Hands-On With the M2 MacBook Air: All Your Questions Answered

Happy MacBook Air launch day! Today is the official debut date of the new M2 ‌MacBook Air‌, which features the first major redesign to the ‌MacBook Air‌ in a decade. We picked up one of the new ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ machines and decided to do a hands-on video where we answer questions from MacRumors readers.


The ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ no longer has a tapered design, and it instead looks a lot more like the MacBook Pro. It's thinner and lighter than the prior model, and it comes in new colors that include Midnight and Starlight.

In the video, we answer questions about the ‌M2‌ chip's performance for everyday tasks, the SSD storage you should choose and what you need to know about the SSD, whether you should upgrade the RAM, how the ‌M2‌ chip compares to the M1 Pro chip, how the display measures up to the prior-generation ‌MacBook Air‌, and tons more.

You'll want to watch our video for our full ‌MacBook Air‌ overview that includes details MacRumors readers wanted to know, but we also want to hear from you. Have a new ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌? Let us know what you think of it in the comments.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forum: MacBook Air

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
apple c1

Apple Unveils 'C1' as First Custom Cellular Modem

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:08 am PST by
Apple today announced its first custom cellular modem with the name "C1," debuting in the all-new iPhone 16e. The new modem contributes to the iPhone 16e's power efficiency, giving it the longest battery life of any iPhone with a 6.1-inch display, such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most...
Apple Northbrook

Apple Store Permanently Closing at Struggling Mall in Chicago Area

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:46 pm PST by
Apple is permanently closing its retail store at the Northbrook Court shopping mall in the Chicago area. The company confirmed the upcoming closure today in a statement, but it has yet to provide a closing date for the location. Apple Northbrook opened in 2005, and the store moved to a larger space in the mall in 2017. Apple confirmed that affected employees will continue to work for the...

Top Rated Comments

nvmls Avatar
34 months ago

Even the notch looks pretty.
Whoa... let's not get too courageous now son.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
34 months ago
Not going to lie the color Midnight looks stunningly gorgeous! It's got that stealthier look.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tweaknmod Avatar
34 months ago

But if you are going to get 512/16gb - why not already go to the MBP?
Thinner, lighter, better battery life, less expensive, and (supposedly) better keyboard.

At least, that's why I'm getting a MBA rather than a MBP.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MDomino Avatar
34 months ago
He's got 10 Safari tabs open and 4 or 5 apps running and everything is running fine. What a time to be alive!
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gadgetgirl85 Avatar
34 months ago
But if you are going to get 512/16gb - why not already go to the MBP?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
darngooddesign Avatar
34 months ago

But if you are going to get 512/16gb - why not already go to the MBP?
Which weighs almost a pound more.

Price aside, the point of the Air is its size, weight, and battery life.

If you don't care about those things consider a discounted 14" MBP.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)