They are closely matched: Apple MacBook Air 2020 scores 59/100 and Apple MacBook Air 2022 scores 59/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 points. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.
Apple MacBook Air 2020 vs Apple MacBook Air 2022
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple MacBook Air 2022 leads Apple MacBook Air 2020 overall by 11 points (76 vs 65 out of 100).
- Apple MacBook Air 2022 stands out on Display Response time: 29 ms, Display Brightness: 500 nits, Sound Number of speakers: 4.
- Best value: Apple MacBook Air 2020 (from $999) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Apple MacBook Air 2022 leads overall
Apple MacBook Air 2022
76
Apple MacBook Air 2020
65
Why it stands out
- Display Response time: 29 ms
- Display Brightness: 500 nits
- Sound Number of speakers: 4
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.
Apple MacBook Air 2020
The 2020 Apple MacBook Air is a thin-and-light 13.3-inch laptop designed primarily for everyday productivity and general consumer use. This model year represents a major transition point, featuring an early-year release with 10th Gen Intel processors and a late-year version powered by Apple's custom fanless M1 system-on-a-chip. Key features include a high-resolution Retina display, a robust physical construction, and a silent internal design.
Best for working in quiet environments like libraries or officesBest for all-day battery life at moderate display brightness settingsBest for lightweight travel and everyday multi-tasking
Pros
- Completely silent operation thanks to a fanless thermal design
- Highly responsive system performance driven by the custom M1 chip
- High-quality display featuring a wide P3 color gamut and True Tone technology
- Comfortable typing experience with the updated keyboard design
Cons
- Restricted physical connectivity with only two USB-C ports
- Limited external display support, allowing only one external monitor
- Lower-resolution 720p FaceTime webcam
- Permanently soldered storage and memory that cannot be upgraded by the user
Apple MacBook Air 2022
The Apple MacBook Air 2022 is an ultraportable laptop powered by the Apple M2 system-on-a-chip. It features a completely redesigned, fanless aluminum chassis alongside an upgraded 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display. This model is built for buyers seeking a highly mobile, silent computing experience that balances performance with physical efficiency.
Best for Silent productivity in libraries, classrooms, or quiet home officesBest for Frequent travelers needing a highly packable laptop with reliable battery lifeBest for Everyday multitasking and on-the-go photo or video editing
Pros
- Powerful and highly efficient performance from the M2 processor
- Completely silent operation due to the fanless thermal design
- Extremely thin and lightweight hardware footprint
- Bright and crisp 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with thinner borders
Cons
- Notably more expensive starting price than the previous generation
- Limited physical expansion options with only two built-in USB-C ports
- Darker color finishes are highly prone to showing fingerprints
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.
Apple MacBook Air 2020
Apple MacBook Air 2022
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Apple MacBook Air 202015,000
Apple MacBook Air 202215,400
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
Battery capacity
Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life
Apple MacBook Air 202049 Wh
Apple MacBook Air 202252 Wh
Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.
Physical Comparison
Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D
Apple MacBook Air 2020Apple MacBook Air 2022
Apple MacBook Air 2020 is 0.05 kg (4%) heavier than Apple MacBook Air 2022.
Review Videos
Hand-picked expert reviews for each product
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Apple MacBook Air 2020 vs Apple MacBook Air 2022 comparison
Apple MacBook Air 2020 and Apple MacBook Air 2022 are compared side by side above across every spec in the laptops category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 59/100 for Apple MacBook Air 2020 and 59/100 for Apple MacBook Air 2022.
At launch, Apple MacBook Air 2020 was the more affordable option ($999) versus Apple MacBook Air 2022 ($1199). Weigh that against the overall scores (59/100 vs 59/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.
It's close — Apple MacBook Air 2020 (59/100) and Apple MacBook Air 2022 (59/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.