MacBook Air 2022 vs MacBook Air 2020: M2 and M1 compared

Table of Contents:

• the new king
  • MacBook Air (2022)
• ever powerful
  • MacBook Air (2020)
• Advantage
• drawbacks
• Advantage
• drawbacks

the new king

MacBook Air (2022)

ever powerful

MacBook Air (2020)

Apple’s best-selling Mac has received a new update for 2022! The latest MacBook Air offers a new design, an all-new Apple M2 chip, MagSafe charging and more.

Starting at $1,199 at Apple

Advantage

• microprocessor m2
• bigger screen
• MagSafe charging port
• four color options
• 1080p FaceTime HD camera

drawbacks

• Price increase
• Same storage options
• Current availability could be a problem

This machine packs a still fast M1 processor and offers the same battery life and storage capacity as the new model. However, it is now dated compared to the 2022 version.

Starting at $999 on Amazon

Advantage

• light and compact
• M1 is still a powerful chip
• The screen is not much smaller.
• Less expensive
• Same battery life

drawbacks

• old model
• 720p FaceTime camera
• Without MagSafe

The MacBook Air is Apple’s best-selling Mac and our favorite Mac. When a new version comes out, it’s great news. The MacBook Air 2022 is a significant upgrade from the previous model, the MacBook Air (2020). In addition to offering a more powerful chip, the 2022 model comes with a new design with a bigger and better screen. The MacBook Air (2022) also sees the return of the MagSafe charging port and more, like an updated FaceTime camera. None of this means you shouldn’t consider the older model. In some cases, the 2020 version might be the laptop for you. Let’s take a look at the differences so you can decide.

MacBook Air (2022) vs MacBook Air (2020): main differences

Source: Gerald Lynch/ComoHow

Although there are clear differences between the MacBook Air (2022) and the MacBook Air (2020), it is important to note that the point is that there are similarities in the domains that have storage capacity and the lifespan of Battery. The older model might be a better choice depending on your most important preferences. Looked:

MacBook Air 2022 MacBook Air 2020 Cost Starting at $1,199 Starting at $999 Colors Midnight
Starlight
Gray area
silver space gray
Money
Gold Screen size 13.6-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina display 13.3-inch Retina display Resolution 2560 x 1664 pixels 2560 x 1600 pixels Brightness 500 nits 400 nits Processor 8-core Apple M2 chip 8-core Apple M1 chip GPU cores Up to 10 cores RAM 7 cores 8GB
16 GB
24GB 8GB
16GB storage 256GB
512GB
1TB
2TB 256GB
512GB
1TB
2TB camera FaceTime HD 1080p camera FaceTime HD 720p camera Sound Quad-speaker sound system Stereo speakers Dolby Atmos audio support
Spatial audio Dolby Atmos ports Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, headphone jack Two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, headphone jack Battery adapters 30W USB-C power adapter (included with M2 with 8-core GPU)
35W Dual Port USB-C Compact Power Adapter (included with M2 10-core GPU and 512GB storage, configurable with M2 8-core GPU)
Fast charge capability with available 67W USB-C power adapter 30W USB-C power adapter Battery life Up to 18 hours Up to 18 hours MagSafe Yes No Dimensions 0.44 x 11.97 x 8.46 inches 0.63 x 11.97 x 8.36 inches Weight 2.7 lbs. 2.8 lbs.

Despite the impressive specs of the latest MacBook Air, you can see here that the previous version still has a lot going for it, starting with a cheaper price. So the question here is how many bells and whistles do you need?

MacBook Air (2022) vs MacBook Air (2020) A revolutionary design

Source: Gerald Lynch/ComoHow

The latest MacBook Air features a flat design and looks similar to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models from 2021. The older MacBook Air features a wedge design that sets it apart from other MacBooks. Also, the new design allowed Apple to add a MagSafe charging port and a slightly bigger and better screen. This time around, MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina display compared to the 13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display on the previous model. The Liquid Retina display offers 2,560 by 1,664 pixels with 500 nits of brightness compared to the 2,560 by 1,600 pixels and 400 nits found on the 2020 version. The new screen also comes with a better 1080p FaceTime HD camera and a notch in the screen, which is also found on the two larger models. MacBook Pro models.

Design-wise, MacBook Air (2022) also includes two new colors: Midnight and Starlight, which replaced the 2020 model’s Gold color scheme. Both models also come in the traditional Space Gray and Silver.

Better performance of MacBook Air (2022) compared to MacBook Air (2020) M2

Source: Gerald Lynch/ComoHow

One of the main reasons for choosing the latest MacBook Air over the previous model is the transition from the Apple M1 chip to the Apple M2 chip. Next-generation silicon means more speed and power efficiency thanks to a more powerful 8-core processor and up to a 10-core GPU. As a result, Apple claims that the M2 is up to 1.4 times faster than the M1 model, although battery life remains the same, up to 18 hours between charges for both.

Specifically, Apple claims the M2 delivers 1.4x faster video editing performance, 1.2x faster image filters and effects, 1.3x faster gaming, 1.3x faster video editing detection faster, 1.6x faster scene, 1.4x faster photo stitching, 3x faster video transcoding performance, and 1.2x faster image scaling. However, these numbers assume you’re buying a MacBook Air (2022) with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 24GB of RAM. During testing, Apple compared this model to a MacBook Air (2020) with an 8-core processor, 8-core GPU, and 16GB of RAM. Both had a maximum of 2TB of storage.

MacBook Air (2022) vs MacBook Air (2020): price changes

The MacBook Air (2022) is still the cheapest MacBook on the market. Unfortunately, the starting price has increased by $200, with the entry-level version going for $1,199 compared to $999 for the previous model. That means the new 13-inch MacBook Pro (2022), which still starts at $1,299, is now just $100 more than the cheapest MacBook Air. The price differences on both sides shouldn’t be overlooked and could make it more difficult to decide which MacBook is right for you. Add in the potential discounts we’ll soon see on the MacBook Air (2020), and the choice could prove even more difficult to make.

One other point: continued global shortages could mean MacBook Air (2022) supply is limited, at least for a few weeks or months.

MacBook Air (2022) vs MacBook Air (2020): which one to choose?

Source: Gerald Lynch/ComoHow

The MacBook Air (2022) is the best option for most people, even at a higher price than the previous model. This laptop offers a new design, a better Apple M2 chip, a larger screen, MagSafe, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, and more. However, if you’re less concerned about speed and performance upgrades, don’t understand why MagSafe is so great, need a MacBook now and don’t want to wait, or just want to save some money, there’s absolutely nothing wrong. with the choice of the old model. This also applies if you plan to upgrade to the new Air (2022). If the 2020 MacBook Air still works for you, you should stick with it; after all, it still packs Apple’s silicon, offers the same battery life and storage availability, and comes in a well-received wedge design.

The best of the best

MacBook Air (2022)

Whether you’re planning to get one in Midnight or Starlight, or stick with an old favorite like Space Gray or Silver, the new MacBook Air is ready to come into your home and thrill you.

The value for money

MacBook Air (2020)

The 2020 MacBook Air is well received and still packs a punch. Although its successor is technologically better, it is still a great machine that will give you years of productivity and enjoyment.

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