Apple MacBook Air (2022)
| Manufacturer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Product family | MacBook Air |
| Release date | July 2022 |
| Introductory price | USD 1199 to 2499 |
| Discontinued | No |
| Operating system | macOS Sonoma |
| CPU | Apple M2 |
| Memory | 8 GB, 16 GB, or 24 GB unified memory |
| Memory slots | None (soldered) |
| Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB SSD |
| Storage slots | None (soldered) |
| Removable storage | None |
| Display | Screen size: 13.6 inch Panel type: IPS Coating: Glossy Resolution: 2560 x 1664 PPI: 224 Aspect ratio: 16:10 Brightness: 500 Nits P3: 100 % True Tone: Yes |
| Graphics | Apple M2 8-core GPU or 10-core GPU |
| Sound | Four-speaker sound system with wide stereo sound and support for Spatial Audio |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD camera |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.0 2 x Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports |
| Dimensions | W: 11.97 inches (30.4 cm) D: 8.46 inches (21.5 cm) H: 0.44 inches (1.1 cm) |
| Mass | 2.7 pounds (1.2 kg) |
| Power brick | 30W or 35W USB-C Power Adapter |
| Battery | 52.6 Wh Li-Polymer |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard |
| Chassis | Color: Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, Silver Materials: 100% recycled aluminum enclosure |
| Number pad | No |
| Fingerprint reader | Yes (Touch ID) |
| Facial recognition | No |
| Predecessor | Apple MacBook Air (2020) |
| Website | Apple |
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The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is a lightweight, high-performance laptop featuring the Apple M2 chip. It is designed for users seeking a balance between portability and power, with configurations varying by store and location.[1]
Primary Hardware
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Processor
The MacBook Air (2022) is equipped with the Apple M2 chip, which includes:
- 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
- 100GB/s memory bandwidth
The M2 chip offers a performance increase over the M1, with higher clock speeds and improved efficiency. However, the performance gains are more noticeable in single-core tasks, while multi-core performance can drop under sustained loads due to thermal constraints.[2]
In synthetic benchmarks, the M2 chip shows the following performance:
- Cinebench R15 Multi: Ø955 (863.48-1215.33)
- Cinebench R23 Multi: Ø8745 (8654 Points)
- Geekbench 5.5 Multi-Core: Ø8962 (8951 Points)
Graphics
The MacBook Air (2022) comes with the integrated Apple M2 GPU, available in two configurations:
- 8-core GPU
- 10-core GPU
The 8-core GPU is capable of handling daily tasks and some light gaming, while the 10-core variant offers slightly better performance but does not provide significant advantages under sustained workloads.[2]
In synthetic benchmarks, the GPU performance is as follows:
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited: 5689 Points
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 5673 Points
- GFXBench 4K Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen: 39.8 fps
- GFXBench 1920x1080 Car Chase Offscreen: 199.9 fps
Memory
The MacBook Air (2022) is available with:
- 8GB unified memory
- Configurable to 16GB or 24GB
The memory is soldered and not upgradeable. The 8GB configuration is adequate for everyday tasks, but users running multiple applications or demanding software may benefit from the higher memory options.[2]
Storage
The MacBook Air (2022) offers the following storage options:
- 256GB SSD
- Configurable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB
The entry-level model with 256GB SSD uses a single NAND chip, resulting in lower transfer rates compared to models with dual NAND chips. This can lead to performance drops under heavy usage.[2]
In synthetic benchmarks, the storage performance is as follows:
- Blackmagic Disk Speed Test Read: 2798 MB/s
- Blackmagic Disk Speed Test Write: 2431 MB/s
Co-processors
The MacBook Air (2022) includes a 16-core Neural Engine for machine learning tasks, enhancing the performance of applications that utilize AI and machine learning.
Input Devices
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Keyboard
The MacBook Air (2022) features a backlit Magic Keyboard with:
- 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys and 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement
- Touch ID for secure authentication
- Ambient light sensor for automatic adjustment of keyboard brightness
The keyboard offers a precise typing experience with shallow key travel and excellent backlighting.[2]
Touchpad
The MacBook Air (2022) comes with a Force Touch trackpad, which provides precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities. It supports Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures. The trackpad is considered one of the best in the mobile segment, offering a smooth and intuitive user experience.[2]
Webcam
The MacBook Air (2022) is equipped with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, featuring an advanced image signal processor with computational video for improved image quality. The webcam is located in the notch at the top of the display and provides good image quality for video calls, though it could benefit from a larger sensor for improved low-light performance.[2]
Microphone
The MacBook Air (2022) includes a three-mic array with directional beamforming for clear audio capture. The microphone quality is decent for video calls and voice recordings.[1]
Output Devices
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Display
The MacBook Air (2022) features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with the following specifications:
- 2560-by-1664 native resolution at 224 pixels per inch
- 500 nits brightness
- Wide color (P3) for enhanced color accuracy
- True Tone technology for a natural viewing experience
The display offers very good subjective picture quality, minor backlight bleeding, and no PWM flickering. It is bright and vibrant, making it suitable for outdoor use.[2]
In synthetic benchmarks, the display performance is as follows:
- Maximum Brightness: 526 cd/m²
- Contrast Ratio: 1384:1
- Color Accuracy: ΔE Color 1.3, calibrated: 0.7
Audio
The MacBook Air (2022) includes a four-speaker sound system with wide stereo sound and support for Spatial Audio. The speakers are located in the hinge area and direct sound towards the screen, where it is reflected towards the user. The sound quality is good, with slightly improved mid-range but reduced bass compared to previous models.[2]
Connectivity
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WiFi
The MacBook Air (2022) supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for faster wireless connectivity. However, it is limited to 80 MHz, which may affect connectivity options.[2]
Bluetooth
The MacBook Air (2022) includes Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity.[1]
SD Card Reader
The MacBook Air (2022) does not include an SD card reader.[1]
USB
The MacBook Air (2022) is equipped with two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, which support:
- Charging
- DisplayPort
- Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s)
- USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s)
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
Display Outputs
The MacBook Air (2022) supports one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz. It also supports native DisplayPort output over USB‑C and VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output using adapters (sold separately).[1]
Case
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The MacBook Air (2022) features a slim and sturdy chassis with a new design. It is available in four colors: Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver. The device is 11.3 mm thick and weighs 1.215 kg. The build quality is excellent, and the lid can be opened with one hand.[2]
Maintenance
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The MacBook Air (2022) is difficult to open due to screws and clamps, and there are no upgrade options as the components are soldered.[2]
Cooling System
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The MacBook Air (2022) uses a passive cooling solution, resulting in silent operation with no fan noise. However, the device may throttle under heavy loads, impacting performance.[2]
Heat
The maximum temperature under load did not exceed 45 °C, with the chip reaching 108 °C in multi-core load scenarios.[2]
Energy Management
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Power Consumption
The MacBook Air (2022) comes with a 30W USB-C Power Adapter (included with M2 with 8-core GPU) or a 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter (included with M2 with 10-core GPU and 512GB storage). It is also fast-charge capable with a 70W USB-C Power Adapter.[1]
The maximum power consumption during stress tests is 50.4W.[2]
Battery Life
The MacBook Air (2022) is equipped with a 52.6-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery. Apple claims up to 18 hours of Apple TV app movie playback and up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing.[1]
In real-world tests, the battery life is as follows:
- WiFi Websurfing (150 nits): 15h 10min
- WiFi Websurfing (max brightness): 6h 35min
- Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p: 16h 29min
- Load (maximum brightness): 2h 24min[2]
Biometrics
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The MacBook Air (2022) includes Touch ID for secure authentication and easy access.[1]
Software
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The MacBook Air (2022) ships with macOS Sonoma and includes various preinstalled Apple applications and utilities. The OS runs smoothly and supports a wide range of applications.[1]
Preinstalled Software
- App Store
- Books
- Calendar
- Contacts
- FaceTime
- Find My
- Freeform
- GarageBand
- Home
- iMovie
- Keynote
- Maps
- Messages
- Music
- News
- Notes
- Numbers
- Pages
- Photo Booth
- Photos
- Podcasts
- Preview
- QuickTime Player
- Reminders
- Safari
- Shortcuts
- Siri
- Stocks
- Time Machine
- TV
- Voice Memos
Linux Support
Linux support is limited but possible through virtualization or dual-boot setups.[2]
Accessories & Warranty
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The MacBook Air (2022) comes with a 30W USB-C Power Adapter (M2 with 8-core GPU) or a 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter (M2 with 10-core GPU and 512GB storage), and a USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m).[1]
There is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.[2]
Reviews Summary
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Overall Sentiment
The MacBook Air (2022) is praised for its slim design, improved display, and good performance. However, its high base price and limitations such as a slow SSD and lack of support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E are considered drawbacks. The device is suitable for users seeking a lightweight and portable laptop with decent performance for everyday tasks.[2]
Problems Summary[2]
- High base price for the entry-level model.
- Slow SSD in the entry-level model due to a single NAND chip.
- Lack of support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E.
- Limited connectivity options with only two USB 4 ports.
- No SD card reader.
- Passive cooling solution may lead to throttling under heavy loads.
- Limited upgradeability as components are soldered.