Apple’s WWDC 2022 keynote introduced us to the M2 chipset and the latest laptops that feature it. And although MacBook Air 2022 preorders still aren’t live, there’s a lot to be excited about thanks to the new design and promised performance boost.
The new laptop features a redesigned 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display that’s 25% brighter than the screen on the previous-gen MacBook Air. The 2022 MacBook Air is also packing Apple’s new M2 chip, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, four-speaker sound system, and is now available in four finishes.
The MacBook Air 2022 starts at $1,199, which is a noteworthy $200 increase from the M1-based MacBook Air. But there’s some good news for bargain hunters: Apple is keeping its MacBook Air M1, which will continue to cost $999. With 4th of July sales now live, it’s likely we’ll see epic MacBook deals on the M1 model. We may even see some early back to school sales on Apple’s new Macs.
In fact, the Apple 2022 back to school discount is knocking $100 off MacBook Air M2 preorders and also bundles a $150 Apple gift card. You must be a student to get this deal. (Also, check out our Apple Store promo codes page for more ways to save on Apple gear).
MacBook Air 2022 preorders and Prime Day
Apple didn’t confirm when MacBook Air M2 preorders would begin, but the company said the new laptop will be available in July. Depending on when it’s released, we could see a few Prime Day sales on Apple’s forthcoming laptop. Deals could take from $50 to $100 off the base MacBook Air 2022 configuration.
MacBook Air M2 preorders — retailers to expect
When to expect MacBook Air 2022 preorder deals
You may be thinking it’s too early for MacBook Air 2022 deals, but the truth is retailers waste no time when it comes to discounts on new Apple products. We expect to see the first deals not long after preorders begin. (Check out our guide to the best Apple deals for discounts on all Apple tech).
- Amazon predictions (opens in new tab): The biggest online retailer on the planet is usually the first to offer dollar-off discounts on new Apple devices. Expect to see from $50 to $100 off the base MacBook Air M2 configuration shortly after preorders begin. Likewise, the MacBook Air 2020 could drop as low as $749 or $799.
- Apple Store (opens in new tab): For trade-in deals, you’ll want to head to the Apple Store. Apple tends to offer generous trade-in credits when you swipe your old Apple device for a new one. It’s also worth checking our Apple Store coupons page for promo codes.
- Best Buy predictions (opens in new tab): The retailer will likely bundle a host of free Apple services with the purchase of a new MacBook Air M2. Expect to get 6 free months of Apple Music, 6 free months of Apple News Plus, and 3 free months of Apple TV Plus. Best Buy also tends to offer great trade-in deals, so expect to save big on the MacBook Air 2022 when you trade in a previous-gen Apple laptop.
MacBook Air 2022 — what you get for $1,199
The MacBook Air 2022 has plenty of new features. Here’s how it stacks up to its predecessor. Wondering how it stacks up to the new MacBook Pro? Check out our MacBook Air 2022 vs MacBook Pro 2022 comparison.
MacBook Air M2 (2022) | MacBook Air M1 (2020) | |
Pricing | from $1,199 | from $999 |
Screen size | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina | 13.3-inch Retina |
Screen resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2560 x 1600 |
CPU | M2 | M1 |
RAM | 8GB/16GB/24GB | 8GB/16GB |
Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB |
FaceTime camera | 1080p | 720p |
Battery | up to 15 hours | up to 15 hours |
Weight | 2.7 pounds | 2.8 pounds |
Dimensions | 0.44 x 11.9 x 8.4 inches | 0.63 x 11.9 x 8.3 inches |