1. You’ll Get Used to the Smudges

From the moment I unpacked my Midnight M2 MacBook Air, it has been a magnet for fingerprints. As someone who prefers clean tech, it’s somewhat disheartening. While a bit of wear can add character over time, it shouldn't happen immediately out of the box.

Unfortunately, owning a Midnight M2 MacBook Air means dealing with constant smudging on both the interior and exterior. Attempting to wipe these marks often exacerbates the problem, so it's advisable to carry a microfiber cloth if you want to maintain its pristine look. My recommendation is to embrace the smudges; you truly acclimatize to them. Remember, opting for a different color is an option, but the Midnight version does have a certain allure.

2. The Chassis Might Develop a ‘Click’

Recently, I've noticed a clicking sound when I adjust the display of my M2 MacBook Air. It's not a creak, but rather a slight, annoying release from a stiff joint. This noise occurs not only when I open or move the screen but also when I lift the laptop.

A few weeks ago, my young child yanked on the display in a moment of curious mischief, which could have contributed to this new noise. Most MacBooks I've owned eventually develop some clicking, typically resolved by re-securing the base plate. However, this situation seems linked to the hinge, which isn’t something you can fix on your own. Apple's quality control has raised concerns for me; many of my recent purchases have had defects or annoying issues that shouldn’t exist.

3. The Base Model Suffices

I recently acknowledged that I may have been too quick to judge the base model M2 MacBook Air. Upon its launch, reviewers thoroughly tested its capabilities, including demanding tasks like 8K video editing. These assessments showed that the base model was slower than its predecessor, likely due to its SSD configuration.

I faced challenges during a trip to London when I needed last-minute video editing done and had to abandon the task—something I wouldn't have experienced with the M1 model. Nonetheless, I have been using the base model M2 MacBook Air as my primary work laptop since last July. It performs admirably for routine tasks, so if your needs are similar, you can save some money.

4. You Quickly Forget About the Notch

Honestly, the notch on the display becomes a non-issue quite fast.

5. You’ll Crave a 15-Inch Model

While I used to think that a 13-inch display was the perfect size for a laptop—adequate for multitasking yet portable—hearing rumors about a 15-inch MacBook Air has completely changed my perspective. Now, I find myself wanting a larger screen without fully understanding why.

There are occasions when extra screen space would be helpful, particularly for spreadsheets or video script writing. Plus, let’s face it—larger screens are just more impressive. The thought of a spacious MacBook Air is thrilling, especially if it maintains the lightweight nature of the 13-inch model, making it a favorite among semi-power users.

This rumor may seem unexpected, but if Apple is indeed planning to launch a larger MacBook Air, it indicates they've recognized significant demand for it. This realization has caught me off guard, suggesting that others might have been envisioning possibilities for the MacBook Air that I hadn’t.

Conclusion

If you're in search of a versatile Mac that won’t tether you to a power outlet and can accompany you on your travels without hassle, consider purchasing the M2 MacBook Air today. If you need one urgently, I recommend buying the current model; even with a potential M3 version on the horizon, the timeline for its release remains uncertain, and we don't know what performance improvements it may bring for typical users.

Don’t let buyer’s remorse deter you; if you choose the right specifications, this laptop will serve you well for a long time. If you're a power user and can afford to wait, it may be wise to hold off until summer when a new model is more likely to be announced.

While there are a few minor annoyances—which is common with any Apple product—the MacBook Air remains my preferred portable Mac, and I don’t foresee that changing.

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Originally published at https://markellisreviews.com on March 13, 2023.