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M2 MacBook Air may actually be the BEST value.
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M2 MacBook Air may actually be the BEST value.
I know you can get a MBP 14" base model for $1599.....Okay I got it.
However that is not the retail price and they are a year old at this point. The new M2 MBP 14" will cost at least $1999 at launch so when compared you would save around $400 for the air and it is possible with inflation there might be a price increase of $100 but I kind of doubt it. However $400 and tax is not chump change at least not for me.
So if we are comparing Devices with the same series cpu M2 to M2 then the air is priced much more reasonably.
Now there are sacrifices that come with that choice but at least for me in the past-specially with Intel processors and the older design I would have NEVER considered an Air.
It is the re-design and the M2 that is a game changer to me. This new design gets so much right and the new M series chips-all of them-are so much faster and efficient than anything Intel was ever producing that now you can have decent level of performance from a thin and light fanless design laptop.
Now my choice is not always having to buy the most expensive laptop Apple makes to have a decent performing device. I can get an air and be happy.
I will admit compared to the M1 MBP 14" and 16" there are compromises. The speakers aren't as good. The screen isn't as good BUT the screen on the M2 is one of the best high resolution IPS displays I have seen. It has decent blacks and wide color gamut. Video content looks fantastic on the M2 air and it gets plenty bright. The speakers are not as dynamic as the Pro's and lack bass but they get loud enough and are clear.
The air is so light and sized so well I want to use it. I don't feel like I am missing anything and no fans is actually pretty cool. The MBP M1's were pretty silent most of the time but no fan is almost eery. Like how is this delivering so much performance and I don't hear fans spinning up. The size and weight really can't be stressed enough. So many people say it is only a pound of difference but any laptop under 3lbs. is such a joy to use anywhere-not just on a desk.
So while a lot of people think the MBP 14" is the best value I think the M2 MBA is the best value. Sure it is not the cheapest but it is a really well made and nice device and you pay for what you get. I am happy for people to be able to score a good deal on an M1 MBP 14" or 16". They are without a doubt the best Pro Laptops Apple has made possibly ever and at least for a very long time. But to me just like the M1 MBP was such an amazing change and re-desing this Air is the same in it's own right.
Personally I hated everything about the M1 and Intel MBA. The wedge design, the bezels, Only two ports and one had to be used for charging, the color choices and with the exception of the M1-the performance.
Now you have a MBA that looks just as good as the Pro models, has slim bezels and a bright display, has MagSafe and two usable ports although it would be nice if they put a usb c on both sides of the laptop instead of just the left side, A great keyboard and decent webcam.
So in my opinion the best value Mac ever are these new M2 MacBook Airs as you don't feel that you are missing so much that you have to get the Pro. The Pro line now truly feels like it is made for real Pro's. The delineation between the products seems clear but not like if you get the Pro you miss out on too much portability and if you get the air you don't feel like you are missing so much performance and features. I think both product lines are perfectly balanced for the needs of the target audience.
Once a year passes by then these airs might be more heavily discounted like the M1 airs and be an even better value for most people.
I am so happy Apple made the new M2 air for the entire package.
So while I understand all the threads complaining about the M2 MBA I think it is all about perception. A lot of early YouTube reviewers distorted in my opinion the greatness of the M2 MBA. Instead of criticizing it for not being a Pro machine or delivering Pro performance in every scenario or category they should have praised it for what it is-an incredible re-design and re-imagining of the MacBook Air. A device you can use anywhere and actually get some work done. Not some gimped slow dual core Intel CPU that can barely render webpages in a decent timeframe. Not some huge bezel, low light LCD panel. Some new color options and just a great all around laptop for most people.
I would really like Apple to get some more bright and saturated colors like Mac's of the past. An electric blue, purple, orange, etc.
Overall I am happy I didn't have to spend over 2k to get a decent Apple laptop. With discounts and gift cards it is a very competitive laptop in price when compared to a lot of high or mid end thin and light Windows laptops.
Value is a personal choice and I respect everyones opinion on what they value. I know what I value and glad Apple made a choice for me.
However that is not the retail price and they are a year old at this point. The new M2 MBP 14" will cost at least $1999 at launch so when compared you would save around $400 for the air and it is possible with inflation there might be a price increase of $100 but I kind of doubt it. However $400 and tax is not chump change at least not for me.
So if we are comparing Devices with the same series cpu M2 to M2 then the air is priced much more reasonably.
Now there are sacrifices that come with that choice but at least for me in the past-specially with Intel processors and the older design I would have NEVER considered an Air.
It is the re-design and the M2 that is a game changer to me. This new design gets so much right and the new M series chips-all of them-are so much faster and efficient than anything Intel was ever producing that now you can have decent level of performance from a thin and light fanless design laptop.
Now my choice is not always having to buy the most expensive laptop Apple makes to have a decent performing device. I can get an air and be happy.
I will admit compared to the M1 MBP 14" and 16" there are compromises. The speakers aren't as good. The screen isn't as good BUT the screen on the M2 is one of the best high resolution IPS displays I have seen. It has decent blacks and wide color gamut. Video content looks fantastic on the M2 air and it gets plenty bright. The speakers are not as dynamic as the Pro's and lack bass but they get loud enough and are clear.
The air is so light and sized so well I want to use it. I don't feel like I am missing anything and no fans is actually pretty cool. The MBP M1's were pretty silent most of the time but no fan is almost eery. Like how is this delivering so much performance and I don't hear fans spinning up. The size and weight really can't be stressed enough. So many people say it is only a pound of difference but any laptop under 3lbs. is such a joy to use anywhere-not just on a desk.
So while a lot of people think the MBP 14" is the best value I think the M2 MBA is the best value. Sure it is not the cheapest but it is a really well made and nice device and you pay for what you get. I am happy for people to be able to score a good deal on an M1 MBP 14" or 16". They are without a doubt the best Pro Laptops Apple has made possibly ever and at least for a very long time. But to me just like the M1 MBP was such an amazing change and re-desing this Air is the same in it's own right.
Personally I hated everything about the M1 and Intel MBA. The wedge design, the bezels, Only two ports and one had to be used for charging, the color choices and with the exception of the M1-the performance.
Now you have a MBA that looks just as good as the Pro models, has slim bezels and a bright display, has MagSafe and two usable ports although it would be nice if they put a usb c on both sides of the laptop instead of just the left side, A great keyboard and decent webcam.
So in my opinion the best value Mac ever are these new M2 MacBook Airs as you don't feel that you are missing so much that you have to get the Pro. The Pro line now truly feels like it is made for real Pro's. The delineation between the products seems clear but not like if you get the Pro you miss out on too much portability and if you get the air you don't feel like you are missing so much performance and features. I think both product lines are perfectly balanced for the needs of the target audience.
Once a year passes by then these airs might be more heavily discounted like the M1 airs and be an even better value for most people.
I am so happy Apple made the new M2 air for the entire package.
So while I understand all the threads complaining about the M2 MBA I think it is all about perception. A lot of early YouTube reviewers distorted in my opinion the greatness of the M2 MBA. Instead of criticizing it for not being a Pro machine or delivering Pro performance in every scenario or category they should have praised it for what it is-an incredible re-design and re-imagining of the MacBook Air. A device you can use anywhere and actually get some work done. Not some gimped slow dual core Intel CPU that can barely render webpages in a decent timeframe. Not some huge bezel, low light LCD panel. Some new color options and just a great all around laptop for most people.
I would really like Apple to get some more bright and saturated colors like Mac's of the past. An electric blue, purple, orange, etc.
Overall I am happy I didn't have to spend over 2k to get a decent Apple laptop. With discounts and gift cards it is a very competitive laptop in price when compared to a lot of high or mid end thin and light Windows laptops.
Value is a personal choice and I respect everyones opinion on what they value. I know what I value and glad Apple made a choice for me.
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