Why can't you configure the screen on a Mac?

[wave84]

For example, when you custom build the M2 Air, if there was a 200$ option for the mini led screen from the Pro, would you guys take it? I know I would.
Even if it reaches or surpasses MacBook Pro price, you get a much lighter computer for those who prefer it, with no big compromises. It's a win-win for everyone, Apple included.

 

[DrCC]

100% I would take it. I don't need a Mac Pro, I do need the portability of the Air but sadly the screen is poor; poorer even than relatively cheap Windows machines.

 

[Technerd108]

I don't care about mini led but I would like a Pro Motion option. Combined with a good IPS display the response time should be fast and you would actually notice the 120hz refresh rate.

100% I would take it. I don't need a Mac Pro, I do need the portability of the Air but sadly the screen is poor; poorer even than relatively cheap Windows machines.

I am curious why you think the Air screen is poorer than a cheap windows laptop?

 

[DrCC]

I don't care about mini led but I would like a Pro Motion option. Combined with a good IPS display the response time should be fast and you would actually notice the 120hz refresh rate.

I am curious why you think the Air screen is poorer than a cheap windows laptop?

My previous laptop was a 2018 Huawei that I paid $1400 CAD / 1050 USD and it has a much better screen. 3000x2000 so definitely retina class and the brightness is over 500 nits. That screen still looks great and it could be used outdoors. A Dell XPS 13" from the same 2018-2019 era still has a brighter screen.The Air M1 screen at least is too dim and it gives me a fuzzy sensation on the eyes, I don't find it crisp enough. From the machines that I have used over the last few years, the Air M1 has the worst screen. I am thinking of upgrading to an Air M2 just for a better screen, I have a maxed out Air M1 that is fast enough for me, but the M1 Air screen is starting to get to me.

Edit: Windows machines have come a long way over the last few years when it comes to screens. The higher end already has OLED panels that will blow away the Macs, and the medium range is already very good. Apple has fallen behind on the screens installed on the Air and to my eyes the M1 Air panel is low end. Apple could have at least bumped up the native horizontal resolution from 1600 to 1800 pixels since the default "Looks Like" is set to 900/1800 pixels. The same goes for the M2 Air screen, it could have benefited from a resolution increase to eliminate the downsampling from 1800 to 1600 physical horizontal pixel lines.

 

[Technerd108]

My previous laptop was a 2018 Huawei that I paid $1400 CAD / 1050 USD and it has a much better screen. 3000x2000 so definitely retina class and the brightness is over 500 nits. That screen still looks great and it could be used outdoors. The Air M1 screen at least is too dim and it gives me a fuzzy sensation on the eyes, I don't find it crisp enough. A Dell XPS 13" from the same 2018-2019 era still has a brighter screen. From the machines that I have used over the last few years, the Air M1 has the worst screen. I am thinking of upgrading to an Air M2 just for a better screen, I have a maxed out Air M1 that is fast enough for me.

But the OP was talking about the M2 MBA?

The Windows machines you talk about are not cheap windows laptops? The XPS configured similar to an M2 MBA costs more? The Huawei is cheaper but there are reasons for that but it is still not a cheap windows laptop. I would consider sub $600 a cheap windows laptop and the screens on those have like a 250 nit display and probably not even IPS. Color accuracy or NTSC would be like 45% so I think your statement is a little inflammatory and misleading.

The M1 MBA has a 400 nit screen vs 500 nit screen on the M2 MBA. P3 color gamut and increased contrast on the M2 MBA which are improvements over the M1 MBA.

I honestly can't say anything about the M1 Air because I am not a fan of the older design so I have never had one or even tested it out more than just looking at them in the store.

What I can say is that the screen on the M2 MBA is very bright and color accurate. It is a great IPS display. And it is way better than a cheap windows laptop.

If you are talking about high end windows laptops it is kind of an unfair comparison. For high end you would have to compare a XDR mini led screen on the MBP. OLED screens are very nice but don't tend to get as bright, have burn in issues, have pixel die off in the blue spectrum over time and tend to burn through the battery at high brightness levels. Apple takes a more conservative approach to their screens for sure but it doesn't make them bad. Most windows laptops in the M2 MBA price range are Full HD and not 2k or better like the Samsung GalaxyBook 2 line of notebooks. I will agree that you can usually get better hardware or newer tech on windows laptops but then you are stuck with windows and Intel or AMD.

 

[Pakaku]

Options get expensive to offer, understandable enough, but Apple would also prefer upselling the more powerful and expensive model to us. Just watch as the next iMacs are still only available in 24", but the Pro gets to come in a 27" or even 30" size. I had to buy an iPad Pro just to have a 13" size screen, although I did manage to get a refurbished older model for a more reasonable price.

 

[Graham Caracas]

What an interesting idea. If the MBA is the inferior machine, why even consider buying it, paying extra to change out the screen? The weight of the screen is a ridiculous factor for choosing a computer anyway. You buy the MBP, it's a win-win for everyone, Apple included. If cost is a factor, there's always those cheap Windows machines.