2022-07-04
While we know that Apple plans on releasing the new MacBook Air in July, the company did not provide a date when it announced the updated model at WWDC 2022.
According to a retail source who spoke to MacRumors, the new M2 MacBook Air will be available starting on Friday, July 15, with preorders going live on Friday, July 8.
This could be the case, as Apple typically opens preorders on a Friday, with devices appearing on store shelves and shipping out a week later. However, Apple generally does not tell third-party retailers about release dates this far in advance.
The notch contains a 1080p FaceTime HD camera
The new M2 MacBook Air boasts a thinner, lighter body than its predecessor. It has a larger display, thinner bezels, a notch, and a 1080p webcam. Thanks to the M2 chip, it's got an 18% faster CPU, a 35% faster GPU, and gets upwards of 18 hours of battery life. It starts at $1,199 and maxes out at $2,499.
Apple also updated the microphones to a three-mic array. This enables improved beamforming audio capture, so background noise is more efficiently captured.
There is a four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio, so music and video playback can take on a 3D effect. The two tweeters and two woofers can make audio sound like it is coming from multiple directions around the user.
The port arrangement is nearly identical to the M1 model. There are two Thunderbolt ports, a headphone jack, and a newly added MagSafe port.
Each MacBook Air ships with a color-matched MagSafe cable
The two Thunderbolt ports are on one side, support the Thunderbolt/USB 4 standard, and use a USB-C shaped port. That enables up to 40Gb/s data transfer rates.
The MagSafe port enables users to charge their MacBook Air while using both Thunderbolt ports for peripherals and docks. It is rated to fast charge the MacBook Air when connected to a power source of 67W or greater.
------------------Article from Amber Neely