MacBook Air
Updated in June 2022, Apple’s thinnest, lightest laptop now comes with Apple’s new M2 chip. The M2 features a next-gen 8-core CPU (offering 18% more CPU performance), along with Apple’s next-generation GPU, which now has up to 10 cores (providing a 35% boost in GPU performance), and up to 50% more memory bandwidth. The base model comes with 8GB of memory as standard but this is configurable to 16 or 24GB.
The redesigned Air is now thinner at 11.3mm and weighs just 1.24kg. Apple has also managed to reduce overall volume by 20%. Despite its slimline profile, it now also comes with a 13.6in Liquid Retina display. Boasting a resolution of 2560x1664, the display is bigger and 25% brighter than before and supports up to one billion colours.
The M2-equipped MacBook Air gets a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, and the laptop also features a four-speaker sound system which supports Apple’s immersive Spatial Audio technology.
As before, you get two Thunderbolt/ USB 4 ports and a headphone jack as well as 802.11ax Wi-Fi (aka Wi-Fi 6) and Bluetooth 5.0, and there’s the welcome return of MagSafe. You also still get great battery life, with up to 18 hours of video playback or 15 hours of web surfing.
The Air is available in Space Grey and Silver but now also comes in Midnight and Starlight finishes. Prices for the M2 version start at £1,249. The M1 model is still available from £999.