MacBook comparison
MacBook Air M1 vs MacBook Air M2
Compare MacBook Air M1 vs MacBook Air M2 side by side — chip, memory, storage, display, ports, launch price and how each fits in Apple history.
MacBook Air (M1)The third great architecture leap, and the most decisive.
MacBook Air (M2)The Air’s first redesign in years: the tapered wedge gone in favour of a uniform-thin slab, with MagSafe charging restored and a brighter, bigger display.Specs side by side
| Spec | MacBook Air (M1) | MacBook Air (M2) |
|---|---|---|
| Release | November 2020 | July 2022 |
| Launch price | $999 | $1,199 |
| Price today | $1,209 | $1,283 |
| CPU | Apple M1 (8-core) · 3.20 GHz | Apple M2 (8-core) · 3.49 GHz |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Display | 13.3" Retina, 2560×1600 | 13.6" Liquid Retina, 2560×1664 |
| Ports | 2× Thunderbolt / USB 4 | 2× Thunderbolt, MagSafe 3 |
| Operating system | macOS 11 Big Sur | macOS 12 Monterey |
Method note: historical pricing uses approximate US CPI. CPU clock comparisons are clock-only and do not represent full real-world performance.
Why each matters
MacBook Air (M1)
First Mac with Apple Silicon — and the first fanless Mac that could outrun machines with fans.
MacBook Air (M2)
Dropped the iconic wedge for a flat slab, and brought MagSafe and a notch to the Air.
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Last updated: 2026-07-04