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Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A
Update Published March 15, 2024
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What are all the differences between the "2022 M2" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models? What are the differences between these models and the earlier "2020 M1" MacBook Air?
There are two standard "2020 M1" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "M1" 8 CPU/7 GPU 13-Inch and "M1" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch -- which were supplemented by the "2022 M2" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "M2" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch and "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13-Inch.
On June 6, 2022, Apple discontinued the higher-end MacBook Air "M1" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch, but continued to directly sell its entry-level companion, the MacBook Air "M1" 8 CPU/7 GPU 13-Inch until March 4, 2024. Unusually, on March 15, 2024 in the United States, Walmart started selling the entry-level MacBook Air "M1" model again -- new -- "the first time customers can purchase a Mac directly from Walmart" for US$699.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (MacBook Air 2022 M2)
Differences Between MacBook Air 2022 M2 Options
For the two Apple Silicon MacBook Air "2022 M2" options -- the MacBook Air "M2" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch and "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13-Inch -- these differ only by graphics processor, storage, and original price. On June 5, 2023, Apple cut the price of both by US$100 (from US$1199 and US$1499 to US$1099 and US$1399, respectively). On March 4, 2024, Apple again cut the price of the MacBook Air "M2" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch and "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13-Inch to US$999 and US$1199, respectively.
The higher-end model gets you two more GPU cores -- 10 cores instead of 8 cores -- and twice the storage -- 512 GB instead of 256 GB -- for an extra US$300. It also originally was possible to configure the entry-level option with the higher-end GPU for an extra US$100 and 512 GB of storage for another US$200 if one option was of interest without the other. Which to buy depends on whether you can put the extra graphics performance and storage capacity to good use. There are no other differences between the Apple Silicon MacBook Air "2022 M2" options.
However, there are a significant number of differences between the MacBook Air "2022 M2" models and the MacBook Air "2020 M1" models that came before them. These differences are well worth evaluating in-depth.
External Differences
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (MacBook Air 2020 M1, Left; 2022 M2, Right)
With even a quick glance at the "2020 M1" and "2022 M2" MacBook Air models when they are side-by-side, it is evident that the later notebook has a different overall design and a larger display. The "2020 M1" models are tapered toward the front whereas the "2022 M2" models are flat and of uninform thickness. The later models are thinner overall than the earlier models are at their thickest point and (0.44 of an inch instead of 0.63 of an inch) and lighter, too (2.7 pounds instead of 2.8 pounds).
The "2020 M1" MacBook Air models have three color options -- silver, a darker "Space Gray", and a warm-toned gold whereas the the "2022 M2" models keep silver and "Space Gray" but drop gold and introduce dark blue "Midnight" and warm gray "Starlight" options.
Both the "2020 M1" and "2022 M2" MacBook Air models have LED-backlit widescreen displays with IPS, Wide color (P3), and "True Tone" technology that automatically adjusts color temperature, but the earlier models have a 13.3" display (2560x1600, 227 ppi, 400 nits) whereas the later models use a larger, even higher-quality 13.6" "Liquid Retina" display (2560x1664, 224 ppi, 500 nits). The "2022 M2" MacBook Air also has a "notch" at the top of the display that holds the webcam and related sensors. This notch has attracted some negativity from Internet commentary, but we have found that in real-world use, it is easy to forget about (the notch and the comments alike).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (MacBook Air 2022 M2 "MagSafe 3" Connector)
The "2020 M1" and "2022 M2" 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 jack as well as 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6).
However, the "2020 M1" MacBook Air has an integrated 720p webcam whereas the successor "2022 M2" MacBook Air has a higher-quality 1080p webcam and also reintroduces Apple's clever magnetic-connected power connector from yesteryear that disconnects cleanly if tugged abruptly (now dubbed "MagSafe 3"). Following a software update, the later model also supports Bluetooth 5.3 rather than Bluetooth 5.0 like its predecessor.
Identification Differences
As diligently hand documented from the hardware itself by EveryMac.com, the "2020 M1" and "2022 M2" MacBook Air models have different Model Numbers and EMC Numbers.
Although some identifiers have been shared across lines from multiple years, these identifiers are unique to the "2020 M1" MacBook Air and the "2022 M2" MacBook Air models alike. The Model Identifier in software also is a reliable way to differentiate between these notebook lines and others:
| MacBook Air | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| 2020 M1 | A2337 | 3598 | MacBookAir10,1 |
| 2022 M2 | A2681 | 4074 | Mac14,2 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify each 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
For all practical purposes, the "2022 M2" MacBook Air is a completely new notebook and it has little in common with its "2020 M1" predecessor internally.
Both essentially are sealed and disposable and both have processors, RAM, and storage that cannot be upgraded after purchase, but otherwise are generally different from one another.
Comparison Chart
The above differences between the "2020 M1" and "2022 M2" MacBook Air -- design, display, processor, graphics, RAM options, connectivity, identifiers, and starting prices -- are summarized below:
| MacBook Air | 2020 M1 | 2022 M2 |
| Design: | Tapered | Flat/Uniform |
| Case Colors: | Silver Space Gray Gold |
Silver Space Gray Starlight Midnight |
| Display: | 13.3" | 13.6" |
| Webcam: | 720p | 1080p |
| Processor: | Apple M1 | Apple M2 |
| Graphics: | 7/8 Cores | 8/10 Cores |
| Default RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Max RAM: | 16 GB* | 24 GB* |
| Standard Storage: | 128, 256, 512 GB | 256, 512 GB |
| Max Storage: | 2 TB* | 2 TB* |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| MagSafe: | No | Yes |
| Dimensions: | .16-.63 x 11.97 x 8.36 | 0.44 x 11.97 x 8.46 |
| Weight: | 2.8 lbs (1.29 kg) | 2.7 lbs. (1.24 kg) |
| Model ID: | MacBookAir10,1 | Mac14,2 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$999, US$1249** | US$1199, US$1499† |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1299, C$1649 | C$1499, C$1899 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £999, £1249 | £1249, £1549 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1599, A$1949 | A$1899, A$2349 |
| Orig. Price (SG): | S$1449, S$1799 | S$1699, S$2149 |
* These models could be configured with additional RAM and storage at the time of system purchase. The RAM and storage cannot be upgraded later.
** The reintroduced option sold at Walmart in the United States starting on March 15, 2024 originally cost US$699.
† 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.
Comparison Summary
With a larger and higher-quality display in a thinner and ligher package and a performance boost in the neighborhood of 13%-22% or so, a better webcam, and the return of the beloved "MagSafe" power connector, the "2022 M2" MacBook Air represents a not insignificant improvement over its "2020 M1" predecessor.
However, the "2020 M1" MacBook Air originally cost around 10% or so less when purchased new and remains well worth consideration, too. In 2024, the "2021 M1" costs at 30% less, which definitely makes it worth consideration, although macOS support will start to wane because this model is quite old at this point.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Apple Silicon MacBook Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Air, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Air models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
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