Our Verdict
With the M2 MacBook Air models sharing so many feature and components , it ’s basically a case of what screen size you favor . Need more infinite for telecasting redaction or similar activities ? The 15 - column inch is for you . choose a more compact figure ? It ’s the 13 - in model . If only all choices were this simple .
Best Prices Today: Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
The MacBook Air is one of Apple ’s most abiding products . Ever since Steve Jobs draw the first one out of an envelope during the Macworld tonic presentation in 2008 , it ’s been one of the most democratic laptop computer in the world . So , what are the options for those take care to pick one up fifteen years after the first Air debuted ?
There are currently three MacBook atmosphere models . One is an sr. MacBook Air that launched in 2020 and boast an M1 chipping . There are also two M2 - power MacBook Air models , one of which has a 13 - in display and the other a 15 - inch display . These are the models we are comparing here . witness out which one you should buy . queer about the M3 MacBook Air ? Read : M3 MacBook Air : Everything you need to know
13-inch vs 15-inch MacBook Air: Design and Dimensions
Apple ease up its Air lineup a facelift in 2022 , move away from the wedge shape that had been the hallmark of the design for eld . The modern Air persist slimline and light , but the frame is more of a standard rectangular layout these Day . presumptively , this gives more space inside for large batteries and other components , but it still feel like a MacBook , if maybe more of a squashed Pro than your classic air travel .
Both of the M2 MacBook Air model are available in a pick of four colour : Midnight ( black ) , Starlight ( amber ) , Space Gray and Silver . ( The senior M1 model is only available in Silver , Gold and Space Gray .
The dimensions of the two fashion model are as such :
The free weight of the 13 - in and 15 - in models respectively tip the scales at 2.7lbs/1.24 kg and 3.3lbs /1.51 kg .
You ’ll regain the same full - size backlit keyboard on each gadget . There ’s also a dedicated Touch ID sensing element built into a paint of its own , allowing you to unlock the machine or confirm payment online .
The Force Touch trackpads are also the same in terms of functionality , supporting the multi - touch gesture that are implemented so well in macOS . The 15 - inch model does make use of its extra girth by squeezing in a large pad , but both are equally accurate and responsive .
13-inch vs 15-inch MacBook Air: Displays
Dominic Preston / Foundry
Obviously , the main area of conflict when it fall to the intent is the size of it of the displays . One framework has a display that measures 13.6 inches diagonally and the other has a showing that measures 15.3 column inch diagonally . ( The old 13 - column inch MacBook Air has a smaller 13.3 - inch display ) .
Both models are equip with Liquid Retina control panel that reach 500 nit of brightness and boast broad Color ( P3 ) and True Tone potentiality . So , it ’s strictly the size and comparative firmness of purpose that make them different . There ’s a 13.6 in gore run at 2560 x 1664 or 15.3 in at 2880 x 1864 .
Each also has the somewhat divisive notch that Apple seems to cogitate is a skilful idea , which is home to the 1080p FaceTime camera and ikon signal processor for things like Center Stage .
13-inch vs 15-inch MacBook Air: Speakers, microphones, and cameras
One field of construction where the two models diverge is in the audio stakes . While the 13 - inch MacBook Air with M2 boasts a quadruplet - speaker organisation that supports wide stereo , spatial audio frequency , and Dolby Atmos , the 15 - column inch aura C. H. Best this by having a six - speaker setup with military group - canceling woofer for even more immersive sounds .
check bit is restore once more when you get to the mike , as Apple equips both with a three - mic array with directional beamforming to pick up what you ’re saying .
You ’ll also find an monovular 1080p FaceTime photographic camera built into the snick at the top of the screen door . Despite being obscure in the iPhone - like snick , this camera does n’t include any Face ID capabilities , but it is significantly ripe than the 720p FaceTime camera find in the older MacBook Air .
13-inch vs 15-inch MacBook Air: Ports and connectivity
The MacBook Air has never been overburdened with port , and the current offerings sport matching twin Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports , and a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack alongside a MagSafe charging interface . ( This is one up on the olderM1 MacBook Airthat only offer up two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports , so you would only have one redundant while charging ) . It ’s still a sparse lineup , so if you need more you ’ll want to look at the MacBook Pros instead or invest in adocking station for your Mac .
Again , Apple keeps things childlike when it total to how the MacBook Airs pass wirelessly . Both come with Wi - Fi 6 ( 802.11ax ) and Bluetooth 5.3 ( the latter of which was arecent upgradefor both model ) . Only the 14 - inch and 16 - inch MacBook Pro , Mac Studio , and Mac miniskirt proffer the newfangled WiFi 6E.
13-inch vs 15-inch MacBook Air: Specs, performance, and Price
Where the exteriors of the 13 - inch and 15 - inch MacBook Air have some easily identifiable differences , much of the internals remain consistent .
This is despite the fact that the 13 - inch MacBook Air with M2 was introduced a year before the 15 - column inch model . The 15 - inch MacBook Air is newer , but the chip is essentially the same .
There are two stock conformation for each model and selfsame build - to - rules of order options if you want to increase either memory or storage .
At first glance , the chipsets on these models look the same , with both featuring Apple ’s own M2 silicon . However , you will discover that only the 13 - inch MacBook Air with M2 proffer an option for an 8 - core GPU . It ’s not possible to boil down the toll of the 15 - inch MacBook atmosphere by switching to this less powerful microchip .
To get the 10 - center GPU you have two choice . Either bribe the $ 1,399/£1,449 13 - inch MacBook Pro with 512 GB storage , or the $ 1,299/£1,399 15 - in MacBook Pro with 256 GB warehousing . In this case , the 15 - inch MacBook Air does look like the most cost - effective pick , saving $ 100/£50 , but do take note that there is a bigger deviation between those storage options than you might realize . In tests , thesmaller 256 GB SSD has been found to be slowerthan the 512 GB SSD , so that might be a factor in your decision ( although if the form of applications you use do n’t need to frequently get at inner storage it should n’t matter ) .
If you apply wage for iCloud computer storage the extra storage may be less important and the 15 - inch MacBook Air is the more attractive option , although you could upgrade the chip in the entry - level 13 - column inch to the 10 - core GPU for an additional $ 100/£100 bringing the Mary Leontyne Price to $ 1,199/£1,249 .
Given that every specification is useable on each automobile ( aside from the 8 - centre GPU choice , which is only on the 13 - in MacBook Air ) the choice here is really about whether you want 512 GB or if 256 GB would be sufficient for your need .
If you require the grownup screen on an equivalently specced machine it basically cost you $ 100/£50 more , which is a really good stack .
Apple
13-inch vs 15-inch MacBook Air: Battery life
To keep the root word go , you wo n’t find any obtrusive difference in the battery life of either gadget . Yes , the 15 - column inch Air does get with a larger cell ( 66.5 W - hours as opposed to the 52.6 watt - time of day in the 13 - inch Air ) but they each surrender up to 18 hours of playback or 15 hours of web surfing , according to Apple , before you ’ll ask to stop up them in again . Apple includes a 30w battery charger in the baseline 13 - inch Air box , while the 15 - inch is lavished with a 35w courser instead . Both support up to 70w fast charging , but you ’ll need to purchase that charger singly .
We run our own stamp battery tests , which ask run iMovie with the display at 150 nits , and still found the battery life-time to be similar despite the bigger battery in the 15 - inch .
you could top up a MacBook ’s battery on the go with one of thebest power banks for MacBookthat we have tested .
13-inch vs 15-inch MacBook Air: Which one should you buy?
Apple has made the choice between the two current models quite loose . Aside from a slightly salutary GPU and two extra speakers in the 15 - inch Air , both are pretty much the same . So , it really come down to whether you desire the bigger screen and redundant girth of the 15 - inch discrepancy or the smaller , more heavyset frame and display of the 13 - inch Air . You ’ll be catch a great laptop either elbow room , which should continue the excellent reputation of the MacBook Air for age to come .
Made your decision ? you could find the good prices right now below , or look up our round - up of thebest MacBook Air dealsfor cost on the other models .
