From the Cupertino stage during the WWDC 2022Apple unveiled the brand new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13“, Both powered by the new and powerful chip M2. In addition to the M2 chip, the new MacBook Air has really interesting features, from charging MagSafe to the camera FaceTime HD at 1080p. While the new Pro with up to 24GB of unified memory and acceleration ProRes promises record performance.
MacBook Air and Pro, features and price of the new laptops with M2 chip
At WWDC 2022, Apple put the focus above all on software solutions, which it presented to developers and the press present in Cupertino and around the world. Bad two hardware novelties that arrive are really interesting. Mainly because they revolve around the new Apple chip.
As he explained Greg JoswiakApple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, the MacBook Air is “Completely redesigned around the M2 chip, MacBook Air is thinner, lighter and faster with a bigger display, a better camera and an all-day battery, and it’s available in four gorgeous colors. Only thanks to the Apple chip is it possible to make such a thin and light laptop with a fanless design and with this combination of performance and capacity ”.
But the M2 chip also comes up MacBook Pro 13″allowing “acceleration ProRes, up to 24GB of memory and up to 20 hours of battery life, further enhancing our most portable pro notebook. “
M2: the news of the new chip
The new Apple chip comes from 5-nanometer technology and promises a noticeable leap in quality compared to the previous generation, the already excellent M1. In fact, Apple explains that it brings better performance than the + 18% in terms of CPU and + 35% for the GPU, with absolute graphics capabilities. There Neural Enigne it also becomes 40% faster (with 15,800 operations per second).
The gang of memory grows by 50% (goes up to 100 Gbps) compared to the models announced last year, with the possibility of having up to 24GB of unified memory on the MacBook Pro. Enough to really work to the maximum, even on the move.
To achieve these excellent results, Apple has increased by 25% the account of transistors, bringing them up to 20 billion. Energy performance is also excellent, with Apple ensuring performance on the same level as 10-core CPU processors with a quarter of the energia. It also boosts the number of GPU cores, rising to 10 (two more than M1), delivering performance 2.3 times better for the same consumption. This means you can use Apple’s ProRes video engine to play multiple streams of 4K and 8K video, edit RAW images, and play complex graphics titles.
MacBook Air M2, top features and redesigned design
The power of the M2 chip would be impressive in any context. But the MacBook Air’s design makes the M2’s technical features even more impressive. In fact all this power enters a thickness of only 11.3 mmwith a weight of just 1.2 kilograms. A volume reduction of 20%, for what was already the thinnest of Apple’s laptops.
Also, along with the redesigned design there are two new colors next to the classic silver and space gray: midnight and galaxy.
Apple has also revised the ports of the MacBook Air. On the one hand, the jack da 3,5 mm for your headphones, essential. On the other due porte USB-C Thunderbolt for all other accessories. The novelty that is sure to make laptop buyers happy is MagSafewhich makes its return to simplify charging (and leave the two USB-Cs free).
The Magic Keyboard has full-height function buttons, with Touch ID for security. And there is no lack of a huge one trackpad Force Touch, which has always been a strong point of the series.
Bigger screen and better performance
The new 13.6 ″ Liquid Retina display has a 500 nit brightness, 25% better than the previous generation. It gets even closer to the edges, especially the top one. In fact, Apple has also inserted a notch in this laptop, to widen the edges while hosting a video camera FaceTime HD a 1080p with a larger image sensor. The four-speaker audio system supports spatial audio and playback Dolby Atmos. There are three microphones in array for picking up your voice with enhanced stereo separation.
And then there is the power of M2. What does it mean Final Cut Pro 40% faster, Photoshop 20% faster to apply filters and battery that lasts up to 18 consecutive hours of video playback. A great improvement over the Mac with M1, a generation leap for everyone else.
Charging via the compact charger from 35W con due USB-C it is already very convenient for charging more than one device, but this time comes the r67W fast icarica to reach 50% battery in 30 minutes (67W charger optional).
The new MacBook Pro 13 ″ with M2 chip
If Apple revolutionized the MacBook Air, the new MacBook Pro 13 with M2 has features that appeal to all professionals. With 8-core CPU and a faster 10-core GPUi, RAW image editing becomes faster than 40% compared to M1. Even games like Baldur’s Gate 3 become 40% faster and with active cooling you can continue to work at maximum without risk or problems.
The possibility of arriving fup to 24GB of unified memory in such a light and thin laptop it makes all the difference: you can convert video to ProRes at three times the speed, manage up to 11 streams of 4K video and two in 8K. Video editing on a laptop that fits in your bag or small backpack. And that guarantees up to 20 hours of autonomy in video playback.
MacBook Air and Pro 13 with M2: prices and availability
Both MacBooks will arrive next month on the Apple Store and online. MacBook Air with M2 is priced starting at €1.529while the 13 ″ MacBook Pro with M2 is priced starting at €1.629. You can take advantage of the Apple Trade In if you have a computer to trade in, here you will find the details.