M2 Macbook Air Clamshell mode - 8 core vs 10 core GPU

[lamerica80]

I will be running the M2 Air in clamshell mode most of the time hooked up to my LG 4k monitor. I wonder if I should get the 8 core or 10 core GPU. Would the 10 core run hotter in clamshell mode than 8 core? Or are there other benefits to 10 core, like being better able at running the 4K monitor?

Ram will be 16gb and SSD 2GB no matter what, it's just the GPU I'm not sure about.

 

[- rob -]

Hello Marjory Stewart-Baxter.

For general purpose computing I’d presume for a 4K the 8 core should be just fine.

What do you generally use your machine for?

This topic is roughly being discussed in the XDR Pro Display Owners thread but for the 10 core.

There’s some feedback the M1 mba drives 6k reasonably smoothly.

 

[anon103]

I will be running the M2 Air in clamshell mode most of the time hooked up to my LG 4k monitor. I wonder if I should get the 8 core or 10 core GPU. Would the 10 core run hotter in clamshell mode than 8 core? Or are there other benefits to 10 core, like being better able at running the 4K monitor?

Ram will be 16gb and SSD 2GB no matter what, it's just the GPU I'm not sure about.

What is your experience running the MacBook Eyre, M2, in clamshell mode

Apple says clamshell mode does not work on the MacBook Air but I require clamshell mode.

I really don’t want to spend an extra $1400 to get the MacBook Pro if the MacBook Air will do the job.

Everything I’ve heard about the M2 says that it’s a great chip and handles all the issues with the typescript compiler’s and formatters beautifully

So, is clamshell mode working for you with a 4K monitor?

 

[1BadManVan]

Where does apple say the air doesn't work in clamshell mode? it works just fine

 

[ilikewhey]

What is your experience running the MacBook Eyre, M2, in clamshell mode

Apple says clamshell mode does not work on the MacBook Air but I require clamshell mode.

I really don’t want to spend an extra $1400 to get the MacBook Pro if the MacBook Air will do the job.

Everything I’ve heard about the M2 says that it’s a great chip and handles all the issues with the typescript compiler’s and formatters beautifully

So, is clamshell mode working for you with a 4K monitor?

macbook air most definitely runs in clamshell mode 😂

source: i used my m1 mba for about a year with clamshell mode on and off hooked up to a dell 32inch 4k monitor via tb3.

 

[lamerica80]

What is your experience running the MacBook Eyre, M2, in clamshell mode

Apple says clamshell mode does not work on the MacBook Air but I require clamshell mode.

I really don’t want to spend an extra $1400 to get the MacBook Pro if the MacBook Air will do the job.

Everything I’ve heard about the M2 says that it’s a great chip and handles all the issues with the typescript compiler’s and formatters beautifully

So, is clamshell mode working for you with a 4K monitor?

It works absolutely great, doesn't even get slightly warm.

 

[Wokis]

If the keyboard is covered the intended heat transfer by convection is notably more limited.

It likely will not make a lick of difference if you’re doing generic office work but you can observe significant differences when rendering or gaming. In such a case I would recommend getting a vertical stand.

The 10 core upgrade is considered to be the least worthwhile and I doubt it makes a difference for desktop rendering today, but it is also not that expensive and you could perhaps see a benefit from that for bursty renders or potential added complexity for macos desktop effects in the future.