Ha. Same reason I don’t test drive BMWs or Porsches when car shopping.
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.
If your on the fence: This is why I chose the M2 MBA over 14" or 16" M1 MBP
- Thread starter Technerd108
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Isn't that 512 GB SSD the same speed as the faster M2 MacBook Air SSD? The Air tops out at about 3000 MB/s same as that 512 GB SSD on the 14" MacBook Pro.
Yes. It would appear that these sequential speeds on the SSDs don't matter much; rather it is the random r/w metrics that do matter and they are pretty much the same on the 512s as the larger SSDs.
I certainly have no problems with SSD speed on my M2 MacBook Air. I don't really think I would notice if they were faster even on random reads/writes.
Well, don't buy an M2 Pro MacBook because slower SSD and smaller heatsink. These are just crap machines now. 😂 Lol.
The straws people grasp at to tear down a new device is amazing.
All the M1 MBP owners are feeling so much better their slower MacBook has a bigger heatsink and faster SSD even though the M2 MBP is still faster and doesn't thermally throttle and has better battery life.
It is amazing to me how people who own any particular Mac go at great lengths to tear down new models they don't own. I remember all the M1 MBP owners saying the M2 was just an overclocked M1 and it sucked and on and on.
It is kind of like Ferris Bueler, " Life moves pretty fast and if you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it" The tech world is the same way. If you don't stop looking at the next model you are going to miss enjoying what you have. Be happy for people who get a newer device and happy they keep improving. It doesn't make what you have crap. If your Mac still works well then keep it as long as you can. If you are so tempted by the new one, sell yours and get yourself the new model. Simple.
Every new model is only going to be new for so long so it really shouldn't define who you are or reflect on your self worth at all. Actually I think keeping older tech working longer is a more admirable trait?
I think it has become clear now that these sequential speed ratings of the SSDs don't matter; it is the random r/ws that do and they are apparently the same on all these SSDs. So I will no longer consider the sequential speed rating of the SSD - only whether or not I need a certain size.
Last edited:
I guess that makes me tres admirable as I am still rockin' an early '08 MBP!
A refreshing drink of reason.
I have never been happier with a computer purchase than my M1 Pro MacBook Pro, which I bought on lauch day in October 2021. It was such a huge improvement over my prior 2019 Intel 16 inch that I am quite comfortable keeping this for a while, secure in the knowledge that it’ll be sometime before an equivalent jump happens again.
M2 is a refinement rather than an advancement.
For sure. MBP14 screen is possibly its best feature. And it is light years better than the M2 MBA. I have both - not a biased MBP owner! Additionally the ability to support multiple external displays is something "non-pros" might appreciate - honestly it's annoying that Apple doesn't allow the base M1/2 machines to support dual external displays even in clamshell mode.
It was until recently when I took it out of service.
It could still play back YouTube videos; get email; web surfing (but some websites started not to display properly); iCloud worked; even messaging still synced with the iPhone but only text no graphics/images; screen sharing good; Windows VM good.
My dad got an M2 MBA, and I couldn't believe how light and cool it was. It was the first Mac laptop I've used that I was convinced would not melt the skin of my lap under any circumstances. However, I have reservations about no USB-C on the right side, and the keyboard not being particularly deep. Though as far as shallow keys are concerned, I suppose that might be a necessary feature of thin laptops.
I’ve been back and forth for weeks on what to get. I’ve watched countless YouTube videos. At the end of the day, I just don’t need a pro machine. I think I’ve decided on an M2 MBA 24gb/1TB from the refurb store. Starlight, because I think it’s the prettiest 
I think I will find that it’s more than capable of handling anything I can personally throw at it.
I think I will find that it’s more than capable of handling anything I can personally throw at it.You sound like me. While everyone's usage is different, I didn't need a Pro either. I traded my 2019 MBP Intel for the same model you decided on. The only difference is I got Midnight and ordered new on pre-order day. I love it. Enjoy.I’ve been back and forth for weeks on what to get. I’ve watched countless YouTube videos. At the end of the day, I just don’t need a pro machine. I think I’ve decided on an M2 MBA 24gb/1TB from the refurb store. Starlight, because I think it’s the prettiest
This machine looks great in Midnight....wondering what memory to choose. Im not a power
user (mainly internet, mail, running light apps, canva etc)...Current MBP 2018 (Intel) has 16GB
and I like the speed.
Will I notice a difference between my 2018 MBP Intel Iris and the 2023 MBA M2...and specifically what?
user (mainly internet, mail, running light apps, canva etc)...Current MBP 2018 (Intel) has 16GB
and I like the speed.
Will I notice a difference between my 2018 MBP Intel Iris and the 2023 MBA M2...and specifically what?
Most reviewers have noted that the 8GB ram operates as efficiently and fast as a 16GB previous intel laptop. So there really has to be a specific reason for going above the 8. I did choose to get 512GB storage for two reasons - I was getting up there with my 256 2013 MBP and apparently the 512 has a faster SSD than the base model but I may have never noticed. I would not have replaced my old laptop except it was now 2 or 3 software versions behind what was supported on it. That’s my criteria for beginning to look at a new machine - more than one or two OS beyond what it supports. That should take my M2 out to about 8 years years going by prior releases.
All of the entry level M series chips make for a good investment unless you need ultra power computation for your workflow then getting a Mac Studio/ 14" 16" MacBook Pro will be a good idea.
I enjoy my M1 MacBook Air cause its light and sturdy I can use it just about anywhere and not worry about lack of CPU power this Air packs a punch, 2 years strong and it still zooms through apps like a breeze
I enjoy my M1 MacBook Air cause its light and sturdy I can use it just about anywhere and not worry about lack of CPU power this Air packs a punch, 2 years strong and it still zooms through apps like a breeze
i used the 16” MacBook Pro Max for photographic processing. In my case, I got much less swapping with a 32Gb machine than a 16Gb one, although the performance was acceptable either way.
following an injury I wanted to reduce the load that I carried and so got a 16GB M2 Air. Big difference in weight. The performance was pretty good; better than I expected with all the swapping going on. However, apps like DXO Photolabs took an age to render an initial preview (that isn’t done at the start, like in Lightroom). I’m currently trying a 32Gb 14” m2 MacBook Pro Max with 32 Gb. Neither of these have the screen real estate of the 16”, obviously. But the 14” Pro seems to produce initial renders much more quickly. On the minus side, the battery life seems poorer than the air, but it may take a bit of time to bed in, so we will see.
following an injury I wanted to reduce the load that I carried and so got a 16GB M2 Air. Big difference in weight. The performance was pretty good; better than I expected with all the swapping going on. However, apps like DXO Photolabs took an age to render an initial preview (that isn’t done at the start, like in Lightroom). I’m currently trying a 32Gb 14” m2 MacBook Pro Max with 32 Gb. Neither of these have the screen real estate of the 16”, obviously. But the 14” Pro seems to produce initial renders much more quickly. On the minus side, the battery life seems poorer than the air, but it may take a bit of time to bed in, so we will see.
I work as an IT architect, and also do some programming and making sure about a dozens enterprise servers are up and running.
For the last decade, every CPU/GPU Apple has put in their MacBooks have been overkill for my use.
11" MacBook Air (2010) -> 13" MacBook Pro (2012) -> 12" Macbook (2015) (a fantastic machine) -> 13" MacBook Air (2018) -> M2 MacBook Air
To me the gold standard is the 12" MacBook when it comes to size, weight and design.
All of these machines have been used for basically the same kind of workflows involving software like browser, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Teams, Remote Desktop, Visio, MS Project, iMovie, Photos, Preview and running Windows virtual machines containing en Eclipse based development environments.
Even with the 11" MacBook Air from 2010 with 4Gb of RAM, I was able to run two virtual machines with Windows without any problems.
To me the most important factors for choosing the MacBook Air:
- Weight
- No fan
- Size
I agree. But all these laptops have their uses. Horses for courses as they say.
For over a decade now I have had 2 laptops: my (now departed) 2008 MacBook Pro (my first Apple machine) and a 2011 MacBook Air for travel (and now my wife's machine). The 2011 Air still works well and, yes, it does run Windows fine in a VM. Sadly, I didn't buy the 12" but from briefly playing with it in the store, I really liked it.
For the last two weeks I have been auditioning the base M2 Air and the base 14" M2 MBP. Initially, the M2 MBP seemed to be the one for me primarily because of the screen but also reasonably light and portable at least compared to my 15" '08 machine. But then I got the Air and have really come to appreciate its lightness and form not to mention its performance and pretty good screen. So I kept the Air and returned the Pro. I hear now that the M2 Air is regarded as one of Apple's best laptops ever. I believe it.
I am planning on getting the 8gb/512gb m2. Upgrading from a 2014 mbpro 16/512gb. I keep my laptops very long as well. Are you happy with your m2?
Interesting thread. I have a M1 Air that lives in a recording booth because it is silent. And I bought a M1 MBP 14" because of the better performance and screen quality, and killer deal. I really loved the screen, but I did notice the weight and thickness difference. However, soon after I bought the M1 14" the M2 14" MBP was announced, so I sent the M1 14" back. So, I am currently without a laptop to move around the house and on travel. Now, I am trying to decide if I should get an M2 Air or a M2 14" MBP. I do have a Mac Studio Pro (base - 512 GB/32GB).
Will I hate the Air after using the screen on the 14" MBP? Will the light weight and a thinness of the Air win me over? Will the lack of ports be a bother? I think I am going to have to go to the Apple Store and decide.
One thing I know for sure is a 512 GB/16 GB is the minimum to meet my needs for image/video storage and light processing when I travel. The 256 GB/8 GB Air was too little storage and suffered when doing a little Photoshop or Resolve to see if I got the shot.
Will I hate the Air after using the screen on the 14" MBP? Will the light weight and a thinness of the Air win me over? Will the lack of ports be a bother? I think I am going to have to go to the Apple Store and decide.
One thing I know for sure is a 512 GB/16 GB is the minimum to meet my needs for image/video storage and light processing when I travel. The 256 GB/8 GB Air was too little storage and suffered when doing a little Photoshop or Resolve to see if I got the shot.
I switched from the M1 MBP 13 to the MBP 14.
1. the screen is amazing. I don't really notice the minor gripes such as blooming/shadowing-edges at all. I don't notice the notch at all when using it.
2. The sound is amazing.
3. I love having the sd card reader built in along with HDMI. Ill take the extra thickness for this alone.
4. Due to the amazing screen and sound I use the machine more undocked now vs my M1.
1. the screen is amazing. I don't really notice the minor gripes such as blooming/shadowing-edges at all. I don't notice the notch at all when using it.
2. The sound is amazing.
3. I love having the sd card reader built in along with HDMI. Ill take the extra thickness for this alone.
4. Due to the amazing screen and sound I use the machine more undocked now vs my M1.