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You guys are doing awesome job…! I’m really thankful to you for making my decision cemented now to buy MacBook Air M1…… (also waiting for the giveaway ;) ). It’s the best choice despite being one year old
It's primrarily because of the limitations of the 256GB SSD in the M2 MacBook Air. With a higher capactity SSD, you'll likely experience much faster read speeds, which will allow the M2 mac outperform the M1.
Thank you for comparing these two. I am currently considering buying M1 or M2. It seems like M1 is best, but I like M2's screen and design. It has such a modern design.
Um hello, im computer science student, im using mbp 2012, i wAnt to upgrade it bcs the latest xcode its not update anymore. I'm still confused to choose m1 or m2 for my learning and for the next 5 years, my budget around 1000-1300 usd. what should i buy can you recommend me? Thankyou.
Completely agree. M2 is great with its new design , better and larger screen, mag safe and all of that. But for non hardcore users M1 is prefect value for money option. The price difference doesn't justify the additional features especially since you can find some great deals on old m1 air and on top of that it has faster ssd for base model.
I was ready to jump on the M2 until I went to the Apple Store and tried them both. Both are great, but the speakers might be the deal breaker for me. Totally surprised that the M1's sounded better to me. Thanks for this really great comparison video. Might just get the M1 now and save some $$$.
This is a major concern for me. I have tested M2 and it seems awful. I am comparing MBA M2 to Pro 13" and Pro 14", and maybe I've shouldn't, but upgrading from MBP13 Intel, I am looking down on M2 Air. :(
The M1 is an incredible laptop, I think apple should have put price the M2 lower or gave it at least the full ssd speed. I think there is little to no point in buying the base m2 over the base m1 or the upgraded m2 air over the base 14 inch mb pro
Both of those MacBooks are a great choice, with strong sides for any of those Price to performance ratio for M1, and overall technical upgrade + more ports for M2
How would you compare the apple environment to Windows? I use a bunch of cracked software for video editing, excel and music producing and I am indecisive between a Macbook air M2 or some windows based laptop, which one would you pick?
@@ep.sdp.i know i’m like 2 months late but i don’t really like windows laptops, i think the battery on them aren’t great and they get way too hot. i’m not saying there aren’t any good windows laptops but there arent many amazing ones. but the new snap dragon silicon looks like a genuine m chip competitor.
Thanks for doing this comparison. After looking at the performance, I felt the 16GB / 512GB configuration would be best for my use. The price difference between identically configured M1 and M2 Airs was $250. To me, the better screen, the slimmer new design, and MagSafe were worth the extra $250. I justified it by calling it 'future-proofing'! In reality, I ordered what I wanted, not what I needed.
problem is u can be fine with a base m1 air, but a base m2 air sucks because of the slower ssd, so it forces u to get 16gb ram and 512gb ssd. this is why purely on value, the base m1 air > m2 air with 16gb 512gb as its $600 extra for something that should be $300 max.
@@truman809 after using it do think it’s really worth it for the better screen and the new design? or do you think you should’ve gotten the m1 and saved 200$ ? Because I’m thinking either I get 16 ram 512gb m1 or the same specifications on m2
I’ve never used Mac in my life and decided to give the M1 a try cus it was 799 on a Black Friday sale! I love it so far, but was second guessing myself after I saw it’s 2 years old…. But this video was very informative and helped me feel good about my purchase! Thanks man!
Thanks for this great comparison. I wonder if comparing a M1 and M2 both with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD would lead to a different outcome. But the decision for buying a M1 or M2 base model is a no-brainer.
Give up. There is no logical reason for purchasing an M2 Air outside of latest 🍎 for latest 🍎’s sake. Most want the new color/ value aesthetics over performance and functionality.
@@SubterraneanChick Some people like students don’t need any more performance than the base model, so it makes sense to enjoy the redesign instead of potential performance thats never realized
Personally I was looking at buying 16GB/512GB regardless of if I got an M1 or M2, for the purpose of using it for school, running a VM here and there, and just future proofing it for at least 5 years. At first I picked the M1, but if you think about it, at that configuration it’s just $200 bucks more for a lot of quality of life improvements. You avoid the infamous SSD issue by doing 512+, so I ended up going for the M2.
Yeah just buy whatever is the latest and enjoy it. There will always be nicer machines coming out in the future. By that time just sell the old one and then get the latest
It is insane that choosing between two models, one older than the other, gets this difficult. If the M2 had faster SSD speeds, it would've been a very easy decision. But, in my opinion, the new design and the slightly better display make the case for the M2 Mac Air. Thanks for the review!
What's also crazy is that it's also hard to decide between the Air and the Pro. In that case, for similar reasons to you, I'd go with the M2 Air over the M2 Pro. But basically, the M1 series was a pretty solid offering, while the M2 is an incremental update, meaning totally optional, with the focus being less on the technical differences, and more on how you feel about it.
Thanks for this video. I was thinking about upgrading my MacBook Air M1 to the M2 today. But after watching this amazing comparison I'm gonna stick with the M1 a while longer. Even though the M2 looks better on the outside, the inside is what counts in the end. Thanks for making me comfortable in saving my money and staying with my M1.
Even with the differences of performance, I believe that if someone is upgrading from an intel Mac, they should go to the M2 instead of the M1 simply because of the design and extra charging port. However, no one on an M1 Air should upgrade to the M2.
I do like the wedge shape, but I love the new, more modern looking, flat design even more. I can’t believe how small these laptops are getting while still having performance upgrades.
Bought my M2 after watching tons of your reviews and comparisons. I use it for music production. Although it's normally attached to studio speakers, making the Air speakers a non-issue for me, I actually prefer the M2 sound over the M1 sound. The reason is because I find it to be more balanced and pleasant to listen to. The M1 is louder and the sound does engulf you better, but it is not louder for better. The highs are shrilling, hurts your ears, and the engulfing effect accentuates the hollowness of the base-lacking sound. Conversely, the M2 is comparable to a decent bluetooth portable speaker. Although not as loud and the stereo effect is not as wide, it's definitely better quality, won't hurt your ears even at full volume, and you can hear all the sounds of the music from low, mid to high frequencies.
@@Speed99999 I think we’re talking about different things. I’m talking about the onboard speakers. I imagine you’re talking about the actual output from your DAW in which case it shouldn’t matter which computer you use.
I ordered the M2, 8GB RAM, 512 GB storage for my wife, what actually convinced me was not the performance, it was other little things that add up like the screen, camera and magsafe port. I'm pretty sure this config is the sweetspot.
same purchase here (except with the base storage) for the same reasons, for my daughter starting university in September. She's not going to need screaming fast I/O performance, but the overall better features were what persuaded us.
I am thinking to go for the m1 due to the price value. I really love the design of the M2 and was planning to go for it as my first Mac ever but the higher price can just not be justified for me. Thanks for the review!
The M2 is such a beautiful design, but for the price I’ll be picking up an M1 - might even wait a little longer to let even more discounts hit the stores :)
I'm really looking forward to seeing the comparison video between the M2 and the 14-inch model. But I think you're right. If we think about value then the M2 won't be able to beat the M1.
I've got a specced up m1, would be interested to see how it compares to an m2 with the same improvements (16gb and 512gb). I'm still considering the upgrade for the design alone
@@Salty_Biscuitz88 but is the upgrade necessary. Inflation is happening at a crazy rate; i feel like most ppl with m1 shud stick with their machine for like 4 years at least before looking to upgrade.
Like a lot of other Apple products in the past the M2 MacBook Air appeared to me as inferior in design, though in time it might prove itself better and I will ultimately accept that. Personally I like the wedge shape M1 Air better.
I am torn between the M1 and M2, mainly since it would be my first MacBook ever! I am still a newbie to all of this, and am looking for a great model for school. Your videos are extremely informational and helpful!
M1 is still a great machine. I don't think for the average user would notice the difference between the two, unless they use it for heavy use like animation, editing, etc. That's when I think it would be noticeably different. But honestly, basic use like docs, photo editing, light video editing, streaming, the M1 still hold up very well and will last years to come.
Another great video comparing the 2 models, still think the M1 Air is plenty good for most people’s needs. However that M2 design is really nice, so can understand why so many are torn between the 2 lol
I like the design of the M2 Air, and it is definitely worth something over the M1, as is the improved display and lack of bezels. In the context of the pricing of both machines base models (especially in the European markets where the difference is even more pronounced) and the M1 is often discounted and can be found refurbished and used at great prices AND the now infamous SSD issues, the M1 is clearly the better deal for most people.
Love the design but only love because i don't have enough money to buy.. How I wish I could have one of those mcbook.. God bless your generosity sir. Thank you for inspiring people.
Great comparison. I really like the m2 even though it seems apple walked a step or two backwards with the base model ssd and speakers. I looked at the lack of speaker grills and i thought 'this cant be good' and your comparison confirmed my fear.
I do like the wedge shape of the M1 Air, and the fact it runs cooler is a plus, but that Midnight finish on the M2 Air is so gorgeous, and MagSafe, the better screen... Hard to resist the M2.
Thanks for this concise comparison, it’s extremely helpful! Bit of a bummer Apple didn’t choose 2 smaller, faster 128gb SSD modules on the base model. I bet it was all intentional to get consumers to upgrade to 512gb.
The M2 looks so nice and modern, very tempting, but when adding the additional costs for 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD it becomes a more pricey choice. At least here in Japan, such a ‘basic’ M2 is then on a similar level with a reduced M1 MacBook Pro, which offers a different screen, sustainable performance, though less sleek a portable device …
After seeing your comparison, I wouldn't settle for a base M2 MBA. SSD influences the benchmarks for sure (especially for Photoshop and Final Cut exports).
This is an insane comparison! This’ll definitely help hundreds or maybe even thousands make this decision. Thanks for all of the content you guys are pushing out!
The fact that M1 can still hold its own even after almost two years after it’s initial release in 2020 is mind-boggling. Then again, the fact that the M2 is still able to perform as good as it does while being in a 20% smaller chasis is a phenomenal feat in and of itself.
Great review! As the videos come out, I’m reassured and happier than I already was with the decision to get the 14” M1 Pro. That sale you guys featured a couple weeks ago meant it was only $100 more than an M2 Air with the same ram and ssd size.
They are both excellent! If I had to choose it would be the M2 Air by a small margin, mainly due to the improved screen area and brightness, but M1 holds up very well and is better value at the entry level pricepoint. The SSD speed 'downgrade' on the M2 is a disappointment, as are the repositioned speakers.
Unless I misunderstood MKBHD he mentioned that the 512gb variant doesn’t have that issue. Something about one drive in the 256 vs two drives in the 512+
did you watch the same video? because to my eyes there isn't any difference between the two. The only thing that defines performance of mobile cpus these days is TSMC, so unless that is improved to 3nm or lower there wont be any noticeable difference.
@@pikachu5647 the 14/16 mbp has active cooling and larger chassis, so they will be much better equipped to handle the M2. Not to mention we don’t know what they will do to the GPU side. Add to this the upgraded media engine and the M2 Pro/Max should have a good deal better performance.
@@pikachu5647 but the m1 is alot inferior to the m1 pro and max. The m2 and m1 not much of a difference but new pro/max will def see some real differences.
Nice comparison! if they hadn’t raised the price of the m2 combined with the close ceiling imposed by discounted 14” MacBook Pro, the M2 MacBook Air would be compelling, but not so much. Refurb M1 Air for the win.
The ceiling isn’t necessarily that close. If you upgrade both the RAM and storage, that still puts you $400 off the base price. That’s not small, being a third of the Air’s base price and a fifth of the Pro’s price. Now if there are discounts, that’s a different matter, but consider Amazon started discounting the 13” MBP M2 just a month after it debuted. Wait three or four weeks and we’ll start seeing discounts on the Air as well. If you want to get something right now, the base 14” might be on sale at Amazon for $200 off, but I haven’t checked since yesterday when the sale was still going on.
I can’t thank you guys enough for staying focused on helping your viewers make informed decisions when it comes to purchasing tech! Money is tight and times are hard right now so every cent counts! You guys are telling us what is the best bang for the buck! Thank you!!!
I believe ill be going with the M1 model as i see myself upgrading in the next 2 years. Just needing a entry level Mac atm and the differences to me dont add up to the price. Also now that you can get a external 1TB SSD for around $100, $360 for an internal SSD just doesnt make a whole lot of sense
Because the m1 splits and writes on 2 ssds at the same time, so is kind of fake speed. Would be interesting for an option to use them in raid, just in case one of them breaks
Thank you once again! It's such a difficult decision. Love the new design but the price of the M1 is still very tempting considering how close they are in performance. Looking forward to the comparison with the 14 inch Pro!
Wonderful in-depth comparison between 2 powerful machines. However, I REALLY want to know if the slower SSD speeds on the M2 Air impacts longevity of the device. And if it does, how and why? I am planning to get the M2 with 16gb + 256SSD combo and am wondering if this will at least shield me from memory swap or slowed performance in a few years time.
I have the same question. I am planning to get 8gb + 256SSD combo. I wonder is slower copy speed have any real impact ? is it better to have 16GB RAM or 512GB SSD?
For me, who has been using the m1 for a year now, the m2 didn't bring me too many surprises, and apart from the return of magnetic charging, the other new features didn't seem to attract me too much.
I’m happy to see somebody comparing the Xcode speeds. If I got one, it would be to move into app development, so it’s useful to know how much better the M2 is
I've just bought a base M1 model. It's AMAZING, I am so happy with it!! It is so snappy & only sips power. I'm now thinking of letting my son have it & getting myself a better Mac laptop w/o spending a ton of $$. And so,.... should I opt for the M2 MBA or get another M1...? The only things I'm looking for (over & beyond the base M1) are: more performance, larger screen would be nice, and definitely, minimal cost. Surely the M2 is way faster than the M1....?
Honestly the m2 isn't that much faster then the m1. so if u want a better design than m2 MacBook Air would be the choice however if you are doing highly intensive tasks such as editing 4k-8k daily than the m1-m1 max would be a better choice
I just got an M2 after having the M1 and the difference is not insane. I only upgraded because my M1 display broke and I needed a working laptop ASAP for school. Planning on getting my M1 fixed and giving it to a family member. It's a great computer.
@@brivvr it’s more than enough for beginners but if you’re a senior developer you should consider upgrading to at least 512gb and 16gb of RAM but the basé model will also do it for senior developers but just to be sure and to have the flexibility to open different tabs and apps at a time
Great and informative comparison. Anyway i am still a little bit puzzled what would be better choice for long shot for programming purpose. My wife have M1 Air 256gb with 16gb ram and for UI/UX tasks this machine is true reliable work station.
I will try to wait until the new OS gets released, then I'll buy. Because this heat problem could be a huge problem with time. if Monterrey improves this part MA M2 will be unbeatable
Would love to see a comparison of M1 and M2 both with 16GB or 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD. would it lead to a different outcome. Would help a lot in the decision making. btw, love the content you guys are making out
I've been trying to answer this question of M1 vs. M2 as well. Ultimately went with the M2 (512GB SSD but didn't upgrade the 8GB RAM) as that seems to be more future proof. Great video!
Loving my MBA M1 for learning swift so far! No problems with Xcode so far! The new sleek design of the new MBA was very tempting but I think I’ll hold out for now!
Do you have the 8 GB model ? If so, how much memory pressure do you get and swap space do you use when building with Xcode and having a browser and smoe other apps open ?
Let me say it first, I love your videos. But now, I have a quick question for you: if you have both Air M1 and M2 (base models) on your desktop, which one would you grab first? Which one would you be a 'happier' experience for you? Forget performance, price, but focus on your perception. What will it be? Thanks for sharing.
Laptops are rarely worth upgrading just two years after you get a latest model, unless we had one of those total tech shifts from Intel to AS. But any upgrades are going to be incremental from now on from a performance standpoint, save when they shrink the manufacturing process. Both the M1 and M2 are based on slightly different 5nm processes. Next iteration will likely see a 4nm or 3nm process.
I guess upgrades are always tempting but I always imagine after spending the money, what actually has that done for me. Not much for the M2 and you lose with the SSD on the base model and I like the wedge shape of the M1. The M2 is oh so slightly better.
Thanks for the great review. Torn between the two. To me it seems like gg for M2 with the higher price is just for the new chassis and look. Otherwise I don't think it is a worthy upgrade, especially with the ssd base model issue.
Thank you so much for this comparison! You've put my mind at ease that, between the two base models, the M1 MBA and M2 MBA perform similarly, each having its pros and cons. The M1 MBA is definitely enough for my daily use, but I plan to go with the M2 MBA, as I love the design, MagSafe and beautiful screen. Now I just have to decide whether to bump up to the 512 storage, or whether 256 is sufficient for my personal daily use. And midnight or starlight. Decisions, decisions!
Thanks for your videos! It is really helpful to understand the differences between the machines, which is very difficult to do just by comparing specs!
M1 really holds up, apple was way ahead of their time back in 2020. Love this video btw. I love forward to more of your coverages on the M2 Air, especially comparisons to some PC laptops around the same price point. My pc is really struggling to keep up these days, kinda wanna make the switch
not only holds up. is better? file transfer speed 100gb. M1 3min 26sec - M2: 6min 30sec // blackmagic ssd test M1 2,2 - M2: 1,3 That for people having hard time reading numbers. Is double the performance from M1. I repeat. _DOUBLE_ .
Finally!! Have been waiting for this Air-to-Air comparison ❤️ When it comes to value, nothing beats the M1 so far! Good to see the M1 still holding out strong against the M2. I personally prefer the M1’s speakers and wedge design.
Can’t wait for the comparison to the M1 Pro! Honestly, with needing to upgrade to 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD, I’m wondering if just getting the 14 inch MacBook Pro is better for future proofing.
Honestly I feel like Apple did such a great job with the M1 to the point where nothing can top it at any point. Also I’d love a free MacBook for college :)
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M2 if it's in midnight
M2 if it's in midnight
You guys are doing awesome job…! I’m really thankful to you for making my decision cemented now to buy MacBook Air M1…… (also waiting for the giveaway ;) ). It’s the best choice despite being one year old
M1 seems the clear winner. It matches the M2 in almost everything, and in some cases it surpassed it. Although I prefer the physical looks on the M2
Better to buy 16 m1 instead of m2 with 8 gb
@@anonymous-pe9ds Do you think MA M1 with 16 GB and 256GB is a great choice or what?
@@aztre But you will need an external ssd if you run out of storage
@@antongabrielbertillo1388 Same question bro can you answer @Aztre question??
@@aztre Yes. That’s the best config imo. Storage can be upgraded with cloud storage and external drives, ram can never be upgraded.
Love the design of the M2. The fact that it doesn’t out perform the M1 across the board is shameful.
It's primrarily because of the limitations of the 256GB SSD in the M2 MacBook Air. With a higher capactity SSD, you'll likely experience much faster read speeds, which will allow the M2 mac outperform the M1.
@@mecha_minecraft I bought M1 with 8 core GPU, 16GB of ram and 500GB ssd. performance is not an issue compared to M2.
@@golamkibria6063 Correct. There are many varying factors which influence performance. The extra RAM you got will help too
@@golamkibria6063 Although there may be very little performance differences, it’s still not an issue, like you said
Naw m2 performs way better on mine. Its triple faster than m1 and quadruple faster on graphics
The M2 Air would’ve been a clear choice either if they had kept the pricing of the M1 Air or upgraded the base storage/RAM.
Canceled my order for an m1 bc upgrading was so expensive which on top of the increased base price was too much
Thank you for comparing these two. I am currently considering buying M1 or M2. It seems like M1 is best, but I like M2's screen and design. It has such a modern design.
What did you go for in the end?
I think the M1 is good enough for most users! I absolutely would get the M2 though just for a new design alone
The M1 Air is still a beast!
I still want to see a performance comparison with both models using thermal pads.
Um hello, im computer science student, im using mbp 2012, i wAnt to upgrade it bcs the latest xcode its not update anymore. I'm still confused to choose m1 or m2 for my learning and for the next 5 years, my budget around 1000-1300 usd. what should i buy can you recommend me? Thankyou.
@@gottheissues1476 m1
@ the mba or mbp
@ with the base model? Or?
@@gottheissues1476 I agree, M1 base model should be more than enough for your needs. From that old i5 to M1 you'll feel a massive jump in performance
Completely agree. M2 is great with its new design , better and larger screen, mag safe and all of that. But for non hardcore users M1 is prefect value for money option. The price difference doesn't justify the additional features especially since you can find some great deals on old m1 air and on top of that it has faster ssd for base model.
Does the ssd speed change with the larger storage options?
@@ahmedhosny9042 yes
I was ready to jump on the M2 until I went to the Apple Store and tried them both. Both are great, but the speakers might be the deal breaker for me. Totally surprised that the M1's sounded better to me. Thanks for this really great comparison video. Might just get the M1 now and save some $$$.
Get m1… it’s DOPE AF speakers amazing
This is a major concern for me. I have tested M2 and it seems awful. I am comparing MBA M2 to Pro 13" and Pro 14", and maybe I've shouldn't, but upgrading from MBP13 Intel, I am looking down on M2 Air. :(
@@cristiana9713 I ended up getting the M1 Air and have been loving it! Good speed, battery life, and nice sounding speakers! (for a laptop)
@@jebberrier6194 nc do you get the 16gb ram?
@@ncknelson you should
The M1 is an incredible laptop, I think apple should have put price the M2 lower or gave it at least the full ssd speed. I think there is little to no point in buying the base m2 over the base m1 or the upgraded m2 air over the base 14 inch mb pro
Both of those MacBooks are a great choice, with strong sides for any of those
Price to performance ratio for M1, and overall technical upgrade + more ports for M2
How would you compare the apple environment to Windows? I use a bunch of cracked software for video editing, excel and music producing and I am indecisive between a Macbook air M2 or some windows based laptop, which one would you pick?
@@ep.sdp.i know i’m like 2 months late but i don’t really like windows laptops, i think the battery on them aren’t great and they get way too hot. i’m not saying there aren’t any good windows laptops but there arent many amazing ones. but the new snap dragon silicon looks like a genuine m chip competitor.
Thanks for doing this comparison. After looking at the performance, I felt the 16GB / 512GB configuration would be best for my use. The price difference between identically configured M1 and M2 Airs was $250. To me, the better screen, the slimmer new design, and MagSafe were worth the extra $250. I justified it by calling it 'future-proofing'! In reality, I ordered what I wanted, not what I needed.
problem is u can be fine with a base m1 air, but a base m2 air sucks because of the slower ssd, so it forces u to get 16gb ram and 512gb ssd.
this is why purely on value, the base m1 air > m2 air with 16gb 512gb as its $600 extra for something that should be $300 max.
@@verrat3219 I got a m2 with 16gb and 1tb
@@truman809 after using it do think it’s really worth it for the better screen and the new design? or do you think you should’ve gotten the m1 and saved 200$ ? Because I’m thinking either I get 16 ram 512gb m1 or the same specifications on m2
@@joseroxy7447 MacBooks lasts a long time, still used my 2012 MacBook Pro lol, your good with that configuration man 👍🏻
It is crazy apple adding too much money for just ram upgrade.. if you are on a desktop, ram upgrade will cost you only 30 dollars for 8gb
I’ve never used Mac in my life and decided to give the M1 a try cus it was 799 on a Black Friday sale! I love it so far, but was second guessing myself after I saw it’s 2 years old…. But this video was very informative and helped me feel good about my purchase!
Thanks man!
How are you still liking it so far?
Thanks for this great comparison. I wonder if comparing a M1 and M2 both with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD would lead to a different outcome. But the decision for buying a M1 or M2 base model is a no-brainer.
Definitly
which one is it for base models?
Give up. There is no logical reason for purchasing an M2 Air outside of latest 🍎 for latest 🍎’s sake. Most want the new color/ value aesthetics over performance and functionality.
@@SubterraneanChick Some people like students don’t need any more performance than the base model, so it makes sense to enjoy the redesign instead of potential performance thats never realized
Personally I was looking at buying 16GB/512GB regardless of if I got an M1 or M2, for the purpose of using it for school, running a VM here and there, and just future proofing it for at least 5 years.
At first I picked the M1, but if you think about it, at that configuration it’s just $200 bucks more for a lot of quality of life improvements. You avoid the infamous SSD issue by doing 512+, so I ended up going for the M2.
The price performance ratio for the M1 is hard to beat. Granted the M2 Air does look nice. But ultimately we’ll just have to wait for the M3.
the difference between m1 and m2 doesnt justify upgrading if you have m1
That will be another year and a 1/2 at best- I don’t think many can wait that long and who knows- it may get even pricier
wait? why waiting? you are losing precious time waiting. if you have work to do and in need of the laptop then go for it right now.
Yeah just buy whatever is the latest and enjoy it. There will always be nicer machines coming out in the future. By that time just sell the old one and then get the latest
This. If you have an M1, wait for M3. If you don't have an M1, buy the M1 and then wait for the M3. 🙃
It is insane that choosing between two models, one older than the other, gets this difficult. If the M2 had faster SSD speeds, it would've been a very easy decision. But, in my opinion, the new design and the slightly better display make the case for the M2 Mac Air. Thanks for the review!
What's also crazy is that it's also hard to decide between the Air and the Pro. In that case, for similar reasons to you, I'd go with the M2 Air over the M2 Pro.
But basically, the M1 series was a pretty solid offering, while the M2 is an incremental update, meaning totally optional, with the focus being less on the technical differences, and more on how you feel about it.
I agree, the Mac Air M2 over the M2 MB Pro would be my choice as well😀
Thanks for this video. I was thinking about upgrading my MacBook Air M1 to the M2 today. But after watching this amazing comparison I'm gonna stick with the M1 a while longer. Even though the M2 looks better on the outside, the inside is what counts in the end. Thanks for making me comfortable in saving my money and staying with my M1.
I’m wondering whether should I buy
M1 Air vs 14inch M1 Pro. The latter is twice as expensive.
@@turuus5215M1 Air
Even with the differences of performance, I believe that if someone is upgrading from an intel Mac, they should go to the M2 instead of the M1 simply because of the design and extra charging port. However, no one on an M1 Air should upgrade to the M2.
It's that good to go 16gb 256ssd air version for rap beats?
Was thinking to upgrade to M2 from M1 for the better camera but price wise is discouraging me
I do like the wedge shape, but I love the new, more modern looking, flat design even more. I can’t believe how small these laptops are getting while still having performance upgrades.
I particularly like the addition of a dedicated charging port on the new M2 Air. This could free up one thunderbolt port.
It's that good to go 16gb 256ssd air version for rap beats?
@@hithreeone7160
Go with 8/512 for m2 air
Bought my M2 after watching tons of your reviews and comparisons. I use it for music production. Although it's normally attached to studio speakers, making the Air speakers a non-issue for me, I actually prefer the M2 sound over the M1 sound. The reason is because I find it to be more balanced and pleasant to listen to. The M1 is louder and the sound does engulf you better, but it is not louder for better. The highs are shrilling, hurts your ears, and the engulfing effect accentuates the hollowness of the base-lacking sound. Conversely, the M2 is comparable to a decent bluetooth portable speaker. Although not as loud and the stereo effect is not as wide, it's definitely better quality, won't hurt your ears even at full volume, and you can hear all the sounds of the music from low, mid to high frequencies.
Lol what a 🤡 way to justify your M2 purchase. I am a sound engineer and trust me both of them sound same, lol. I use DSD files.
@@Speed99999 I think we’re talking about different things. I’m talking about the onboard speakers. I imagine you’re talking about the actual output from your DAW in which case it shouldn’t matter which computer you use.
@@chingompiew1 who d fck would want to spend so much money and buy M2 on not liking M1 speakers anymore !
U must be rich
@@Speed99999 haha I think you’re jumping conclusions. I never decided on the M2 based on the speakers. I even said it was a non issue.
@@chingompiew1 3/4th of your text is about sound quality , i guess that's pretty much sums up the issue 😴
I ordered the M2, 8GB RAM, 512 GB storage for my wife, what actually convinced me was not the performance, it was other little things that add up like the screen, camera and magsafe port. I'm pretty sure this config is the sweetspot.
same purchase here (except with the base storage) for the same reasons, for my daughter starting university in September. She's not going to need screaming fast I/O performance, but the overall better features were what persuaded us.
That is the best comparison I’ve seen - great job. I was leaning M2 now looking at M1 which meets my needs and for the cost saving
These guys are really hardworking, we really appreciate the comparison!
now they're gonna have to buy and test that too 😂
It‘s really nice to see that the M1 stays a great bang for buck, even with the M2 available
Edit: The M1 Air was not discontinued yet, i was mistaken!.
@@stevebice4790 not true
@@FactFlix3 You are correct! I was completely mistaken! I wonder how long they'll keep the old Air form factor.
I am thinking to go for the m1 due to the price value. I really love the design of the M2 and was planning to go for it as my first Mac ever but the higher price can just not be justified for me. Thanks for the review!
Same thoughtsss
It’s impressive how well the M1 performs against the M2. I’d be curious if the performance is as equal with the 512GB version of the M2 Air.
Probably close, if not the same. I don't believe the SSD chips were upgraded (which they should have been).
@@vidagogo9829 The SSD in the 512+ GB has been found to be 2x as fast as the 256 GB because they use dual chips.
@@fascinatedbyeverything The 512GB M1 to the 512GB M2. That's what they mean.
The M2 is such a beautiful design, but for the price I’ll be picking up an M1 - might even wait a little longer to let even more discounts hit the stores :)
Wow! This is the most comprehensive comparison between the M1 and M2 Macbook Air! Every single detail carefully analyzed! Thank you!
Wow, now I did not expect them to be so similar! Having the extra Thunderbolt port free on the M2 is great though.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the comparison video between the M2 and the 14-inch model. But I think you're right. If we think about value then the M2 won't be able to beat the M1.
I've got a specced up m1, would be interested to see how it compares to an m2 with the same improvements (16gb and 512gb). I'm still considering the upgrade for the design alone
@Albb just sell the old one to cover some cost. It doesn’t cost much anyway if you do that, it will account for 60 to 70% cost of the new machine.
@@Salty_Biscuitz88 but is the upgrade necessary. Inflation is happening at a crazy rate; i feel like most ppl with m1 shud stick with their machine for like 4 years at least before looking to upgrade.
Like a lot of other Apple products in the past the M2 MacBook Air appeared to me as inferior in design, though in time it might prove itself better and I will ultimately accept that. Personally I like the wedge shape M1 Air better.
Great video guys! Although the M1 seems like a better option in terms of saving money with little trade off, I just love the M2 design.
I am torn between M1 and M2 (16/512 versions) but the price caused this big dilemma. Thanks for the video, it is quite informative
It's that good to go 16gb 256ssd air version for rap beats?
I am torn between the M1 and M2, mainly since it would be my first MacBook ever! I am still a newbie to all of this, and am looking for a great model for school. Your videos are extremely informational and helpful!
M2 Air with 16 gigs of ram & 512 gigs SSD should last you a while.
M1 is still a great machine. I don't think for the average user would notice the difference between the two, unless they use it for heavy use like animation, editing, etc. That's when I think it would be noticeably different. But honestly, basic use like docs, photo editing, light video editing, streaming, the M1 still hold up very well and will last years to come.
Another great video comparing the 2 models, still think the M1 Air is plenty good for most people’s needs. However that M2 design is really nice, so can understand why so many are torn between the 2 lol
I like the design of the M2 Air, and it is definitely worth something over the M1, as is the improved display and lack of bezels. In the context of the pricing of both machines base models (especially in the European markets where the difference is even more pronounced) and the M1 is often discounted and can be found refurbished and used at great prices AND the now infamous SSD issues, the M1 is clearly the better deal for most people.
It's crazy how the M1 is still such a great machine. Great video as always, guys!
Love the comparison, this is helping me decide so much. I didn’t realize SSD speed was a huge factor.. thanks!
Get the 16gb/512ssd. I got the 16gb ram/256ssd, and I’m hearing stuff that it’s better to get 512ssd.
@@jordanbelfort9992 this is what i purchased
Love the design but only love because i don't have enough money to buy.. How I wish I could have one of those mcbook.. God bless your generosity sir. Thank you for inspiring people.
Great comparison. I really like the m2 even though it seems apple walked a step or two backwards with the base model ssd and speakers. I looked at the lack of speaker grills and i thought 'this cant be good' and your comparison confirmed my fear.
I do like the wedge shape of the M1 Air, and the fact it runs cooler is a plus, but that Midnight finish on the M2 Air is so gorgeous, and MagSafe, the better screen... Hard to resist the M2.
midnight will get scratched easily like the iphone 5
Thanks for this concise comparison, it’s extremely helpful! Bit of a bummer Apple didn’t choose 2 smaller, faster 128gb SSD modules on the base model. I bet it was all intentional to get consumers to upgrade to 512gb.
Love the gold colour in the M1. The only downside is the camera and the display. Otherwise it would’ve been a great upgrade.
Another very helpful comparison, thanks for the help. I went with the fully loaded M1, found one on eBay for $1400. That is great value for the cost.
As previously discussed the M2 is more like a M1.5,,, I'd still get the M2, but i'd invest in some thermal pads too, Great job guys.
The M2 looks so nice and modern, very tempting, but when adding the additional costs for 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD it becomes a more pricey choice. At least here in Japan, such a ‘basic’ M2 is then on a similar level with a reduced M1 MacBook Pro, which offers a different screen, sustainable performance, though less sleek a portable device …
In Mexico it’s still $500 USD more for the base M1 Pro, coming from the MBA M2 512/16gb.
SCAM ALERT
After seeing your comparison, I wouldn't settle for a base M2 MBA. SSD influences the benchmarks for sure (especially for Photoshop and Final Cut exports).
This is an insane comparison! This’ll definitely help hundreds or maybe even thousands make this decision. Thanks for all of the content you guys are pushing out!
The fact that M1 can still hold its own even after almost two years after it’s initial release in 2020 is mind-boggling. Then again, the fact that the M2 is still able to perform as good as it does while being in a 20% smaller chasis is a phenomenal feat in and of itself.
Great review! As the videos come out, I’m reassured and happier than I already was with the decision to get the 14” M1 Pro. That sale you guys featured a couple weeks ago meant it was only $100 more than an M2 Air with the same ram and ssd size.
SCAM ALERT
@@dinhobomfim4340 Think you got em!
I bought the M1 Macbook Air and it is honestly one of the best laptops out there, for any price.
They are both excellent! If I had to choose it would be the M2 Air by a small margin, mainly due to the improved screen area and brightness, but M1 holds up very well and is better value at the entry level pricepoint. The SSD speed 'downgrade' on the M2 is a disappointment, as are the repositioned speakers.
A good review! Very useful when selecting a laptop for a student.
Unless I misunderstood MKBHD he mentioned that the 512gb variant doesn’t have that issue. Something about one drive in the 256 vs two drives in the 512+
Seeing the M2 performance gains over M1 makes me even more interested as to what M2 Pro and Max will have to offer.
I wonder when that will come out?
did you watch the same video? because to my eyes there isn't any difference between the two. The only thing that defines performance of mobile cpus these days is TSMC, so unless that is improved to 3nm or lower there wont be any noticeable difference.
@@pikachu5647 you gotta catch ‘em all!!
@@pikachu5647 the 14/16 mbp has active cooling and larger chassis, so they will be much better equipped to handle the M2. Not to mention we don’t know what they will do to the GPU side. Add to this the upgraded media engine and the M2 Pro/Max should have a good deal better performance.
@@pikachu5647 but the m1 is alot inferior to the m1 pro and max. The m2 and m1 not much of a difference but new pro/max will def see some real differences.
M1 Air is still a great option, considering the price-performance ratio
I personally like the new design and the addition of the MagSafe charging port
Nice comparison! if they hadn’t raised the price of the m2 combined with the close ceiling imposed by discounted 14” MacBook Pro, the M2 MacBook Air would be compelling, but not so much. Refurb M1 Air for the win.
The ceiling isn’t necessarily that close. If you upgrade both the RAM and storage, that still puts you $400 off the base price. That’s not small, being a third of the Air’s base price and a fifth of the Pro’s price. Now if there are discounts, that’s a different matter, but consider Amazon started discounting the 13” MBP M2 just a month after it debuted. Wait three or four weeks and we’ll start seeing discounts on the Air as well. If you want to get something right now, the base 14” might be on sale at Amazon for $200 off, but I haven’t checked since yesterday when the sale was still going on.
I can’t thank you guys enough for staying focused on helping your viewers make informed decisions when it comes to purchasing tech! Money is tight and times are hard right now so every cent counts! You guys are telling us what is the best bang for the buck! Thank you!!!
Great comparison as always, thanks Max. Air M1 is still a legend. I just wish Air M1 came out with Air M2 design, that would be a perfect laptop.
I believe ill be going with the M1 model as i see myself upgrading in the next 2 years. Just needing a entry level Mac atm and the differences to me dont add up to the price. Also now that you can get a external 1TB SSD for around $100, $360 for an internal SSD just doesnt make a whole lot of sense
It’s interesting how the M2’s SSD is such a problem that the M1 could do it in half the time
Because the m1 splits and writes on 2 ssds at the same time, so is kind of fake speed. Would be interesting for an option to use them in raid, just in case one of them breaks
Thank you once again! It's such a difficult decision. Love the new design but the price of the M1 is still very tempting considering how close they are in performance. Looking forward to the comparison with the 14 inch Pro!
feel the exact same way. Man I love the new design
Agreed, would love to see the comparison between the M2 Air and the 14'' M1 Pro
Wonderful in-depth comparison between 2 powerful machines. However, I REALLY want to know if the slower SSD speeds on the M2 Air impacts longevity of the device. And if it does, how and why? I am planning to get the M2 with 16gb + 256SSD combo and am wondering if this will at least shield me from memory swap or slowed performance in a few years time.
I have the same question. I am planning to get 8gb + 256SSD combo. I wonder is slower copy speed have any real impact ? is it better to have 16GB RAM or 512GB SSD?
@@himanshusharma6219 easily the ram.
You can always get an external ssd, can’t get external ram. (I just bought an external ssd 1TB for 100$ USD
Definitely I would take the M2 MBA just for the updated design, extra port*, and better screen.
For me, who has been using the m1 for a year now, the m2 didn't bring me too many surprises, and apart from the return of magnetic charging, the other new features didn't seem to attract me too much.
I'm personally digging the new colors, and I do like that they squared it up and went with the slate design instead of the wedge.
I’m happy to see somebody comparing the Xcode speeds. If I got one, it would be to move into app development, so it’s useful to know how much better the M2 is
I've just bought a base M1 model. It's AMAZING, I am so happy with it!! It is so snappy & only sips power.
I'm now thinking of letting my son have it & getting myself a better Mac laptop w/o spending a ton of $$. And so,.... should I opt for the M2 MBA or get another M1...? The only things I'm looking for (over & beyond the base M1) are: more performance, larger screen would be nice, and definitely, minimal cost. Surely the M2 is way faster than the M1....?
Honestly the m2 isn't that much faster then the m1. so if u want a better design than m2 MacBook Air would be the choice however if you are doing highly intensive tasks such as editing 4k-8k daily than the m1-m1 max would be a better choice
the m1 macbook air is still going strong for me in 2023
M1 Pro 14"
@@FactFlix3 yep ehhehe i used my macbook air visual studio
I just got an M2 after having the M1 and the difference is not insane. I only upgraded because my M1 display broke and I needed a working laptop ASAP for school. Planning on getting my M1 fixed and giving it to a family member. It's a great computer.
I would love to be able to spec the new design with an M1 chip. Maybe in the future that will be an option
The M1 is always a very good choice thanks to its price, but the M2 is more powerful especially on the GPU part. It is not an easy choice
You aren’t going to notice that speed difference. If you need that performance, then you’d be getting the M1 Pro/Max MacBook pros. Not an air.
Ive been heavily considering the m2 macbook air for software development and programming and these videos have been such a big help
did you buy the m2 ?
the thinner edges, the keyboard with a more harmonic layout, the braided cable, every detail is beautiful 💕
As a “coder” this machine seems perfect, I had one (M1) to work and it was really fast and enough for daily coding.
so you think the base model m2 is enough for coding?
@@brivvr it’s more than enough for beginners but if you’re a senior developer you should consider upgrading to at least 512gb and 16gb of RAM but the basé model will also do it for senior developers but just to be sure and to have the flexibility to open different tabs and apps at a time
@@omarkilani3109 alright thank you so much im just a beginner so this is great
@@brivvr Welcome, btw i am also learning css js python and html if you need any help
@@omarkilani3109 that’s really kind of you thank you i definitely will when my m2 air arrives
Would be curious how the startup times from powered off would compare between these two, as that is also something the slower SSD would likely affect.
Great and informative comparison. Anyway i am still a little bit puzzled what would be better choice for long shot for programming purpose. My wife have M1 Air 256gb with 16gb ram and for UI/UX tasks this machine is true reliable work station.
I really love the classic look of the M1 Air, but I’m looking forward to the potential power of the M2.
I will try to wait until the new OS gets released, then I'll buy. Because this heat problem could be a huge problem with time. if Monterrey improves this part MA M2 will be unbeatable
Love the new MagSafe connector! It's one of the things I LOVE from older Macs (and saved me more than once!)
Would love to see a comparison of M1 and M2 both with 16GB or 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD. would it lead to a different outcome. Would help a lot in the decision making. btw, love the content you guys are making out
that would be very close to M1 pro 14", which is by far a better machine.
I've been trying to answer this question of M1 vs. M2 as well. Ultimately went with the M2 (512GB SSD but didn't upgrade the 8GB RAM) as that seems to be more future proof. Great video!
@Ali It's great! I love the extra screen space up top. Magsafe charger is super handy, and overall no complaints at all.
8GB of ram was a blunder IMO. You can use external SSDs to accommodate for more storage, but you can’t upgrade 8GBs of ram.
@@MattThe1in27-1Hamillagree. I’d rather have a performance boost than a storage boost. You can manipulate one, not the other
You’ve forgotten to mention M2 Airs have high-impedance headphones support, which can be a killer-feature for music producers.
He mentioned exactly that at 3:30
Would be interesting to see whether a comparison of the 512GB models would result in a different outcome.
That's unfair because the 512gb version costs an extra $200. Which is too expensive for students.
Maybe not for students. But would still be interesting
Loving the comparison videos and thank you for all the hardwork that you guys put in :)
Loving my MBA M1 for learning swift so far! No problems with Xcode so far! The new sleek design of the new MBA was very tempting but I think I’ll hold out for now!
Do you have the 8 GB model ? If so, how much memory pressure do you get and swap space do you use when building with Xcode and having a browser and smoe other apps open ?
Let me say it first, I love your videos. But now, I have a quick question for you: if you have both Air M1 and M2 (base models) on your desktop, which one would you grab first? Which one would you be a 'happier' experience for you? Forget performance, price, but focus on your perception. What will it be? Thanks for sharing.
The M2 design is so beautiful and tempting. Unfortunately, performance wise it doesn't seem to be worthy upgrade, especially for the base model.
Laptops are rarely worth upgrading just two years after you get a latest model, unless we had one of those total tech shifts from Intel to AS. But any upgrades are going to be incremental from now on from a performance standpoint, save when they shrink the manufacturing process. Both the M1 and M2 are based on slightly different 5nm processes. Next iteration will likely see a 4nm or 3nm process.
I guess upgrades are always tempting but I always imagine after spending the money, what actually has that done for me. Not much for the M2 and you lose with the SSD on the base model and I like the wedge shape of the M1. The M2 is oh so slightly better.
Thanks for the great review. Torn between the two. To me it seems like gg for M2 with the higher price is just for the new chassis and look. Otherwise I don't think it is a worthy upgrade, especially with the ssd base model issue.
Thank you so much for this comparison! You've put my mind at ease that, between the two base models, the M1 MBA and M2 MBA perform similarly, each having its pros and cons. The M1 MBA is definitely enough for my daily use, but I plan to go with the M2 MBA, as I love the design, MagSafe and beautiful screen. Now I just have to decide whether to bump up to the 512 storage, or whether 256 is sufficient for my personal daily use. And midnight or starlight. Decisions, decisions!
Thanks for your videos! It is really helpful to understand the differences between the machines, which is very difficult to do just by comparing specs!
The tapered design is a lot nicer but I like that they added MagSafe to the M2!
M1 was a radical change compared with the Intel i5 version, we can't expect the same improvement every year.
Awesome video! Question: Will the M2 Air outperform in all areas if it had the 512GB SSD?
Came here only for the throttling video (posted on a forum) but stayed for the great content!
M1 really holds up, apple was way ahead of their time back in 2020. Love this video btw. I love forward to more of your coverages on the M2 Air, especially comparisons to some PC laptops around the same price point. My pc is really struggling to keep up these days, kinda wanna make the switch
not only holds up. is better?
file transfer speed 100gb. M1 3min 26sec - M2: 6min 30sec // blackmagic ssd test M1 2,2 - M2: 1,3
That for people having hard time reading numbers. Is double the performance from M1. I repeat. _DOUBLE_ .
Finally!! Have been waiting for this Air-to-Air comparison ❤️ When it comes to value, nothing beats the M1 so far! Good to see the M1 still holding out strong against the M2. I personally prefer the M1’s speakers and wedge design.
M1 model looks more sleek
Can’t wait for the comparison to the M1 Pro! Honestly, with needing to upgrade to 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD, I’m wondering if just getting the 14 inch MacBook Pro is better for future proofing.
@@itsAmeOFP Canadian over here, so it's a $500 difference
THANK YOU
So much for the review I been trying to shop for a laptop and I was confused of the M1 or the M2
Honestly I feel like Apple did such a great job with the M1 to the point where nothing can top it at any point. Also I’d love a free MacBook for college :)
Was so excited for the M2 MacBook Air but feel it’s becoming more and more of a letdown. Might actually get the M1 Air instead.
The reviews on this channel are never disappointing.