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MacBook Air - page 10

Just how ‘far out’ will Apple’s Sept. 7 event be? [The CultCast]

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The CultCast podast: Are we going to get a big bang out of Apple's September 7 event?
Are we going to get a big bang out of Apple's September 7 event?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: What does Apple’s star-studded September 7 event invite mean? Some of the speculation is pretty “far out,” but Erfon thinks he has the answer.

Also on The CultCast:

  • The M2 MacBook Air humiliates a pricier Dell laptop.
  • Shazam still works like magic (and somehow Apple didn’t screw it up).
  • Zombie cinema-subscription service MoviePass is coming back from the dead!
  • Don’t miss Best Buy’s killer freebie: three months of Apple TV+, for new and returning subscribers.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: CultCloth

Get the only cleaning cloth you need: CultCloth!

Need a no-frills computer that’ll just work? Try a refurb MacBook Air for $250.

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Grab a no-frills refurbished MacBook and get the job done.
When you're on a budget, a refurb MacBook is the way to go.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You might not need the latest, greatest computer if you just need a laptop to get the job done. So, whether you’re looking for a travel computer that you aren’t afraid to toss in a bag, or need a budget laptop that can get you through the school year, buying refurbished MacBooks is the way to go.

One example is this refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air that’s been marked down to just $250.

M1 MacBook Air with 512GB storage drops to an irresistibly low price

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MacBook Air M1 2020
You really should not miss this deal on the M1 MacBook Air.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s M2 MacBook Air might be the newest kid on the block, but you can’t go wrong with the M1 Air as well. And with Best Buy taking a whopping $200 off on the 2020 MacBook Air, now is the perfect time to buy one.

This is the lowest price the M1 MacBook Air has dropped down to.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

New MacBook Air is even faster than we dreamed [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Apple podcast: These MacBook Air benchmarks show what a screamer the M2 chip really is.
These MacBook Air benchmarks show what a screamer the M2 chip really is.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest benchmarks make Apple’s M2 chip sound better than we thought. In fact, the new MacBook Air that the processor powers might be the perfect laptop for almost everyone.

Also on The CultCast:

  • The iPhone 14 Pro’s always-on screen looks sweeeeet.
  • How does Apple keep pulling off earnings miracles?!?
  • What not to do when a creep steals your AirTag-equipped scooter.
  • Somebody built an Apple Store time machine.
  • And a truffle tangent to end all tangents.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: Squarespace

Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, Squarespace. Get all the tools you need to set up your very own website and commence selling anything online. Start your free website trial today at squarespace.com/cultcast (no credit card required). Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code cultcast at checkout.

M2 MacBook Air blows away other Macs in speed test

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M2 MacBook Air review roundup: The fast and the beauteous
The Apple M2 chip gives the 2022 MacBook Air a crazy fast web browser.
Photo: Apple

The new M2 MacBook Air got an amazing score on the Speedometer 2.0 benchmarking app. Apple’s latest notebook solidly beat other Macs in this test of web browser speed.

The performance boost comes from the new Apple M2 processor – the MacBook Pro with the same chip scores equally well.

Super-clean MacBook Air rig shrugs off all distractions [Setups]

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Solid cable management helps keep this MacBook Air setup clean.
Solid cable management helps keep this MacBook Air setup clean.
Photo: [email protected]

Some of the best computer setups look a little boring at a glance. But that’s just because they include only essential gear and they keep it well lit and free of cable (and other) clutter.

Today’s featured M1 MacBook Air setup is a good example. And that’s not to say it’s plain or overly simple. You can see that in  the well-thought-out gear list below, which features 19 items.

Apple will pay $50 million to settle ‘butterfly’ keyboard class-action lawsuit

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MacBook butterfly keyboard
You might be in for some money if you had problems with a MacBook butterfly keyboard.
Photo: Apple

Apple agreed to a preliminary settlement Monday for a class-action lawsuit that claimed the company knew the MacBook’s “butterfly” keyboard was defective but kept selling it. Apple admits no wrongdoing but agreed to pay up to $50 million, most of which will go to customers who had to replace the faulty keyboards.

This is good news for people in seven U.S. states who experienced problems with their MacBook butterfly keyboard.

And the world’s hottest laptop is … the M2 MacBook Air! [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Apple podcast: Nobody's got anything bad to say about the new MacBook Air.
Nobody's got anything bad to say about the new MacBook Air.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Everyone’s raving about the new M2-powered MacBook Air — and so are we. Although Erfon just bought a different Apple laptop (and offers up a pro tip for anybody thinking of getting the hot new MBA).

Also on The CultCast:

  • Bye-bye, Jony Ive. We’re gonna miss ya. Mostly.
  • The emoji people scrape the bottom of the barrel.
  • Toys are about to get personal (but brace yourself for disfigured plastic selfies).
  • BMW foists an outrageous subscription plan on car buyers.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: CultCloth

Get the only cleaning cloth you need: CultCloth!

Why you should avoid the base model M2 MacBook Air

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Why you should avoid the base model M2 MacBook Air
The base model M2 MacBook Air is reportedly slower than

Those in the market for a M2 MacBook Air should be aware that the base model with 256GB of storage reportedly will have slower performance when moving large files and when multitasking than versions of the new laptop with more storage capacity.

Apple says real world performance isn’t affected, but benchmarks show the base model is slower even than its M1 predecessor for some tasks.

M2 MacBook Air now available for in-store pickup

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Apple keeps up with rush of M2 MacBook Air preorders
Time to pick up your M2 MacBook Air from your nearest Apple Store.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s new M2 MacBook Air is now arriving for preorder customers in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. It will also be available for in-store pickup starting today in most major markets of the world.

Apple’s svelte M2 MacBook Air has received rave reviews for its excellent performance and long battery life.

M2 MacBook Air review roundup: The fast and the beauteous

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M2 MacBook Air review roundup: The fast and the beauteous
The first reviews of the M2 MacBook Air are very positive.
Photo: Apple

The first reviews of the M2 MacBook Air praise its slimmer design and speedy M2 processor. “Apple’s near-perfect Mac,” says Engadget.

Sometimes reviews are a mix of positives and negatives. Not this time – reviewers found very little to criticize in Apple’s newest notebook.

Production woes result in severe drop in Mac shipments

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Apple Final Cut Pro updated for latest M1 processors
Shipments fell far short of demand for the Mac Studio this spring.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s struggle to get computers assembled in China during COVID lockdowns this spring had the expected result: Mac shipments dropped 22.5% in the spring quarter of 2022, according to a market-research firm.

At least company execs can take solace from the fact that this is not a demand problem. Consumers want to buy Macs but Apple can’t supply them.

M2 MacBook Air benchmarks show it’s plenty fast

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WWDC22: The new M2 MacBook Air gets a MagSafe charger.
The M2 MacBook was unveiled in June at WWDC22.
Photo: Apple

The first benchmark scores for the upcoming MacBook Air with an Apple M2 processor confirm that the device offers a considerable speed boost over the M1-powered version.

However, performance comes in well behind MacBook Pros with the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

New magnetic sleeve is a perfect fit for M2 MacBook Air

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Get the optional strap and the sleeve becomes a shoulder bag.
Get the optional strap and the sleeve becomes a shoulder bag.
Photo: WaterField Designs

Got a new 13-inch M2 MacBook Air in need of some stylish protection? WaterField Designs just unveiled its new Magnetic Laptop Sleeve. It’s custom-fitted to that ultralight laptop.

The sleeve, made of waxed canvas in four color choices, offers serious protection, too.

And if you preorder one soon enough, you can get special early-bird gift. See below.

Apple keeps up with rush of M2 MacBook Air preorders

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Apple keeps up with rush of M2 MacBook Air preorders
You'll probably have to wait for the M2 MacBook Air, but not more than a couple weeks.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Preorders for the svelte new M2 MacBook Air began early Friday morning and Apple is mostly keeping up with demand. There’s even one standard configuration still available for delivery on the July 15 launch day. The base model can be delivered a few days after that.

Build up the specs and the wait time can stretch out to August. But no farther than that.

Preorder the M2 MacBook Air now while supplies last

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2022 MacBook Air with M2 processor
Get your M2 MacBook Air preorder in early if you want it delivered on launch day.
Photo: Apple

Apple has started accepting preorders for the M2 MacBook Air. The company took down its online store for a couple of hours to prepare for the new Air’s launch.

The new MacBook Air will be available in retail stores from July 15.

How to get ready to preorder the M2 MacBook Air

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How to get ready to preorder the M2 MacBook Air
Here's how to be ready to order the amazing M2 MacBook Air so you get one on launch day.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The most exciting MacBook of 2022 goes up for preorder on Friday, and the M2 MacBook Air is likely to sell out quickly. You need do some early prep work if you want to get your hands on this beautifully redesigned notebook as soon as possible.

Here’s how to be completely ready to put in a preorder.

M2 MacBook Air preorders open on July 8

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13-inch MacBook Air with M2
You can get your hands on the M2 MacBook Air starting July 15.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s svelte new M2 MacBook Air will be available for order starting July 8. It will then hit retail stores on July 15.

“Supercharged by the M2 chip,” Apple said in a press release Wednesday, “the all-new MacBook Air features even more performance and a new strikingly thin design, a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a four-speaker sound system, up to 18 hours of battery life, and MagSafe charging.”

‘Severe’ thermal throttling in Apple M2 chip raises questions about MacBook Air performance

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'Severe' thermal throttling in Apple M2 chip raises questions about MacBook Air performance
The M2 MacBook Pro can get hot, hot, hot. What does that mean for the M2 MacBook Air, which has no fan?
Graphic: Apple

The just-released MacBook Pro running Apple’s new M2 processor offers generally good performance, but its single fan can’t stop it from experiencing ‘severe’ thermal throttling under certain conditions, according to tests done on the device.

The upcoming MacBook Air also uses an M2 chip and doesn’t have a fan at all. How much thermal throttling it will experience is not yet knownn, but it could be signficant.

M2 MacBook Air could launch on July 15

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13-inch MacBook Air with M2
M2 MacBook Air should go up for pre-order soon.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s svelte new M2 MacBook Air will reportedly go on for sale starting July 15.

Announced at WWDC22, pre-orders for the redesigned Air should commence on July 8, a week before the retail launch.

M3 MacBook Air could arrive in 2023 in two screen sizes

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WWCC22: The new M2 MacBook Air comes in four colors.
Apple could offer M3 MacBook Air with 13-inch and 15-inch displays.
Photo: Apple

Apple could launch a new MacBook Air powered by a faster M3 processor as soon as next year.

The company also has a bunch of other Macs due for launch later in 2022 or early 2023. They will run on Apple’s new M2 chip, which powers the new 13-inch MacBook Pro as well as the upcoming M2 MacBook Air set for July launch, or the M2’s more powerful Pro/Ultra/Extreme variations.

Apple’s Back to School promo bundles gift card up to $150 with new Mac or iPad

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Get an Apple gift card when you purchase an eligible Mac or iPad.
Apple's Back to School sale includes gift cards worth up to $150.
Photo: Apple

Apple’s yearly Back to School promotion is now live in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.

The company is offering a gift card of up to $150 on eligible purchases in the US. Additionally, students can score an extra 20% off on an AppleCare+ subscription.

M1 vs. M2 MacBook Air: Which one should you buy?

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M1 MacBook Air versus M2 MacBook Air: Which MacBook Air is right for you?
M1 versus M2: Which MacBook Air is right for you?
Photo: Cult of Mac

After unveiling the M2 MacBook Air, with its sleek new design and some major upgrades, Apple surprisingly did not discontinue the M1 MacBook Air. Both laptops will co-exist, with the M2 Air commanding a $200 premium over its predecessor.

So, is the M2 MacBook Air worth the additional price? Or should you save some money and go for the M1 Air? Read our comparison to find out.