Apple MacBook Air (2022): Features, Reviews, and Price

The leaks that predicted that today Apple would not only present news derived from its software were right. The Cupertino-based company has taken advantage of the WWDC22 (Worldwide Developers Conference 2022) to announce the arrival of the new MacBook Air equipped with the M2 processor, which has also just come out of the oven.

However, this is by no means the only interesting new feature integrated into this laptop. In addition, Apple has redesigned it to make it slimmer than its predecessors (it is only 11 mm thick and weighs less than 1.3 kg), and, along the way, has brought back the MagSafe connector that some users may have missed.

Apple M2

What we have been promised by Cupertino during the presentation of this laptop sounds good. Its 13.6-inch display has a maximum brightness delivery capacity of 500 nits and manages to reproduce, according to Apple, more than a billion colors. And, in addition, this revision of the MacBook Air bets on a FaceTime camera with a notch and 1080p resolution. We can be sure that this device will not leave anyone indifferent.

Apple MacBook Air (2022) technical specifications

Apple MacBook Air (2022)
Screen13.6-inch IPS Liquid Retina LCD (2560 x 1664 dots), 500 nits, True Tone color reproduction technology
ProcessorApple M2 with 8 CPU cores (4 high-performance and 4 high-efficiency), 8 GPU cores, 16-core Neural Engine, and 100 GB/s memory bandwidth
Main Memory8 GB of unified memory (configurable up to 24 GB)
Storage256GB SSD (configurable with up to 2TB SSD)
Soundfour speakers
Spatial audio support when playing music or video with Dolby Atmos on the built-in speakers
Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking when using AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods MaxThree-microphone array with directional beamforming technology
CameraFaceTime HD 1080p
Connectivity1 x MagSafe 3, 2 x Thunderbolt/USB 4 and 1 x 3.5 mm jack
Wireless ConnectivityWi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
Operating SystemmacOS Monterey
Battery52.6-watt hour lithium polymer battery30W USB-C Power Adapter (included with M2 with 8-core GPU)35W Dual Port USB-C Power Adapter (included with M2 10-core GPU 512GB capacity, optional with M2 8-core GPU)
AutonomyUp to 18 hours of video playback in the Apple TV app
Up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing
ColorsSilver, Star White, Space Gray, and Midnight
Dimensions304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm
Weight1.24 kg
Price$1,199 (256 GB)
$1,299 (512 GB)

New design and M2 processor to stand out from its predecessors

This revision of the MacBook Air is one of the most groundbreaking in recent years, and not only because it incorporates the new M2 processor. Apple has decided to reimagine its aesthetic bet, betting on straight lines and a more sober style. In addition, this device comes in four colors: silver, space gray, starlight, and midnight. We already know how the marketing managers of the brands are when it comes to naming the colors of their proposals.

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Apple MacBook Air (2022)

On the other hand, the M2 processor marks the start of the second generation of Apple’s M chip family, and, according to Apple, maintains its commitment to performance per watt to deliver high productivity and, at the same time, long battery life. The version of the M2 chip integrated into this MacBook Air incorporates 8 CPU cores with improvements that, on paper, increase the performance of both the high-efficiency and high-performance cores.

The graphics logic has also been redesigned, so that the M2 processor incorporates 10 GPU cores, two more than those integrated into the M1 processor. In addition, the interface that allows access to the unified memory subsystem reaches a maximum transfer rate of 100 GB/s (this equipment can incorporate a maximum of 24 GB of unified memory).

Apple MacBook Air (2022)

As far as secondary storage is concerned, the most ambitious version of this laptop will incorporate an SSD with a capacity of 2 TB. In addition, Apple has confirmed something that we could sense: its cooling system is completely passive, so it does not incorporate fans. It is clear that this feature contributes to reducing its noise emission capacity, but it will be interesting to see what temperature the M2 processor reaches under stress when we have the opportunity to analyze it.

MagSafe connector returns to the MacBook Air

We have to confess: we didn’t see this coming. Yes, this magnetic connector is coming back to the MacBook Air, something that some users will probably be grateful for and others will look askance at. In any case, here it is again. In addition, this notebook also features two Thunderbolt ports and a 3.5mm jack-type connector that Apple says can work side-by-side with high-impedance headphones.

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Apple MacBook Air (2022)

More features worth not overlooking. This MacBook Air offers us a FaceTime camera with 1080p resolution that is housed in a notch located in the center of the top margin of the screen. According to Apple, the sensor of this camera incorporates larger photodiodes than in previous revisions of this laptop, so its performance in spaces with low ambient light should be better.

Apple MacBook Air (2022)

Finally, Apple has also given us some interesting clues about the sound promised by this laptop. Inside the chassis and in the space between the keyboard and the screen reside both the four speakers that this equipment incorporates and the three microphones that it integrates to pick up ambient sound.

Apple MacBook Air (2022)

According to this brand, the distribution of the speakers manages to recreate a wider stereo image and reproduces voices with a high level of detail. One more note: this revision of the MacBook Air incorporates Spatial Audio sound technology and can process Dolby Atmos content.

Pricing and Availability of the Apple MacBook Air (2022)

Apple MacBook Air (2022)

Apple has confirmed that the new MacBook Air with an M2 processor will arrive in stores next July at the following prices:

  • 256 GB: $1,199
  • 512 GB: $1,299

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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