -- I found my self more drawn to using the wedge design

 

[kp98077]

actually, I tried the 1499 m2. many reasons, bad speakers, regressed design imo, too hot, -- I found my self more drawn to using the wedge design

speakers are bad!

 

[MacRail]

This is what I’m talking about. The M2 MBA is fantastic to use. People trash talk like it’s some failed products yet they have not even use it before. Actually it’s damn good and even better than the M1 MBA. It’s like the in between of the MBP 14 and the M1 MBA. Apple didn’t priced this wrong.

And I realize that most know this, but if you're coming to the M2 MBA from an Intel MacBook Pro, the difference is even more pronounced. I'm just blown away. (Interestingly - weight difference hardly noticeable. But the thin-ness - yup.)

 

[Juuro]

speakers are bad!

The speakers are bad compared to the MacBook Pros, those speakers are in a different class for notebooks.
But compared to the M1 Air the speakers of the M2 Air are not bad. They are very similar. For my ears they are a little bit better than those in the M1 Air. In the M1 Air I feel that the highest heights are a little bit distorted and in the M2 Air the heights are fine. Both are lacking base, of course.

And I realize that most know this, but if you're coming to the M2 MBA from an Intel MacBook Pro, the difference is even more pronounced. I'm just blown away. (Interestingly - weight difference hardly noticeable. But the thin-ness - yup.)

I come from the M1 Air and the thin-ness is the one feature that is the most surprising to me. From the images the M2 Air looks like it's very similar to the 14" MBP in form. Also I thought the old Air would still feel thinner because of the thinner front because of the shape. But every time I pick that thing up, no matter if open or not, I think how crazy thin it is and feels.

 

[Dnzilla]

actually, I tried the 1499 m2. many reasons, bad speakers, regressed design imo, too hot, -- I found my self more drawn to using the wedge design

Ok thanks for detail, so your argument is it’s too incremental an upgrade, save the money right?

I’ll wait for my 16gb M1 then cause I reckon 8gb won’t be ok for having too many apps open for next 5 years 😶

 

[Dnzilla]

The speakers are bad compared to the MacBook Pros, those speakers are in a different class for notebooks.
But compared to the M1 Air the speakers of the M2 Air are not bad. They are very similar. For my ears they are a little bit better than those in the M1 Air. In the M1 Air I feel that the highest heights are a little bit distorted and in the M2 Air the heights are fine. Both are lacking base, of course.


I come from the M1 Air and the thin-ness is the one feature that is the most surprising to me. From the images the M2 Air looks like it's very similar to the 14" MBP in form. Also I thought the old Air would still feel thinner because of the thinner front because of the shape. But every time I pick that thing up, no matter if open or not, I think how crazy thin it is and feels.

Isn’t partial issue also ppl saying base not good enough?

 

[geekiemac]

Very happy with mine (8c CPU, 10c GPU, 16/512 M2 ✨). Coming from a 7-year-old MBR 12" it's a quantum leap anyway. On day one I missed the lightweight, I missed the wedge design, and then got used to the new form factor quite quickly. I had no problem getting used to the keyboard, though - it's fabulous compared to the MBR's butterfly. I've never typed so fast and so accurately.

 

[erkanasu]

Ok thanks for detail, so your argument is it’s too incremental an upgrade, save the money right?

I’ll wait for my 16gb M1 then cause I reckon 8gb won’t be ok for having too many apps open for next 5 years 😶

To me, the m2 almost felt like a downgrade

Yeah, good call

 

[Scott-n-Houston]

Very happy with mine (8c CPU, 10c GPU, 16/512 M2 ✨). Coming from a 7-year-old MBR 12" it's a quantum leap anyway. On day one I missed the lightweight, I missed the wedge design, and then got used to the new form factor quite quickly. I had no problem getting used to the keyboard, though - it's fabulous compared to the MBR's butterfly. I've never typed so fast and so accurately.

M3 to0! Loove th e accruacy of tis ting!

 

[tgwaste]

in case anyone cares

[intel mac mini (2tb)]
write speed : 1280.87 Mb/s
read speed : 6183.44 Mb/s

[m1 mac mini (2tb)]
write speed : 1629.63 Mb/s
read speed : 10087.39 Mb/s

[m2 mac air (2tb)]
write speed : 2128.68 Mb/s
read speed : 10067.34 Mb/s

 

[Apple_Robert]

in case anyone cares

[intel mac mini (2tb)]
write speed : 1280.87 Mb/s
read speed : 6183.44 Mb/s

[m1 mac mini (2tb)]
write speed : 1629.63 Mb/s
read speed : 10087.39 Mb/s

[m2 mac air (2tb)]
write speed : 2128.68 Mb/s
read speed : 10067.34 Mb/s

That is very good speed for the M2 2TB. I had the 1TB (which I just returned) and ordered the 2TB version. If I remember correctly, I got anywhere from 23-2700 on the write speed for the M2 1TB, which is still impressive.

 

[chrono1081]

With your work flow/needs, why did you choose 16GB instead of 24GB?
and how is the memory swap?

PS, would you mind making speedtest to the 1TB SSD? wondering how fast it is…

I was poised to get the 24 gigs but after watching a real world test on MaxTech I opted for 16. He had a ridiculous amount of tabs open, lots of filters running in light room, and a bunch of other stuff going on and it stayed neck in neck pretty much the entire way with (if memory serves) a 24 gig M1 Pro (he has so many videos so I'm not sure which one it is). After seeing that test I decided it probably wasn't worth it for me to spend on 24 gig.

If I did a lot more video I would probably go with the 24 gigs of RAM but I do more 3D and programming work and so far with everything I threw at my machine nothing used swap yet which is super weird (especially Houdini who snarfs ram on my other machine).

I don't now what it is about the M chips but everything I've used uses far less ram than what my i9 MBP does.

As for the HD test, I ran one but I couldn't let it finish since it was taking forever and I had work to do but it averaged between 3200 MB/s write 2900 MB/s read and 2850 write and 2640 read depending on whatever data packet was being sent by the Black Magic HD speed test software. Most tests landed in the middle of those two ranges.

 

[geta]

I was poised to get the 24 gigs but after watching a real world test on MaxTech I opted for 16. He had a ridiculous amount of tabs open, lots of filters running in light room, and a bunch of other stuff going on and it stayed neck in neck pretty much the entire way with (if memory serves) a 24 gig M1 Pro (he has so many videos so I'm not sure which one it is). After seeing that test I decided it probably wasn't worth it for me to spend on 24 gig.

If I did a lot more video I would probably go with the 24 gigs of RAM but I do more 3D and programming work and so far with everything I threw at my machine nothing used swap yet which is super weird (especially Houdini who snarfs ram on my other machine).

I don't now what it is about the M chips but everything I've used uses far less ram than what my i9 MBP does.

As for the HD test, I ran one but I couldn't let it finish since it was taking forever and I had work to do but it averaged between 3200 MB/s write 2900 MB/s read and 2850 write and 2640 read depending on whatever data packet was being sent by the Black Magic HD speed test software. Most tests landed in the middle of those two ranges.

Tnx, finally real world experience and usage!

Still debating between 16GB & 24GB… but when i read what you using yours for, i think 16GB should do the job.

One more question, with your work flow how hot it gets (If any..)?

 

[chrono1081]

Tnx, finally real world experience and usage!

Still debating between 16GB & 24GB… but when i read what you using yours for, i think 16GB should do the job.

One more question, with your work flow how hot it gets (If any..)?

Honestly it barely got warm. The bottom didnt even warm up, the heat comes out through the keyboard but again it’s so little heat it’s a non issue. I dont have a good way to describe the heat but its very slight.

 

[Queen6]

Still of the same mind if the base model M2 Air doesn't outperform the base model M1 Pro I'll skip it. Arguably the base 14" would serve better, equally at this point in time I don't have the need.

Overall those coming from an Intel based Mac are going to be in for a treat. Those coming from an M1 need to spec wisely and be prepared to upgrade, validate the value for their own usage.

I don't think the M2 Air is a bad system, weak on the base SSD yes, throttling is overblow fanless and all. That said Apple could just be an hard place with escalating pricing for 128GB nand chips and placing the M2 Air too close to the 14" MBP for comfort makes no sense at the $1200 mark.

n.b. my M1 13" MBP is a secondary system and that is a driving factor for my needs & expectations.

Q-6

 

[TorontoSS]

I got the 8GB/512 standard config and I'm very happy with it. I'm coming from a 2020 intel laptop which had 16GB and 256. Honestly the main reason i'm upgrading is because of the battery on the intel laptop. I use my laptop v lightly but found that the battery was awful. I didn't upgrade the RAM simply because I thought if I did, it would get too close to the 14 MBP category - the price was high as it is. As i'm someone who uses the computer for safari, word, powerpoint and Apple TV/Netflix, I didn't see a reason to upgrade RAM. hoping it still lasts about 4 years and i'll be happy. I know it's smart to update RAM but I just couldn't justify with the price but everything on the macbook air is just so good. i love the screen, and the form factor the most. Find it very speedy and responsive!

 

[Queen6]

I got the 8GB/512 standard config and I'm very happy with it. I'm coming from a 2020 intel laptop which had 16GB and 256. Honestly the main reason i'm upgrading is because of the battery on the intel laptop. I use my laptop v lightly but found that the battery was awful. I didn't upgrade the RAM simply because I thought if I did, it would get too close to the 14 MBP category - the price was high as it is. As i'm someone who uses the computer for safari, word, powerpoint and Apple TV/Netflix, I didn't see a reason to upgrade RAM. hoping it still lasts about 4 years and i'll be happy. I know it's smart to update RAM but I just couldn't justify with the price but everything on the macbook air is just so good. i love the screen, and the form factor the most. Find it very speedy and responsive!

TBH I think battery runtime is the primary feature on any portable device. I've always run Mac's in my professional rotation as they have always excelled in battery life and far more. More so with M1/M2 way better by leagues.

The Intel notebooks are not bad at all, however they pale comparison to M1/M2. Inspective of performance, if the batteries dead so is the notebook. I've been in situations where only a Mac can deliver. Literally hitting the send key at the gate. The Mac of the day delivered as did the client...

Q-6

 

[GalileoSeven]

Just got mine (8/512 in std Silver) earlier today. Haven't used it on its own yet (have it on a stand, hooked up to an external monitor, keyboard & touchpad), but so far, I'm loving it - reminds me of the now-ancient MBP I used to rock. Love the screen & form factor. The speed & fluidity of everything is definitely refreshing too. Definitely going to keep this one!

 

[Sowelu]

I am on day two with my M2 Air and so far, I love it. The design is better, the display is nicer, the keyboard is great, and it runs cool with normal day to day stuff just like my M1 did. It's speedy and runs great (10C/24GB/2TB).

If I had to nitpick, I would say the speakers aren't better as reported, at least not to my ears. The mids are a bit too pronounced giving it a somewhat flat feeling. The sound/music coming from them isn't as separated or layered as it is on the M1 Air. At least to my ears.

Also, and as I mentioned in another thread, I noticed that the seams on the M2 Air (where the bottom plate meets the bottom-sides of the MacBook) are a bit more prominent (to the touch) than they are on the new MacBook Pros, which share the same design. Not a big deal, but definitely something the fingers can feel/notice while handling the bottom of the Air. These seams are much more smooth on the new MacBook Pros, can't feel them, whereas on the M2 Airs, it's as if the bottom cover feels recessed a tiny bit - not even by a hair.

 

[kp98077]

I am on day two with my M2 Air and so far, I love it. The design is better, the display is nicer, the keyboard is great, and it runs cool with normal day to day stuff just like my M1 did. It's speedy and runs great (10C/24GB/2TB).

If I had to nitpick, I would say the speakers aren't better as reported, at least not to my ears. The mids are a bit too pronounced giving it a somewhat flat feeling. The sound/music coming from them isn't as separated or layered as it is on the M1 Air. At least to my ears.

Also, and as I mentioned in another thread, I noticed that the seams on the M2 Air (where the bottom plate meets the bottom-sides of the MacBook) are a bit more prominent (to the touch) than they are on the new MacBook Pros, which share the same design. Not a big deal, but definitely something the fingers can feel/notice while handling the bottom of the Air. These seams are much more smooth on the new MacBook Pros, can't feel them, whereas on the M2 Airs, it's as if the bottom cover feels recessed a tiny bit - not even by a hair.

which config did you get, glad you like it!!

 

[Sowelu]

which config did you get, glad you like it!!

10C/24GB/2TB

 

[ascender]

Nearly two weeks in to using an Air as my secondary machine and I love it. I suspect that once the reactions to the initial reviews and some of the more sensationalist YouTube videos have calmed down, most people buying this laptop will really like it.

Its lightweight, powerful, has a nice design in-keeping with the new Pros. A decent webcam, a nice screen...

I'd still like to see an 11/12" version, but this will more than do for the time being.