Thickness: M1 vs. M2 MBA vs. 14" MBP

[Frixos]

So I went by the Apple store to check out the thickness of the M1 MBA versus the M2 MBA. For me, the most important thickness, is the thickness when the computer is open. I.e. how thick is it when I am typing on it?

I thought the M1 would be thinner, but take a look at this picture: The difference is negligible (if not entirely absent!) (M2 left, M1 right).

Also, for reference, see the second picture of the M2 MBA vs. M1 Pro 14" MBP. I just couldn't stand typing on the 14MBP keyboard for any length of time. For those who take their computer on the go - I think a 512GB, 16GB RAM M2 MBA (even though the cost for a M1 Pro MBP is only a little more) is the best choice simply for the typing experience (unless someone really needs to power the M1 Pro offers).

 

[Misheemee]

Also, for reference, see the second picture of the M2 MBA vs. M1 Pro 14" MBP. I just couldn't stand typing on the 14MBP keyboard for any length of time. For those who take their computer on the go - I think a 512GB, 16GB RAM M2 MBA (even though the cost for a M1 Pro MBP is only a little more) is the best choice simply for the typing experience (unless someone really needs to power the M1 Pro offers).

Thanks for the pics 😊

Meh, to each their own 🤷‍♀️ I much prefer typing on the MBP 14” over the M1 MBA (I have both), which I’m assuming is not much different to the M2 MBA. My MBP 14” goes everywhere with me without notice, or issue.

It’s not the best choice for me - but I respect that you prefer the M2 MBA 😉

 

[Frixos]

Thanks for the pics 😊

Meh, to each their own 🤷‍♀️ I much prefer typing on the MBP 14” over the M1 MBA (I have both), which I’m assuming is not much different to the M2 MBA. My MBP 14” goes everywhere with me without notice, or issue.

It’s not the best choice for me - but I respect that you prefer the M2 MBA 😉

For me, it's the feeling on the palm of my hand. The thinner the computer, the more comfortable I find it to rest my palm on the laptop. It also makes for my wrist to be straighter. Maybe I'm just sensitive - ha.

 

[tweaknmod]

I completely agree - and thanks for taking the time to share the photos!

I had a 14" Pro for a couple of weeks and, thought I LOVED that screen, it was uncomfortable enough on my wrists for me to notice consistently. It was only a couple of weeks, but I never did get used to it.

That certainly wasn't the only reason I returned it, but it was definitely one factor.

P.S. let me squish another comment into this one: @Misheemee, that is the epitome of how to respectfully disagree with someone online - I love it. Thank you.

 

[Frixos]

P.S. let me squish another comment into this one: @Misheemee, that is the epitome of how to respectfully disagree with someone online - I love it. Thank you.

Agreed. Probably the best disagreement I’ve seen.

 

[Misheemee]

P.S. let me squish another comment into this one: @Misheemee, that is the epitome of how to respectfully disagree with someone online - I love it. Thank you.

Awww, thank you! 😄

 

[Saturn007]

Thanks, Frixos, for those photos! Quite helpful.

The weird thing is that the M1 MBA look like it rises up from the table to the front edge — and by a lot! The M2 MBA also looks thick and boxy.

It reminded me of MacRumors' own comparison. In their video of the two, they emphasize how much thinner the M2 is. However, the video suggested the opposite.

See

at 3:04 and 3:08.​

The *M1* looks thinner from the side view.

The front view, from farther away, also gives the advantage to the M1! See 3:18.

Your photos, in contrast, show the *height* of the front edge above the table, which is more telling. However, the M1 MBA looks tilted up! Perhaps the screen was tilted back farther lifting up the front edge, but that shouldn't happen! Maybe, it's an issue of camera angle and perspective.

Tech Radar has a closer front view than MR, which you can drag a slider over and see how things change. Here, too, the M1 looks significantly closer to the table. And, the M2 looks boxier! However, the photos seem taken under different lighting conditions or on different tables, and at different distances, so it's not as good a comparison as it should be.

See https://www.techradar.com/in/featur...air-m1-in-pictures-all-the-key-design-changes​

However, we also have Karen's post and photos here at MR.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m2-air-keyboard-deck-height.2351228/ (See post #7)​

In her third photo, you can actually see the M1's taper and that it gets closer to the table — it makes the dark side of the M2 visible. (Click on the photo to enlarge it.) (I followed up with her in the thread to ask if the first laptop was the M2 MBA or MBP! That would make a difference.)

Nevertheless, after comparing the three, she concluded:

“i'd say the height of the front edge on the M2 Air sits right in between M1 Air and 13" MBP.”​

The plot thickens…

 

[Frixos]

Thanks, Frixos, for those photos! Quite helpful.

The weird thing is that the M1 MBA look like it rises up from the table to the front edge — and by a lot! The M2 MBA also looks thick and boxy.

It reminded me of MacRumors' own comparison. In their video of the two, they emphasize how much thinner the M2 is. However, the video suggested the opposite.

See

at 3:04 and 3:08.​

The *M1* looks thinner from the side view.

The front view, from farther away, also gives the advantage to the M1! See 3:18.

Your photos, in contrast, show the *height* of the front edge above the table, which is more telling. However, the M1 MBA looks tilted up! Perhaps the screen was tilted back farther lifting up the front edge, but that shouldn't happen! Maybe, it's an issue of camera angle and perspective.

Tech Radar has a closer front view than MR, which you can drag a slider over and see how things change. Here, too, the M1 looks significantly closer to the table. And, the M2 looks boxier! However, the photos seem taken under different lighting conditions or on different tables, and at different distances, so it's not as good a comparison as it should be.

See https://www.techradar.com/in/featur...air-m1-in-pictures-all-the-key-design-changes​

However, we also have Karen's post and photos here at MR.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m2-air-keyboard-deck-height.2351228/ (See post #7)​

In her third photo, you can actually see the M1's taper and that it gets closer to the table — it makes the dark side of the M2 visible. (Click on the photo to enlarge it.) (I followed up with her in the thread to ask if the first laptop was the M2 MBA or MBP! That would make a difference.)

Nevertheless, after comparing the three, she concluded:

“i'd say the height of the front edge on the M2 Air sits right in between M1 Air and 13" MBP.”​

The plot thickens…

Yeah, I think the angle is crucial. I’d need to go back to double check the angle of the screen, but as you say - the height of the front of the laptop should not be different depending on the angle of the screen.

I deliberately chose this angle because I found it was the one that most accurately showed my experience of the thickness difference (or seeming lack of it). Because I was able to run my fingers from the M1-M2 and could feel, going from the one to the other, that the height was very similar. At least in the very front (which I think is the most important one - because of the wrists).

Btw, a lot of pictures show the computers with the lid closed. I never tested this because I don’t care about that thickness.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Apple has used tapered edges to dispel the notion of thickness for a LONG time.

This is why I feel the pre-M1 case designs remain more elegant than the "chunky" new versions, even if I also dig the current designs.

All that said, my iPad Pro Magic Keyboard has the thinnest of all Apple palm rests.

 

[Pugly]

Good pictures, that's an interesting look at it... it makes sense when you read the specs... but it's much easier to notice in your pictures.

To me, this Mac makes more sense as a MacBook, like it's a continuation of that design of a regular laptop. The taper and the rounded sides of the Air make it seem like they are going for thinness above all else. This design, despite being super thin, still seems like they could have made it even smaller at the expense of battery and other internals.

It doesn't even have any Air branding on it anymore.

 

[fisherking]

i can't begin to explain how much time i spend looking at: the sides of my macbook, and the front (at eye level with my desk). 🤣

i pointed out on this very forum that i was not a fan of the air wedge shape, and someone reminded me that my 12" macbook.. was a wedge shape (so yes, i'm wrong sometimes).

i think the M2 air looks great, compact, modern. now i just need mine to be delivered...

 

[jdb8167]

Side by side with the screens open, the very front edge of M1 MacBook Air is slightly lower than the front edge (it's flat all around) of the M2 MacBook Air. I just opened them both side by side on my desk but I'm at work so I can't take a picture.

The difference looks to be less than 1 mm and the top of the case on the M1 MBA rises quite rapidly until it is actually thicker than the M2 MBA. I've been typing on my M2 MBA all day and I haven't noticed any difference between the deck height of the M2 MBA vs my old M1 MBA. The missing taper hasn't bothered me. I had a 2018 13" MacBook Pro and I didn't much like typing on that compared to the M1 MBA.