Hands-On With the M2 MacBook Air: All Your Questions Answered - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Hands-On With the M2 MacBook Air: All Your Questions Answered

Happy MacBook Air launch day! Today is the official debut date of the new M2 ‌MacBook Air‌, which features the first major redesign to the ‌MacBook Air‌ in a decade. We picked up one of the new ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ machines and decided to do a hands-on video where we answer questions from MacRumors readers.


The ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ no longer has a tapered design, and it instead looks a lot more like the MacBook Pro. It's thinner and lighter than the prior model, and it comes in new colors that include Midnight and Starlight.

In the video, we answer questions about the ‌M2‌ chip's performance for everyday tasks, the SSD storage you should choose and what you need to know about the SSD, whether you should upgrade the RAM, how the ‌M2‌ chip compares to the M1 Pro chip, how the display measures up to the prior-generation ‌MacBook Air‌, and tons more.

You'll want to watch our video for our full ‌MacBook Air‌ overview that includes details MacRumors readers wanted to know, but we also want to hear from you. Have a new ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌? Let us know what you think of it in the comments.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Air (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Air

Popular Stories

iPad mini 7 Review Thumb 1 sans text

Apple Raises iPad and Mac Trade-In Values

Monday October 26, 2026 8:17 am PDT by
Apple today updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, raising maximum values across the iPad lineup and for most Macs following today's announcement of the new iPad mini. Every iPad category has gained value, although the increases are relatively modest. The iPad mini and standard iPad both rise by $20, while the iPad Air gains $15 and the iPad Pro increases by $10. The revised maximum estimates...
imac holiday

OLED MacBook Air and iMac Remain in Testing

Sunday October 25, 2026 8:40 pm PDT by
Apple is testing OLED displays for future MacBook Air and iMac models, though both upgrades remain some way off, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his latest "Power On" newsletter. The next refreshes of the devices are expected to retain LCD displays. Gurman anticipates a new iMac to arrive this week and a MacBook Air refresh in early 2027, but offered no time frame for either model's...
iPhone Duo Display Cracking

Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue

Friday October 30, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
In a memo shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers this week, and later obtained by MacRumors, Apple provided technicians with guidance on how to diagnose and address the iPhone Duo's inner display cracking issue. If a customer reports the issue, Apple advised technicians to inspect the iPhone Duo and repair or replace it in accordance with their standard procedures....

Top Rated Comments

nvmls Avatar
56 months ago

Even the notch looks pretty.
Whoa... let's not get too courageous now son.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tweaknmod Avatar
56 months ago

But if you are going to get 512/16gb - why not already go to the MBP?
Thinner, lighter, better battery life, less expensive, and (supposedly) better keyboard.

At least, that's why I'm getting a MBA rather than a MBP.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
56 months ago
Not going to lie the color Midnight looks stunningly gorgeous! It's got that stealthier look.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
56 months ago
He's got 10 Safari tabs open and 4 or 5 apps running and everything is running fine. What a time to be alive!
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gadgetgirl85 Avatar
56 months ago
But if you are going to get 512/16gb - why not already go to the MBP?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
56 months ago

But if you are going to get 512/16gb - why not already go to the MBP?
Which weighs almost a pound more.

Price aside, the point of the Air is its size, weight, and battery life.

If you don't care about those things consider a discounted 14" MBP.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
49 minutes ago
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
59 minutes ago
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
5 hours ago
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
1 day ago
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
1 day ago
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
1 day ago
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
1 day ago
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
1 day ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
1 day ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
1 day ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
2 days ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
2 days ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
2 days ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
2 days ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
2 days ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
2 days ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
2 days ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
2 days ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
2 days ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
2 days ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
2 days ago
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
2 days ago
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
2 days ago
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
2 days ago
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
2 days ago
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
2 days ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
2 days ago
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
2 days ago
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
2 days ago
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
2 days ago