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MacBook Air M1 vs. M2: Which One Should You Buy in 2024?

macbook air m1 vs macbook air m2

Apple’s transition from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon marked a new era for MacBooks, with the MacBook Air M1 (2020) and MacBook Air M2 (2022) being two of the most popular options. Both offer incredible performance, battery life, and portability, but which one is right for you?

In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down the design, performance, display, battery life, and pricing differences between the MacBook Air M1 and M2 to help you decide which model best fits your needs.

1. Design & Build Quality

MacBook Air M1 (2020) – The Classic Wedge Design

MacBook Air M2 (2022) – Modern Flat Design

Winner: M2 for the sleeker design, MagSafe, and extra color options.

2. Display Comparison

Feature MacBook Air M1 MacBook Air M2
Size 13.3-inch 13.6-inch
Brightness 400 nits 500 nits (better for outdoor use)
Resolution 2560 × 1600 2560 × 1664 (slightly taller)
Notch No Yes (houses 1080p camera)
True Tone Yes Yes

Key Takeaways:

Winner: M2 for the bigger, brighter screen and better webcam.

3. Performance: M1 vs. M2 Chip

CPU & GPU Performance

Chip CPU Cores GPU Cores Neural Engine Memory Bandwidth
M1 8-core (4 performance + 4 efficiency) 7 or 8-core 16-core 68.25 GB/s
M2 8-core (4 performance + 4 efficiency, but faster) 8 or 10-core 16-core (faster) 100 GB/s

Real-World Performance

Who Needs the M2’s Extra Power?

Winner: M2 for better performance, but M1 is still great for everyday tasks.

4. Battery Life & Charging

CPU & GPU Performance

Feature MacBook Air M1 MacBook Air M2
Battery Life Up to 15-18 hours (web browsing) Up to 15-18 hours (similar)
Charging 30W USB-C 30W (35W Dual USB-C optional)
MagSafe No Yes

Key Takeaways:

Winner: Tie (same battery life, but M2 has MagSafe advantage).

5. Ports & Connectivity

Feature MacBook Air M1 MacBook Air M2
USB-C Ports 2 (Thunderbolt/USB 4) 2 (Thunderbolt/USB 4)
MagSafe No Yes
Headphone Jack Yes Yes
Speakers Stereo 4-speaker (better bass)
Microphone 3-mic array Improved 3-mic array

Key Takeaways:

Winner: M2 for better audio and MagSafe.

6. Webcam & Audio

Feature MacBook Air M1 MacBook Air M2
Webcam 720p 1080p (much sharper)
Speakers Stereo 4-speaker with Spatial Audio
Microphone Standard 3-mic Improved voice clarity

Key Takeaways:

Winner: M2 for the superior webcam and audio experience.

7. Pricing & Value for Money

Model Starting Price (Base Model) Best For
MacBook Air M1 ₹79,900 (often discounted to ~₹65,000-70,000) Budget buyers, students, casual users
MacBook Air M2 ₹1,09,900 (often discounted to ~₹89,000-95,000) Professionals, creatives, future-proofing

Is the M2 Worth the Extra Cost?

✅ Yes, if you want:

❌ No, if you:

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

Choose MacBook Air M1 if:

✔ You're on a tight budget.
✔ You only need it for web browsing, Office, and streaming.
✔ You don't care about the latest design or MagSafe.

Choose MacBook Air M2 if:

✔ You want a better display, webcam, and speakers.
✔ You need extra performance for light creative work.
✔ You prefer the newer design and MagSafe charging.

The MacBook Air M2 is the better laptop overall, with a superior display, performance, and features like MagSafe. However, the M1 remains an excellent budget choice for casual users.

If the price difference is under ₹20,000-25,000 the M2 is worth it. Otherwise, the M1 still delivers incredible value.

FAQ

Q: Is the M2 much faster than the M1?

A: Yes (~18% CPU, ~35% GPU boost), but M1 is still fast for daily tasks.

Q: Does the M2 overheat?

A: Unlike the M2 MacBook Pro, the Air has no fan, so it may throttle under heavy workloads.

Q: Will the M1 become obsolete soon?

A: No, Apple supports Macs for 5-7 years, so the M1 will last until at least 2027-2028.