Apple unveils all-new MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, supercharged by the new M2 chip

[TheLostSwede]

Apple today introduced a completely redesigned MacBook Air and an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro, both powered by the new M2 chip—which takes the breakthrough performance and capabilities of M1 even further. MacBook Air takes everything users love about the world's best-selling laptop to the next level. With an all-new, strikingly thin design and even more performance, MacBook Air also features a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, four-speaker sound system, up to 18 hours of battery life, and MagSafe charging. It is now available in four finishes—silver, space gray, midnight, and starlight. M2 also comes to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the world's second best-selling laptop—delivering incredible performance, up to 24 GB of unified memory, ProRes acceleration, and up to 20 hours of battery life, all in a compact design. The new MacBook Air and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro join the even more powerful 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max to round out the strongest lineup of Mac notebooks ever offered. Both laptops will be available next month.

"We're so excited to bring our new M2 chip to the world's two most popular laptops—the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "Completely redesigned around M2, MacBook Air is thinner, lighter, and faster with a bigger display, better camera, and all-day battery life, in four beautiful finishes. Only with Apple silicon can you build such a thin and light notebook with a fanless design, and this combination of performance and capabilities. M2 also comes to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, featuring incredible performance, ProRes acceleration, up to 24 GB of memory, and up to 20 hours of battery life—making our most portable pro notebook even better."




M2 Supercharges Apple's Most Popular Systems
M2 starts the second generation of Apple's M-series chips and extends the remarkable features of M1. With industry-leading power efficiency, a unified memory architecture, and custom technologies, this new chip brings even more performance and capabilities to Apple's most popular Mac notebooks—the MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro. M2 features a next-generation 8-core CPU with advancements in both performance and efficiency cores, along with Apple's next-generation GPU, which now has up to 10 cores—two more than M1. M2 delivers 100 GB/s of unified memory bandwidth and supports up to 24 GB of fast unified memory, so it can handle even larger and more complex workloads with ease. Designed to dramatically speed up video workflows, M2 also adds a next-generation media engine and a powerful ProRes video engine for hardware-accelerated encode and decode, so systems with M2 will be able to play back more streams of 4K and 8K video than before.

All-New MacBook Air, Completely Redesigned Around M2
Built from the ground up around M2, MacBook Air has an entirely new design that is remarkably thin from every angle. It measures just 11.3 mm thin and is only 2.7 pounds, and features a durable, all-aluminium unibody enclosure that feels incredibly solid and is built to last. This thin and light design integrates its components so efficiently that it results in an astonishing 20 percent reduction in volume. With the power efficiency of M2, all of the capabilities of MacBook Air are built into a silent, fanless design. In addition to silver and space gray, MacBook Air is now available in two new finishes—midnight and starlight.

MagSafe returns to MacBook Air, giving users a dedicated charging port that is easy to connect, while protecting MacBook Air when it is plugged in by quickly releasing if the charging cable is accidentally pulled. MacBook Air also features two Thunderbolt ports for connecting a variety of accessories, and a 3.5 mm audio jack with support for high-impedance headphones. Additionally, the Magic Keyboard features a full-height function row with Touch ID, and a spacious, industry-leading Force Touch trackpad.



New 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display
The new MacBook Air features a gorgeous 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, which has been expanded closer to the sides and up around the camera to make room for the menu bar. The result is a larger display with much thinner borders, giving users more screen real estate to view their content in brilliant detail. At 500 nits of brightness, it is also 25 percent brighter than before. In addition, the new display now supports 1 billion colors, so photos and movies look incredibly vibrant.

1080p FaceTime HD Camera and Four-Speaker Sound System
MacBook Air includes a new 1080p FaceTime HD camera with a larger image sensor and more efficient pixels that deliver twice the resolution and low-light performance of the previous generation. Combined with the processing power of the advanced image signal processor on M2, users will look great on video calls.

MacBook Air also features a four-speaker sound system. To fit inside such a thin design, the speakers and mics are completely integrated between the keyboard and display—all while delivering an even better audio experience. A three-mic array captures clean audio using advanced beamforming algorithms, while the speakers produce improved stereo separation and vocal clarity. MacBook Air also supports immersive Spatial Audio for music and movies with Dolby Atmos.

Even More Performance in MacBook Air
M2 takes the performance of MacBook Air even further.

• For intensive workloads like editing complex timelines in Final Cut Pro, performance is nearly 40 percent faster than the previous generation, and up to 15x faster for customers that haven't upgraded to Apple silicon.
• Applying filters and effects in apps like Adobe Photoshop is up to 20 percent faster than before, and up to 5x faster for customers that haven't yet upgraded to Apple silicon.
• And even with a larger display and increased performance, MacBook Air delivers the same great, all-day battery life as before, with up to 18 hours of video playback.

New Charging Options
MacBook Air offers a number of charging options, including an all-new 35 W compact power adapter with two USB-C ports, so users can charge two devices at once. And for the first time, MacBook Air supports fast charge for charging up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes with an optional 67 W USB-C power adapter.



13-inch MacBook Pro with M2
Users love the performance the 13-inch MacBook Pro delivers in its compact design. Now with M2, Apple's most portable pro notebook gets even more capabilities in the same great form factor.

• With a faster 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, working with RAW images in apps like Affinity Photo is nearly 40 percent faster than the previous generation, and up to 3.4x faster for users who are upgrading from a model without Apple silicon.
• Playing graphics-intensive games like Baldur's Gate 3 is also nearly 40 percent faster than the previous 13-inch MacBook Pro, and up to 3.3x faster for customers upgrading from a model without Apple silicon.
• With an active cooling system, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is designed to sustain its pro performance.
• Thanks to M2, the 13-inch MacBook Pro also supports up to 24 GB of unified memory—along with 50 percent more memory bandwidth—making multitasking and working with large assets super fluid.
• With support for ProRes encode and decode in the media engine of M2, users can play back up to 11 streams of 4K and up to two streams of 8K ProRes video. And they can convert their video projects to ProRes nearly 3x faster than before.
• The 13-inch MacBook Pro delivers phenomenal battery life with up to 20 hours of video playback.

macOS Monterey
With macOS Monterey and Apple silicon, MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro deliver even more performance and productivity for users. Continuity tools like Universal Control make it easy for users to work effortlessly across Mac and iPad, while AirPlay to Mac enables users to play just about anything from their iPhone or iPad right to their Mac's stunning Retina display. FaceTime includes audio and video features, including Portrait mode and Spatial Audio that make calls feel more natural and lifelike, while SharePlay enables Mac users to have shared experiences through FaceTime. Live Text and Visual Look Up use intelligence to surface useful information, Safari includes powerful tab organization with Tab Groups, and Shortcuts brings the ease of automation to the Mac.

macOS Ventura, coming this fall, will also take full advantage of M2, delivering new features including Stage Manager, and powerful new capabilities with Continuity Camera and Handoff coming to FaceTime. macOS Ventura also includes big updates to Safari, Mail, Messages, Spotlight, and more.

Better for the Environment
Both the new MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro minimize their impact on the environment, now using 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in the enclosure magnets. MacBook Air uses 100 percent recycled aluminium in its enclosure and is the first Apple product to use certified recycled steel. Both products meet Apple's high standards for energy efficiency, are free of numerous harmful substances, and use wood fiber in the packaging that comes from responsibly managed forests. Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations, and by 2030, plans to have net-zero climate impact across the entire business, which includes manufacturing supply chains and all product life cycles. This means that every Mac Apple creates, from design to manufacturing, will be 100 percent carbon neutral.

Pricing and Availability

• The all-new MacBook Air and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro will be available on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app. They will begin arriving to customers, and will be in select Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, next month.
• MacBook Air with M2 starts at $1,199 (US) and $1,099 (US) for education. Additional technical specifications are available at apple.com/macbook-air-m2.
• The 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 starts at $1,299 (US) and $1,199 (US) for education. Additional technical specifications are available at apple.com/macbook-pro-13.
• Additional technical specifications and details on Apple accessories—including the 30 W USB-C Power Adapter for $39 (US), 35 W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter for $59 (US), 35 W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter for $59 (US) compatible with the World Travel Adapter Kit for $29 (US), and the 67 W USB-C Power Adapter for $59 (US)—are available at apple.com/mac. The 35 W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter is available to customers in Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and the US.
• Every customer who buys a Mac from Apple can enjoy a free Online Personal Session with an Apple Specialist, get their product set up in select stores including help with data transfer, and receive guidance on how to make their new Mac work the way they want.

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[agatong55]

So we get USB - C on the charging brick but not on the computer itself? Am I reading that right?

 

[aktpu]

Two USB-C ports on the computer itself

 

[TheLostSwede]

So we get USB - C on the charging brick but not on the computer itself? Am I reading that right?

Correct, you get get a USB-C to Magsafe cable.

 

[Dredi]

So we get USB - C on the charging brick but not on the computer itself? Am I reading that right?

At least the previously released M1 ultra macbooks can be charged also via usb-c. I’d be surprised if it’s not supported here.

 

[bonehead123]

Well, I have seen a bunch of 3rd party magnetic adapters for USB-C cables, so I just don't understand why they didn't/couldn't have made these new machines with them and gotten rid of those funky-lookin magsafe connectors, which to me are reminiscent of the old 30pin cables they used many years ago..... perhaps called them "Magsafe Rev1" or "Magsafe v2" or somethin clever like "The NEW Magsafe"...

After all, they do have like a petagazillion dollars to spend on R&D for just about anything they wanna come out with

 

[Dredi]

Well, I have seen a bunch of 3rd party magnetic adapters for USB-C cables, so I just don't understand why they didn't/couldn't have made these new machines with them and gotten rid of those funky-lookin magsafe connectors, which to me are reminiscent of the old 30pin cables they used many years ago..... perhaps called them "Magsafe Rev1" or "Magsafe v2" or somethin clever like "The NEW Magsafe"...

After all, they do have like a petagazillion dollars to spend on R&D for just about anything they wanna come out with

The ”magnetic usb-c” cables are prone to shorts. All you need is some paper clips in the wrong place and the magnets make sure something will happen. Apples magsafe has some extra stuff in place to make sure that the connector is well in place before charging is initiated.

 

[trsttte]

So we get USB - C on the charging brick but not on the computer itself? Am I reading that right?

Magsafe is actually pretty good so I think this is fine. The laptop also has USB-C, one of them at least should be able to charge right? Given their tendency for stupid decisions probably not


Cool to see the notch on this one following the mac pro, can't wait to see every laptop maker copy this next year /s (for fuck sake why!!!!!!!!). Also nice to see the greenwashing continue with only two ports so you need a dongle and low power charger as default so you'll buy an extra one.

 

[Garrus]

Apple announced a $300 price increase for the Macbook Air if you want the M2 10-core GPU they highlighted versus the old 7-core M1. 30 percent price increases for those performance slides to be true. Secondly the M1 is already 2 years old, they will be selling the 3 year old M1 Macbook Air unchanged. This is the new Apple we wanted with ARM? $2408 after tax in Canada for the Macbook Air 10-core GPU with 16GB/512GB standard. That's bad.

MacOS needs 1) Linear mouse movement 2) Linear scroll wheel support 3 steps per click (like PCs right now, and how Macs used to work before they broke it 3) Scaling support for sub 4k monitors 4) Apple Performance monitoring 5) Apple overlay 6) Bootcamp

 

[Bomby569]

So we get USB - C on the charging brick but not on the computer itself? Am I reading that right?

Didn't the EU just made some law about this same exact thing? are they not selling it in the EU?

 

[trsttte]

Didn't the EU just made some law about this same exact thing? are they not selling it in the EU?

I'm not sure that applies to laptops, or at least not all of them because very high power USB-C is still quite new and not a thing in the wild. And besides, in this case it would be a disservice since laptop magsafe is actually good (the wireless one is just a gimick, Qi charging with some magnet to keep the device in place lol)

Hopefully they did things right anyway and at least one of the USB-C ports allows charging, but their magsafe connector is good, it would be one of the few things it would be cool to see licensed to other manufacturers (instead of the fucking stupid notch I'm sure everyone will copy)

 

[Minus Infinity]

Didn't the EU just made some law about this same exact thing? are they not selling it in the EU?

They haven't even had the vote so even if passed it will probably take effect next year.

 

[TheLostSwede]

They haven't even had the vote so even if passed it will probably take effect next year.

It'll take place today I think, somewhat delayed. Even so, the transition period is until 2024.

European Union MEPs Agree on Making USB Type-C the Standard Charging Connector

This past week, the EU's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee agreed on adopting USB Type-C as the union's standard charging connector, with 43 votes in favour and two against. It's part of the Radio Equipment Directive and it means that USB-C is now very close to becoming the de...

www.techpowerup.com

Didn't the EU just made some law about this same exact thing? are they not selling it in the EU?

It might not apply to notebooks. I guess that's one of the things that will be decided during the vote.

I'm not sure that applies to laptops, or at least not all of them because very high power USB-C is still quite new and not a thing in the wild. And besides, in this case it would be a disservice since laptop magsafe is actually good (the wireless one is just a gimick, Qi charging with some magnet to keep the device in place lol)

Hopefully they did things right anyway and at least one of the USB-C ports allows charging, but their magsafe connector is good, it would be one of the few things it would be cool to see licensed to other manufacturers (instead of the fucking stupid notch I'm sure everyone will copy)

Coming soon™

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[Space Lynx]

Might not be a bad idea to get the Macbook M2 for $999... would last me a solid 10 years for my work I expect... might have to pay to replace the battery in year 6 or so...

I like to keep my work stuff separate from gaming stuff, so this would be a good solution. Plus most business places do seem to be using Apple stuff from what I can see.

 

[aktpu]

Might not be a bad idea to get the Macbook M2 for $999... would last me a solid 10 years for my work I expect... might have to pay to replace the battery in year 6 or so...

I like to keep my work stuff separate from gaming stuff, so this would be a good solution. Plus most business places do seem to be using Apple stuff from what I can see.

Prices start $1,199. Where can I get this elusive $999 Macbook?

 

[Space Lynx]

Prices start $1,199. Where can I get this elusive $999 Macbook?

I thought that was for the Macbook Pro? hmm, nm then. I expect black friday if you check costco/best buy you will find the air for $999 though, the M1 air regularly goes on sale for 800 brand new. so the m2 i expect will follow suit, at least to the 999 mark anyway

 

[trsttte]

Coming soon™

Yup, I was surprised to see that was also part of it. But for the reason I mentioned the adoption period will also be longer which is ok I guess, maybe in the meantime USB-IF will get their shit together and start bringing the hammer when it comes to cable certification.