In the ever-evolving world of gadgets, Apple has long been a trailblazer, setting new benchmarks and raising the bar for innovation. In their latest announcement, we now bear witness to two extraordinary titans that redefine the laptop landscape – the MacBook Air M2 and the MacBook Pro M2. These magnificent machines are poised to challenge the boundaries of performance, aesthetics, and versatility, leaving tech enthusiasts and professionals alike in awe.
Lets unravel the intricacies that differentiate the MacBook Air M2 and the MacBook Pro M2 – one, a symbol of unparalleled portability and elegance, and the other, an epitome of raw power and unyielding capabilities.
MacBook Air vs Pro: Specs
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June 2022
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January 2023
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13.6-inch or 15.3-inch display
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14.2-inch or 16.2-inch display
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LCD Liquid Retina display display
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Mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion
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500 nits brightness
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Up to 1,000 nits sustained (full-screen) brightness and 1,600 nits peak brightness
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Apple ‌M2‌ chip
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Apple ‌M2‌ Pro chip or Apple ‌M2‌ Max chip
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8-core CPU with with four performance cores and four efficiency cores
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Up to 12-core CPU with eight performance cores and four efficiency cores
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Integrated 8-core GPU
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Up to 19-core GPU with ‌‌M2‌‌ Pro and up to 38-core GPU with ‌‌M2‌‌ Max
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100GB/s memory bandwidth
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Up to 400GB/s memory bandwidth
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8GB, 16GB, or 24GB of unified memory
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16GB or 32GB unified memory with ‌‌M2‌‌ Pro and 32GB, 64GB, or 96GB unified memory with ‌‌M2‌‌ Max
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256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage
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512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB of storage
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Passive cooling
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Active cooling
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Wi-Fi 6
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Wi-Fi 6E
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2 Thunderbolt / 1 USB-4, 1 headphone
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3 Thunderbolt, HDMI, SD Card, MagSafe
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–
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Touch ID
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Touch ID
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HDMI 2.1 port with support for multichannel audio output
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SDXC card slot
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Four-speaker sound system (13-inch) or six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers (15-inch)
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High-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers
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Three-mic array with directional beamforming
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Studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming
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Integrated 52.6-watt-hour or 66.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
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Integrated 70-watt-hour or 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
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Up to 18 hours battery life*
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Up to 18 or 22 hours battery life*
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2.7 pounds
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3.5 pounds to 4.8 pounds
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30W, 35W, or 67W USB-C Power Adapter
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67W, 96W, or 140W USB-C Power Adapter
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MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Design
The M2 MacBook Air 2022 adopts a design akin to the 2021 MacBook Pros, featuring thinner bezels and a camera notch. In contrast, the M2 MacBook Pro retains the same design as its M1 predecessor but upgrades to slim bezels and ditches the Touch Bar for a dedicated function row. Both laptops share a basic design with flat tops and rounded edges, but the MacBook Pro’s bezels are slimmer, and its high-end model has an all-black keyboard area. The MacBook Air is available in additional color options, including Starlight and Midnight, providing more aesthetic choices compared to the MacBook Pro’s Silver and Space Gray options.
MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Dimensions
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is much larger and heavier than the 15-inch MacBook Air. While the 14-inch MacBook Pro is larger and slightly heavier than the 13-inch MacBook Air, it still strikes a good balance between portability and performance. If you prioritize portability and travel light, the 13-inch MacBook Air is a better choice. However, if you need the added capabilities of the 14-inch MacBook Pro, its size and weight should not be a deterrent. For a good balance of portability and display area, the 15-inch MacBook Air is recommended, but those seeking a more compact option can go for the 13-inch model.
MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Display
Behold, the M2 MacBook Pro, emanating 474.6 nits of standard brightness, an impressive spectacle in its own right. But the MacBook Air 2022, basking in an even more resplendent glow, soaring to a staggering 489 nits. The MacBook Air, a true luminous luminary, outshining its formidable sibling. The MacBook Air’s display is 13.6 inches, slightly smaller than the 14.2-inch MacBook Pro and significantly smaller than the 16.2-inch MacBook Pro. Despite this, the 13.6-inch display is still larger than the largest iPad Pro and previous MacBook Air and smaller MacBook Pro models, making it sufficient for most users. The 14.2-inch MacBook Pro offers a bit more screen real estate, catering to those who require high-end capabilities. For those in need of a desktop replacement and more screen space to arrange multiple windows and use professional applications, the 15.3-inch MacBook Air and 16.2-inch MacBook Pro are better choices.
MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air Display Comparison
MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air: Performance differences
Both the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are equipped with the same M2 processor and run on macOS. However, the MacBook Pro stands out as it includes a fan, while the MacBook Air remains fanless. The entry-level MacBook Air M2 offers ample power for tasks like spreadsheets, word processing, browsing, and media consumption. The additional GPU cores in the Air may not be fully utilized by many users. In terms of performance, the MacBook Pro 13-inch edges ahead, especially in CPU-intensive tasks that require sustained processing. The presence of fans in the MacBook Pro allows for better thermal management, which contributes to its slightly superior performance compared to the MacBook Air. For a significant performance boost, users are advised to consider the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip.
MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air Performance differences Comparison
MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Colors
Both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro come in Silver and Space Gray color options. However, the MacBook Air offers additional choices with Starlight and Midnight finishes, providing more aesthetic options for users seeking a specific look. If you desire these particular colors, the MacBook Air is the model to opt for.
MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air Color Comparison
MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Battery life and charging
The MacBook Pro M2 is slightly heavier and thicker than the MacBook Air M2, allowing for a larger battery and active cooling. The MacBook Pro’s 58.2-watt-hour battery provides approximately 2 hours more battery life than the MacBook Air’s 52.6-watt-hour battery, with the Pro offering up to 17 hours of internet browsing and 20 hours of Apple TV+ watching, while the Air lasts around 15 hours and 18 hours in the same tests.
An additional advantage of choosing the MacBook Pro is its more powerful 67-watt power adapter, which charges the battery faster than the 30-watt power adapter that comes with the MacBook Air.
Moreover, the MacBook Air M2 features the MagSafe 3 power adapter, which frees up one USB-C port for other accessories or connections, while the MacBook Pro is limited to its two USB-C ports.
MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air Battery Comparison
MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Ports and Expansion
The newer M2-powered MacBook machines have Thunderbolt 4/USB4 ports. The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models offer more ports, including three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, SD Card slot, and MagSafe charging. In contrast, the MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt 4 ports and lacks the HDMI and SD Card slot. The MacBook Pro’s connectivity options are more versatile, supporting multiple external displays and SDXC cards from digital cameras, making it ideal for professionals with diverse connectivity needs. Additionally, the MacBook Pro features newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi specifications, adding to its appeal for users requiring extensive connectivity and compatibility with various peripherals.
MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air Ports Comparison
MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Audio and Camera
Regarding microphones, both models have impressive capabilities.
The MacBook Air has a three-mic array suitable for video calls and voice notes, while the MacBook Pro features a “studio-quality” three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming, making it suitable for podcasting and production purposes.
Furthermore, the MacBook Air has better speakers, featuring four speakers compared to the MacBook Pro’s two. However, the difference might not be significantly noticeable due to spatial constraints within the MacBook chassis. Both models support Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio through advanced computational audio.
An unexpected difference lies in the webcams.
The MacBook Air M2 boasts a 1080p resolution camera with Center Stage functionality, digitally zooming and panning to keep users in the frame. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro M2 utilizes the same 720p FaceTime HD camera as the 2020 MacBook Pro M1, which might be disappointing for those who frequently engage in video calls.
Overall, the MacBook Pro M2 offers superior audio recording and is more suitable for professional tasks, while the MacBook Air M2 provides excellent audio playback and a more advanced webcam, making it a solid choice for video communication and multimedia consumption.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the ‌MacBook Air‌ is the best option for most users, offering an excellent balance of features and performance in a highly portable design. The ‌MacBook Air‌’s $1,099 starting price is much affordable compared to the MacBook Pro, and with an education discount or an offer from our Apple Deals Roundup, it is possible to get that price down by at least $100. The additional $900 to get the MacBook Pro likely is not worth it for most users, and on the contrary, many will prefer the slimmer, lighter design of the ‌MacBook Air‌ and perhaps even its additional color options.
MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro FAQs
Which is better Mac Air M2 or Mac Pro M2?
The M2 Pro and M2 Max chips offer CPUs with up to four additional cores and GPUs with up to 28 additional cores. While the M2 chip in the MacBook Air is equally powerful in single-core tasks, the M2 Pro and M2 Max outperform it significantly in multi-core and graphics-intensive tasks.
Which MacBook is best?
The MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Max excels in all tasks, offering a larger display, higher peak performance, and longer battery life, justifying its premium price. However, the choice between MacBook Air and MacBook Pro depends on the user’s specific work requirements. While the MacBook Air suits most users, professionals like graphic designers, video editors, and coders may prefer the MacBook Pro for its enhanced capabilities.
Which MacBook is best for Students?
MacBook Pros and the newer 2022 MacBook Air provide enhanced power, but for most users, the M1-chipped MacBook Air should suffice. Unless your studies demand graphically demanding software, the 2020 MacBook Air strikes the ideal balance between value and performance, making it a popular choice among students.
Which MacBook is best for Coding?
The MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) is an excellent choice for programmers seeking more power than the MacBook Air. However, if you want to invest less and don’t require the extra power or cannot afford the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air is a suitable alternative.
Which MacBook is best for Video Editing?
The MacBook Air can run Adobe apps and design tools, but it may struggle with large and complex projects. For resource-intensive tasks like 3D software or editing 8K video, it’s recommended to invest in a MacBook Pro for better performance and capabilities.
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