Apple MacBook Air M2 vs Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 8C GPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD A3240
Buy the MacBook Air M4 if you want the newer chip, 16GB of RAM and a longer macOS support window. Buy the M2 Air only if the price gap is large and 8GB of RAM is enough for browsing, email and light office work. The M4 listing is $889.99 at PayMore Valley Hi, a used unit in Good condition with Apple Limited Warranty until November 26, 2026. The M2 has been seen as low as $669.00, though its recent high was $1,699.00.
Ask our shopping agent
Apple MacBook Air M2
4.8Choose the MacBook Air M2 if you want the lowest price and your work is light web browsing, documents and streaming.
- Lower entry price, seen as low as $669.00
- New unit with a 1-year warranty and 30-day return window
- Fanless and silent, rated 18 hours of battery
- Fine for browsing, email and documents
- 8GB of RAM limits heavy multitasking
- Older M2 chip with a shorter support runway
- 256GB fills fast with photos and apps
What separates them
| Apple MacBook Air M2 | Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 8C GPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD A3240 | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M2, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | Apple M4, 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Memory | 8GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 256GB SSD, NVMe, about 3,028 MB/s read |
| Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560 x 1664 | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560 x 1664, 500 nits |
| Weight | 2.7 lb | 1.24 kg (about 2.7 lb) |
| Battery | 66.5 Wh, rated 18 hours | 53.8 Wh, rated 18 hours |
| Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD | 12MP Center Stage camera, 1080p video |
| Condition and warranty | New listing with 1-year warranty and 30-day returns |
Price history
- Apple MacBook Air M2: lowest $669.00 on Oct 29 at Walmart; $1,699.00 on Nov 2.
- Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 8C GPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD A3240: lowest $1,154.95 on Oct 30 at Walmart.
Prices at every store
Apple MacBook Air M2
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 8C GPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD A3240
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- PayMore Valley HiCheck price at PayMore Valley Hi
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
Specs compared
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air M2 | Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 8C GPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD A3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2.7 lb | 1.24kg |
| Battery Life | 18 hours battery life | 18 hours |
| OS Version | macOS 13.0, Ventura | macOS Sequoia |
| Main Storage | SSD 256GB, 256GB SSD | 256GB SSD |
| Storage Type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage Interface | Solid State | NVMe |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 Wh | 53.8-watt-hour |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-polymer |
| Ports And Interfaces | USB-C | Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe 3 charging port |
| Wireless Communications |
What reviewers say
Apple MacBook Air M2
Owners highly rate the M2 Air for its premium build and significant performance jump over older Intel models. It maintains a 4.8-star average, with users frequently citing the improved webcam and display quality.
- Exceptional battery life for daily tasks
- Modern, squared-off design aesthetic
- Fast Touch ID fingerprint sensor
- High-quality 1080p FaceTime camera
- Midnight finish prone to visible fingerprints
- Thermal throttling during sustained heavy workloads
- Base 8GB RAM can feel limiting for multitasking
- High price premium for storage upgrades
Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 8C GPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD A3240
The M4 Air is widely praised as the best all-round thin laptop for most people, with reviewers calling the M4 speed bump modest but welcome and the 16GB base memory a real improvement. Complaints center on the 256GB base storage and the two-port layout.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for heavy multitasking?
- The M4. It has 16GB of RAM against 8GB on the M2, so it holds far more browser tabs and apps before slowing down.
- Is the M4 worth the extra money?
- At $889.99 versus a $669.00 low on the M2, the M4 buys double the RAM and a newer chip. That is worth it if you keep a laptop for four or more years.
- Which lasts longer?
- The M4 should get macOS updates for longer because it is a newer chip. The M2 is already a generation behind.
- Does the M4 have a better camera?
- Yes. The M4 has a 12MP Center Stage camera. The M2 has a 1080p FaceTime HD camera.
- Is the M4 listing new?
- No. It is listed in Good condition with an Apple Limited Warranty until November 26, 2026 and a genuine Apple charger in the box.
- Do they weigh the same?
- Effectively yes. The M2 is 2.7 lb and the M4 is 1.24 kg, about 2.7 lb.
More comparisons
- Apple MacBook Air M1 vs Apple MacBook Air M2
- Apple MacBook Air M2 vs Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch
- Apple Macbook Air MGN63LL/A 13.3 inch M1 Octa-Core 8GB RAM 256GB Storage vs Apple MacBook Air M2
- 13-inch MacBook Air - M5 10-core CPU 10-core GPU - 32GB Memory - 1TB Storage vs Apple MacBook Air M2
- Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 8C GPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD A3240 vs Apple MacBook Air 13 M4
- Apple MacBook Air M2 vs Apple 15-inch MacBook Air M5
- Apple MacBook Air M2 vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M2 8GB 256GB Midnight
- Apple MacBook Air M2 vs Apple MacBook Air M2 13-inch 256GB 16GB RAM 8-Core CPU 8-Core GPU (Mid 2022) Silver