15-Inch MacBook Air vs. 13-Inch M2 MacBook Air: Which One’s Right for You?
Apple announced an all-new 15-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip at WWDC 2023, a new but welcome addition to its Apple silicon lineup. This particular model sits right above the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air from 2022.
If you’re in the market for a MacBook Air and you’re torn between these two models, especially due to their size difference, we have a few points for you to consider before you decide.
Apple has dropped the price of the 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 by $100. The base model used to sell for $1,199, but it’s now available for $1,099. Meanwhile, the 15-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,299, $200 above the 13-inch M2 Air.
The 512GB version of the 13-inch M2 Air costs $1,399, whereas the 512GB version of the 15-inch Air costs $1,499 (only $100 more than the 13-inch). This means your choice becomes tougher if you’re eyeing the higher storage variant.
If you’re trying to save money, now would be an excellent time to get a used base model 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 since its price drop and lower demand will give you better deals. Read our guide onbuying a used MacBookto help with your purchase.
Ultimately, it comes down to what screen size you prefer and how much you can push your budget because, besides the size differences, they’re nearly identical, as you’ll see from the points below.
Design and Display
Apple didn’t deviate much from the 13-inch MacBook Air when it designed the 15-inch one. The two laptops are identical because they have the following in common:
Generally, the two laptops are the same. However, there are key differences:
Essentially, you should go for the 15-inch Air if you could do with the extra screen real estate and you don’t mind the additional weight (and price).
Hardware and Performance
Once again, there’s hardly any difference between the two regarding performance. They have exactly the same specs: Apple M2 chip with an 8‑core CPU (four performance cores and four efficiency cores), a 10‑core GPU, and a 16‑core Neural Engine.
They both also feature a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, which puts theM2 Air a notch above the M2 MacBook Pro. And you’ll find Touch ID on both laptops' backlit Magic Keyboards.
Despite its size, Apple didn’t add a fan to the 15-inch MacBook Air; it seems Apple really wants to keep the MacBook Air silent or limit the feature to the MacBook Pro models.
Performance-wise, they’re pretty much the same, as they sport the same M2 chip. However, there’s a minor hardware difference for audiophiles; the 15-inch MacBook Air has a six-speaker sound system, two speakers more than the 13-inch Air’s four-speaker sound system.
Connectivity and Ports
The two laptops charge through a MagSafe 3 charging port, a faster and widely preferred charging style. And you’ll also find twoThunderbolt-enabled USB 4 portson the left side and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the right side.
Battery Life
Apple claims the 15-inch MacBook Air offers up to 18 hours of battery life. However, that number is exactly the same as the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, which is surprising considering the larger footprint of the 15-inch variant.
On the bright side, you don’t have to worry about inferior battery performance if you want the smaller 13-inch MacBook Air.
You Can’t Go Wrong With These MacBooks
Looking at the price and hardware differences between the two, it seems there’s no wrong choice. You would be getting a premium laptop at good value either way.
Go for the 15-inch one if you prefer the extra screen real estate and additional speakers. But if you’re trying to save some cash, the 13-inch variant can offer identical performance at a lower price point.
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