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Real World MacBook Air M2 Review

M

Markgnyc2

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 17, 2013
408
743
Why did I buy the MacBook Air M2?

I had the M1 MacBook Air, 8GB RAM 512GB SSD. I back up my photos by downloading all of the originals to my hard drive. Yes an expensive proposition, and yes I can get a portable SSD, but I want it done automatically from iCloud. I had about 40GB left so it was time for a new machine, plus my oldest son is a HS senior so the M1 Air will serve him well for a long time.

What model did I buy?

I figured I should buy a computer that should last a long time, so I went for the M2 in Midnight, with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD.

How did the set up process go?

It was normal per Apple standards. I didn't restore my time machine backup. I decided to set this up as new and download everything from iCloud.

How has the M2 been for normal usage?

In a word, spectacular. Its fast, there are no slowdowns. Im sure I bought more computer than I will need but I wanted something that would last. Other than an occasional video in iMovie, I am not doing any heavy duty video work. The speakers sound different than the M1, not better or worse, just different. I think they are somewhat louder too, especially if I am using the MacBook in clamshell mode.

Why didn't I spend a few more dollars and get a 14 inch M1 Pro, as is suggested by a lot of reviewers?

It would have been a waste of money for me. Everything I need to do with a computer, I will get done on the M2 MacBook Air.
 
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Markgnyc2 said:
Why did I buy the MacBook Air M2?

I had the M1 MacBook Air, 8GB RAM 512GB SSD. I back up my photos by downloading all of the originals to my hard drive. Yes an expensive proposition, and yes I can get a portable SSD, but I want it done automatically from iCloud. I had about 40GB left so it was time for a new machine, plus my oldest son is a HS senior so the M1 Air will serve him well for a long time.

What model did I buy?

I figured I should buy a computer that should last a long time, so I went for the M2 in Midnight, with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD.

How did the set up process go?

It was normal per Apple standards. I didn't restore my time machine backup. I decided to set this up as new and download everything from iCloud.

How has the M2 been for normal usage?

In a word, spectacular. Its fast, there are no slowdowns. Im sure I bought more computer than I will need but I wanted something that would last. Other than an occasional video in iMovie, I am not doing any heavy duty video work. The speakers sound different than the M1, not better or worse, just different. I think they are somewhat louder too, especially if I am using the MacBook in clamshell mode.

Why didn't I spend a few more dollars and get a 14 inch M1 Pro, as is suggested by a lot of reviewers?

It would have been a waste of money for me. Everything I need to do with a computer, I will get done on the M2 MacBook Air.
Click to expand...
Nice! Are you happy you went with the midnight color?
 
Markgnyc2 said:
Why did I buy the MacBook Air M2?

I had the M1 MacBook Air, 8GB RAM 512GB SSD. I back up my photos by downloading all of the originals to my hard drive. Yes an expensive proposition, and yes I can get a portable SSD, but I want it done automatically from iCloud. I had about 40GB left so it was time for a new machine, plus my oldest son is a HS senior so the M1 Air will serve him well for a long time.

What model did I buy?

I figured I should buy a computer that should last a long time, so I went for the M2 in Midnight, with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD.

How did the set up process go?

It was normal per Apple standards. I didn't restore my time machine backup. I decided to set this up as new and download everything from iCloud.

How has the M2 been for normal usage?

In a word, spectacular. Its fast, there are no slowdowns. Im sure I bought more computer than I will need but I wanted something that would last. Other than an occasional video in iMovie, I am not doing any heavy duty video work. The speakers sound different than the M1, not better or worse, just different. I think they are somewhat louder too, especially if I am using the MacBook in clamshell mode.

Why didn't I spend a few more dollars and get a 14 inch M1 Pro, as is suggested by a lot of reviewers?

It would have been a waste of money for me. Everything I need to do with a computer, I will get done on the M2 MacBook Air.
Click to expand...
excellent to hear! I ordered this configuration and colour. Still a few weeks out as it took me forever to decide between this m1 and an xps 13. Feeling pretty good about my decision, same thing, the spec is a bit overkill for me but I want to hold onto it for a long time.
 
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1BadManVan said:
excellent to hear! I ordered this configuration and colour. Still a few weeks out as it took me forever to decide between this m1 and an xps 13. Feeling pretty good about my decision, same thing, the spec is a bit overkill for me but I want to hold onto it for a long time.
Click to expand...
I got lucky on launch day, they had this model in stock early in the morning while looking online. You are going to love it.
 
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Midnight is the best colour imo, but you will have never ending finger prints, almost impossible to get off even with apples polishing cloth, and they are back within 5 minutes of use.

So imo you just have to like the look of fingerprints 24/7, if not don't buy midnight.

My review after 1 week, base model is a rip at $1900AUD v M1 at $1500 and it's faster lol. Not worth paying $450 more for a 8/512GB when long term you will really need 16GB, then you are at 14" price with:
WAY better screen
Way better speakers
PROmotion = deal breaker
Ports if needed or not but good to have.

Forget about if you need power, apple pro doesn't mean pro user look at the iPads.

Returned.
 
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Markgnyc2 said:
I got lucky on launch day, they had this model in stock early in the morning while looking online. You are going to love it.
Click to expand...
Oh yea, I bought through the educational store since my wife is in college. About $150 off plus a $210 gift card for their back to school promo so I don’t mind waiting a bit.

my biggest hold back was macos, just never owned a Mac before and not familiar with it but I think I’ll adapt quick. I got 14 days with it to make sure lol
 
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Nice, but it’s quite a big spend on a new computer.. I’m gutted the upgrade fees are so high as it made the m2 Unreachable for me to be a suitable computer..

Waiting on m1 16gb now 😬
 
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1BadManVan said:
Oh yea, I bought through the educational store since my wife is in college. About $150 off plus a $210 gift card for their back to school promo so I don’t mind waiting a bit.

my biggest hold back was macos, just never owned a Mac before and not familiar with it but I think I’ll adapt quick. I got 14 days with it to make sure lol
Click to expand...
Give it time - you’ll never go back, once you adjust.
 
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1BadManVan said:
That‘s my hope! I haven’t owned any kind of laptop or pc in quite a few years, just my iPad and my iPhone. But have been itching to get a laptop for awhile. So I’m hoping this will pair very well with the rest of my devices.
Click to expand...
It will 😊
 
Markgnyc2 said:
Why did I buy the MacBook Air M2?

I had the M1 MacBook Air, 8GB RAM 512GB SSD. I back up my photos by downloading all of the originals to my hard drive. Yes an expensive proposition, and yes I can get a portable SSD, but I want it done automatically from iCloud. I had about 40GB left so it was time for a new machine, plus my oldest son is a HS senior so the M1 Air will serve him well for a long time.

What model did I buy?

I figured I should buy a computer that should last a long time, so I went for the M2 in Midnight, with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD.

How did the set up process go?

It was normal per Apple standards. I didn't restore my time machine backup. I decided to set this up as new and download everything from iCloud.

How has the M2 been for normal usage?

In a word, spectacular. Its fast, there are no slowdowns. Im sure I bought more computer than I will need but I wanted something that would last. Other than an occasional video in iMovie, I am not doing any heavy duty video work. The speakers sound different than the M1, not better or worse, just different. I think they are somewhat louder too, especially if I am using the MacBook in clamshell mode.

Why didn't I spend a few more dollars and get a 14 inch M1 Pro, as is suggested by a lot of reviewers?

It would have been a waste of money for me. Everything I need to do with a computer, I will get done on the M2 MacBook Air.
Click to expand...
It’s a great machine. I have one myself. 1tb is a bit overkill but that’s what they had in stock last Friday. I might still keep my 512GB Starlight model that arrives tomorrow. Decisions decisions!
 
Markgnyc2 said:
Love the color. The fingerprint issue is real but so far it hasn’t bothered me all that much. On my desk it almost looks like a darker shade of space gray. In other light it looks blue.
Click to expand...
Apple sells a $19 polishing cloth that takes care of the fingerprint issue.
 
I love seeing self reviews rather than all these you tubers and their "specs" LORD! lol....
glad you love it! My only complaint which seems funny I know about the M2 AIR is its almost too thin! It feels a little flimsy when I am on the couch typing compared to the Pro, anyone else observe this?:rolleyes:
 
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Above all I'm pleased you're happy with your purchase. Take that away as the overarching theme of my reply.
But why exactly did you replace an M1 with an M2 when it seems your primary concern was to "buy a computer that should last a long time" when you already had a computer which fit that description?
What was it about the M1 which you didn't think will last a long time?
 
James_C said:
I think you have made a great choice, if you don’t need the sustained performance when pushed that the MBP can deliver. The 16GB / 1TB M2 Air is a great machine.
Click to expand...
I had a 2014 Intel i7 MBP. That sucker could get warm, I ran a fan on it (and me) worked great. I suppose that is what you do with a dell anyway. Speaking of dell, for all the whining that a 1 chip SSD is slower than a 2 chip, anyone else notice that the “slow” SSD speed is still way faster than a dell (and lots of other laptops)?
 
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MajorFubar said:
Above all I'm pleased you're happy with your purchase. Take that away as the overarching theme of my reply.
But why exactly did you replace an M1 with an M2 when it seems your primary concern was to "buy a computer that should last a long time" when you already had a computer which fit that description?
What was it about the M1 which you didn't think will last a long time?
Click to expand...
I didn't buy a large enough SSD when I bought the M1. I need 1TB as I only had around 40GB of space left. So this 1TB drive should last a long time. And now I won't have to buy my HS senior an new computer since he gets a perfectly good M1, which should last into his college years.
 
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MajorFubar said:
Above all I'm pleased you're happy with your purchase. Take that away as the overarching theme of my reply.
But why exactly did you replace an M1 with an M2 when it seems your primary concern was to "buy a computer that should last a long time" when you already had a computer which fit that description?
What was it about the M1 which you didn't think will last a long time?
Click to expand...
He gave the M1 to his teenage son.
 
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