MacBook Air M1 vs M2: which used model should you buy?

Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air are fast, silent and fanless, with excellent battery life. The question is whether the newer design is worth the higher price.

Design and screen The M2 model has a newer, flatter design with a slightly larger 13.6-inch display, a notch for the camera, and MagSafe charging. The M1 has the classic wedge shape with a 13.3-inch display and charges over USB-C.

Camera The M2 has a 1080p camera, while the M1 has a 720p camera. If you are on video calls every day, the M2 looks noticeably sharper.

Performance For browsing, documents, study and video calls, both feel quick. The M2 is faster in demanding tasks such as photo and video editing.

Which is better value? The M1 MacBook Air remains one of the best-value used laptops you can buy, especially with 16GB of memory. Choose the M2 if you want the newer design, MagSafe and the better camera.

What to check Look at battery health and the memory and storage configuration, as these cannot be upgraded later on either model.