Deals: Apple's 256GB M2 MacBook Air Available for Best-Ever Price of $1,049 ($150 Off)

[Skyscraperfan]

If you buy an SSD, it is a good idea to buy a much larger one than you need, because the SSD controller writes the data in a way that each part of the SSD will be used sooner or later. That reduces the write cycles of the SSD. Normal usage is not problematic, but at some kinds of usages, data is written on the SSD and overwritten very often. Twice the size of an SSD only means half of the write cycles. It is like buying the same car twice. Then you will only have to use each of the car half of the time and both cars will last longer. Of course with cars that would be too expensive, but for SSDs it might make sense.

My notebook has a 1 TB SSD at the moment, but I might need to buy a second 1 TB or even 2 TB SSD sooner or later, because I download a lot of stuff and I like to keep some important files on my notebook as an additional backup. My backup drives are all conventional harddrives and accessing them to often can reduce their life span. So I prefer to access those files directly on my notebook.

 

[Kottu]

Before anyone says that this config sucks, I am going to speak here as an owner of an 8GB/256GB/M2 Air and a 16GB/1TB/M1Pro 14" MBP. For most daily tasks the two machines are not noticeably different to use.

There is a lot negativity about the slow SSD and lack of RAM, but if you are doing daily computing tasks (mail, surfing with lots of tabs, photos, heavy MS Office, light video editing, music etc) there is little to no difference in how these two machines perform. M1 and M2 technology is astonishing vs Intel Macs.

What does happen is that the M2 will go yellow and sometimes red on the memory pressure gauge. However, there is no performance hit or perceptible slowdowns with this. It's like the memory pressure indicator is there to help Apple sell more RAM, because without it, you would never know that you needed more memory.

Don't get me wrong, the M1Pro starts to flex when I spin up a VM, or get busy with Logic or Final Cut, but if you're not using VMs, or editing tons of 8K video, then the M2 is amazingly capable. Basically, if you need the Pro machine get it, but for everyone else, a base M2 Air is a fantastic laptop.

For the record, I don't recommend either one for gaming.

I really wanted to go for a M2. As my requirements were 16/512GB, price went up almost near to 14M1. At last I bought a 16" M1Pro base model in mint condition for less than the price of M2 Air. I love to work on it though I have absolutely no need of that much power. Screen is gorgeous and I do watch movies more often than ever I did in my laptop. I wish it was lighter but I don't need to carry my backpack more than 50 meters.

 

[compwiz1202]

I’m not one of those people that generalizes and says 8GB of RAM is garbage. It isn’t. But for my use I find the extra breathing room of 16 more palatable.

God I miss the days of popping in your own RAM.

Me too like less than five mins to swap RAM and drive. And I wish they wouldn't link higher specs to a larger screen. I just want the largest screen. I don't need super CPU RAM SSD. I could live with the lowest M1 16GB 256GB. Even the crazy MBP deal is still well out of range.

 

[CalMin]

The sweet spot ($999) is right around the corner.

Yes. That's the perfect price for a base MacBook Air. I got my M2 for about that from someone who was having buyers's remorse and wanted out (just after the return period closed). I wasn't expecting much from it, but it's an excellent laptop.

I’m not one of those people that generalizes and says 8GB of RAM is garbage. It isn’t. But for my use I find the extra breathing room of 16 more palatable.

God I miss the days of popping in your own RAM.

Yes. I think 8GB is fine for most people for most tasks.... today.

I used to do that all the time with Macs i.e. buy the spec. I need today and then upgrade RAM and SSD when my needs grew. These days Apple 'forces' the decision upfront, so a lot of people pay for RAM and SSD space that they may never use but purchase 'just in case'.

I really wanted to go for a M2. As my requirements were 16/512GB, price went up almost near to 14M1. At last I bought a 16" M1Pro base model in mint condition for less than the price of M2 Air. I love to work on it though I have absolutely no need of that much power. Screen is gorgeous and I do watch movies more often than ever I did in my laptop. I wish it was lighter but I don't need to carry my backpack more than 50 meters.

You made the right choice. I have both and if I had to have only one, the M1Pro would win hands down. It's superb, it's not that much heavier and the connectivity, SD card slot, better screen make living with it easier. Best laptop that I have ever owned.

The M2 Air is excellent. It feels really nice to use, and it's the laptop that I would recommend to most 'non-geeks' who just need a laptop to get things done.

 

[kegan forbes]

Best Buy has had this same price for a couple of weeks now. and they are all colors at that price. I picked up the midnight one and am very happy with it.

 

[svish]

Excellent deals on the new Macbook Air!!

 

[GraXXoR]

So the same price as a iPhone 14pm with 256G storage, then.
I know which is better value.