Pros and Cons of Apple MacBook Air M2 15

Apple introduced the MacBook Air M2 in 2022, which featured a compact 13-inch display. Apple went a step further at WWDC 2023 by unveiling a new MacBook Air M2 with a 15-inch display. This new variant is designed to accommodate users who want a lighter MacBook without sacrificing a larger screen.

Prior to the release of the 15-inch MacBook Air M2, users wanting a larger display were limited to the MacBook Pro M2, which was available in 14-inch and 16-inch configurations.

However, the price difference between the MacBook Air M2 and the Pro M2 was significant. Some users do not require the high performance of the MacBook Pro M2 and would be satisfied with the performance of the Air M2 if it had a bigger screen.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro M2 option appeared to offer only a marginal improvement over the 13-inch MacBook Air M2, leaving users seeking a more significant upgrade. In contrast, the 16-inch variant, despite having a larger display, was criticized for its bulkiness and weight, which made it less portable.

The introduction of the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 fills the gap between the existing options, providing a more suitable choice for certain users in the creative industry. This includes design or architecture students, photographers, and programmers, who may prefer the balance between screen real estate and portability offered by the 15-inch model.

Now, let's delve into the performance of the MacBook Air 15 M2 and explore whether there are any differences beyond the screen size. To gain a comprehensive understanding, let's examine the pros and cons in the following table:

Pros of MacBook Air 15 M2

In this digital era, the demand for electronic devices is rapidly increasing, and one standout option is the MacBook Air 15 M2, which boasts a myriad of advantages. Let's explore these benefits below:

1. Fast Performance, Less Throttling with Apple M2 Processor

The adoption of Apple's Silicon "M" series chips has resulted in significant performance boosts for Mac products. The MacBook Air 15-inch M2, powered by the Apple M2 processor, is the successor to the 2022-introduced M1 microprocessor.

The Apple M2 processor consists of four performance cores known as Avalanche and four efficiency cores known as Blizzard, with a maximum clock speed of 3.49 GHz. In addition, it includes a 10-core GPU and a neural network hardware called the Neural Engine that accomplishes up to 15.8 TOPs (trillion operations per second).

Notably, the Apple M2 processor is also utilized in the 2022 MacBook Air, iPad Pro (6th generation), Mac Mini, and Vision Pro. The Apple M2, fabricated with TSMC's 5 nm technology, contains a remarkable 20 billion transistors, a 25 percent increase over the Apple M1.

Apple claims that the productivity of the MacBook Air 15 M2 is up to twelve times greater than the most powerful MacBook Air with Intel processors. The base model includes 8 GB of unified memory (RAM) and 256 GB of solid-state drive (SSD) storage.

In tests conducted by Tom's Guide, the MacBook Air 15 M2 achieved outstanding single-core and multi-core Geekbench 5 scores of 1,908 and 8,932 points, respectively. This laptop is speedy even when performing demanding tasks, such as simultaneously opening 20 browser windows and playing YouTube videos.

There are two performance distinctions between the MacBook Air 15 M2 and its 13-inch counterpart. First, the 15-inch model has a GPU with 10 cores, while the 13-inch model has a GPU with 8 cores.

Secondly, due to its larger body size, the 15-inch model has superior temperature management, resulting in a low performance increase. However, as GregsGadgets pointed out, this improvement is insufficient to warrant serious consideration.

Due to the absence of an active cooling vent, the gaming and rendering performance of the MacBook Air 15 M2 may decline during long-term use. Even after throttling, the device still outperforms competing laptops in its price range.

According to Digitaltrends.com, the MacBook Air 15-inch M2 uses a larger chassis area as a heatsink to address potential overheating, reducing the degree of throttling compared to the 13-inch model.

In the Cinebench R23 Stress Test, the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 did experience a performance decline after 20 tests, in contrast to the MacBook Pro M2, which maintains a consistent score due to its active cooling fan.

Overall, the MacBook Air 15 M2 stands as a powerful daily driver with one of the highest performances in the market. Multiple sources confirm its ability to handle demanding tasks without lagging.

2. One of the Lightest 15-inch Laptops in the World

When it comes to design, there's hardly any difference between the 15-inch and 13-inch variants of the MacBook Air M2. Both models are available in the same appealing color variants, including Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver.

The 15-inch model is heavier and larger than the 13-inch one. Nevertheless, the MacBook Air M2 is one of the world's lightest 15-inch laptops, making it ideal for those who travel.

The 13-inch variant weighs 1.24 kilograms, while the 15-inch variant is marginally heavier at 1.5 kilograms, for a more precise comparison. Thus, the difference in weight between the two models is not substantial.

Regarding thickness, the 15-inch model appears to have a slightly thicker body, albeit by a small margin. The device has a thickness of 1.15 cm, slightly bigger than the 13-inch model's 1.13 cm. In everyday use, this distinction is barely noticeable.

The MacBook Air 15 M2 excels in terms of portability and outperforms most 15-inch laptop competitors. Its measure of convenience is unmatched. The 0.99-kg Acer Swift 5 15 and the 1.1-kg LG Gram 15 are two notable competitors.

3. Impressive Display Quality

As with any Apple product, the MacBook Air 15 M2 features a screen of outstanding quality. The main differences between it and its 13-inch version are its dimensions and resolution.

The device features a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display panel with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,864 pixels. Like the 13-inch version, it boasts a pixel density of 224 ppi. Apple ensures a peak brightness of 500 nits for the MacBook Air 15 M2.

Moreover, the display offers additional remarkable features, such as support for 1 billion colors and True Tone technology, which automatically modifies the display's colors based on the ambient lighting conditions.

Despite the spec sheet indicating only minor differences between the 15-inch and 13-inch models, Tom's Guide's field tests revealed an intriguing fact. The 15-inch variant exhibited superior color display capabilities compared to the 13-inch model.

For instance, in the sRGB color gamut, the 15-inch variant covered 111.4 percent, while the 13-inch variant achieved 110.9 percent. Similarly, in the delta-E test for color accuracy, the 15-inch model scored an impressive 0.17, outperforming the 13-inch model's 0.22 score. This suggests that the MacBook Air 15 M2 offers slightly more accurate color reproduction than its smaller sibling.

The device's bezel is commendably thin, measuring just 5 millimeters, which contributes to its contemporary and simplified appearance. Although it is narrower than the bezels on the MacBook Air M1, the bezels on the MacBook Pro are thinner.

However, a notable downside is the presence of a notch on the top side of the screen. Notches are not uncommon in MacBook Air models, and in this case, they accommodate a 1080p resolution webcam for video conferencing purposes.

The lack of touch functionality on the screen of the MacBook Air 15 M2 is a drawback for creative users, as it might limit artists accustomed to drawing with a stylus.

Despite these factors, the display remains highly satisfactory for content development and graphic design. This MacBook's display features accurate colors, exceptional precision, and an ultra-crisp resolution that is comfortable on the eyes.

4. Enhanced Trackpad Size

The larger trackpad on the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 compared to its 13-inch sibling is one of the notable benefits of this device. This enhancement significantly improves the user experience altogether. The larger trackpad is a positive outcome of the 15-inch variant's slightly larger body dimensions.

The 15-inch model provides a more intuitive and easy navigation experience. The larger trackpad allows for smoother dragging and dropping and makes navigating significantly simpler.

While the configuration and dimensions of the keyboard remain unaltered, the 15-inch variant has a substantial amount of empty space on the left and right sides.

This modification makes the keyboard area feel larger. Some people may have wished for additional features, such as the addition of a more complete keycap, such as a NumPad. This feature would be especially beneficial for accounting professionals.

5. Improved Speaker Quality

The audio output of the MacBook Air M2 in the 13-inch variant is already impressive, thanks to its four stereo speakers. However, the sound quality takes a step further in the 15-inch variant, which boasts six stereo speakers—two more than its smaller counterpart. This setup includes two pairs of force-cancelling woofers and two tweeters, resulting in deeper bass and richer audio performance.

The speaker grille has been ingeniously concealed between the hinges, making it almost undetectable to the unaided eye. This strategic placement enables the sound to reflect off the display and provide an immersive auditory experience directed directly at the user's face.

The sound output of the acclaimed MacBook Pro is comparable to that of the MacBook Air 15 M2, which supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos technology.

The 15-inch model's superior speaker quality can also be attributed to the larger amount of available internal capacity. Apple makes use of this additional space to optimize the speaker configuration, which enhances audio output.

Bestindotech reports that the 15-inch model's bass sound is more pronounced than that of the 13-inch model, but it still falls slightly short of the exceptional audio performance of the MacBook Pro 14 and 16 M1. High-quality audio capabilities are a feature of Apple's professional-grade laptops, and the MacBook Pro's thicker chassis emphasizes this.

6. Excellent Battery Life

Apple has a reputation for not disclosing the battery capacity of its products, opting instead to provide endurance claims. Interestingly, the same claim is made for the MacBook Air 13 M2, implying that the 15-inch model does not manifest a significant improvement in battery life over its predecessor.

Despite having a larger screen and higher resolution, the 15-inch model maintains a satisfactory battery life. It is understandable that a larger display would use more energy than a 13-inch display.

According to tests conducted by Tom's Guide, the 15-inch device performed excellently in the browsing test, enduring 14 hours and 59 minutes at a screen brightness of 150 nits. Though slightly less than the claimed 15 hours, it outperforms the 13-inch model, which lasted up to 14 hours and 6 minutes in the same test.

The MacBook Air 15 M2 shows commendable thermal handling, averting alarming issues with throttling or overheating. During a 15-minute session of streaming Full HD video, the device reached a maximum temperature of 83 degrees Fahrenheit. This achievement is impressive given that the MacBook Air 15 M2 lacks a fan.

Cons of MacBook Air 15 M2

While the MacBook Air 15 M2 boasts numerous perks, there are important factors to consider before making a purchase. Below are some crucial aspects to be aware of.

1. No High Refresh Rate

Unfortunately, the MacBook Air 15 M2's display lacks a high refresh rate. In contrast to the MacBook Pro, which supports the smooth 120 Hz ProMotion feature, users are limited to a standard 60 Hz refresh rate.

In addition, the display panel of the MacBook Air 15 M2 uses IPS LCD technology as opposed to the mini-LED technology found in the MacBook Pro. Consequently, the contrast ratio is not as impressive as that of OLED laptops. The Apple MacBook Air 15 M2's display may not be as optimal for gamers as the displays of gaming laptops with refresh rates of up to 144 Hz.

A high refresh rate can considerably improve the visual experience during normal navigation, browsing, and gaming. Additionally, these displays can effectively reduce motion blur effects in games, which can otherwise diminish the overall gaming experience.

2. The Absence of Face ID

The existence of a notch on the display may be unusual to consumers migrating from Windows laptops to the MacBook Air M2. Notches, which are often associated with cellphones, are uncommon on laptops.

The decision made by Apple to include a notch in the MacBook Air M2 has multiple functions. For starters, it is consistent with the company's design since the introduction of the notch on the iPhone X in 2017. Second, it enables Apple to maximize screen area, resulting in a display that entirely covers the surface.

A little amount of the screen extends into the notch region because to the narrow bezels, supporting a 1080p webcam. This design choice ensures sharp and clear video recordings for online meetings and conferences.

However, despite the existence of the notch and the front camera, the MacBook Air M2 does not support Face ID for biometric authentication. In contrast, some Windows ultrabook notebooks have Windows Hello, which allows users to log in using face recognition.

Nonetheless, Apple compensates for the lack of Face ID with the Touch ID function. The Touch ID sensor,  functions as a fingerprint scanner, allowing users to log in swiftly and securely without the need to input a password manually.

While Touch ID is a convenient login option, some users may miss the seamless experience of sitting in front of the screen and having the laptop identify their face to visit the home page. This experience, which is only possible with a face scanning sensor, may be very helpful in frequent login settings.

3. The Price Range and Comparison to Other Variants

The 15-inch Apple MacBook Air M2 is priced at $1299 when purchased globally. However, after considering international warranties and other factors, the price in certain countries may rise significantly.

Potential purchasers may be concerned about the cost, since they can get a 14-inch MacBook Pro for the same price, even though it still uses the Apple M1 CPU. While the price difference is considerable, the MacBook Pro offers more sophisticated features, such as enhanced speakers, longer battery life, and a screen with tiny LED and ProMotion technology.

4. Limited Number of Ports

The 13-inch MacBook Air M2 is noted for having few ports, which is reasonable considering its small size. One may have anticipated that Apple would overcome this constraint with the debut of the 15-inch model by offering a more extensive variety of ports. However, the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 keeps the same number and kinds of ports as its smaller sibling.

The 15-inch MacBook Air M2 comes with two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, one MagSafe 3 port, and one headphone jack. While these ports provide some flexibility, it's clear that Apple has the potential to add additional ports, especially given the larger size of the laptop. The lack of an HDMI port may be an issue for some users,  particularly when presenting in the workplace using projectors or TVs.

Furthermore, the absence of a card reader port might be inconvenient for photographers and graphic designers, who often need to transfer picture or video files from memory cards. This limitation may not be optimal for a device that would otherwise meet the needs of professionals in the creative industries.

Despite these limits, the MacBook Air M2 15's two Thunderbolt 4 ports enable DisplayPort, allowing users to connect to an external display with up to 6K resolution. However, users that need several external monitors may find the MacBook Air lacking in this area since the device is mainly aimed at portability rather than significant professional use.

5. Lack of Upgradability in Mac Products

One recurring drawback that has long been associated with Mac products is their limited upgradability. Whether it's a desktop Mac, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, or MacBook Pro, Apple's devices do not permit users to upgrade the RAM and SSD after the initial purchase and setup.

The absence of upgradability has led to comparisons with the smartphone market, where users typically cannot upgrade internal components once they have purchased their phones.

Conclusion

The introduction of the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 bridges the gap between the smaller 13-inch model and the 14-inch MacBook Pro variant. While some users find the 13-inch size too restrictive, opting for the larger MacBook Pro 14 M2 might seem excessive due to its higher performance levels and corresponding price tag.

The target audience for the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 primarily includes individuals who engage in intensive tasks, but on a personal or small-scale level. For users seeking prolonged and more powerful performance capabilities suited to corporate or professional tasks, the MacBook Pro lineup becomes a more fitting choice.

Despite its larger screen size, the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 remains reasonably portable, although it deviates somewhat from the typical "Air" branding. Nevertheless, its weight remains among the lightest in its class, and its thickness only slightly exceeds that of the 13-inch model.

Several notable improvements have been made to the 15-inch MacBook Air M2, enhancing its overall appeal. However, these enhancements may not be significant enough to entice current 13-inch MacBook Air users to switch to the 15-inch version. Yet, for those still using earlier models with M1 or even Intel processors, the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 presents an attractive opportunity for an upgrade.