Which Mac is best: MacBook Air M2 or 13-inch MacBook Pro M2?

Although the price difference between the two MacBook models unveils at WWDC 2022 is only Rs 10,000, there are some significant variations between them.

At WWDC 22, Apple unveiled the new M2 MacBook Air. Apple's most popular consumer MacBook has been updated with new features and a fresh look. In addition to the MacBook Air M2, Apple also introduced a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with the same M2 processor.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro M2 has a starting price of Rs 1,29,900, while the MacBook Air M2 has a price of Rs 1,19,900. Which of the two MacBook models should you buy? To help you decide, we've put together a comparison between the M2 MacBook Air with the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2.

During Apple's WWDC 2022, the company unveiled its new M2 system-on-chip. While Apple's developer conference is centered on operating systems, apps, and services, the company's in-house chips are crucial to the hardware and software working together. So, it's no surprise that Apple has announced two new laptops based on M2: the MacBook Air M2 and the MacBook Pro M2 13-inch.

When Apple enthusiasts desired a notebook that was more powerful than the MacBook Air, they choose the tiniest MacBook Pro. Unless you're a commercial buyer who needs platform consistency, it could be wiser for professionals to go with the new MacBook Air instead of the MacBook Pro.

Design

In comparison to previous MacBook Air models, the new MacBook Air M2 has a completely different design. The frame is now flat, similar to previous MacBook models released recently. In reality, the M2 MacBook Pro 13-inch has a frame that is very similar to this one.

The M2 MacBook Air 2022 has an edge over the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 chip, despite their identical looks. In comparison to the MacBook Pro 13-inch with an M2 chip, the MacBook Air 2022 is thinner and lighter. The M2 MacBook Pro, on the other hand, features a larger battery and a built-in fan for heat management.

The M2 MacBook Air 2022 is available in four colors: Midnight, Starlight, Space Grey, and Silver. Only two colors are available for the M2 13-inch MacBook Pro: Space Grey and Silver.

The M2 MacBook Air includes a MagSafe charging port as well as two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 connections. MagSafe charging is not available on the Pro M2 13-inch variant. There are just two USB Type-C ports on the device. Both variants include a 3.5mm audio jack with superior high-impedance headphone compatibility.

The M2 MacBook Pro has a stereo speaker arrangement, whilst the Air M2 has a four-speaker sound system.

Touch Bar and Touch ID are also included with the MacBook Pro. On the other hand, the M2 Air has a full set of physical function keys as well as a Touch ID in the top right corner of the keyboard.

Display

The IPS LCD is still present on both variants. The M2 MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch screen, which is slightly larger than the M1. It also has a display that is similar to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, with a broad notch at the top for the 1080p webcam.

The Liquid Retina display technology is found in both laptops. The MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch LED-backlit screen with a native resolution of 25601664 and a pixel density of 224 pixels per inch (PPI). Apple boasts that the Air M1's brightness can exceed 500 nits, and it also has True Tone technology.

With a native resolution of 25601600 and a PPI of 227, the MacBook Pro offers a slightly smaller 13.3-inch screen with the same LED-backlit technology. Apple claims it boasts the same 500 nits of brightness as the iPad Pro, as well as compatibility for millions of colors and True Tone technology. Both displays have a peak brightness of 500 nits.

Processor

The new M2 chip is included in both MacBook models. The M2 chip in the MacBook Air 2022 and the new MacBook Pro M2 offers up to 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU, and a 40% quicker Neural Engine, according to Apple.

The base edition of the M2 MacBook Air and Pro comes with 8GB of RAM. The M2 MacBook Air includes an 8-core processor and a GPU with up to 10-cores. The M2 MacBook Pro 13-inch sports an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU in its base model.

The RAM can be increased to 24GB and the inbuilt SSD to 2TB. The M2 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro 13-inch come standard with 256GB of internal storage.

It's worth mentioning that the Pro model comes with a heat-dissipating fan under the hood. As the system tries to cool down while doing resource-demanding tasks, this could result in constant performance for a few more minutes/hours.

Life of the battery

Apple claims that the MacBook Air M2 has a battery life of up to 18 hours on a single charge. With the 8-core GPU option, Apple will include a 30W USB Type-C power adapter, and with the 10-core GPU variant with 512GB of internal storage, Apple will include a 35W dual USB Type-C power adapter. As an alternative to the 35W Dual USB Type-C converter, users will be able to upgrade to a 67W USB Type-C fast charger. A USB Type-C to MagSafe charging connection is included with the M2 Air.

The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has a battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge. A 67W USB Type-C adapter and a USB Type-C cable are included.

In most circumstances, the M2 MacBook Air is superior to the M2 MacBook Pro in terms of hardware. It sports a slightly larger display and a better webcam, as well as MagSafe charging up to 67W and the same processor as the MacBook Pro 2022.6.

If you incorporate the MagSafe connector, it also has more ports. In comparison to the Space Grey and Silver colors on the Pro M2, the MacBook Air M2 comes in a variety of colors.

The MacBook Air M2 should be ideal for most users, with a starting price of Rs 1,19,900 for the base configuration.

The M2 13-inch MacBook Pro, on the other hand, will be ideal for individuals who wish to maintain high performance over time, thanks to the active cooling fan system underneath. In comparison to the M2 MacBook Air, the M2 Pro has a larger battery, which, by the way, is still superior to many Windows laptops.

To be honest, I don't think the M2-based 13-inch MacBook Pro is better than the M2-based MacBook Air. It still has the Touch Bar albatross attached to its keyboard, and it has an older 720p FaceTime HD camera. It has a smaller screen that can't display as many colors. Only those who expect to generate sustained loads that will benefit from the fan should consider it, and if you do, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro is a good option.

One quick note

We can't make any definitive statements regarding which gadget is superior because we haven't fully evaluated each laptop. However, based on the specifications, the MacBook Air appears to be significantly more tempting. It features additional color options, a more streamlined design, a better webcam, and a lower price.

According to Apple, the 13-inch MacBook Pro has a little longer battery life, and the addition of a fan should result in a significantly quicker performance.

However, given both laptops include the M2 processor, they appear to be reasonable solutions for anybody looking for a fast productivity computer.

Apple's efforts to make its products more environmentally friendly are difficult to quantify, but they are critical. Apple included a card praising its work in the field of sustainability with both of these M2-based laptops. For that, and for continuing to endeavor to make its goods less harmful to the environment, kudos to the corporation.

Frequently Asked Question

What is the distinction between the new MacBook Pro and the new MacBook Air? The redesigned 13-inch MacBook Pro contains the same internal components as the new Air with the M2 processor. The Air, on the other hand, offers a new fanless design, a bigger, higher-resolution display, and four-speaker audio. It's also lighter.

What will the MacBook Pro 13-inch look like in 2022? Except for the new M2 processor, the 13-inch MacBook Pro in 2022 is similar to its predecessor. That means it retains the same appearance and outdated functionality, such as a 720p webcam and no MagSafe charging capability. This is the final choice with the latest Apple chipset for Touch Bar aficionados.