M2 MacBook Air Review: More Than a Refresh! 

The fact that Apple not only decided to stick with 256GB as the entry storage, but is in fact SLOWER storage than the previous model is absurd. It should at the very least have a note on their website specifying these detail

Absolutely killing it with the intros. They are so original, so good, and literally increase the already EXTREMELY HIGH quality videos by an absolute TON. Keep it up man!

I just finished my first semester of University with this laptop and I can confirm that I absolutely love it. Perfect weight and size for everything I need in university, and light enough to take on the commute. So far the Midnight colour has been really durable for me. Awesome Mac

This is the review that i have been looking for ever since M2 MacBook Air has been out!! Everyone else focuses on all the technical specs and forget the basics. M1 MacBook Air at 1K, M2 MacBook Air 2 1.5K and MacBook Pro at 2k. This is all I need to make my decision! Great job!

I'm curious if Apple would ever decide to create a Macbook SE. Maybe keep the Macbook Air M1 design in principle but tweak it in a way that they could sell it for... I dunno $699 or less and have it start competing with Chromebooks and the like (or at least the peception of a super cheap, gateway product into Mac OS).

imagine smashing out an intro even more cinematic and impressive than apple's own marketing, then cold opening with 'aight, what's up?' Such great content.

One thing I was concerned with the M2 MacBook Air being so thing is it possible to flex the base with the keyboard during transport. Also, one thing you may want to consider when travelling in the hotter climates heat built up is an issue even with the MacBook pro. You may consider then using a fan assisted base powered by the usb

Loving the reviews bro, to the point, not complicated, great critical analysis from a value perspective on every video. Much appreciated!

That opening camera sweep from behind the laptop to above the keyboard and then zomming in to draw the M2 on the keys was brilliant! Nice work!

MKB These hard effort intros never get old! I always look forward to them and wonder how you make them happen!

I’m a Data Engineer as well as a hobbyist music producer that recently upgraded from the 2016 MacBook Pro w/Touch Bar to the MacBook Air M2 (spec’d out to 10 cores, 24gbs of Memory and 1tb SSD). For me, the deciding factor was the portability even though I knew the Pro was the superior machine. I have to say that since using it, this new laptop is beyond sufficient for my workflow and the trade off on performance for a lighter and more compact form factor was definitely worth it for me. No doubt I see myself keeping this machine for many, many years.

And this is why I watch these videos. He hits all the points I’m curious about and other points make me consider things I haven’t previously pondered. But looks like a refurb base model will be perfect for my needs because I’ll just be recording some stuff off my Focusrite and nothing too intensive. But I’m glad I know everything I need now is in this package and makes me feel more comfortable parting with the money. Thanks, brother. Always good content. ❤

That Intro was so incredibly done. The M shifts at right a little before going to the left and that kind of detail makes this the best tech channel on youtube.

These intros keep getting more and more creative and amazing. Way to go editing team

i'm finally looking to upgrade from my 2012 macbook pro a decade later (it's been a great run, but it's getting hot all the time and the fan is going bananas, the battery is terrible, and it's no longer supported by updates). i've been debating between the M1 and the M2 airs, and i THINK despite the higher price, i'm going with this one, because it's 2 years newer, and i'd like to get a longer use/support out of it. (i'd love to go another 10 years with a new one, but i'd be really happy with 6-7 too). i'm thinking of going 16ram/512gb in starlight, fingers crossed it's not super fingerprint heavy.

I have to admit that 'THE STUDIO' makes the most amazing intro and this intro is the best i ever watched on this channel, i just feel an another level of addiction to that intro so that i watched it like 30-40 times only today!!!! The bgm and robotic arm synchronization are so perfect that I can't get rid of it, it's just dope🔥 Go ahead guysss, love you ❤️🇧🇩

As a VFX sup that has done a ton of motion control work and high end commercials I must congratulate you and your team for such refined quality! You are on another level.

How in the world are those intros made? Sick!

yo first 20 seconds into the video... I'm just minblown by the quality of the filiming, JUST WOW! Keep doing what you're doing Marques! and Thank you for blessing us with another video!

I have a suggestion for the possible scratches around the USB-C port, which worked out fine for years on my space gray iPad: I usually put the USB head in diagonally first, so that one of its edges is halfway in and other edge is out. Then I push the edge inside the port wall and correct the direction of the USB head while doing so. It then easily fits in, and it almost does not take additional time and effort. It really helped me not to scratch the port surrounding, I do the same thing for lightning ports on iPhones as well.

With the M1 Air they made a computer with an exceptional price/quality ratio. With this one they're making a very desirable product, but it comes back in the luxury territory, rather than the utilitaristic one.

The hidden performance gap between the base and higher end models reminds me of the whole debacle with the 24-in iMac where it missed a fan and heat pipe in the base unit and Apple never really disclosed it.

I recently got the M2 macbook air. I got the 16gb ram and 1TB SSD for about $1600. It's pretty good so far, although I'm biased because I haven't had a working laptop for like 5 years lol.

people wanted a to charge with usb-c its so amazing how people welcomed back the magsafe charger :)

This M2 mac really proves how awesome M1 really was. It was the perfect balance of power and efficiency and worked perfectly in a fanless design. The M2 may be more powerful, but that extra thermal output and downgraded SSD is definitely a caveat to that extra power. To anyone looking to get the M2 as their laptop, I would take a moment to consider the M1 Macbook air, too. It does so many things right, it's WAY cheaper, and it's not as much of a downgrade as you would think.

I thought about buying this and then after seeing it wasn’t going to be available for a month, I went to Costco today and bought an M1 Air for $850, a $150 off, super deal.

Excellent review, thank you!

That intro omg. Thanks for the info, my wife just picked her m2 air up and she's already in love with it, it fits her workflow perfectly

Your intros are beautiful, all the small details and video shots. Weldone Team MKBHD!

Honest review of real world workflows and not just benchmarks like every other video. Favorite tech reviewer!

Thank you! I’ve been holding off replacing my broken 2015 MacBook Pro and I’ve gone back and forth trying to figure out which one to get. I ended up ordering the m2 air 10 core, 16 ram and 512 memory. I really like that starlight color. I don’t do work on my laptop or anything intense, just a Mom who needs something more than what I can do on iPad and phone and organize photos and stuff. I didn’t want to regret getting base model so just pumped it up a little. Can’t wait to get it!

Nice review. Personally I’m glad the base model M2 exists as It’s more than enough for my needs and it saves me some cash.

I was considering the M2 Air; the mag-safe, the 20% up in Brightness, the new design (perhaps), but the 256 Mem already felt a bit tight and the increasing likelihood of throttling as photo / video files get bigger and tasks more complicated the calculation changes dramatically. If I need to up the Mem to 500 the price goes up £1,500, which makes the M2 50% more the the M1, and that makes me reconsider the whole proposition. A very useful vid, thank U.

I love how to the point this is. I feel like these laptops are really impressive, but they're well-understood now. We need a dash of context and relevant zoom-ins on what makes this one different. Exactly what's in your video. No Apple hype. Just some facts and some opinions that IMO really naturally follow from those facts. This was a really quick way to get I think a really solid perspective on this laptop. Thanks for shouting out the M1 MacBook Air! Some of us have that, and it really does deserve attention, especially at the 256GB storage tier as you mentioned.

So Good... pace, content, style, knowledge. A masterclass in RU-vid reviewing. Thank you.

as a first time MacBook user, I had to buy one for my college for coding. I REALLY love the feel of it. I never experience this light weight feeling but having so much power behind it ever, even on my MSI gaming laptop. This MacBook just feels way more snappy than my MSI Gaming laptop. Its defiantly made me like the switch so far, I'm still getting use to the whole MacBook OS but I think over time once I get the hang of item this will defiantly be my new daily driver even beyond my coding class. my specs for it is the 10 core processor, as well with 512 GB SSD. Midnight black was the color I went with as well.

I love that all your videos just feel like sitting and chilling/chatting with the homie, rather than watching a fully “produced” video (which it is). All the vids you guys create feel comfortable, which is why I’ve watched since you started making them ALL those years ago. Team is doing great work, keep it up.

I always like watching your reviews. You’re pretty straight forward and don’t hold back on your thoughts. Thank you for that.

Don’t care what anyone says. Iv got the basic model for the m2 version. And it’s bloody brilliant. So small. Very compact. Can take almost anywhere. Amazing battery life….quick and smooth performance. Can literally get work done on the go. With no messing about. Apple has got me converted. I will never look back at windows or any other laptop again.

I just got one, upgrading from a 2018 Mac mini (Intel), and I'm really loving it. I see some of the midnight color scraping off near the ports, and the fingerprints everywhere are kind of annoying (I can't stop cleaning it), but overall it's pretty good. And, the M2 chip is pretty fast, with noticeable improvements from Intel. The main issue though is the lack of ports. I do have a USB hub from Anker, but even with that I still found myself running out of USB-C ports.

I love listening to Marques. He makes me feel like he is really conversing with me and, often, he makes me think about things that typically I wouldn't consider. Keep the videos coming, sir!

I really wish they gave the M1 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pro a Midnight color variant. That color would have been perfect in addition to everything else it offers.

the preview for the video is amazing! great job

That intro is just simply insane. Marques you are breaking some amazing barriers!

Every time I think the intros cannot get better, the next one blows it out of the water. Seriously, great job, so awesome.

That intro was INSANELY well done. Legitimately one of the best I’ve seen on RU-vid. It’s incredible what the camera robots can do.

I bought this laptop for school. So far, I love it. I haven't owned a Mac for a while so this was really pleasing. I love the colour, the price, and the performance. Though I wouldn't have bought it if it weren't for your thorough review. It helped me think about my purchase. Turns out I still love apples.

Thank you for the extremely helpful video! I was so curious about video editing and graphics editing performance on this thing and it looks like I still might want to consider the pro instead lol your videos are always super helpful and right on the money! Also, they are excellent quality and love the creativity and effort you put into the video as a whole! (Cool “m2” logo reveal on the keyboard at the beginning” and all the spicy shots and graphics and cuts you always have in there! Your videos could easily win a grammy! Hahaha

Thank you for adding the "real price" advice - considering a lot of base models seem to be scams. Please keep doing that. 💪🏾

I wanted the new Air but ended up with the 14 inch and honestly, I love it! I would’ve upgraded from the base model Air anyway so getting a base model 14 inch pro (with the current education sale) worked perfectly.

Oh my god those transitions Marques! So fresh and so clean.

man that camera movement in the beginning was sick nice work

Hey MKBHD! Awesome review. We're very glad that you mentioned the shortcomings of the M2 MacBook Air and we agree that this laptop should come with a 512GB SSD, and that it really should be a $1400-1500 laptop.

That intro might be my favorite you and your team has ever made. Amazing stuff guys.

Hey MBKHD Good to see one of your videos again, this time not for procrastinating but for enjoyment.

Hey man, well done video. Always love coming to you for quality, charisma, and the most up-to-date reviews

I loved your take on this device. I’ve been watching so many reviews with different benchmarks and different ways to compare all the MacBooks but the way you summed the line up up at the end is just so simple and clear. Amazing work as always, no wonder you’re so successful!!!

Yes thank you for actually acknowledging the SSD issue. A lot of reviewers are just dismissing it as fake drama or being a hater etc when it is in fact a real issue for the base model. I agree they should have bumped the starting config to 2x 256gb instead, considering how cheap those NAND chips are at apples scale.

Just got this starlight like 5 days ago...i am loving it, last time i used a Macbook was the Pro mid 2012, I switched to Windows after that and now decided to come back to macbook with this, looking forward to what the newer models will have to offer so i can upgrade.

Great review, you touched on all of the questions I had, well done!

The use of colour in this was so so good! Just watching your video compositions go from brilliance to brilliance is so exciting

I don't do any creative things like video editing, so I opted for the M1 Air with 16gb ram and 256gb for $1200 3 weeks ago. Only reason I didn't upgrade to 512 gb drive was because I have an external 2tb hard drive. I don't regret NOT spending a little more for the m2 because of my needs and I am confident my setup will last at least 4-5 years before running into noticeable performance issues. If excel, netflix, youtube, chrome, and checking live stock charts are your heaviest demands, get the m1 air.

thanks for the video as well as your input on the pros and cons of the m2 macbook air!

Great review, I just got mine in today. Going to see how it compares to my 16” HP.

Just love how you kept things simple and clear.

Thanks MKB I always look forward to your videos, for the content and the polish. Yeah ordered the M2Air. In midnight. 16gb/1TB/10c. I'm just in love with the color and the sleek, thin look of it. Plan to have it for years.

Thank you for the great review. I’m definitely gonna get it! I will only use it for school writing, not editing or heavy work stuff. I’m just concerned about the 256, wether it will be enough with every new update.

Love the starting animation!

Marques is truly amazing at his job. One of the best!

Been waiting so long for your review MB! Great video as always 🔥🔥

The Intro was so clean idk how yall did that so smooth and locked on

omg that intro graphics are frikkin nek level man! DOPE! lovit!

I absolutely love how Marques talks in these videos. Feels so effortless and conversational

My issues exactly - would love the M2 MBA portability, but when you spec it up to future proof it you're looking at 14" MBP essentially...

Being able to run around 15 Chrome Tabs was really my priority and what I was looking for and amazingly you answered it. Thank you so much for mentioning it!

This was my first time accessing your videos. It was informative and entertaining. I am considering buying a Mac Air and your video answered all my questions. Good job.

Marques, a very well done review. I was wondering how you’d handle this one and you came through with style.

I love how MKBHD just jumps right into the video and doesn't waste our time. Also very informative! Thanks for this video!

i love that you’re still using Motif’s by 20syl 😭 i still listen to it bc of your use of Ongoing Thing. can’t remember which video that was

The thing I’m curious about is how this performs on light Parallels Windows gaming. I know EGPUs are not currently supported by Apple Silicon, but the performance of occasional AOE II games with friends or Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 sessions alone are the only things that might make me want more performance.

I think about the only way they could design a dark colored laptop that doesn't show fingerprints would be to add some type of texture to the surface and I don't know how they could do that. That really looks sleek when it's clean though!

I coming from a 2012 MacBook Pro to the midnight blue Mac Air with 512gb and 16 gig RAM. Love the magsafe, upgraded speakers, and new screen. Computer looks beautiful and it is a absolute beast!

I just got the midnight edition from work and it's pretty slick.

These intros are getting so freaking good my man! To the editors and camera operators, cheers.

The black M2 has to be the cleanest laptop I’ve ever seen. So beautiful.

Damnnnnn!! That shot at the start of the video with your robot was so coool 😮‍💨

Despite being over a year old your review was extremely useful - many thanks

I love this review. No click bait benchmark scores with burning MBA thumbnails. This is why I watch your reviews before buying.

Great video on the MB M2. You made a couple of interesting points about the laptop. I do agree it should only be used for having 30 web pages open.

That's one of the best intros I've ever seen! Bravo!

Love the intro sequence

The new M2 pricing just makes the M1 an even better deal than it already was (especially considering that you can get the M1 Air in many places at a discounted price for like $750-900).

Ok I love how he acknowledges that 30 Chrome tabs open and 15 apps running in the background is the regular use case. A lot of channels treat anything more than 3 chrome tabs open as something above the regular use case.

Great review! This really helps me decide my next purchase for a laptop.

Apple needs MKBHD to edit their marketing videos ‘cause these intro are the best!

Damn. Visually there is no one on the same level as Marques and his team in the tech space right now. Often replicated, never duplicated.

I'm a Software and Data Engineer, and I use a lot of local and heavy-duty tools in my everyday. So last year I switched to an M1 MacBook Air M1. My main struggle at the beginning, was that since I never used a Mac before, and I needed to upgrade my laptop, was "do I go for the 8GB or 16GB RAM model?" so, for my current budget at that moment I decided to go for the 8GB Model with 256GB SSD, because I use another monitor so I needed the extra cash for an adapter. So, I've been working with that base M1 MacBook Air model for more than a year, and I can tell you, for the amount of work that I handle, I think is the best laptop I ever had, period, no questions asked. I typically use Parallels, and a lot of Python libraries, also lots of web pages, but the laptop rarely gets slow, and since is fanless it is quiet as hell. I use Clean My Mac very often, and typically I follow the best practices to have the battery life at its best, overall its been almost 18 months with that model and it is the best laptop experience I ever had. My only complain with that model would be that it is a bit small the screen, but that's not like a big deal. I think buying this M2 model for someone who already owns an M1 MacBook Air, would be nonsense. I've seen the benchmarks and it is not a huge improvement, but it does cost 200 USD more. Unless someone is upgrading from an older Intel laptop, or Intel Mac, this might be the one to go. I even compared my M1 Air, against a 4000 USD dollar Intel Mac, and it is almost the double faster.

I plan to get this MacBook once the back to school promotion rolls out in the UK, but I’m still somewhat considering the 16” MBP bc the mini LED display and promotion are nice to have things that I want but don’t need

You rock man !!! the best method ever !! thanks for sharing !!

I went for starlight. I’m very much a midnight person but I think starlight will keep looking good even with fingerprints and a little port erosion. I do like the subtle color of starlight too.