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Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A
Update Published March 13, 2024
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What are all the differences between the "M2" 13" MacBook Pro and "M2" 13" MacBook Air? Which is best for my needs?
Apple has discontinued the 13" MacBook Pro "M2" models, but continues to sell the 13" MacBook Air "M2" as new. This Q&A has been updated subsequently and can be quite helpful to anyone considering any of these models whether new or used.
There is a single "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13" -- and two "2022 M2" MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "M2" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch and "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13-Inch.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon MacBook Pro 2022 M2)
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon MacBook Air 2022 M2)
For many years, the differences between the 13" MacBook Air and 13" MacBook Pro have been getting smaller and smaller. For these 2022 models, the 13" MacBook Air clearly is the more advanced notebook, but the 13" MacBook Pro still has a couple of advantages that may be preferable to some users. Accordingly, a detailed comparison of these models is especially worthwhile.
External Differences
Although both essentially are sealed and disposable and both made of aluminum and glass, the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro and "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Air models use different case designs. The MacBook Air is a bit thinner (0.44 of an inch compared to 0.61 of an inch) and lighter (2.7 pounds compared to 3.0 pounds).
The 13" MacBook Pro is offered in either a silver color or a darker "Space Gray" option whereas the 13" MacBook Air models are available not only in silver and "Space Gray" but also a dark blue "Midnight" and warm gray "Starlight".
Both the 13" MacBook Pro and 13" MacBook Air models have LED-backlit widescreen displays with IPS, Wide color (P3), "True Tone" technology that automatically adjusts color temperature, and 500 nits of brightness. However, the 13" MacBook Pro "Retina" display is physically smaller -- 13.3" (2560x1600, 227 ppi) -- compared to 13.6" (2560x1664, 224 ppi) for the "Liquid Retina" 13" MacBook Air.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon MacBook Pro 2022 M2)
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon MacBook Air 2022 M2)
The 13" MacBook Pro and 13" MacBook Air models both have "Scissor Switch" keyboards, large "Force Touch" trackpads, Touch ID authentication, two Thunderbolt 3-capable ports (USB-C connector) ports and 3.5 mm headphone jacks as well as 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6). Both models support a 6K (6016x3384) external display, as well.
However, the 13" MacBook Pro has an integrated 720p webcam whereas the 13" MacBook Air has a higher-quality 1080p webcam, a four-speaker sound system, and reintroduces Apple's clever magnetic-connected power connector from yesteryear that disconnects cleanly if tugged abruptly (now dubbed "MagSafe 3"). Following a software update after the release of the MacBook Air "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15-Inch, the 13" MacBook Air likewise supports Bluetooth 5.3 rather than Bluetooth 5.0 like the 13" MacBook Pro.
The 13" MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has a "Touch Bar" in lieu of traditional function keys, which for most users likely is the most significant difference between these notebooks.
Identification Differences
As diligently hand documented by EveryMac.com from physical inspection of the hardware, the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro and 13" MacBook Air models have different Model Numbers and EMC Numbers.
Because some of these identifiers are shared by different models, the Model Identifier in software commonly is a more reliable way to differentiate between these notebooks in the long-term:
| 2022 M2 | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| 13" MBP | A2338 | 8162 | Mac14,7 |
| 13" MBA | A2681 | 4074 | Mac14,2 |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify all of these MacBook Air models by other identifiers, as well.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Differences
Despite that both the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are powered by a 3.49 GHz Apple M2 processor (SoC) with eight cores (4 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores), 8-core or 10-core GPUs, and 100 GB/s memory bandwidth, there are a surprising number of interior part differences. Perhaps most notably, the 13" MacBook Pro has a fan for internal cooling whereas the MacBook Air relies on passive cooling. Performance essentially is the same overall, although the fan may allow the MacBook Pro to operate at cooler temperatures and eke out a bit more performance from time-to-time.
The 13" MacBook Pro also has a physically larger 58.2 watt-hour battery that delivers an estimated whopping 17-20 hours of battery life. The 13" MacBook Air has a smaller 52.6 watt-hour battery that pops out 15-18 hours of runtime, still quite impressive.
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro and "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Air are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details:
 13" Pro 2022 M2 |
 13" Air 2022 M2 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Case Colors: | Silver Space Gray |
Silver Space Gray Starlight Midnight |
| Display: | 13.3" | 13.6" |
| Webcam: | 720p | 1080p |
| Processor: | Apple M2 | Apple M2 |
| Clockspeed: | 3.49 GHz | 3.49 GHz |
| Processor Cores: | 8 | 8 |
| Graphics Cores: | 10 | 8/10 |
| Cooling: | Fan | Passive |
| Std. RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 24 GB* | 24 GB* |
| Std. Storage: | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Max. Storage: | 2 TB* | 2 TB* |
| Ext. Display: | 6016x3384 (6K) | 6016x3384 (6K) |
| Speakers: | Stereo (2) | Four |
| Battery W Hrs: | 58.2 W Hr | 52.6 W Hr |
| Battery Life: | 17-20 Hours | 15-18 Hours |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| TouchBar: | Yes | No |
| MagSafe: | No | Yes |
| EMC No: | 8162 | 4074 |
| Model ID: | Mac14,7 | Mac14,2 |
| Dimenisons: | 0.61 x 11.97 x 8.36 | 0.44 x 11.97 x 8.46 |
| Weight: | 3.0 lbs (1.4 kg) | 2.7 lbs. (1.24 kg) |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1299, US$1499 | US$1199, US$1499† |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1699, C$1949 | C$1499, C$1899 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1349, £1549 | £1249, £1549 |
| Orig. Price (FR): | €1599, €1829 | €1499, €1849 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1999, A$2299 | A$1899, A$2349 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1879, S$2179 | S$1699, S$2149 |
* These models can be upgraded with more RAM and storage, but only at the time of initial purchase. RAM and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase in either of these models.
† On June 5, 2023, Apple cut the price of the "2022 M2" MacBook Air models to US$1099 and US$1399, respectively. On March 4, 2024, Apple again cut the price of these models to US$999 and US$1199, respectively.
For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each Mac as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryMac.com.
So, is the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro or "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Air best for me?
Despite being released at the same time, the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro clearly is an older design than the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Air. These two notebooks provide roughly same performance, but the 13" MacBook Pro originally was US$200 more.
Although the value proposition may have changed somewhat on the used market, when both were new, most users likely would be best served with the cheaper MacBook Air. It has (1) a bigger display, (2) a better quality webcam, (3) better speakers, (4) the helpful "MagSafe" power connector, and is (5) thinner and lighter. However, the MacBook Pro does provide (1) "Touch Bar" input, (2) an interior fan, which very well may result in cooler operation and a longer lifespan, and (3) longer battery life.
For all practical purposes, the "2022 M2" 13" MacBook Pro likely is the last Mac notebook to feature the "Touch Bar", so if you want it, it is now or never.
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