Skip the M2 MacBook Air - Buy The M1 Air Instead! 

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The M1 air has an iconic design. The wedge shape and the not-notch is a reason for me to buy the M1 air. Also all the upgrades are 20% more expensive.

Greg, gabagool! This is exactly the confirmation I needed. In Europe the Price difference between third party sellers M1 and the M2 is even as high as at least 50% (999 compared to 1499). Though I really was waiting for the M2 as my first MacBook, the price difference and especially the issues with the base M2 makes me now go for a MBA M1. I really love the new design of the M2 but it does not justify the extra budget to me. I am going to use the saved money for something else like additional keyboard, external ssd and adapters. Thanks for making such honest videos!

I would go for the m1 too. Is cheaper, still powerfull and is doesn't look bad. Sure the new design and feature of the m2 are great and i think they may worth the increase of price (with some exceptions, like the disk and the faster heat) but in day to day use even the mbaM1 is good enough for most of us.

I agree. If I wanted a 13-inch portability device, I'd go for the M1 MBA 13. My daughter has had one for 18 months and loves it. I will get interested when they launch a 15-inch Air. I love my 2021 MBP 16 but sometimes I want something lighter.

I'm SO glad I got my M1 MacBook Air back in December. Not one regret, especially after seeing some of the M2 reviews.

Apple cheaping out and lowering the ssd speed is absolutely unacceptable. They deserve all the backlash they’re getting, thank you for calling them out publicly. I hope they learn from this.

I just got a M1 macboor air on Saturday and can’t complain about it loved it after having a 2016 macbook pro 🤷🏽‍♂️

Dear Greg, what do you think about a transfer speed of 1:55 min for 2,5gb video clips from a sd card?? 🤨🧐. It’s the result with my new base MacBook Air M2 and is exactly the same time as with the iPad Air 2020. Would you say …”it s ok??” 🧐

Gonna go with the midnight m2 Air with 256gb storage and 16gb memory. Not too bad of a price after the student discount which will also get me free AirPods that I’ve been needing. Upgrading from the 2016 intel MacBook Pro. Ya the m1 is a better deal but the m2 is just too clean and will receive updates for longer than the m1 would which is much better for me as my old MacBook lasted me nearly 7 years

I bought an M1 Air earlier this year and am happy with it, and have no intention of upgrading anytime soon

Thanks for the video. It answered my question that I tweeted to you yesterday. I appreciate it.

First time Mac buyer. I haven't owned an M1 MBA. But I have been to a store and compared the models. The M1 MBA has sharp edges and an inconsistent depth across the laptop. The newer one seems better, so I'll go that way. I'd go with the MBP14, but portability is important.

I picked up an M1 on sale for $799. Didn’t even consider an M2 at $400 more.

For graphic designers, which one is a better choice? I'm still conflicted

I’ve ordered the m2 air base model for school work, minecraft and emulators would the base be ok ?? I’m kinda worried about it as I can’t upgrade it but really like the new design

"Macbook air m2 512 ssd or Macbook pro m2 512 ssd" Which one is better for coding. According to your answer I will choose one among this. Please help.

what bif there is differ of 100 doller then which we should choose

Bought an Apple refurbished M1 Air with 512gb for £1050 or so. M2 Air in the UK costs £1250. For 256gb version. Which has the issues. I think I chose right.

Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your day.

What to choose ? MacBook Air M2 16/256 or MacBook Pro 13 with an M1 processor 16/512

Why? I have same design macbook air from year 2019 with intel chip and now i bought m2 macbook air 16gb 1tera memory, because my 2019 macbook air 256gb is too less memory.

What should I buy when it is going to be my first Mac? Pro ist to expensive. Sometimes I do video editing and maybe would try Logic Pro some day.

Will you compare M2 Air and MacBook 14 Pro? Because their price will be close after ram and ssd upgrade.

I got a m1 macbook air 8core gpu, 16gb of ram, and 1tb of storage I can't complain I've had it sense launch came from a late 2017 MacBook Pro and its a hell of a improvement in every way. I can game on it, code, run auto cad on it, all while running the main display, a 165 htz 1440p display and a iPad as a third screen its honestly insane how well it holds up after omost two years of hard use I still recommend it to people cause its just that good and the battery is leagues ahead of laptop pcs I I can go about a week with on and off use on one charge. the m2 isn't bad but to much money for what it is if they started at the same price as m1 then it would be a great buy as long as you don't get the base model with only one nand storage chip.

Do you know if Apple have started putting the single SSD drive in the M1 MacBooks yet? I would have thought they may do in the more recently manufactured ones.

Neither Air Macs are good for gaming. Better frame rates that are still below 60 are all bad. I totally agree with you on picking the M1 over the M2 especially because you can spend the difference in price getting more storage and RAM. Apple shouldn’t be selling laptops over $1000 without at least 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM.

I just took the plunge and purchased the m1 a few minutes ago, it’s my first Mac air I purchased the 256gb which is more than I need

I watched other videos about M1 vs M2 comparisons and found out yours was more helpful. I bought Macbook Air M1 2 days ago 😊

I’m really confused! I have MacBook Pro 13 late 2013 model and I need really fresh looking Mac like new air or pro but the priceeeee oh 💔

M1 MBA screens randomly cracking. DO NOT buy the M1 MBA. Not covered under warranty

Brought a fully Spec'd out (16GB 2TB) M1 Air for $1299 in an eBay auction. It'll be my first Macbook since the 2012 15" MBP, Cant wait!

does the M1 chip have any bugs?

The base macbook air m2 is trash for a basic user? I am a student and I will use it mainly for browsing, watching youtube, excel, word etc. 8 gb of RAM and 256 gb SSD will by ok for my use? For upgrade it gets expensive for a basic use. I got one with space gray colour, I expect it is good for my use? Or I should returned it?

I got the M2 MBA 16gb ram and 512gb storage for SGD2119 and free airpods 2 from Apple back to school deal. Will be selling the AirPods 2 for about SGD140 to bring the cost down around 2K SGD thats around 1440 USD. I think its a good deal.

sound advice. the fact the M1 has a bigger thermal headroom than the M2 definitely makes it a better option overall. It will throttle less and have more consistent performances with all kinds of cpu loads under all kinds of climates. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with the design of th MBA M1 (ports excepted). plus you'll find it used easily so the price difference is actually really big.

Please check if the "new"2022 M1 Air also has single NAND chip

Thank you for this

I’ve got the ‘M1 512 GB for my wife like 8 months ago. I was thinking about trading it in to get the M2, but now I’m definitely not doing that.

Hi, about two weeks ago I got a very good deal and I purchased the M1 MBA. I couldn't be happier with this computer.

Gabagoo! So confused in March 2023. Will buy my very first MacBook. Go for M1 or wait for M3?

I love my original one from 2008 first launch. I need someone to fix it though. The body style is awesome. I love it better.

Concur 100% with your commentary!

All this little upgrade talk between MBA M1/M2 is exactly why I went for the M1 MBP 14 Pro base model & no regrets. Best investment I’ve made, it’s far from cheap, however it’s a powerhouse of a workhorse. Confidently & competently handles anything I throw at it without lag or struggle. It & other issues such as lack of ports, heating issues are what deterred me from the MBA to MBP. However, I do respect & appreciate the MBA for what it is.

Why the ipad air and iphone se boxes change their positions?

I think my hang up is that I like the MagSafe. I’m upgrading from a 2012 MBA.

Gabagool! Great insights! Appreciate the hard work!

Ok, so i have had my new MBA for a couple of days now, and i can say; It’s Great! No overheating, throttling or any such thing. My config; M2 8/10 core, 16gb ram, 512gb memory, Space Gray. I know that this model was expensive as compared to a comparable M1. But, i love the new design, the Mag Safe, 1080p FaceTime camera (because i do a lot of Zoom), the 14” M1 pro is just too much computer for my type of work! I’m sure i will be happy with it for a number of years, and perhaps there are a few people like me with similar needs. (Not a gamer, not a video producer)

I actually bought the MBP m1 512 16GB when it released, was thinking about swapping it out for the MBA m2 but I don’t see that as an upgrade. the MBP M1 Pro would be though I’m sure

Instead of making it 200$ more expensive, imagine if they would've made it 100$, it would probably have become the most sold laptop of this year, maybe in Apple's history

If Apple can’t the 128gb ssd’s anymore won’t the M1 also only have a single 256gb?

One advantage of the M2 Macbook Air is it can be upgraded to 24gb of ram. My M1 macbook air with 16gb of ram hits the limits of memory more than I would like. Of course the M1 14" macbook pro can get even more ram. Is it really that much more unwieldy than the M2 macbook air?

It is hard to follow a nearly perfect product like the M1 MacBook Air. Basically every laptop in history has thermally throttled. It's only because the M1 didn't (nearly) that now it seems unusual. It's easy to forget that most people don't do anything more intensive than web browsing and office documents, and for that the higher single core performance of the M2 will make a difference and it won't generate enough heat to be an issue.

If you're on a tight budget I get the M1 MBA...it's great and I owned one myself, but the M2 MBA redesign is so much better I think that alone is worth the extra $200.

Should I need to buy 16gig model with 256 GB M2 MBA ?.. at this price point with education pricing. I will use external SSD for storage and stuffs. I am basically a software developer.. planning to keep for long term(confused which one to pick) any suggestions much appreciated 😊

Which MacBook Air would you suggest for me? I am an incoming college freshman who will be mostly only be using my laptop for schoolwork, writing papers, zoom calls, and some streaming. (No intensive video editing or gaming) Which would you prefer (M1 or M2) and with how much ram? I'm hoping for this laptop to last me throughout college so 4 years.

Wow, great stuff, always! The price difference between the M1 and M2 Airs with 16G/512GB is only $200. Of course, the difference between the M2 Air and M1 Pro MBP 14 refurbished also is only $200. First world problem, indeed, but still a problem. I have the M2 ordered but will return it for the M1 or maybe even the MBP 14, though it is way more powerful than I need in a laptop... assuming the M2 doesn't really impress me. Again, first world problem. Thanks for the excellent info!

I took the 2 back , and got that one. Thank you

I Just bought my new M1 macbook air 8gb ram with 512 ssd for $1049 in Best buy! so happy that i waited. Saved almost $200 there

That's a key point you mentioned, that if you are on the side of consumers you have to call out the M2 MBA expensive price tag and poor thermal and ssd performance (at base spec). The M2 looks great but isn't a great deal. Some RU-vidrs seem very unhappy that this has been pointed out. Some commenters say "it's just a MBA it's not supposed to do anything heavy."But that misses the point that the M1 MBA did it better and cheaper

I wanted something light that I can easily carry with me in my bag, and it’s really hard to justify spending $1200 with M2 just because of the new chip, new design, but with a slower SSD. I ended up finding an M1 Air on ebay with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD for $700, which is almost half of the price of a base model M2 Air.

I'm not regretting the base model MacBook Air 2 for my college student. She's not playing games or editing videos, but she does teach remotely on the weekend, so she wanted a better camera/mic/speaker. This is her first Mac Silicon machine, so either M1 or M2 would have been a nice upgrade, but the M2 is a better fit for her needs.

mine sucks, i got one because of this video 😂 and the wifi icon isn’t showing up after hours of calling people and trying everything i can’t even download macintosh

I paid 850.00 for my air M1 last week and so happy I got the M1 over the M2 I thought I would regret it but not at all.

See, I thought about it -- but MagSafe, 1080p Webcam, and the nicer screen all made the M2 worth it for me. I went base model M2 Air, but this isn't my main productivity machine (that's my M1 Mac mini which has a TB of onboard storage and another TB external drive slapped to it). Also, and I can't stress this enough, the Midnight color is so damned pretty.

To be honest I could use the video encoder on the M2 which is absent in the M1. But the prices of the M2 is too high to justify buying it. What a shame. But Im looking forward for an M2 mac mini though…

The real reason is in April they got the 10 truck loads of M1chips as well as the 10 truck loads of M2 chips for last year and this year as well!!!!!

Ref to statment @ about 9:00…. M2 with upgrades.. its sooo close mb pro 14. In my contry; M2 air 16/512 21.000 local curr. M1 pro 16/512 23.000 local curr. (With discount, M1pro14

Got the M1 today

Do you still feel this way in March 2023? I use this to search web, email, buy and read books and other products. all my apps are library , Kindle, and Audible. That's it! I still have 191gb available of my 256gb early 2015 12". My only concern is how long will Apple support it with updates, and how long my apps will work on the M1 model. Please comment on updates and support

The base M1 MBA is Apple's best product and value _ever_ in its entire history. So there is that.

im very happy with my m1 MacBook Air I got the 512 gb ssd and the 8 processor and 8 graphics cores dose everything I need editing video and photos but im not a pro so I can only speak for me had mine 18 months and only on 90 battery cycles cracking bit of kit

I think some of the new features are very nice, but the price difference is too high. When I can get an m1 for $850 and have a faster drive performance when I start memory swapping, it just makes no sense to do the m2. Gabagool!

No reasoning needed anymore lol M1 MBA is in my cart Thanks again for these videos 🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹

All these negative stuff about the M2 Air is making me sick. I just already bought it and now you say I should get M1?

M1 Air I think overall just makes more sense. The M2 has a badass design but that’s about it

I just Ordered a Macbook air M1!!

M2MBA is there along with M1 MBA. Why has M1 MBP 13inch been removed !!!

The 16 GB limit on the M1 Air is why I had to upgrade... granted didn't need an M1 Max 64gb 2gb MacBook Pro, but at least I have the power and not need it, and not need the power and not have it?

Gabagool! Nice review of both units - I did buy an M1 with 512 and 16GB.

m1 16gb of ram will edit video at TWICE the speed vs m2 8gb of ram. Something to consider

I will stick with my 2018 Air for another year or so until base Air get more storage and ram and lower price :(

I have been a Mac user for more than 10 years (I currently own Macbook Pro 2010, Macbook Pro 2012, Macbook Pro 2015, Macbook Pro 2017, Macbook Pro M1 2020) and being an Engineer I have worked a lot on Troubleshooting and Fixing Macs as well. Mac OS used to be very stable and advance. But I am really disappointed and frustated since I got M1 Pro and used macOS Monterey and Ventura. Below are my comments:

For older Macbook Users: 1. MacOS used to be very stable and updates used to happen in night while Mac is on sleep, After M1, updates comes several times a month and take many hours everytime to complete. 2. The MacOs after Big Sur has became very very buggy and remained buggy even till now (Ventura). 3. In the last 5 years, the OS hardly has any big feature updates. Windows 11 now have really superior UI and features. 4. I never needed to visit Apple Care, Internet Recovery was one of the best thing Mac have. But now they have removed Internet Recovery and incase if OS corrupts(Happening very frequently since M1 and Big Sur OS), you have no other option that visiting Apple Care. 5.Even having another latest Mac with Apple Configurator doesn't works in most of the cases to restore the problematic Mac. 6.No Internet Recovery or Booting from External Pendrive incase if any problem comes of want to downgrade to previous version of MacOS. For New Mac Users or wannabe Mac users: 1. The only reason you should buy a Mac is for show off. There is no other reason to buy a Mac currently. (Good Windows 11 Laptops are better in all ways.) 2. macOS is currently hell buggy (Far more than Windows 11 on good laptops), with Not even half of the features available when compared to Windows 11. 3. If the macOS update fails and corrupts(Happening very frequently since M1 and Big Sur OS), you will need to visit Apple Care. They have made M1 Macs in a way that No Local Shop or Internet Tutorial will be able to help you. 4. Be ready to consume around 50 - 100GB of data and many many hours of your time every month on OS Updates (You will not find any new feature even after updating). 5. Most of the Devices will not support well, No possibility of good gaming. 6.Cannot make multiple partitions properly. Fingerprint supports only 3-5 different fingers max. 7.If any app even gets a small update, it may take several minutes for Mac to verify that app until you can starting using that app again. 8.For most of the simple simple things, you will need to use Terminal Commandline because UI is not available for many of the Settings. (For example if you want to do a big download and make sure that Mac doesn’t go to sleep even if you close the lid by mistake)
If show off is not a factor, Get a Windows laptop with much more better OS, Features and Hardware capabilities in much lesser price.

I went and checked out the M2 air in store with the m1 side by side and the M2 really is a awesome upgrade imo, I’m coming from an intel mac and it was so responsive really great machine. And looking at student pricing it’s really not a bad deal.

M1 is only $799.00 at Best Buy right now. I’m going to get it in gold color.

gabagool! I live in Japan. I got my M1 MA last year with an educational discount and $150 Apple gift card discount that was a year-end promotion. Because of the change in the $/Yen exchange rate this year apple just raised its prices by about 25% percent across the board here in Japan. That means upgrading to an M2 MA would cost about 40% more than what I paid for my M1. I would love the form factor, upgraded screen and magsafe charger in the M2, but that is not worth paying 40% more for me. The other upgrade is the 1080P webcam camera, but with the option of using my iPhone for the camera coming in Ventura, the 1080P upgrade is rendered irrelevant. I am excited however, about the leaks about Apple reissuing the 12” model with an M2 chip in the next year or so. That would be something I would consider. I used one of those for work back in the day and the ultra portability was really a thing. So I am going to hold out for now with this M1 that I absolutely adore, in hopes of shifting to an M2 12” model in 12~18 months. I always appreciate your videos and watch them to the end. Keep up the great content.

Mba m1 16gb or mba m2 8gb? Which one is better for android, ios, angular and java dev? M1 is 2 years old.

I have enough money for the M2 air 16/512, even with the added $250 tax in my country. So that's what I will be buying because it's better in every way for a college student like me.

Here in India the base model Macbook Air M2 cost around 1470 US dollars 🤦 whereas Macbook Air M1 can get around 999 dollars...

Well said. I am still waiting for the day when a budget MacBook SE reuses the body of 12-inch MacBook with an Apple silicon chip inside. Not sure if it’s gonna happen though.

Quick question- could a cooling pad or a frozen igloo pack under the m2 help it cool?

got a new M1 13 ”pro” for 1000usd last week it’s pretty dope

you are right but i dont care too much. i wanted a new and modern looking laptop, so i bought the m2 air with 512gb ssd :)

I could buy a car instead of a M2 fully stacked! That’s a joke!

I got the m1 air for $799. I wanted it for writing. For the price I couldn't pass it up.

I’m keeping my M1 MacBook Air 💻 a for least another 6 to 7 years

The entire video in one sentence: The M2 is objectively a better computer but it is not 20% better therefore the M1 is what you should buy.

M2 macbook air is perfect- beautiful machine and light weight

Only thing I dislike about the m1 is that it doesnt come in black

Dear apple. Bring back the lit up apple logo. I found it was great for my eyes in low light late night shopping. Add a bright led with minimal cutout for design. Like the outline of an apple?? but also, make the colour temperature selectable and, add thier own customise settings. , please and thanks.. u really should hire me for future design. I could help a lot