Apple has introduced a redesigned MacBook Air powered by the new M2 chip. The M2 chip is the second generation of Apple’s M-series chips and extends the features of the M1. Let’s run through what we are most excited about the brand-new laptop.
1. A big boost in performance
The M2 chip looks to give the new MacBook Air great performance improvements. When editing complex timelines in Apple Final Cut Pro, performance is nearly 40 percent faster than the previous generation. If you are new to Apple silicon, you will get speed increases of up to fifteen times faster. Applying filters and effects in Adobe Photoshop is up to 20 percent faster than before and up to five times faster for customers who haven’t upgraded to Apple silicon. Despite the speed increases, the new MacBook Air still has the same all-day battery life as before, with up to 18 hours of video playback.
2. New design
The new MacBook Air has an entirely new design. It is 0.44 inches deep and weighs only 2.7 pounds. It also has an all-aluminum enclosure that is strong and built to last. Thanks to the power efficiency of the M2 chip, it is a fanless design, so silent in use. The new MacBook Air is available in four finishes: silver, space gray, midnight and starlight.
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3. Its display
The new MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display. The screen has been expanded closer to the sides and up around the camera to give a larger display with much thinner borders. The display now has 500 nits of brightness which means it is 25 percent brighter than before. It also supports 1 billion colors.
Other notable features
Connectivity
The new MacBook Air has a MagSafe charging port. This protects the computer when plugged in by quickly releasing if the charging cable is accidentally pulled. The laptop also has two Thunderbolt ports and a 3.5 mm audio jack for headphones. In addition, the Magic Keyboard has a full-height function row with Touch ID and a Force Touch trackpad.
Camera
The new MacBook Air has a 1080p FaceTime HD camera. This camera has a larger image sensor which gives you twice the resolution and low-light performance of the previous generation. The new MacBook Air also has a four-speaker sound system integrated between the keyboard and display. The audio system supports immersive Spatial Audio for music and movies with Dolby Atmos. In addition, the new MacBook Air has a three-mic array to capture clean audio.
Availability
The Apple MacBook Air with the M2 chip will be available next month, with pricing starting at $1,199.