Compare the MacBook Air (2020) to the MacBook Air (2022)
Comparison MacBook Air (2020) and MacBook Air (2022)
- Demanding programs like Final Cut run smoothly with the M1 chip.
- The laptop weighs only 1.29kg.
- The battery lasts up to 18 hours.
- You can charge your MacBook via 1 of the 2 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) connectors.
- The starter model only has 256GB internal storage.
- The M2 chip is faster and more powerful than its predecessor.
- This laptop only weighs 1.24kg.
- The battery lasts up to 18 hours.
- You can charge the MacBook via the MagSafe connector.
- The starter model only has 256GB internal storage.
MacBook Air (2020) vs MacBook Air (2022)
| MacBook Air (2020) | MacBook Air (2022) | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M1 chip | Apple M2 chip |
| CPU | 8-core | 8-core |
| GPU | 7-core | 8 or 10-core |
| Central storage | 8GB or 16GB | 8, 16, or, 24GB |
| Screen | 13.3-inch Retina | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina |
| Brightness | 400 nits | 500 nits |
| Camera | 720p FaceTime HD camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
| Audio | Stereo speakers | HiFi system with 4 speakers |
| Weight | 1.29kg | 1.24kg |
Design
MacBook Air (2020): familiar
The MacBook Air (2020) has almost the same design as the 2018 model. The corners are rounded and the model tapers at the front. The screen has a 13.3-inch Retina display with a 400 nits brightness. There are 2 Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports and a standard mini jack connector on the side. You can have video calls via the 720p HD FaceTime camera and the sound comes from 2 speakers.
MacBook Air (2020): innovative
This new model is available in the new colors Starlight and Midnight. The design of the MacBook Air (2020) looks similar to the MacBook Pro (2021) models. The design is sleek and angular. With 13.6 inches, the screen is larger than the 2020 model. That's because of the more narrow bezels. The screen is also brighter with 500 nits. You can charge the MacBook (2022) via the MagSafe connector. The 2 Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C are open for external accessories.
M1 vs M2 chip
M1: fast and energy-efficient
In 2020, MacBook Air (2020) was 1 of the first models with the Apple M1 chip. This chip replaced the Intel processors that Apple uses up to then. The M1 chip is a System on a Chip. The processor, RAM, and video memory are all in that 1 chip. This way, you'll get impressive results. The MacBook boots fasts and you can easily use multiple demanding programs at the same time. The M1 chip is also energy-efficient. It uses relatively little energy to perform.
M2: faster and more energy-efficient
The MacBook Air is the frontrunner in 2022 and it has the M2 chip as 1 of the first models. This chip is faster than the M1 chip in all aspects, with the same energy consumption. An everyday user won't notice this right away, because it's 'very fast' compared to 'even slightly faster'. Mainly video editors will benefit from this. The M2 chip supports videos with a high bandwidth and the ProRes RAW format. This allows you to edit video tracks with a resolution up to 8K.
Audio and video
MacBook Air (2020): camera in screen bezel
The 2020 model has a 13.3-inch Retina display with a 720p HD FaceTime camera in the bezel. This camera needs a lot of light to create a nice images. In a dark area, the image can look grainy. The 2 stereo speakers provide the sound. The design has 3 built-in microphones that register your voice.
MacBook Air (2022): camera in notch
With the narrow bezels, the 13.6-inch screen size is a bit larger than the 2020 model. To still have space for the 1080p FaceTime HD camera, there's a notch in the screen. This is a cutout where the camera is hidden. The 4 speakers support Dolby Atmos. The sound is richer and it seems to come from all sides. The mini jack connector supports headphones with a high impedance.
Conclusion
The MacBook Air (2020) is still a find MacBook, but the 2022 model offers many improvements. The M2 chip is faster than the M1 chip, but you mainly notice this when you edit videos. The screen is more colorful and brighter. The webcam can record sharper videos and the sound is impressive.
