Great no nonsense review for the everyday consumer. I too was considering the MacBook Pro with M1Pro but all of your points are valid. I don’t think my workflow is going to warrant the increase in cost. I think I’m sold on the M2 base model.
May I ask how it's been going with your base model M2 air, I am considering buying one this summer but if I could get your opinion it would mean a lot 😎
@@h.uddin2006 it’s going great. I’m able to develop apps using Xcode with the M2 and 8GB memory. The only thing I’d consider upgrading is the storage. 256GB gets used up pretty quick.
@@_asyncawait_ thank you for sharing your experience with it 👊🏽 I’m either gonna get this or the base M1 it just that I would rather go with the m2 air bc of the new design 😏
@Winter_Wyvern1 Tbh, I’ve managed with the internal 256GB without the need for an external SSD. All my stuff is in iCloud so I just remove any downloads I’m not using.
Coming from an 2017 MBP i5. I always tell people to buy what they need, no less and no more, but I was struggling due to my love for tech (spec upgrade, the m3 Pro...). But reflecting on my needs: - I have an OLED tv so I should head to the couch to enjoy HDR content. - I have the best headphones I ever owned so no worry about speakers. - I can control room light in my Study and it will be a desktop Computer 80% of its life so never mind the nits. - I don't care about SSD speed and waiting a few extra seconds for the seldom large file transfers. I'm positive it's gonna be way faster than my current laptop. You sold me. Base model it is.
You made a great point about considering which laptop fits your needs right now and then maybe upgrading later down the line if workflow changes. I always like to think I’ll be pro video editing every hour of the day and doing a million and one things on a laptop, but in reality I know I probably won’t be any time soon, so this has made me take a step back and consider the base level. It would be a definite upgrade from my MacBook Air 2014! 😂
People the MacBook air m1 or m2 base models are like you buying champagne taste on a beer budget don't worry about swap memory SSD failure bla bla.... Nothing will happen! Enjoy your machine and leave the others to buy the super m1 ultra someone will always complain . I bought m1 MBA base model 2 years ago and it's like new with heavy usage stopped looking swap memory and All this shits and do what ever you want this astonishing laptop!
I had M2 Air base. Liked the portability, didn't like the base storage, base RAM. Just felt like i'd need to upgrade sooner than I would like and upgrading the RAM and storage didn't make sense to me as it put the price close to the base MacBook Pro 14" which had double the ram & storage, much better display, and great speakers. So happens the MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro went on sale for $1600 at BestBuy, traded the M2 Air for that, happy camper now.
Great video for everyday users… I think many reviewers and RUclipsrs give too much of a view point from a full time content creator perspective, rather than the perspective of who this laptop is designed for. The main recommendations many reviewers make is to: 1. Upgrade the memory as the base has a single memory chip so the memory is slower on the base model… my viewpoint on this though is that the target market arn’t going to be moving tonnes of files between this and some external memory or using multiple apps all at once where swap is always being used, yes it may effect performance up to 5% of the time but for the other 95% it won’t feel any different. 2. Upgrade the RAM, now this one has a subjective view, some people will recommend 16GB of RAM as an absolute minimum but I think a lot of the time this is just starting to get a bit of habitual recommendation from intel days, but on apple silicon machines 8GB of RAM performs similar to 16GB of RAM on an intel based machine, so for the vast majority of users (especially the target market this is for), again will only notice improvements in performance about 5-10% of the time, the bulk of use with the machine will feel the same. There is a reason why Apple only have 8GB RAM options as their non BTO models and that is because that amount of RAM is perfectly fine for the vast majority on these machines. If 8GB RAM would struggle for a good chunk of the target market the base models would have been launched with 16GB.
Yeah, but the main issue is the base SSD fast enough for the memory swap or is the 512GB necessary to make the experience good enough. I don’t have how fast an SSD have to be for memory swap to not be noticeable.
@@attika70 It is not, it seems to me, the question of the speed in itself of the 256g ssd of the Air M2 which is the real first concern (even if indeed, this ssd is calculated 2 times slower than the 256g ssd of the Air M1) but that of the memory in relation to this ssd: I mean that the 8g of RAM can be quickly completely consumed during certain uses of the computer (video editing) and that the computer has in this context no choice to use the swap file, that is to say concretely to seek the necessary surplus memory that it lacks in the ssd, which will have an impact on the duration of life of the ssd (no matter it is 256g or 512g), and therefore over the lifetime of the macbook (since the ssd cannot be changed).
This video helps bro! Really want to think of Air M2 or Pro M2, and thinking if base models will be good. But with this video, Base storage solves for me since I'm not a heavy laptop hitter. Just want a Mac OS, good screen and edit basic vlogs
Thank you for sharing your experience! This review was perfect for me as I currently use a 2017 Base Model MacBook Pro and I want to upgrade to the base model M2 MacBook Air. The M2 chip is light years ahead of the i5 in my MBP so I agree with the base model being enough! Can’t wait to upgrade, this instilled more confidence in my upcoming purchase.
Thanks for a great review. I was debating if I should get the 256 gb or 512 gb model. For my basis usage, I am sold after watching your video. I am going to purchase the 256 gb model.
@@Lifeisgood586 The question is .. u taking a lot of photos ? Put it on extern device .. only for Programs or Games u good with 256GB ,,, when u have the money than go 16GB and 512.
Good video! The M2 MBA base model is great for those that don't use it for professional reasons. I would still advocate bumping up the SSD to 512GB to avoid the slowdown in performance.
hey I recently bought a MacBook Air m2 13inch and I would like to know if I chose the right configuration. i'm mainly going to have 2 tabs open ( crunchyroll, RUclips and probably Spotify ), I'm planing to use this Mac to watch anime, movies, reading books and mangas. the configuration the MacBook that I have 8gb/512gb and I'm still within the 1 week return policy and do you think its work getting the 16gb/1tb for my needs ? is it overkill for me ? bc If i do that than I would be $300 off getting a MacBook Pro 14inch. what do you think ?
Great vid btw :) so I have the base model 2020 mbp 13 inch m1 Touch Bar. I planning to future proof on a new MacBook. I’ll be mostly editing 1080p and some 4 k videos on final cut. Is it better to go for the mba m2 with 10 core gpu 16gb or ram and 512 ssd or getting the base model mbp 14inch. I know the 14 inch is better it’s just that I don’t want something that heavy. Please give me some tips. Thanks 🙏
Several reasons : smaller screen of the M1 (the feeling between 13.3 and 13.6, which theoretically seems tiny, is nevertheless felt, I checked it myself) / several people have experienced the cracked screen problem with the M1 / higher output speakers on the M2 / 1080p web cam on the M2 rather than just 720 on the M1 / the M2 looks nicer / the m2 is a bit more powerful.
Great no nonsense review for the everyday consumer. I too was considering the MacBook Pro with M1Pro but all of your points are valid. I don’t think my workflow is going to warrant the increase in cost. I think I’m sold on the M2 base model.
May I ask how it's been going with your base model M2 air, I am considering buying one this summer but if I could get your opinion it would mean a lot 😎
@@h.uddin2006 it’s going great. I’m able to develop apps using Xcode with the M2 and 8GB memory. The only thing I’d consider upgrading is the storage. 256GB gets used up pretty quick.
@@_asyncawait_ thank you for sharing your experience with it 👊🏽 I’m either gonna get this or the base M1 it just that I would rather go with the m2 air bc of the new design 😏
@Winter_Wyvern1 Tbh, I’ve managed with the internal 256GB without the need for an external SSD. All my stuff is in iCloud so I just remove any downloads I’m not using.
Coming from an 2017 MBP i5. I always tell people to buy what they need, no less and no more, but I was struggling due to my love for tech (spec upgrade, the m3 Pro...). But reflecting on my needs:
- I have an OLED tv so I should head to the couch to enjoy HDR content.
- I have the best headphones I ever owned so no worry about speakers.
- I can control room light in my Study and it will be a desktop Computer 80% of its life so never mind the nits.
- I don't care about SSD speed and waiting a few extra seconds for the seldom large file transfers. I'm positive it's gonna be way faster than my current laptop.
You sold me. Base model it is.
You made a great point about considering which laptop fits your needs right now and then maybe upgrading later down the line if workflow changes. I always like to think I’ll be pro video editing every hour of the day and doing a million and one things on a laptop, but in reality I know I probably won’t be any time soon, so this has made me take a step back and consider the base level. It would be a definite upgrade from my MacBook Air 2014! 😂
Im loving my base model as well! It allows me to stream for my part time job on twitch!
People the MacBook air m1 or m2 base models are like you buying champagne taste on a beer budget don't worry about swap memory SSD failure bla bla.... Nothing will happen! Enjoy your machine and leave the others to buy the super m1 ultra someone will always complain . I bought m1 MBA base model 2 years ago and it's like new with heavy usage stopped looking swap memory and All this shits and do what ever you want this astonishing laptop!
I had M2 Air base. Liked the portability, didn't like the base storage, base RAM. Just felt like i'd need to upgrade sooner than I would like and upgrading the RAM and storage didn't make sense to me as it put the price close to the base MacBook Pro 14" which had double the ram & storage, much better display, and great speakers. So happens the MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro went on sale for $1600 at BestBuy, traded the M2 Air for that, happy camper now.
Great video for everyday users… I think many reviewers and RUclipsrs give too much of a view point from a full time content creator perspective, rather than the perspective of who this laptop is designed for.
The main recommendations many reviewers make is to:
1. Upgrade the memory as the base has a single memory chip so the memory is slower on the base model… my viewpoint on this though is that the target market arn’t going to be moving tonnes of files between this and some external memory or using multiple apps all at once where swap is always being used, yes it may effect performance up to 5% of the time but for the other 95% it won’t feel any different.
2. Upgrade the RAM, now this one has a subjective view, some people will recommend 16GB of RAM as an absolute minimum but I think a lot of the time this is just starting to get a bit of habitual recommendation from intel days, but on apple silicon machines 8GB of RAM performs similar to 16GB of RAM on an intel based machine, so for the vast majority of users (especially the target market this is for), again will only notice improvements in performance about 5-10% of the time, the bulk of use with the machine will feel the same. There is a reason why Apple only have 8GB RAM options as their non BTO models and that is because that amount of RAM is perfectly fine for the vast majority on these machines. If 8GB RAM would struggle for a good chunk of the target market the base models would have been launched with 16GB.
Thank you so much!
Yeah, but the main issue is the base SSD fast enough for the memory swap or is the 512GB necessary to make the experience good enough. I don’t have how fast an SSD have to be for memory swap to not be noticeable.
@@attika70 the base 256 gb ssd is already amazingly fast.
@@attika70 It is not, it seems to me, the question of the speed in itself of the 256g ssd of the Air M2 which is the real first concern (even if indeed, this ssd is calculated 2 times slower than the 256g ssd of the Air M1) but that of the memory in relation to this ssd: I mean that the 8g of RAM can be quickly completely consumed during certain uses of the computer (video editing) and that the computer has in this context no choice to use the swap file, that is to say concretely to seek the necessary surplus memory that it lacks in the ssd, which will have an impact on the duration of life of the ssd (no matter it is 256g or 512g), and therefore over the lifetime of the macbook (since the ssd cannot be changed).
Thanks for honest review of the base model MacBook Air M2👍😇
I got my m2 air today. Space grey, 16g/512gb and its lovely :)
I have been planning to buy mac so i am wondering that which should i buy m1 or m2 as some of RUclipsr are saying about slow ssd
@@Abhi-sw8tw I would go with the M2. Its smooth
Next video : why i regret the M2 base model....tech youtubers be creating drama for views
The video after that: Don’t make this mistake 😂
@@darluok23And then: why I switched M3 from M2 😂
😂😂😂
You don't have to watchyou know
This video helps bro! Really want to think of Air M2 or Pro M2, and thinking if base models will be good. But with this video, Base storage solves for me since I'm not a heavy laptop hitter. Just want a Mac OS, good screen and edit basic vlogs
Thank you for sharing your experience! This review was perfect for me as I currently use a 2017 Base Model MacBook Pro and I want to upgrade to the base model M2 MacBook Air. The M2 chip is light years ahead of the i5 in my MBP so I agree with the base model being enough! Can’t wait to upgrade, this instilled more confidence in my upcoming purchase.
Other RUclipsrs : get macbook pro 16 inch with M1 max and 24gb Ram or else your device will lag
😂
Really i like your talking and the point you told, i just love it and i was scared to buy, now i buy the air m2
it gets the job done! Very important message
Thanks for a great review. I was debating if I should get the 256 gb or 512 gb model. For my basis usage, I am sold after watching your video. I am going to purchase the 256 gb model.
How has the 256gb been? I’m also thinking on getting a 512 GB.
@@Lifeisgood586 The question is .. u taking a lot of photos ? Put it on extern device .. only for Programs or Games u good with 256GB ,,, when u have the money than go 16GB and 512.
Good video! The M2 MBA base model is great for those that don't use it for professional reasons. I would still advocate bumping up the SSD to 512GB to avoid the slowdown in performance.
You can definitely buy an portable ssd for less money
Can we upgrade ssd in base model? If it possible, that would be great.
@@f.frknkocaaslan4440 You either have to get it configured upfront or get an external SSD. Maccbook problems.
hey I recently bought a MacBook Air m2 13inch and I would like to know if I chose the right configuration. i'm mainly going to have 2 tabs open ( crunchyroll, RUclips and probably Spotify ), I'm planing to use this Mac to watch anime, movies, reading books and mangas. the configuration the MacBook that I have 8gb/512gb and I'm still within the 1 week return policy and do you think its work getting the 16gb/1tb for my needs ? is it overkill for me ? bc If i do that than I would be $300 off getting a MacBook Pro 14inch. what do you think ?
@@SilentStorm401 You should be fine if you don't use it for professionally.
Yes I agree with everything I love this video .
Thank you!
No nonsense. Awesome video
Is it can last at least for another 7 years?
Do you use cracked adobe softwere ?
Hows this for using google doc spread sheets?
Overall, a very good review. For many the base model may likely suffice, however may consider upgrading the storage to 512 gb with the faster SSD.
I want this for school (I’m starting college) and music production, will it be enough long term?
how's it going mate?
Great vid btw :) so I have the base model 2020 mbp 13 inch m1 Touch Bar. I planning to future proof on a new MacBook. I’ll be mostly editing 1080p and some 4 k videos on final cut. Is it better to go for the mba m2 with 10 core gpu 16gb or ram and 512 ssd or getting the base model mbp 14inch. I know the 14 inch is better it’s just that I don’t want something that heavy. Please give me some tips. Thanks 🙏
good video brother
I push my current old laptop to 7GB while using it. Should I get 8GB or 16GB?
How is photoshop?
In my country base model is ~ 1600 $ 👀
That’s crazy
Is this 13in model?
Thank you
You're welcome!
I got the base m2 today
Nice!
any idea on how it handles music production ?
In my country base model is 1843USD, i bough it and still waiting for my apple ID to be unlocked.
A used M1 air with 16gb of ram will last way longer than an M2 base
How about 4k editing?
I have iCloud storage so would I still need the 512 GB? Or could I stick with the base model?
base and extern HDD or SSD for photos
❤Great review. Bottom line is you're happy. peace
Go starlight
Is it true that the ssd is slow???
I haven’t had any real world issue.
A Refurbished MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro is cheaper than the Macbook Air M2 512GB 16gb The Pro m1 pro is a much better value
A refurbished device is still a refurbished one. Can’t have that feeling of something absolutely new.
You can find today in several stores (online or not) the Macbook Pro M1 14 inches, completely NEW.
@@paulwoaert Yeah true
8gb is very less if u have high video editing u can’t use m2 MacBook
Why not buy the M1 instead? You would've gotten a faster ssd and it's 200$ less expensive.
maybe he wanted to better screen.
The M2 Model look way better
@@marlocado really ? who would have expected that out of a REDESIGN! 🤣
@@marlocado M2 processor is faster too, especially the M2 single core in comparison with M1
Several reasons : smaller screen of the M1 (the feeling between 13.3 and 13.6, which theoretically seems tiny, is nevertheless felt, I checked it myself) / several people have experienced the cracked screen problem with the M1 / higher output speakers on the M2 / 1080p web cam on the M2 rather than just 720 on the M1 / the M2 looks nicer / the m2 is a bit more powerful.
If I were you, I would upgrade the RAM and SSD. The sweet spot will be 16/1TB. Okay, the needs of each individual are different, however. Good video.
You are right, except that by doing this your AIR M2 will cost more than buying a macbook pro 14 inch M1 completely NEW !