With 2022 almost on us, it’s time to look forward to the massive MacBook Air refresh expected next year. Tipsters say there’ll be a slim new design, a much better screen and a range of other improvements.
This notebook is also expected to be the debut of the super-speedy Apple M2 processor.
2022 MacBook Air: Out with the old, in with the new
The 2022 MacBook Air will reportedly look different even at first glance, with the classic tapered design being replaced with a squarer casing reminiscent of the 2021 MacBook Pro, but even slimmer. The more svelte design will supposedly still have room for a pair of USB-C ports as well as MagSafe charging, though. And it’ll allegedly be available in the same range of colors as the 2021 iMac.
The 2022 MacBook Air will reportedly benefit from Apple’s move from standard LCD to mini-LED. This type of display uses thousands of tiny LEDs to provide a backlight that can illuminate very specific areas. The result is higher contrast, blacker blacks, improved brightness and better power efficiency. Other Apple notebooks and tablets already use it.
The next-generation macOS portable will also have a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, according to an unconfirmed report. Whether this will be in a screen notch like the new MacBook Pro is anyone’s guess.
The 2022 MacBook Air is expected to first reach customers around mid-year.
Bring on the M2 processor
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
A highlight of the 2022 MacBook Air will reportedly be the premiere of the M2 processor as part of Apple’s ongoing move away from Intel chips.
In 2020, the M1 became the first chip designed for Mac by Apple. The MacBook Pro models introduced in 2021 use upgraded M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. Next year will allegedly bring the true second generation in the line of processors.
The M2 will be made with a 4 nm process, according to industry leaks. That’s an improvement over the 5nm process used to make the M1 series. This will lead to a faster chip that uses less power and creates less waste heat so the 2022 MacBook Air will not need a fan.
Looking farther ahead, 2023 will supposedly bring an M2 Pro processor for high-end computers, like next-generation MacBook Pro models.
