Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

pros and cons

• Remarkably slim and light
• Larger, brighter Retina display
• 1080p webcam (at last)

• More expensive than its predecessor
• Battery life takes a modest hit
• Pricey purchase-time upgrades

The original 13.3-inch MacBook Air was a landmark product, not just for Apple, but for the entire PC industry. Its slimline, lightweight design, and distinctive 'tear drop' profile effectively created the ultrabook category years before Intel's marketing department came up with that name. 

It was such a successful design that Apple stuck with it for more than a decade, even after the 2020 model was updated with Apple's new M1 processor. But with the next-generation M2 processors on the horizon, there were rumours that the 2022 MacBook Air would receive a major revamp. 

The new design didn't disappoint, reducing the laptop's size and weight even further, while also providing a slightly larger 13.6-inch display as well. There were other welcome improvements too, including the return of the popular MagSafe power connector, and a new webcam and speaker system.  

However, the new slimline design also came with a chunky price increase of$200/