An Unusual Reviewing Experience

In March, I made the significant decision to sell some possessions to purchase the new MacBook Pro. This wasn't a choice I made lightly; I had spent months deliberating. Ultimately, my decision boiled down to selecting between the M1 Max MacBook Pro and the Mac Ultra Studio, both of which I planned to pair with the Apple Studio Display. I had to decide which would serve as the core of my setup.

Coincidentally, I had just signed a lease for a new studio space nearby, necessitating a split in my creative workflow. This influenced my choice, leading me to opt for the MacBook Pro over the Mac Studio.

Almost Portable

While I won't be moving around frequently, it's good to know that the MacBook can be transported if necessary. I've previously mentioned that the MacBook Pro serves as a stationary office machine that has the capability to move. If you approach it with the mindset of keeping it in one location, you'll set yourself up for success.

Ensnared by Apple's Ecosystem

This morning, I realized just how integrated Apple is in my daily life, from morning until night—and it seems to be increasing!

Technically, it is a laptop, yet it's not the kind you'd want to carry around every day. It's quite hefty and certainly hasn't slimmed down for summer.

Nonetheless, it serves its purpose excellently. Whichever configuration I chose, it was always going to be pricey. My last major investment in a Mac was a 5K 27-inch iMac in 2015, which has been a reliable audio station in my new studio.

Given the significant amount I was about to spend, I preferred to avoid cutting corners now only to regret it in the years ahead. Hence, this MacBook is fully equipped with:

• 16-inch M1 Max
• 10-Core CPU, 32-Core GPU
• 32GB Unified Memory
• 4TB of storage

If this impressive setup doesn't meet my future needs, I can only imagine what I'll be working on by then! For my current workflow, this MacBook offers ample capacity, almost to the point of mockery, as it seems to beckon me to push its limits.

Powering Through

The M1 Max MacBook Pro possesses such strength that the only time I find myself nearing its limits is during video rendering and editing. Even then, my requirements are relatively straightforward: I only record in 4K, not 8K. Yes, there’s multi-cam footage with B-roll and a few graphics, but the MacBook handles it all effortlessly.

Transitioning from Intel to Apple Silicon was a pivotal moment for me. Having never owned a Mac with Apple Silicon before, I can confirm that all the reported advantages are accurate. Fast, quiet, efficient, and productive, Apple Silicon represents a transformative leap. This MacBook is, without a doubt, the best I have owned.

Welcoming the M2 MacBook Air

For the first time, I participated in a day-one review unit release. Just a week after placing my order, the M2 MacBook Air arrived and has been my constant companion since.

The challenge arose when I began writing and creating videos about it, which was the original intent. I initially planned to 'use-review-return'—a common practice among YouTubers. It’s likely that a substantial percentage of Macs showcased on review days get returned to Apple, thanks to their generous 14-day return policy. However, from the moment I started using it, I knew this MacBook was a keeper.

The more I engaged with it, the more feedback I received, leading me to use it even more than my M1 Max MacBook Pro. It may sound irrational, but if it's available and I'm in the midst of a project, transferring everything to another Mac seems unnecessary.

Lightweight Yet Powerful

The M2 MacBook Air has faced some criticism since its launch, which I believe is unjustified. While it may have limitations, it excels in every area it was designed for.

Since the M2's arrival, I have hardly touched my M1 Max MacBook Pro. It's an outstanding all-around machine—really impressive!

Despite its weight, I prefer to keep the MacBook Pro stationary; at over £3500 for my configuration, I wish to avoid dings and scratches. I've learned the hard way that even when a Mac is out of sight, thieves seem to know when it’s there. I had a 15-inch Intel MacBook Pro stolen a few years ago, and I don't want to experience that again.

The Answer is Yes!

I've received various inquiries about the M2 MacBook Air's capabilities. Comments like these are not uncommon:

It's unfortunate that some negative reviews may deter potential buyers who would find the M2 MacBook Air to be a perfect fit. My experience using it daily for the past month speaks volumes.

While I don’t claim to be a high-end user, I have edited several podcasts and numerous videos, as well as worked in Photoshop and InDesign. This showcases the robust performance you'll have with the M2 MacBook Air.

A Word of Caution

Avoid opting for the basic 256GB version of the new MacBook Air. This isn't a reflection of poor testing, but rather common sense. In 2022, it's surprising that Apple still offers a base model with only 256GB.

Having multiple browser tabs open, whether in Firefox, Chrome, or Safari, will quickly consume your RAM. The data these tabs collect uses a significant portion of your available memory. When this happens, the Apple Silicon architecture will start using your hard drive as virtual memory. For this reason, if possible, choose the 512GB model I have. If this will be your primary MacBook for years, investing a bit more for future-proofing is wise. Opting for the 1TB version would be even better; storage is a priority for me.

Enthusiastic Recommendation

I genuinely hope my words reach prospective buyers of the M2 MacBook Air. It truly doesn't deserve to be labeled as a "little" MacBook. I've lost count of how many times I've read about it being a great "little" device.

No, it's not just a great "little" MacBook. It’s a GREAT MacBook Air—period!

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Originally published on August 3, 2022, [source](https://talkingtechandaudio.com/)