Apple unveiled on Monday an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro and a 13.6-inch MacBook Air featuring its next-generation custom M2 chip.
Redesigned MacBook MacBook Air With New M2 Chip
During the WWDC event, the tech giant unveiled a new MacBook Air which offers MagSafe charging, two Thunderbolt USB 4 ports, a headphone jack, as well as the more powerful M2 processor, The Verge reported.
Starting at $1,199, this MacBook Air will be available in July. The entry-level model has an eight-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The $1,499 model, on the other hand, offers a 10-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage if you need more power, storage, or RAM. Up to 24GB of RAM and 2TB of storage are available in each configuration.
The 2022 MacBook Air has a larger 13.6-inch display with a resolution of 2560x1664 and thinner bezels around it. It has a max brightness of 500 nits, according to Apple. The new MacAir has a silent, fan-less design, similar to previous MacAir variants. Apple claims it's 40% quicker than the previous model, but The Verge noted that speed improvement is likely to vary depending on the app.
Silver, space grey, and new "starlight" gold and "midnight" blue colors will be offered for this redesigned MacBook Air model.
The Air, which is based on the M1, will remain available for $999.
13-inch MacBook Pro With New M2 Chip
Engadget reported that Apple didn't just announce a new MacBook Air at WWDC. The tech giant, in fact, introduced an "overhauled" 13-inch MacBook Pro. Unsurprisingly, the new entry pro laptop features an M2 chip, which promises enhanced performance and efficiency, as well as a whopping 20 hours of peak battery life (during video playback) and accelerated ProRes video processing. The new model retains the Touch Bar and does not undergo a big overhaul like its Air predecessor.
Apple's M2 processor, which uses second-generation 5-nanometer technology, outperforms the M1 in every way, with an 18% faster CPU, a 35% more powerful GPU, and a 40% faster Neural Engine. It also has 50% higher memory bandwidth than the M1, as well as up to 24GB of rapid unified memory, as per Mac Rumors.
Working with RAW images in apps like Affinity Photo is roughly 40% faster with a faster 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU than the previous generation, and up to 3.4x faster for those upgrading from a model without Apple silicon, according to Apple.
There will also be "studio-quality" microphones, up to 24GB of RAM, and a maximum storage capacity of 2TB.
When it arrives in July, the MacBook Pro M2 will cost $1,299. This is the Mac portable for those who desire active cooling for intense workloads but don't require the extra power of premium machines such as the 14- and 16-inch Pro models.
However, Engadget noted that the 13-inch machine is more difficult to sell when the new Air offers comparable performance, a larger screen, and a MagSafe charging connector for a lower price.
