Apple MacBook Air M2

The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) is Apple's follow-up to the best laptop it ever made, and while it comes close, it doesn't quite beat the previous model. It's got a fantastic design, bigger screen and incredibly long battery life, but also a much higher price tag. Think of it more as a replacement for the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it starts to make a lot more sense.

-- As reviewed by TechRadar

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 9 expert reviews

Excellent:

8
Good:

1
Average:

0
Bad:

0

9.4

User Score

Based on 1,235 reviews
as rated by users

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Last revision on January 25, 2023

Reviewers Liked

Thinner and lighter
Gorgeous 13.6-inch screen
1080p webcam
M2 chip delivers excellent performance

Reviewers Didn't Like

Only supports one external screen
Notch display design won't be to everyone's liking
More expensive than M1 model
Few ports
No ProMotion
Fast charging costs extra
Shorter battery life than 2020 M1 MacBook Air
Gets warm and throttles aggressively under intense workloads

Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick these products using a variety of criteria: they can be direct competitors targeting the same market segment or can be similar devices in terms of size, performance, or features.

Expert reviews and ratings

By TechSpot July 14, 2022 90

Apple M2 Review: Undoubtedly, the best area to performance comes when all of Apple's accelerators can be used in tandem, and that's usually the case in video production where the M2 is at its best. For video creators we think this is hard to beat, thanks to features like ProRes hardware acceleration, a fast GPU, and relatively low power consumption which allows for near-silent use while editing.

By ExpertReviews August 10, 2022 100

If Apple hadn’t raised the price of the base model I’d be minded to dismiss it with a wave of the hand. Alas, the price hike means anyone who can only afford the cheapest model will be paying more for what is, in one aspect, a slower laptop than the older and cheaper M1. That’s a shame because, in general, the M2 MacBook Air is a triumph. It’s slim, light and attractive. Its battery will last you all day and then some. Its fanless design means it runs completely silently. And it’s a more capable laptop from a performance perspective than any rival Windows ultraportable.

By SlashGear August 09, 2022 90

As for "power users" they, unsurprisingly, should be shopping in Apple's MacBook Pro aisles. If you're regularly doing video editing, want to play games, or do graphically-intensive tasks, the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips are still markedly ahead. For the rest of us, who just want macOS on something sleek, silent, and highly portable, the 2022 MacBook Air M2 delivers that in spades.

By TrustedReviews August 03, 2022 90

It’s expensive, but the Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) is a wonderful machine that looks great, performs exceptionally and lasts a long time on a charge.

By PCMag July 14, 2022 90

The 2022 version of Apple's MacBook Air gets a fresh look and the more powerful M2 processor, making it Apple’s best ultraportable laptop yet.

By Tom's Hardware July 14, 2022 80

The MacBook Air, with a thin redesign, powerful M2 chip, a 1080p webcam and a bright display breathes new life into Apple's most popular laptop. But its $1,199 starting price is a lot for what’s become a mainstream laptop, and the M2 still only supports one external display.

By TechRadar July 14, 2022 90

By The Verge July 14, 2022 90

I’d personally lean towards the M2 Air — the thinner design and better screen are very compelling for me — but only if I was willing to spend $1,500 or more to get one with at least 512GB of storage and perhaps 16GB of RAM. If that’s just too much for your budget, then the M1 Air remains an excellent option.

By Engadget July 14, 2022 96

It’s remarkable to think how far the MacBook Air has come since 2008. It used to be overpriced and underpowered, a testament to Apple’s tendency towards style over substance. Since then, the entire PC industry jumped aboard the ultraportable bandwagon, and Apple found a way to pack a ton of power into a razor-thin case. Now, the MacBook Air is arguably Apple’s best laptop yet.

By TechCrunch July 14, 2022

The M2 Air, meanwhile, strikes a harmonious balance. It’s thin and light, has some of the line’s best new features and boasts enough power for most needs, without going overboard for daily use. It’s the right MacBook for most consumers and a warm reminder of why the Air struck a chord with so many users so many years ago.

By CNBC July 14, 2022

I bought the more expensive 14-inch MacBook Pro when it launched last year because it has more ports, better speakers and an even nicer display, but it has way more processing muscle than I’ll ever need. The new MacBook Air with M2 is about half the price, it’s lighter, has a great screen and speakers and a processor that will last you for years. I’d have purchased this instead if it had launched at the same time.

By Pocket-Lint June 06, 2022

Hands on: As a design object, the MacBook Air ticks all the boxes: It’s light, very light, features a strong and robust-looking design, and certainly brings the Air up to the same design ethos and approach as the MacBook Pro launched in 2021.

By iMore June 06, 2022

Hands on: We'll need more time to put the M2 through its paces — and to see if the new design remains as trustworthy a travel companion as the last MacBook Air was — but, considering the MacBook Air is supposed to be Apple's entry level laptop, it's hard to imagine a more impressive first look; even if the price hike does make it a bit more difficult to afford!

By Tom's Guide June 06, 2022

Hands on: Based on our initial impressions, the new MacBook Air 2022 could be one of the best laptops of the year. The design is delightfully portable, and the display is simply awesome in person. I also like the powerful sound system and the potential of the mighty M2 chip.

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Apple MacBook Air M2

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Price: $1,198

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Apple MacBook Pro 14 - M1 Pro/Max

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

Asus ZenBook S 13 OLED

Expert reviews and ratings