1. Incase Hardshell Case

A dotted texture pattern case is something you can rely on to keep your Mac safe. The case comprises two parts: a shell covering the top and sides of the laptop’s lid and another shell with precise cuts for external peripherals. Both pieces have strategically placed clips to keep the case in place. 

The product’s unique selling points are a hardshell shell that adds durability without excessive bulk and the rubberized edges that provide improved gripping of the MacBook Air.

Furthermore, it has three color options for the MacBook Air M1 and two for the 13″ MacBook Air M2 and M3 models. If we’re talking about my personal favorite, without a doubt, the clear case option is the obvious one since it allows me to show off my Mac. 

Check out on Apple: MacBook Air M1 | 13″ MacBook Air (M2 and M3) 

2. Spigen 9H screen protector 

Want to eliminate dust and fingerprints and protect your Mac’s screen from scratches? Use this oleophobic coating by Spigen, which reduces fingerprint smudges and prevents dust from settling on your screen. 

It’s a 9H-grade hard film that protects against scuffs and impacts. Furthermore, the sleek contour offers crystal clarity without reducing the screen’s initial brightness. The film’s ease of installation and bubble-free nature make it the best screen-protector option. Did I tell you that there’s no residue left when the premium adhesive is removed? Well, that’s an added advantage.

 
Check out on Amazon: MacBook Air M1 | MacBook Air M2 

3. CASETiFY SOSO CAT & DOG MacBook sleeve

Oh, that’s a cute sleeve! Your Mac sleeve looks adorable! That’s a perfect sleeve!

These were the compliments I received from my workmates when they saw my new CASETiFY Mac sleeve. Featuring a cute cat and dog, the sleeve renders a perfect balance between style and protection. The 5mm neoprene material feels lightweight and soft to the touch. Moreover, neoprene absorbs the impact from bumps and ugly scratches. Waoh!

Amid all the goodness, the invisible zipper became my instant favorite. This waterproof zipper doesn’t meddle with the design and remains hidden behind the polyester logo lining. It slides effortlessly without a fault, no matter how often you open or close it. Moreover, the soft inside cover keeps your Mac safe from getting scratched.

The CASETiFY SOSO CAT & DOG MacBook sleeve comes in two sizes: 13” and 16”. So, you can also use this accessory with your 15″ MacBook Air. Thanks to its form-fitting build, you can easily carry your laptop in your backpack or hold it in your hand. Gift yourself paw-some protection with this fantastic CASETiFY Mac sleeve.

4. WaterField Designs Sutter Tech Sling bag

The MacBook Airs are primarily known for their portability. Students and creative professionals often take this machine everywhere where they go. If you are one of them and wish to carry your Mac in style, the Sutter Tech Sling bag can be a great choice.

This product has got a full-grain leather accent on the front, which offers a nice touch and feel. It comes with two main compartments. The first one in the front has waterproof zippers on either side and can store keys, AirTags, and other tiny utilities.

The second compartment at the back can comfortably house a Mac and an iPhone. During my testing, I tried inserting a 13-inch MacBook Air with its sleeve, and it went in smoothly (smoother than you’d expect!). I was also surprised to find a fancy pouch to store everyday essential stationary items.

Further, the sling can be attached to either side of the bag depending on your preference. This is ideal if you take the subway, your bike, or simply walk to your workplace. Plus, the cushioning at the back makes sure you don’t feel the weight of your Mac or the stiffness of its aluminum case.

The bag has got a few more surprising yet practical elements, and you can check those out using the link below.

Check out on WaterField Designs

5. tomtoc waterproof shoulder bag

Top executives who utilize MacBook Air to attain professional brilliance arguably make tomtoc their primary option. The soft fleece lining inside this laptop bag shields your equipment from tremors and thumps. A double-grab reinforced handle is helpful on the go. Since the exterior layer of the bag is a waterproof hard shell, you could use this bag with protection in unfavorable weather. 

Thanks to a removable shoulder strap, you may carry it as a thin shoulder bag, briefcase, sleeve, or suitcase. The shoulder bag’s system consists of a primary compartment for your laptop, a sizable inside pocket for folders, tablets, and other documents, and two outside pockets for other small items like chargers. 

Check out on Amazon

6. Woolnut sleeve 

Scandinavian full-grain leather creates Woolnut’s sleeve for the all-new MacBook Air. With precise cuts and tight stitching, the materials are blended to create a sleeve with a contemporary appearance. The frequency of my device resting on the sleeve and using it as a pillow is high. 

With regular use, the leather has gotten used to the form of the MacBook and is now easy to push in and pull. I can even charge the Mac while it is in the sleeve. Due to the thickness and wool inside, the leather is incredibly pleasant to touch, yet it readily maintains its contour. 

The horizontal stitch at the open end, meant to prevent the opening from expanding past the point of failure, indicates their attention to detail. One small detail that might catch your attention if you aren’t looking for it is that the item is made to last a lifetime and has three color options. 

Check out on Amazon

7. Matein travel backpack 

Matein brings a travel backpack that is lightweight and sturdy and made of water-resistant polyester fabric. It would have been an add-on if the company had provided a self-powering backpack instead of a USB charging port that only offers easy access to charge. 

To ensure the safety of your device, a heavily padded back and an anti-theft pocket on the back are provided by the makers. Apart from securely storing your beloved MacBook Air, the bag also helps you organize things with designated sections for your everyday items.

It features a huge main compartment for your clothing or books and organizer pockets in the front compartment for your keys, pens, pencils, and mobile phones. The makers have also attached a baggage strap to the rear to link it with your bulky suitcases, making it travel-friendly and simple. 

Check out on Amazon  

8. AirPods Max

With AirPods Max, Apple lets you absorb yourself in a sea of music while blocking out the cacophony. The temptation to buy the product will result from the software improvements and its unrivaled quality. 

The Apple H1 chip-powered device provides 20 hours of audio on a single charge. AirPods Max Spatial Audio provides an audio experience unlike any other, and believe me, the theatre-like sound surround, regardless of the genre, is everything you need. 

Apple wants your AirPods Max to be as comfortable as possible, so it incorporates a knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions. Also, the support for Siri makes it wireless, as you may operate your MacBook Air by instantly contacting the smart assistant. Lastly, the five distinct color palettes make me want them all. 

To explore more affordable options, go through our list of best headphones.  

Check out on Amazon

9. Soundance stand 

With its strong aluminum alloy laptop stand, Soundance lifts your laptop to 6 inches and offers outstanding stability. Stand’s ergonomic design alleviates or eliminates neck strain caused by an awkward position. Plus, the stand’s edges have been smoothed to prevent injury. 

The ventilated elevator only has two holder hands with cable holes that allow heat circulation across the area and keep Mac from overheating. When not in use, office supplies such as a keyboard and mouse can be stored beneath the stand.  

The stand’s rubber feet protect your laptop from scratches and slips. The three-piece detachable laptop holder is simple to deconstruct and reassemble. This stand’s wide compatibility prompted me to include it on my list of the best MacBook Air (M1, M2, and M3) accessories. 

Looking for more options? Check out the best stands for MacBook. 

Check out on Amazon 

10. Magic Mouse

If you’re looking for a mouse that works with your MacBook Air, consider Apple’s own Magic Mouse. The lightweight gadget is unquestionably the finest option for a little travel mouse. 

It tracks quicker and travels with less resistance since it has fewer moving components and an improved foot shape. Furthermore, you can use the multi-touch surface to make simple actions like swiping between online sites and browsing through documents. 

The mouse connects to your Mac immediately out of the box, and the long-lasting rechargeable battery allows you to go a month or more between two consecutive charges. 

Do you want to try out another mouse, preferably one for gaming? See our post on the best wireless mouse for Mac for more information. 

Check out on: Amazon | Apple 

11. Seagate portable 2TB external hard drive 

Seagate has manufactured a unique and innovative external hard drive that sets a benchmark in terms of design. The USB 3.0 device is highly adaptable and ensures data protection. 

You get 2TB of plug-and-play storage, which lets you store games and play them directly from the HDD. So, it’s the best gaming accessory for your Mac. At 120 megabytes per second, the HDD ensures lightning-fast data transfer.  

This gadget is easy to carry as it fits your pocket or travel bag, and females can also carry it in a purse. My only concern is the product’s build quality; I doubt it can withhold too many falls. For more options, you may look at our list of best USB-C hard drives for Macs. 

Check out on Amazon 

12. Anker – Ideal USB-C hub

One of the greatest MacBook accessories is Anker’s sleek and stylish docking station. The gadget has a 7-in-1 USB-C hub, which is a one-stop solution for connecting several devices and peripherals to your Mac. The hub is particularly well-known for its broad compatibility. 

One of the product’s key selling points is its USB-A interface, which enables lightning-fast 5 GBPS file transfers of HD photos, movies, and other media. You also get a widely accepted micro-SD slot and an SD reader slot.

Furthermore, the USB-C connector allows for a high-speed pass-through of 85W power to charge your smartphone, and you receive a 4k@30Hz HDMI port to stream in breath-taking quality. It is probably one of the greatest gadgets for on-the-go presentations for businesspeople and senior executives. 

Check out on Amazon 

Winding up…  

Which product would you like to buy first for your MacBook? Share your feedback with us in the comment section.

Read more:

• MacBook Air M2 vs. MacBook Air M1
• MacBook Air M2 vs Dell XPS 13 (2022): There is a clear winner!
• Fix CoreServicesUIAgent verifying stuck on Mac
• Best USB-C chargers for MacBook Pro or Air

The post Best accessories for MacBook Air M3, M2, and M1 in 2024 appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

It seems like Apple is implementing its iPhone strategy here, where you have an option at every price point. For reference, if you’re on a tight budget, you can get the iPhone SE for $429; but for every $100 more, you have a better alternative.

There’s a similar trend with the MacBook lineup! Let’s find out if the MacBook Air M2 is better than the MacBook Air M1 and if it justifies a $200 spike!

Hardware specifications

Why should you pick the M2 MacBook Air over the M1 MacBook Air? 

The MacBook Air 2022 is powered by the M2 SoC, an upgraded version of the M1 SoC. A brighter and slightly larger display, better cameras, louder speakers, and faster charging are some other upgrades we discuss in detail below.  

Upgraded processor

The M2 SoC is a more powerful and power-efficient SoC when compared to its precursor. Apple’s transition from Intel processors to its in-house ARM-based SoCs is the best change brought by Apple. The M1 chips revolutionized MacBooks and proved they were among the best, if not the best, compact machines money could buy. 

The M2 SoC is based on the same 5nm architecture as the M1 SoC, but it is the second generation of 5nm chips. GPU cores on the M2 SoC have also been increased. Overall, the M2 SoC is not a major upgrade to the M1 SoC; it brings in much-needed changes. Read Apple M1 vs. Apple M2 to learn about the chips’ differences. 

Long-lasting and fast charging 

Apple claims that the MacBook Air M1 and the MacBook Air M2 provide 15 hours of web browsing and 18 hours of video playback on a single charge. Nonetheless, the MacBook Air M1 houses a 49.9-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery, but the MacBook Air M2 houses a bigger 52.6-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery.

The M1 MacBook Air is my daily driver, and I can attest to its battery life. While the battery capacity is larger on the M2 MacBook Air, we can’t disregard it comes with a slightly larger display. But since M2 is more power-efficient, the battery life on the MacBook Air M2 is expected to be better than MacBook Air M1. However, even if the battery life is similar to M1, it is undeniably mammoth.

And how can we forget the inclusion of MagSafe charging? It facilitates faster charging and keeps both the Thunderbolt ports available for use. Apple claims that the M2 MacBook Air can charge from 0-50% in 30 minutes. A lifesaver for those people who always forget to charge their devices. Yes, @arshmeet, I’m talking about you!  

Bigger and brighter, yet lighter 

The design of the new M2 MacBook Air is similar to that of the 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pros. And it’s not only the body of similar devices but also the screens. The M2 MacBook Air features a 13.6″ display, an increase of 0.3″ over its predecessor. The extra screen space comes at the cost of a notch, which not everyone might like, but it also serves a utilitarian purpose. 

The display on the MacBook Air M2 can get bright up to 500 nits, while the MacBook Air M1 caps out at 400 nits. Even though the M2 MacBook Air has a bigger and brighter screen, Apple has managed to reduce its weight.

2.7 pounds is the weight of the M2 MacBook Air, and the M1 MacBook Air is 2.8 pounds. A 0.1-pound difference might not seem a lot, but the device is also 20% slimmer. I prefer the design of the M2 MacBook Air over the M1 MacBook Air, but you might not. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

Upgraded cameras and speakers 

The utilitarian purpose the notch serves is to house the upgraded camera sensor. It has the same 1080p camera sensor found on the 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pro’s is now available on the M2 MacBook Air. But with upgraded video capturing capabilities, the audio output is also upgraded.  

From a stereo speaker setup on the M1 MacBook Air, the M2 MacBook Air now features a four-speaker sound system. Moreover, the built-in speakers support Spatial Audio when playing media through them. The AMP and DAC have been updated with the ones found on the MacBook Pros.

The 3.5mm audio jack on the M1 MacBook Air has a decent AMP and DAC and can drive my IEMs loud enough without any issues. Moreover, the port also managed to drive a closed-back studio headphone, the BEYERDYNAMIC – DT 770 PRO, to a loud volume.

So, the M1 MacBook Air’s 3.5mm audio port is not bad, but the 3.5mm audio port on the M2 MacBook Air will certainly sound better.  

Why pick the M1 MacBook Air over the M2 MacBook Air? 

Having used the M1 MacBook Air for a while, I have no complaints whatsoever. The battery life is unbeatable, the form factor is sleek and minimal, and the build quality is robust. The price of the M1 MacBook Air begins at $999, and at that price point, it is, hands down, the best laptop.  

I’d love a brighter screen, but the screen gets bright enough. I was taken by surprise the first time I heard music through the speakers on the M1 MacBook Air. Everything from the trackpad to the keyboard is so perfect; it’s difficult to find flaws in the product, and in my opinion, it is among the best value-for-money products in the Apple arsenal that you can buy right now.

Which MacBook Air is right for you?  

The answer to this question is not very simple. You’re the only person who can distinguish between your needs and wants. The M2 MacBook is tempting with a brighter screen, better cameras, louder speakers, faster charging, and other incremental upgrades over its predecessor. The extra $200 that the M2 MacBook Air demands is only worth it if you need the features the device offers.  

However, there aren’t any ground-breaking upgrades to the M2 MacBook Air over the M1 MacBook Air, and if you have a tight budget, the M1 MacBook Air does everything just right. When deciding, ask yourself if the upgrades will significantly improve your experience as everyone’s use case differs.

Remember, you might not always need the latest and the greatest! If you have any other doubts or would like to know more about these devices, leave them in the comments below. I will make sure to clear them out.

Read more:

• M2 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Pro: Is the Pro a professional machine?
• Thunderbolt vs. USB-C: What’s the difference?
• Pixel 6a vs. iPhone SE 2022: Who can crack the midrange game?
• Apple’s App Store at risk: Will Apple ever allow sideloading?

The post MacBook Air M2 vs. MacBook Air M1: Worth the extra $200? appeared first on iGeeksBlog.