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MacBook Air 13-inch (M2)
Buy the 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 only cheap and used: it has the 13.6-inch, 500-nit screen of later Airs but just Wi-Fi 6 and one external display.
Product images
MacBook Air 13-inch (M2), from its Amazon listing.
Credit: Amazon.com (Associates Program). Amazon listing
Product image from the Amazon listing.
In short
Buy the 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 only cheap and used: it has the 13.6-inch, 500-nit screen of later Airs but just Wi-Fi 6 and one external display. It's fanless, weighs 1.24 kg and is rated for up to 18 hours of movie playback from a 52.6Wh battery. Owners should skip the small M3 step and go to the M5 Air, which starts at 16GB and 512GB and adds Center Stage and Wi-Fi 7.
Who it is for
- Budget buyers who want a silent Mac for browsing, writing and streaming, and need one external monitor at most.
- M1 Air owners moving up on a budget. The M2 trades the 13.3-inch wedge for a 13.6-inch, 500-nit screen, adds MagSafe 3, and has a 52.6Wh battery against 49.9Wh.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who runs two external monitors. The M2 supports one; the M3 Air can add a second with its lid closed.
- Frequent video-callers and anyone short on storage. The M5 Air has a 12MP Center Stage camera instead of a 1080p one, and starts with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage.
- Buyers who'd rather have 15 inches. The 15-inch M2 Air has a 10-core GPU as standard, six speakers and a 66.5Wh battery, and weighs 1.51 kg.
- People who want more battery from this era. The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2) is rated for 20 hours of video and 17 of web browsing from a 58.2Wh battery, though it keeps the Touch Bar and has a 720p camera.
What sets it apart
- A 13.6-inch, 2560 × 1664 Liquid Retina screen at 500 nits, the same size and brightness as the M3 and M5 Airs.
- MagSafe 3 charging, plus two USB-C ports for Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 at up to 40Gb/s.
- Up to 18 hours of movie playback and 15 hours of web browsing from a 52.6Wh battery, in a fanless 1.24 kg body.
- An 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU (10-core optional) with 100GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Caveats
- Apple sold 8GB and 16GB versions, and the memory is soldered, so a used 8GB model stays 8GB.
- Wi-Fi 6, not the Wi-Fi 6E the M3 moved to.
- Fast charging needs a 70W USB-C adapter; the box has a 30W or 35W one, depending on the configuration.
Key specs
In the same order on every laptop page, so you can compare models.
| Spec | Value | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M2: 8-core CPU (4P/4E), 16-core Neural Engine, 100GB/s bandwidth; 10-core GPU optional | Apple tech specsFour performance and four efficiency cores; 100GB/s is the memory bandwidth. |
| Graphics | 8-core GPU standard, 10-core optional | Apple tech specs |
| Memory | 8GB (16GB or 24GB optional) or 16GB (24GB optional) unified memory | Apple tech specsSoldered: what you buy is what you keep. |
| Storage | 256GB SSD standard; 512GB, 1TB or 2TB optional | Apple tech specs |
| Display size | 13.6 inches diagonal; the viewable area is a little smaller because of the rounded corners | Apple tech specs |
| Display type | Liquid Retina, LED-backlit IPS; not touch | Apple tech specs |
| Display resolution | 2560 × 1664 at 224 ppi | Apple tech specs |
| Refresh rate | No ProMotion or 120Hz | Apple tech specs |
| Peak brightness | 500 nits | Apple tech specs |
| Color | 1 billion colors; P3 wide color; True Tone | Apple tech specs |
| Dimensions | 1.13 × 30.41 × 21.5 cm (0.44 × 11.97 × 8.46 in) | Apple tech specs |
| Weight | 1.24 kg (2.7 pounds) | Apple tech specs |
| Chassis material | Aluminum unibody, fanless; enclosure made from 100% recycled aluminum | Apple tech specs |
| Finishes | Silver, starlight, space gray, midnight | Apple tech specs |
| Battery capacity | 52.6-watt-hour lithium-polymer | Apple tech specs |
| Battery, wireless web | Up to 15 hours | Apple tech specsApple's May 2022 test on a preproduction 13-inch M2 (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB, 256GB) across 25 websites, brightness 8 clicks from the bottom. |
| Battery, movie playback | Up to 18 hours of Apple TV app movie playback | Apple tech specs |
| Charging | 30W USB-C adapter with the 8-core GPU; 35W Dual USB-C Compact with the 10-core GPU and 512GB (optional on the 8-core GPU); USB-C to MagSafe 3; fast charging with a 70W USB-C adapter | Apple tech specs |
| Ports | MagSafe 3; 3.5 mm headphone jack; two USB-C ports for charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s) | Apple tech specs |
| Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD camera; image signal processor with computational video | Apple tech specsNo Center Stage. |
| Speakers | Four speakers; Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos | Apple tech specs |
| Microphones | Three mics with directional beamforming | Apple tech specs |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID; 78 keys (U.S.) or 79 (ISO); 12 full-height function keys | Apple tech specs |
| Trackpad | Force Touch trackpad | Apple tech specs |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3 | Apple tech specsThe M3 Air moved to Wi-Fi 6E, and the M5 Air to Wi-Fi 7. |
| Operating system | macOS; Apple's current specs name macOS Sequoia, with Apple Intelligence on M1 and later | Apple Newsroom, 2022-06-06; Apple tech specs |
| External displays | One at up to 6K at 60Hz; no second display with the lid closed | Apple tech specsThe M3 Air can add a second with its lid closed. |
| Security | Touch ID | Apple tech specs |
| Cooling | Fanless | Apple tech specs |
| US price | $1,199 at launch, $1,099 education (6 June 2022); from 5 June 2023, $1,099, or $999 education | Apple Newsroom, 2022-06-06 and 2023-06-05 |
| Price band | Older ultraportable; bought used, refurbished or through education channels | Based on Apple's $1,199 launch price |
| Announced | 6 June 2022 | Apple Newsroom |
| Availability | Orders from Friday, 8 July 2022; in stores from Friday, 15 July 2022 | Apple Newsroom, 2022-07-08 |
MacBook Air 13-inch (M2) extras
Specs only this model has.
| Spec | Value | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| 13-inch M3 model | MacBook Air 13-inch (M3): Wi-Fi 6E and a second external display with the lid closed | Apple tech specs for the 13-inch M3 model |
| 15-inch model | MacBook Air 15-inch (M2): 10-core GPU standard, 66.5Wh battery, 1.51 kg, six speakers | Apple tech specs for the 15-inch model |
| 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2) | MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2): Touch Bar design, 13.3-inch 2560 × 1600 display, 720p camera, Bluetooth 5.0, 58.2Wh battery rated for 20 hours of video and 17 of web, 67W adapter | Apple tech specs for the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2) |
| 13-inch M1 model | MacBook Air 13-inch (M1): 13.3-inch wedge design at 400 nits, 7-core GPU standard, 49.9Wh battery, 8GB or 16GB only, gold option, no MagSafe 3; the 13.6-inch screen arrived with M2 | Apple tech specs for the 13-inch M1 model |
| In the box | 13-inch MacBook Air; 30W USB-C adapter (8-core GPU) or 35W Dual USB-C Compact (10-core GPU and 512GB); USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable (2 m) | Apple tech specs |
The Air that dropped the wedge
The M2 is where Apple moved the 13-inch Air off the M1’s wedge shape: a 13.6-inch, 500-nit screen instead of 13.3 inches and 400 nits, plus MagSafe 3. The M3 and M5 Airs kept that 13.6-inch, 500-nit screen, so on screen size and brightness a used M2 is level with today’s Air. Where it falls behind is everything around the screen. MacBook Air M1 vs M2 covers the jump from the wedge.
What later Airs changed
- M3: Wi-Fi 6E instead of Wi-Fi 6, and a second external display with the lid closed.
- M5: 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage as standard, a 12MP Center Stage camera instead of the 1080p FaceTime HD, and Wi-Fi 7 through Apple’s N1 chip.
If your M2 still keeps up, an M3 won’t change much. When you do upgrade, the M5 is the one that changes daily use: more memory and storage out of the box, and the Center Stage camera for calls. MacBook Air M2 vs M5 and MacBook Air M2 vs M3 have the details, and the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) sits in between.
Screen, size and battery
The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is an LED-backlit IPS panel at 2560 × 1664 and 224 ppi, with 500 nits, P3 wide color, 1 billion colors and True Tone, and no ProMotion or touch. The fanless body is 1.13 cm thick and weighs 1.24 kg, and Apple makes the enclosure from 100% recycled aluminum. It comes in silver, starlight, space gray or midnight. If 13.6 inches is tight, the MacBook Air 15-inch (M2) is the same generation with more room.
| Mode | 13-inch Air (M2) |
|---|---|
| Apple TV app movie playback | Up to 18 hours |
| Wireless web | Up to 15 hours |
| Battery | 52.6Wh |
Apple measured those in May 2022 on a preproduction 8GB, 256GB model with the 8-core GPU, browsing 25 websites with brightness 8 clicks from the bottom.
Ports, camera and sound
You get MagSafe 3, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and two USB-C ports that carry charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 at up to 40Gb/s, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 at up to 10Gb/s. One external display works, at up to 6K and 60Hz.
The box has a 30W USB-C adapter with the 8-core GPU, or the 35W Dual USB-C Compact with the 10-core GPU and 512GB (you could also order it with the 8-core model), plus a 2-meter MagSafe 3 cable. Fast charging needs a 70W USB-C adapter.
The 1080p FaceTime HD camera uses Apple’s image signal processor for computational video. Four speakers support Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, and three microphones use directional beamforming. The backlit Magic Keyboard has Touch ID and 12 full-height function keys. Wireless is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and Apple’s current specs list macOS Sequoia, with Apple Intelligence on M1 and later.
Price
The 13-inch M2 Air launched at $1,199 in the US on 6 June 2022, or $1,099 with education pricing. Orders opened on 8 July and it reached stores on 15 July. On 5 June 2023, alongside the 15-inch Air, Apple cut it to $1,099, or $999 for education. Today it’s a used, refurbished or education purchase, so compare a few sellers and check the memory before you buy.
Sources
- Amazon product listing — accessed 2026-09-20
- Apple Newsroom — all-new MacBook Air supercharged by M2 — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Newsroom — M2 Air available to order 8 July 2022 — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Support — MacBook Air (M2, 2022) tech specs — accessed 2026-09-19
Frequently asked questions
Should I upgrade from the M2 Air to the M3?
No, not for the M3 alone. It adds Wi-Fi 6E and lets you run a second external display with the lid closed. The bigger step is the M5 Air: 16GB and 512GB as standard, a 12MP Center Stage camera and Wi-Fi 7 through Apple's N1 chip.
How is it different from the M1 Air?
The M2 replaced the M1's 13.3-inch wedge with a 13.6-inch, 500-nit screen (the M1 has 400 nits) and added MagSafe 3. Its battery is 52.6Wh against 49.9Wh, and its base GPU has 8 cores against 7. The M1 was the one with a gold option.
8GB or 16GB?
Get 16GB if you can. Apple lists both, with 24GB as an option, and the memory is soldered, so an 8GB model can't be upgraded later.
Will it run two monitors?
No. It supports one external display at up to 6K and 60Hz. The M3 Air can add a second with its lid closed.
What did it cost new?
$1,199 in the US at launch on 6 June 2022, or $1,099 with education pricing. When Apple announced the 15-inch Air on 5 June 2023, it cut the 13-inch M2 to $1,099, or $999 for education.
Official product page: MacBook Air 13-inch (M2). Tech specs: MacBook Air 13-inch (M2) specs.