Remember MagSafe?This The power cord sticks magnetically to the charging port of the old MacBook to prevent it from flying off the table if someone trips? Last year, Apple reintroduced the innovative connector on its high-end MacBook Pro models, but the feature is now making its way to the most affordable laptop in its lineup: the MacBook Air. At WWDC 2022, Apple announced this new laptop along with a new 13-inch MacBook Pro, both powered by the newly announced second-generation M2 processor.
Both the new MacBook Air 2022 and MacBook Pro 2022 will go on sale in July. The Air costs $1,199, and the new Pro starts at $1,299. Apple has discontinued older M1-powered MacBook Pros, but you can still buy the 2020 M1 MacBook Air $999. Here’s everything you need to know about this pair.
Air Beats Pro
Curiously, the new (and cheaper) MacBook Air is the better of the two new laptops. For example, it adopts some of the design changes introduced with the pricier MacBook Pro models in 2021, including thinner bezels around the screen and a notch for the webcam, and has a slightly larger 13.6-inch display compared to the new MacBook Pro 13.3-inch screen.
Despite the larger screen, the Air sheds some weight over its predecessor. At 2.7 pounds and only 0.44 inches thick when fully closed, it puts the “air” back into the MacBook Air, making it one of Apple’s lightest laptops to date. By comparison, the Pro weighs 3 pounds and is 0.61 inches thick.
It also means the new MacBook Air can take advantage of the upgraded 1080p webcam for better quality on video calls, while the new MacBook Pro uses the same old 720p camera. The Air also has a four-speaker setup for better audio than the MacBook Pro’s stereo speakers, although Apple recommends studio-quality mics on the Pro, while the Air uses fewer standard mics.
Both still have the same LCD IPS 2K resolution screen, and the MacBook Air is slightly brighter than its predecessor, matching the MacBook Pro’s 500-nit screen brightness. Speaking of displays, the MacBook Pro is still the only Mac in Apple’s lineup to feature a Touch Bar display above the Magic Keyboard, a feature that never really caught on. The MacBook Air has physical function keys, although both have Touch ID built in. (not have still There is no Face ID on Mac. )
