M2 MacBook Air Two Weeks Later - THE TRUTH! 

If you want to buy an M2 MacBook Air (or any other Macs or accessories) after watching this review, consider using my affiliate link: amzn.to/3Bfoy19 (Helps the channel out with additional revenue, thank you!)

People in the comments are absurdly negative about the M2. It all depends on your needs. I’m a software engineer and data scientist and the M2 MBA having increased CPU and GPU really suits my needs and the slower/write speed isn’t going to affect me in general. For me, it is worth the upgrade from M1 to M2 in terms of performance. I’ve been using M1 for two years and it’s great for programmers, but for data science the M2 is just an extra boost of power that adds up to it. I personally took 16G memory because 8G is just not enough for me these days. I’m using 256G because I’ve never reached this limit in nearly a decade of coding. Keep in mind that 99% of the reviews are for RU-vidrs and video editors. Just weigh the pros and cons with your budget and decide what fits your needs. This M2 is an absolute beast on the market and some people think it’s worth buying it and some people don’t.

I always love the humour and entertainment factors Greg incorporates in his videos. They always have a lot of heart and soul in them!

Hey man what’s up love your video’s I wanted to ask a question is this Macbook good for coding(the 1TB and 16GB ram)

The design is amazing. Just beautiful. However, I really think that they could increase storage and ram. 512gb and 12gb should be the standard for $1200 laptops. In the future, they could reduce the power draw of m3 and so on, they should also switch to OLED in the future.

Hi Greg. Would you expect performance increase on 10-Core GPU M2 Air over 8-Core when running Ventura's Metal 3? I guess it would be pure speculation though as nothing is yet compiled for it.

Hey Greg- which is more useful for heavy MS office user New M2 base or 16gb M1 Air??

Hello, for work I need to have a lot of tabs open (like 30 chrome tabs) but i can only afford 1 upgrade, should I get the 512 SSD or the 16 GB RAM ? Thanks a lot for the answer

Future Greginator is badass! Got my new M2 MacBook Air 16GB/512GB a few days early this past Saturday. It's a beautiful machine with build quality that's superior to any Dell XPS laptops I've owned. Space Grey looks good. I wanted Midnight but the scratch and fingerprint issues chased me away. I don't record/edit/render video so it runs smoothly and cool with Office 2021 apps and streaming video. Feels strange using it after over a year with my M1 iPad Pro 12.9" and magic keyboard. I keep reaching for the Air's screen to touch an icon or scroll through a website. Had no idea how acclimated I became with the iPad's touch screen. Same with the iPad’s Face ID vs. Touch ID on the Air. Face ID easily wins that battle. If I made the decision today, I'd return the Air and stick with my iPad + magic keyboard setup. Gotta give it at least a week, though. Never thought I'd be so comfortable with a tablet. Based on my 3 days of use, Apple is gonna sell a ton of these new Airs.

LOL bruh the terminator sequence. Good stuff dude. Was very entertaining!

I tried out the m2 MBP. Perfect design for mobile use and travel. So comfortable to use. However, I use the laptop for music production and I did get to hit its limit. Not something that happens when starting a project but as I develop it further and further it starts to slow down. I returned it and for a MBP 14 and it works flawless. Like it was mentioned in the video. It’s all based on one’s need.

Would this thing work for recording music at home with no issues? I'll be recording guitar, keyboard and bass in stereo and recoding fiddle and vocals in mono. I would only be recording these one at a time and most projects would have 6-20 tracks in it?

Currently using an Intel based MBP 16” .. The battery life and flickering during Photoshop is annoying .. Current spec 16Gb RAM, 512 GB Core i7.. Mainly for surfing web, documentations, Canva and Photoshop, some light video editing from time to time.. Is going into a M2 MBA an upgrade or downgrade ? :x

Great video greg👍 love the humour, frankness, and balanced perspective with your well explained explanations

While I appreciate thinness and equal weight distribution, the wedge design of earlier laptops provided for a comfortable typing experience. How do the new M2 laptops compare for long typing sessions?

Can it run microsoft office suite smoothly and efficiently? I have a 2017 macbook pro and suite bugged multiple times after installing and re-installing. Microsoft word runs good but the rest of the suite is insanely slow. I want to know if it runs it well because i'm thinking of getting the M2 Macbook Air.

Hi, great video. Thanks for that. Like so many reviewers of the M2 MacBook Air you point out that it only allows for one external display and at the same time that it is meant for consumer level users who might not need all the benchmarks. My question is, do you think consumer level users need two external displays?

You really don't know how much of a peace of mind your video gave me after bombarding myself with thousands of videos talking about this computer. I really appreciate it

Greg have you gotten the one you ordered with 24 gb ram and 1 tb? If so would you recommend that? If not would you let us know? Great video!

I will start studying CS soon and i need a computer. Which macbook would you recommend me? Pls helpp 🙏🏻

I’m gonna be going to uni later this year and I’m stuck between getting a M1 MacBook Air or a M2. I’ll be doing basically just normal stuff: Browsing the internet, watching RU-vid/Netflix, using Microsoft apps (word documents, PowerPoints), Spotify etc. I’m not hugely keen on paying extra on the M2, so it’s basically between the M1 vs base M2. What would you suggest?

Will we still get thermal throttling if we upgrade to 512gb and 16gb RAM?

Greg, Hollywood is calling. They want you to sign on to the next Terminator film.

I need some advice! I’ve currently got the M1 Air with 16GB ram and 512GB on order, but now I’m unsure/having second thoughts between the M2 Air with 16GB ram and 512GB, the base model M1 Pro, or the MacBook Air M1 16 ram and 512GB. I have the budget for either one, but I’m looking for something long-lasting and capable of most tasks. I’ll be using it for all daily tasks, video calls, university work, different software and programs work, casual gaming, video editing and odd bits of photo editing. Also, What recommendations would people have for the upgrades for each MacBook?

What about gaming on the MacBook Air models? Is 16 GB RAM recommended for World of Warcraft for example?

Great video! Ideally, I wish you could have produced this video first and then published the other videos after. With the base model SSD issue aside, I think this computer is an excellent one. For such a good computer, it took a hell of a shellacking for not being as revolutionary as the M1 Air and for not being as "Pro" as the M1 Pro line -- which is an unfair comparison to begin with. One more thing; RU-vid reviews reviewed the M2 according to what RU-vidrs need, like a shit load of video and photo editing capabilities. I am a writer, and let me tell you, for writers it is a phenomenal machine.

Thanks for the review based on two weeks of use. I have one on order with 512GB and 24 GB. Very much looking forward to getting my hands on it. Appreciate your honesty.

I'm liking the direction Apple is going with features. Some stuff still does not make sense like the M2 MacBook Pro, but I think the M2 Air is in the right place. Now if we can just get them to make the base storage option larger for all their products. The bump up for the base storage for the last iPad made me update my kids tablet after just one year.

The real issue here is the 256g base model should never exist in the first place. I can''t imagine using 512g as the default would break the supply chain. Selling a $1200 dollar laptop with 8+256 in 2022 is simply criminal.

Can new MBA M2 connect to external monitor when closed without MagSafe Power cable supply?

I can only go for the base model m2 air due to my budget, my question is using an external hardrive/ssd too much of a pain? P.S: I only use a computer for the following: Web browsing, reading pdfs, Zoom, Netflix.

I bought an M1 Air in February 2021. Good machine, but ... I bought it with only 8gb RAM and 512gb SSD. I thought I could just plug in an external SSD if I needed more space ... turned out to be a PITA. And ... at least once a day, I got memory full messages. Never got these on my 2015 Air with 8gb RAM. Disturbing. So I sold it for a good price and 2 days ago got an M2 Air with 16gb RAM and 1TB SSD. Now I have all the space (for now) I can use and no more memory woes. And ... it looks very stylish. Happy camper here, albeit with a tmporarily thinner wallet.

So, I realize it has lower SSD performance on the 256G verses the 512G SSD. But here's the question of balance, if I buy the 1Tb configuration, does it do it in the same way as the 256G Single Slot, do they put in a Single Slot 1Tb SSD?with lower performance? Would I need to buy the 2Tb version to get the performance. I've asked Apple, and the ones I've talked too are clueless. So much for Genius ...

I have always used tablets (first android and now ipad) . Im debating getting a macbook air but dont know if i should do it or just stick with ipad. I only use if for content consumption , some documents and printing , web browsing and social media . I miss having a keyboard and mutiple windows open but portability is another thing to weigh in . I just cant make up my mind , anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks for your review AND addressing complaints from other reviews. The M2 Mac Book Air with 8g/256g will be adequate for my needs. I decided to get the Midnight Blue after seeing all kinds of smudges on the silver and space gray versions. Your video stated the price of the 8g/256g version was $1,199, but its actually $999 or did I misunderstand? Thanks

I do like the look of it. Still, I bought the M1 Air 18 months ago and it's a champ. I have no issue with the old design. It fulfills its function which is all I need it to do. It doesn't have to 'look pretty', if you take my meaning. Nice breakdown, Greg.

I personally cancelled my pre-order of the M2 MacBook Air. Only reason is because the way I had it configured I was basically spending money equivalent to a M1 Pro 14 inch MacBook Pro. I feel like the M2 MacBook Air is a great machine, most users will definitely enjoy the experience that they get with the computer. It will handle most tasks the everyday user will throw at it. I realize performance metrics are important but its not the whole picture, user experience also matters.

Great review. Thank you

Hey! I’m in college, studying engineering, should i get a macbook pro m1 512gb or macbook air m2 512gb?😫

Thanks for the video Greg!😊

I recently checked both models of the Air in the Apple Store and clearly, the old M1 Air is nicer to touch and specially to pick up due to it‘s wedge shape that is so thin at the front and almost ideally fits into the hand. Jony Ives understood product design very well. The new one is ok, but the older one was better despite it‘s slightly higher weight.

the SSD speed regression is the reason why I chose a used M1 MacBook Air instead of a brand new M2. M1 MBA seems to have better thermals as well. M1 MBA is the last compromise free MacBook apple makes if you can live with the fact that the chassis is oldish.

was the m800 chip a significant bump from the m799?

For those that don't know, his shirt says "Nintendo" in Japanese. The 3 Japanese characters are NIN, TEN, and DO.

Is M2 supporting Ableton live lite software

Which of these two is better for a university use (take notes, watching videos, using excel and other stuff)??: -MBA with 512 of SSD and 8gb of RAM - MBA with 256 gb of SSD (with the storage issue) and 16 Gb of RAM Considering that I would like to keep this MacBook for at least 5-6 years

Hi Folks. I really like the M2 Macbook Air. Apart from its base $1199 price, i can only add another $200K to the budget. Does getting 16GB memory serve the same purpose as adding 512GB SSD ? with 16GB memory, will the swap issue be taken care of ? i dont do heavy workloads at all. Max i open multiple safari windows with video playing / document editing. I prefer adding RAM vs SSD as i cant always get external SSD to boost capacity. Hoping the community here can help with a recommendation.

Seeing some people saying upgrading the ram will actually do more for it than anything? Any truth to that?

Great video and great segment from the future Gregg

bro i mst say your content is amazing and the amount of detial and explaination you give is just amazing .....thanks for valuable content ...i want to buy it for video editng for youtube from i phone 12 would you recommned this to me

Great video. You finally said it. Thanks!!

I bought MBP early 2015 version 8GB/256GB 7 years ago, and still using it in a very good condition. I don't play video games, not a professional who lived on videos, photos editing or running engineering programs. Doing importing business, all I have been heavily relying on Office sets, Excel and PPT, after work, would watch some online videos, quite seldom push the pro power to the limit in my 7 years of use. Comparing to geekbench points, mobility and new design are much attractive to me.

I really like the no bs, honesty, quality and presentation of this RU-vidr . Kudos

I really liked your Greg Schwarzenegger impersonation! That was fun😀👍

Mag safe, and slightly larger screen size over the M1 Air is nice however, it's now just another rectangular notebook looking like all the other ones out there. But as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Great video and awesome work with future Greg! 😄👌

The advantage for M2 air is only left with better weight and thinness/design compared to Macbook M1 pro base model with better sceen and almost same price with 16gb ram and 513bg ssd?

I am up for the M2. Passive cooling for a chip with such a low energy consumption sounds reasonable to me (guys, check some Physics). Will beef it up in RAM and SSD…. yeah compared it to the Pro… still up for the Air to do some programming…

In germany it Cost 1499 Euro would you buy it for this price,or better the M1 Macbook Air for 999 euro?

Great review! Really pleased with my M2 MBA!

Tempted to just buy the M1 14 Pro but worried I’ll get buyers remorse when in 4-6 months they upgrade the pro model design to M2. Any idea when those will come out? Seems like ill pick up an upgraded M2 air instead.

very informative video, thank you very much and I like the terminator setting;). But as usual, I had to make the speed to 1.75x yo finish watching it.

Will the screen be better/ brighter than my current 2015 MacBook Pro?

Is it will throttling for compile code?

I have a feeling that if Apple make m2 pro in to 13/15 inch MacBook Air, they will give user a SD card slot, special there is quite some empty space inside. A bit like m1 iMac have 2 version, 2 thunderbolt only and 2 thunderbolt 3 + 2 usb c. Really want to get the 15 inch m2 pro air

Have the midnight arriving tomorrow and I intend to use a case to prevent the fingerprints. I love the color and casing it is not an issue

Never knew the kid from Glee knew so much about computers.

The screens are really small me both for M1, M2 macbook air. I had to go to the next size 14"

M1 Air 30%+ faster read/write due to 2x128 NAND flash chips vs single 256 on M2 Air. With that, plus no notch but with the iconic wedge, M1 just became an instant classic (ala MB Pro 15" 2015 previously imho). To sum up, happy with my base M1 Air, perfect for YT editing on the road, slices thru even 4k vids, zero lags, renders super fast, doesn't heat up, love the wedge and no notch. I'm good until M3 /4 ish thx.

Great Video! Thank you

I love my M2 Mac Air! I bought a hard shell case from Amazon that didn’t fit! Ordered one that will Come in Late august! The midnight does smudge easily . It is fast! Glad I waited! Great basic computer!

Greg, check out low power mode, I think you will be surprised how efficient and cool it is

I am conflicted about the person saying great video on the 18 minute video that has been out for five minutes, two at the time of their posting. However, I do appreciate the effort you have been putting into testing the new machines to help others make decisions. As much as I would love to get an M2 Air, I feel the M1 is financially the better choice and will hopefully look to upgrade in a few years.

Outstanding video. Very well said

Watching this while waiting for mine to be delivered, can’t wait!!!

If you start upgrading this M2 Air, you are in 14" territory which is a LOT better machine. It isn't even close

Finally someone say it!!! The ones who wants Pro specifications go to MacBook Pro and don't compare the Air with the Pro. Good job Greg. Loved the future Greg part hahaha.

As soon as you start upgrading from the base model air i.e. the one in the video; you may as well go for the MBP14 with an Amazon discount.

I think it’s a good machine for many people. But the $200 premium while also having the slower SSD is just hard to recommend for value. Most users who would be ok with the 256GB SSD, will be as well served by the M1 MBA, for less money.

Why does Future Greg look like he's stuck in 1990? 🤔

I bought the MacBook Pro 13” M2 with the 512GB SSD as i really wanted the Touch Bar as i never had one before - its sexy. I had an original MacBook air back in 2012 and it was fab but i swapped it for a MacBook Pro 2015 which I’ve had now for the last 7 years. I love the design so picking this over the Air, for me, was a no brainier. TBH the pro design has been around now for many years, tried and tested, works perfectly where as this new air design ….. looks nice, but how will it stand up to long term use. I also chose the silver colour so my new MacBook looks just like my old one - minus the light up logo (boo) but this is because the colour is rumoured to chip easily on these new coloured ones along with finger prints which drive me nuts. Plus as much as the new screen looks lovely - the notch man, haway, I thought we were moving away form notches lol - don’t want to be stuck looking at a notch for the next 7 years - its been bad enough over the last 5 years since the iPhone X came out….. Love my macboook pro 13” M2 2022…. Don’t understand why everyone is dissing on this….. tried and tested design why change perfection.

Thank you for this great review! I usually run RU-vid and Twitch at the same time (sometimes a couple of each) along with some other basic web browser pages (news, sports etc). I also play Football Manager and watch Netflix, Amazon Prime and Sky Go. I assume this laptop will be fine for that without overheating? I currently have a £1,000 HP laptop but am considering returning it as the battery is so poor (3-4 hours with very basic use) and it has a touch screen I don't use. Although it's very nice it's not as sleek or sexy as this M2 Macbook Air (I also love this Midnight Blue colour and it will match my iPhone 13 mini nicely).

I really wish they had a 15" version of this with a 120hz display. I need the display of the MBP but only the power of the M2 Air. I really also need 2 displays.

Can't wait til my M2 air (16gb/512gb) arrives. Yes, I considered the 14" pro but in Canada the price difference was still 300-500 dollars. With that extra money I'm going to invest in a nice ultrawide productivity monitor for my desk setup.

Yess you bought back future Terminator Greg!! I still remember him from your 12 inch MacBook episode LOL 😂

Super fun video Greg! But imo the M2 MBA 256gb SSD and 16GB memory isn't a "Base Model". I'd rather exchange for the 512gb SSD & 8gb memory as you suggested. But we have to return these in 14 days (This Mon Aug 1) and I can't get the other one for weeks. So now what?

Subscribe after the last couple videos! Loving what you do and your videos!

The 10 core GPU makes a big difference in graphics, u won't regret it.

Loved it. Loved the Terminator part. Well done and fully agree.

I wasn't really worried about the thermal throttling, I am embarrassed though by the single SSD in the bottom of the line model, mainly because that laptop is around 1/2 the speed of the two year old M1 it replaces! Bad Press

Finally some reason. RU-vidrs tend to review this machine based upon what they do for a living. And while common users may do some occasional video editing, most people (or students!) aren’t making a living this way. Using the Air for a broad variety of tasks is still the sweet spot for the prospective buyer.

Thanks…I appreciate your thoughts on the M2 MacBook Air. Blessings on your day!

I had the M1 MacBook Air and now have the base model M2. I love the M2, it does everything I need. I use it for Zoom, internet searches, personal budgeting, writing stories. It would be a waste of money to get the upgraded model or a MacBook Pro.

Great video!

The *only* two things I don’t like. 1) limitation of two displays 2) limit of 24 gigs of RAM However, it would make an insane second laptop for me.

🥳🎉🎉🎉 someone has a LOT of passion :) Thank you !

I think the most underhyped feature is magsafe. The fact that magsafe is there, means there is 2 more USB-C ports. This is a big difference vs the MBP. I had to like the video just based on the extra Terminator Arnold edits, Bravo Greg.

Thank you thank you from a regular no pro user. I have had a MacBook Pro since 2010 (2 different models). My 2016 model won’t turn on anymore. I will now buy a M2 MBA v M1.

best video so far! you just made a decision for me. gettin' the air. ;) thanks

Coming from the 2017 MacBook Air… should I ball out and get the m2 air? Or should I save money and live better with the m1 air 🤔