The MacBook Air M2 Is Better For Corporates Than Windows PCs

The day I started using a MacBook Air is the day I never went back to a Windows laptop again.

The MacBook Air lineup is the best laptop series I have ever used for productivity. Since my school days, I have been an avid Windows laptop user. From Windows XP to Windows 10, I have used them all. It was always easy to access any software or play heavy games on a Windows laptop or PC. However, when it comes to productivity, nothing beats the OG MacBook Air lineup.

I switched to a MacBook Air in 2020 with an Intel Core i5 5th Gen chip, which was adequate for my needs. But then came the Apple Silicon M1 chip on the MacBook Air, making it incredibly smooth to use. I started using the MacBook Air M1 in 2022 for work and I haven’t looked back ever since.

The MacBook Air M2 came out in 2022 and brought a new design, display and a host of other improvements over the M1 variant. It’s often available for as low as INR 70,000 during sales on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. Here are some reasons why I would recommend the MacBook Air M2 over any Windows laptop for corporate use.

Apple Silicon never disappoints

The MacBook Air M1’s Apple Silicon offers remarkable processing power and energy efficiency compared to many Windows laptops. The M2 is said by Apple to offer 20 per cent better performance than the M1 chip. This octa-core processor makes multitasking smooth, which is essential when navigating across multiple productivity tools during the ideation process.

My MacBook Air M1 is completely happy to let me check emails, open up to 15 Chrome tabs, play 1440p YouTube videos, or edit images on Canva. For the faster MacBook Air M2, these tasks are equally a breeze, if not better. Content creators, however, might encounter slight hiccups when editing Instagram Reels on Final Cut Pro in 4K. That's where the MacBook Pro comes into the picture.

Personally, I like compiling content from my travel diaries and posting it as reels. I shoot them on my iPhone 15 and edit them at 1080p in Final Cut Pro on my MacBook Air M1—it handles them without any major lag. So, if you're using a MacBook Air M2 as a vlogger, you’re good to go for quickly edited reels. However, if you're shooting on a Sony ZS Alpha III and editing 4K footage on the MacBook Air M2, you might experience some stutters.

I can barely recall a time when my MacBook Air M1 struggled with any task. It’s an excellent device for most productivity needs.

Windows users might not appreciate this, but the fanless design of these M-series MacBooks eliminates those annoying, loud fan noises you get with many Windows laptops. I also haven’t experienced any overheating issues.

Another thing I love about the Air is that I never have to shut down my laptop, unlike my old Windows machines. I just close the lid and it goes into sleep mode instantly and resumes just as quickly.

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That battery life is killer!

Alongside its performance prowess, the battery life is one of my favourite things about Apple Silicon-powered laptops.

Since switching to the MacBook Air M1, I hardly ever need to charge it twice a day, unless I’m editing a video. That’s far better than any Windows laptop in its league. It’s incredible how even a 2020 MacBook Air can give the latest Intel or AMD-powered laptops a run for their money in terms of battery life. The M2 MacBook Air offers a similar battery life, thus offering a solid deal for those who seek endurance from their laptops.

I’ve attended several events without carrying the Apple charger because I know I won’t need it. And even if I do, I can usually find a Type-C cable nearby. Although the MacBook Air M2 has a MagSafe charging port, you can still charge it using any 30W (or higher) Type-C charging solution.

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Apple ecosystem is a saviour

Apple has a robust ecosystem if you own both an iPhone and a MacBook. As I mentioned, I currently own an iPhone 15 alongside my MacBook Air M1. The former runs the latest iOS 18, while the latter is updated to macOS Sequoia. The Apple ecosystem helps me maintain seamless integration between my devices.

I can copy text from my iPhone and paste it directly on my MacBook. The ecosystem also gives an edge in file sharing with AirDrop. Any changes I make to the Notes, Documents, or Calendar apps are synced across all my Apple devices. Although the MacBook Air M2 has a far superior 1080p webcam, you can still use your iPhone’s camera for meetings. If you receive a FaceTime or regular call on your iPhone, you can answer it on your MacBook.

God's ultimate gift for multitaskers! Thanks Steve, wherever you are.

My favourite feature, however, has been iPhone Mirroring, which has saved my day on many occassions. It allows you to cast your iPhone screen and use it on a MacBook display. This has been incredibly helpful when my phone is charging or when I’ve left it at home.

Whether you have a MacBook Air M1 or M2, the Apple ecosystem features are the same.

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A display that's stunning 

The MacBook Air M1 has a 13.3-inch IPS LCD display, while the M2 has a slightly larger 13.6-inch IPS LCD display. The former has 400 nits of brightness, while the latter offers 500 nits. All other display features remain the same, which is great because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the MacBook Air M1’s display.

The screen size is ideal for me. If it’s too small for you, the M2 supports one external display with up to 6K resolution. The MacBook Air M2’s display is brighter and more vibrant than the M1, making it perfect for content consumption. However, if you’re coming from an OLED display laptop, the MacBook’s display might disappoint you. The notch on the M2 might not be a delight to look at, but it provides extra space for menu bar items.

One downside is the new quad-speaker system on the MacBook Air M2, which might feel dampened to users switching from the M1 Air.

Easy to carry anywhere

One thing I love about the MacBook is how slim and portable it is. You can just close the lid, slip it into your backpack and be on the go. It requires very little space to fit in, making it ideal as a travel companion. It’s so lightweight that you can carry it in your hand for short periods. Don’t try this at home though.

The MacBook Air M1 and M2 have negligible differences in weight and thickness.

So which one's better?

The MacBook Air M2 is a compelling choice for corporates seeking a powerful, efficient and secure laptop. Its exceptional performance, long battery life and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem make it an ideal tool for professionals.

While Windows laptops still have their place in the corporate world due to their affordability and software flexibility, the MacBook Air M2’s long battery life, premium build quality and lower maintenance needs make it a more valuable long-term investment.

For companies prioritising productivity and an almost lag-free system, the MacBook Air M2 should be your choice over any Windows laptop.

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