5 reasons you should buy MacBook Air 2022 instead of the new MacBook Pro

Apple unveiled the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro during WWDC 2022. Both upcoming laptops pack the new M2 processor. While we haven't had a chance to test the chip ourselves yet, Apple has detailed the benefits M2 has over the M1 chip and what the new processor could do for the company’s notebooks.

Since both the MacBook Air 2022 and MacBook Pro 2022 contain the latest slice of Apple silicon, it naturally leads to questions about which device is the better option. Given the “Pro” moniker, and the fact that it costs $100 more than the Air, you might be tempted to say the new Pro is the one to buy. However, the MacBook Air is better in several ways. 

This is why you should buy the MacBook Air 2022 instead of the new MacBook Pro. And be sure to check out the rumors for a new 15-inch MacBook with M2 power. 

Lower price

This one is pretty straightforward. The MacBook Air has a starting price of $1,199 while the MacBook Pro starts at $1,299. Because of that delta, the Air will seem more attractive. Both systems feature an M2 chip, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage to star, though the Pro has a beefier 10-core GPU. 

As you’ll see below, there are other reasons to get the new MacBook Air over the Macbook Pro beyond their respective prices.

Smaller and lighter design 

As its name suggests, the MacBook Air line is the thinnest and lightest of Apple’s laptops. The new Air is 20% smaller in volume than the previous model, measuring 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches and weighing 2.7 pounds.

The new MacBook Pro is pretty thin and light itself, coming in at 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.6 inches with a weight of 3 pounds. However, that’s still larger, thicker and heavier than the Air. Both laptops are extremely portable, but the MacBook Air is the clear winner here.

Bigger display 

The MacBook Air 2022 has a 13.6-inch (2560 x 1664) display while the new MacBook Pro features a 13.3-inch (2560 x 1600) screen. We can attribute the Air’s larger screen to its thinner bezels, which allows for more screen space. A difference of 0.3 inches may not seem like much, but if you want the most display real estate possible, you’ll want the MacBook Air over the Pro. 

Apple says both displays offer 500 nits of brightness, wide color (P3) support and True Tone technology. That means the Air has a screen that's as good as the Pro's, only larger. This is another win for the Air.

Sharper webcam 

This is yet another category where the new MacBook Pro fails to live up to the “Pro” name. Despite Apple’s claims that the M2 chip will provide improved image quality for this device, the laptop still has a 720p camera.

In contrast, the MacBook Air packs a 1080p camera. If the M2 processor supposedly makes the Pro’s 720p camera look better, the same should hold true for the Air. But even without the M2 factoring in, a 1080p camera is preferable to a 720p device. We’d obviously need to test both cameras for ourselves to see how they stack up, but this seems like another easy victory for the Air.

MagSafe charging 

MagSafe charging made its return with the MacBook Pro 14-inch and MacBook Pro 16-inch, and we’re glad to see the MacBook Air also has the beloved feature. Unfortunately, the MacBook Pro still charges via USB-C.

What’s so great about MagSafe? For those who don’t know, the feature allows the power cable to snap into position and perfectly align itself. It also snaps off with a quick pull, which can protect your MacBook against accidental tugs. With the MacBook Air, MagSafe also frees up a Thunderbolt/USB-C port, allowing you to use the two available ports for plugging in peripherals.

The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro each have two USB-C ports and a single headphone jack. But because the Air includes MagSafe, you can argue that it has more available ports.

Reasons you might still consider the MacBook Pro 

Though it might be tempting to dismiss the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2022 based on what we've seen so far, it has some advantages over the Air.

Though both laptops pack the M2 chip, the Pro offers a 10-core GPU as standard. If you want that on the Air, you’ll have to pay $300 extra. The Pro also has active cooling whereas the Air has a fanless design. Because of this, the Pro should reach higher levels of performance. This is something video editors will no doubt take note of.

The new MacBook Pro with its 58.2 watt-hour battery should have a longer battery life than the MacBook Air. Per Apple, the MacBook Pro is rated to last for 20 hours of video playback and 17 hours of wireless web surfing. In contrast, the MacBook Air with its 52.6 watt-hour battery is rated for 18 hours of video and 15 hours of wireless web browsing.

Outlook

In a previous article where we pitted the MacBook Air 2022 vs MacBook Pro 2022, our Global Editor-in-Chief Mark Spoonauer said he’d rather get the Air over the Pro. I’m of the same mindset, based on everything we Know so far.

Yes, the MacBook Pro’s active cooling should help it deliver better performance than the MacBook Air. But unless you’re editing videos or music, you likely won’t need whatever boost in performance the MacBook Pro provides. I mostly surf the web, watch YouTube videos or use Google's various services for work. Because of that, I don’t need a particularly beefy laptop. I suspect the same is true for most people who are eyeing the new MacBooks.

I don’t want to completely write off the MacBook Pro 2022, but as things stand, I’d rather go with the MacBook Air 2022. A new design that’s more akin to the latest MacBook Pros released last year is enticing – as is MagSafe charging, a larger display and a sharper webcam. Its thinner and lighter chassis is also another plus. Right now, the new MacBook Air seems like the Apple laptop to get.

But we’ll see how the new MacBooks stack up against one another when we review both devices. Stay tuned!