Does Size Matter?

When I opted for the midnight M2 MacBook Air, I committed to truly utilizing it. I aimed to incorporate it into my daily tasks rather than just testing and returning it. After a fortnight of extensive use, I feel prepared to share my experiences regarding its functionality as a primary Mac.

Throughout these two weeks, I have used the M2 MacBook Air more than my other Macs, which include a 27-inch iMac and a powerful 16-inch MacBook Pro. My main concern was the smaller screen size of 13.6 inches, the smallest in my collection. I wondered how well I would adapt to this change.

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I have always preferred larger displays. The MacBook Pro, with its Liquid Retina XDR display boasting a resolution of 3024×1964 at 254 pixels per inch, feels much larger than it is. Using that Mac has been a pleasure, whether connected to the Studio Display or not.

Although I occasionally connected the M2 MacBook Air to that display, it has primarily functioned independently. My daily tasks include writing in Ulysses, light Photoshop work, video editing, and some audio editing in Audition.

While I initially found the screen a slight challenge, it has not been nearly as problematic as I anticipated. The display quality significantly aids the experience. With a maximum brightness of 500 nits, the backlit LED panel is bright enough for comfortable use, and the small bezels create a sense of spaciousness.

The notch at the top of the screen rarely distracts me. I have set my Mac to dark mode, which obscures it in most applications, except for Premiere Pro. When I go full screen in that program, the notch is quite noticeable. Perhaps Adobe will address this in future updates?

Fit and Finish

Now, let’s discuss fingerprints.

Having seen early reviews from MKBHD and others, I was aware of the potential drawbacks of choosing the midnight finish for the M2 MacBook Air. Among the four available colors (starlight, space grey, and silver), midnight is undoubtedly the most appealing. The other options felt somewhat uninspired to me.

Indeed, this finish collects every mark, smudge, and fingerprint as you might expect. Fingerprints are to the midnight MacBook Air what moths are to a flame — they are unavoidable!

As someone particular about cleanliness, I often polish my devices, including my iPhone, which I use without a case. If anyone touches my Mac's display, I quickly reach for a microfiber cloth! However, I must say that the smudges aren’t a major issue, even for someone as tidy as I am.

Most fingerprints are visible on the lid, which is out of sight while working. Therefore, the only exposed areas are the sides of the trackpad, which are primarily touched by the sides of your hands. Unless your skin is excessively greasy, it’s manageable.

The trackpad itself is excellent — large, responsive, and intuitive, it reacts smoothly to gestures. Above it, the keyboard is a pleasure to use. Apple has returned to form with their keyboards, moving away from the problematic butterfly design of the past in favor of the reliable Magic keyboard.

If you’ve used a MacBook in recent years, you know what to expect: a balanced and pleasant typing experience, even for someone like me who isn’t the fastest typist. Full-height function keys are back, along with a full-sized Touch ID button, making unlocking the M2 MacBook Air quick, especially if you don’t own an Apple Watch. Additionally, it wakes from sleep the moment you lift the lid — a feature I appreciate.

Performance

I chose the higher-spec model available at launch, which includes 512GB of SSD storage and 8GB of unified memory.

As mentioned, the tasks I perform daily are well within this MacBook’s capabilities. I typically wouldn’t edit and export video on this device, preferring my MacBook Pro, but I wanted to test its limits.

You won’t be disappointed. Set aside any negativity you might have encountered; this fanless notebook handles all tasks exceptionally well. I conducted a rendering comparison with a recent YouTube video to highlight its efficiency.

The 8-minute video was rendered and exported without any issues. There were no spinning beach balls, and it remained only slightly warm. It took four minutes longer than my MacBook Pro, which I don’t consider too bad. The ability to work in Premiere Pro on the go with this MacBook demonstrates the impressive advancements we’ve made with Apple Silicon.

If I could have configured this M2 MacBook Air with even more power, I would have. If you plan to keep this MacBook Air for an extended period, consider upgrading to a 1TB SSD if your budget allows. I recommend prioritizing storage over additional memory, as the 8GB has performed adequately for me; having more storage provides peace of mind. Upgrading to a 1TB SSD on the 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU model will cost around £1749. Be cautious, as adding more features can quickly lead you to the 14-inch MacBook Pro pricing.

The Ins and Outs

In terms of connectivity, the M2 MacBook Air offers enough to meet basic needs.

MagSafe has made a return, complete with a color-coded braided cable. My model included a dual-port brick. However, I’ve found that the M2 MacBook Air charges relatively slowly. Although a fast 67W charger is available, I am surprised by the charging time even when using the single port.

One interesting feature I plan to try is ‘infinity-charging.’ By looping the MagSafe cable (plugging in both MagSafe and USB-C simultaneously), it seems you can maintain a charge continuously. I haven’t tested this yet, but it sounds intriguing!

On the bright side, you won’t need to charge it frequently; the battery life is impressive. I recommend enabling the ‘dim on battery’ option in preferences, as it significantly extends the time between charges.

With MagSafe, both Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports remain available for other devices or external drives. I’ve heard reports of chipping around the ports, but after checking mine, I have no such issues — perhaps my tidiness is paying off!

The Overall Experience

I am thoroughly satisfied with the M2 MacBook Air and would recommend it to anyone seeking a new Mac.

I’ve used it for all my workflows, and it handles them seamlessly. This Mac accompanies me daily, designed for mobility, and it has genuinely revitalized my experience.

Rather than dwelling on negative feedback, let’s appreciate the capabilities of this lightweight MacBook. Weighing just a couple of pounds, it allows for audio, video, and photo editing on the go, easily fitting into a backpack. What more could you ask for?

This is the M2 MacBook Air at its finest — the Mac for all seasons and reasons.

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Lastly, I keep my Mac looking new with CleanMyMac — my go-to tool for ensuring my Mac stays in top shape (affiliate link).

Originally published 28th July 2022 https://talkingtechandaudio.com