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The name says it all: Apple’s World Wideal Ddevelopers Conference (WWDC) is an event for developers. Innovations in the operating systems iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS & Co. are in the foreground. Nevertheless, Apple uses to also introduce hardware. 2022 is the turn of the company’s “most popular Mac”: the MacBook Air.

The best MacBooks from Apple

Apple

Complete list: The best MacBooks from Apple

MacBook Air now without wedge

If the model presented in 2020 was practically indistinguishable from its predecessor, this time it looks completely different. Apple says goodbye to the typical wedge shape of older MacBook Air generations. Instead, the new version looks like a “MacBook Pro Light”. This is not only clear on the case, but also on the recess. The MacBook Air now also comes with a notch. Nevertheless, the notebook remains slim. When closed, it measures just 11.3 millimeters and, according to Apple, weighs 1.2 kilograms.

Four notebooks next to each other — When it came to the colors, Apple got creative again. They are called: silver, polar star, space gray and midnight – the latter is a dark blue.

The screen measures 13.6 inches and shows content with 2560×1664 pixels. A mini LED screen is not used here. Instead, a “Liquid Retina Display” is on board, Apple’s fashion term for LC screens with rounded corners. It supports True Tone technology, meaning it dynamically adapts content to the ambient light. Apple specifies the brightness as 500 nits.

Redesigned MacBook Air with M2

What is really surprising, however, is what is in the notebook. Apple uses the brand new M2 processor here. Like its predecessor, it was manufactured using the slim 5 nanometer process and houses 20 billion transistors. Compared to the previous generation, the M2 is said to work up to 18 percent faster. That sounds impressive. Eight computing and up to ten graphics cores complete the chip. Despite the increase in power, the processor in the MacBook Air does not require any fans at all. The M2 is also compatible with up to 24 gigabytes of shared storage.

Depending on the thickness of your wallet, you get the device with 8, 16 or 24 gigabytes of RAM. You can also choose the SSD. Either 256 or 512 gigabytes or 1 or 2 terabytes are in it. Each doubling costs extra. In the basic version you also have to cut back on the graphics unit. Then the MacBook Air is only equipped with eight GPU cores. The ten cores are only available in higher-priced configurations.

MagSafe connector close-up. — Here you can refuel safely: Apple is also bringing MagSafe back to the MacBook Air.

In addition to two Thunderbolt 4 ports in the form of USB-C sockets, the MacBook Air comes with the MagSafe 3 charging port known from the Pro. There is also a headphone jack on board.

Prices and Availability

At the start, the cheapest version of the MacBook Air with 256 gigabytes of SSD and 8 gigabytes of RAM and the “small” M2 with eight graphics cores costs 1,499 euros. A device with full equipment, i.e. M2 with full performance, 2 terabyte SSD and 24 gigabyte memory is sold for 2,999 euros. Accessories, such as a 67 watt power supply, cost extra in the cheaper versions. The versions with eight GPU cores have a 30-watt power supply, while the cheaper ten-core versions have a 35-watt power supply.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in July 2022. However, the devices cannot be pre-ordered yet.