How HOT Does the M2 MacBook Air Really Get?

How hot does the M2 MacBook Air get? Does it thermal throttle or overheat? Let's do a deep dive into it, do some testing, and find out.

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00:00 Introduction
00:48 Who Is The Air For?
01:27 M2 MacBook Air Cooling System
02:27 M2 Air Thermals Explained
03:47 CPU Performance
05:45 CPU and GPU Workflows
08:19 Ambient Temperature Also Matters
08:54 Lap Test
09:31 Differences

Giveaway details: To celebrate 200k subscribers, we are doing a giveaway on the channel! A subscriber will be randomly chosen once the channel hits 200k subscribers, and will receive either an M1 MacBook Air or $1000 USD Apple gift card. There are no location restrictions, but you must be 18+ to win. Winner will be contacted via YouTube at the 200k milestone.

#macbookair #m2macbookair #createdtech
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[CreatedTech]

NOTE: I made a mistake at 9:01, it should say that the M1 is 4 degrees COOLER than the M2.

[broderick]

a 4° difference with the M2 Air still being more performant than the M1 Air really emphasizes how sensationalized current coverage of the product is. I appreciate this video for making that transparent through the data provided.

[sofuslundolsen]

It's really nice you take us developers into account! Other reviewers only talk about video editing and content creation.

[peterscott]

I appreciate that you didn't sensationalize this like so many others did, and you also brought more useful data to the overall picture.

[tiggerho]

I would go for the M1 14” MBP instead if i get the $1000 voucher.. unless there is a price reduction on the M2 models … the price add on for additional ram and ssd just doesn’t make sense for M2

[capmatteryt]

I don't think it will get hot while using everyday tasks, when using it for some heavy use, we can put it on table, like the way you said. liked the content.

[saf]

Thank you for the video! I was worried the thermal throttling would hamper the M2 too much but it still seems to be faster than M1.

[nitro]

I’d rather have M1 MBA and immediately give it to my significant other who needs something with decent IPS panel for her graphic design career that just have started. Would try thermal pad mod to see how hot the battery might get 😁. Cheers man!

[Edgar-suqk]

Man definitely having battery all day would be amazing, having to charge my 2012 macbook around the hospital every 1/2h is a struggle

[verasambience]

Hey! I'm thinking of getting the macbook air m3 (10core gpu, 16gb ram) for video editing long videos. I don't mind the thermal throttling but im scared the heat will damage my machine. or is that not a problem only the thermal throttling? x

[chandanverma]

I am better of with m1 macbook air but really love the design of the m2 macbook air and all the changes done with the m2 air

[virtuality]

With the gift card I could start my new semester with the M2 Air. My old laptop is too heavy. I do light work such as programming and for meetings with other students I literally need a suitcase to transport my laptop. Macbook Air would be a great machine and it would be my first Mac ever.

[developer_chansaw]

I believe it willperform well even for small development work especially in front end

[sayrandriantsoa]

Well, I’d like to know more about the media engine. Is it that much of a gamechanger compared to the M1 Air when it comes to thermals management and rendering time?
Considering video editing as one of my only GPU intensive usages, it could make the M2 the perfect compromise, assuming it avoids the laptop getting hot. But after seeing a variety of tests, the M1 turned out to be an option for me.

[goldmonday-odin]

I will be grateful if I won the M1 MacBook Air. I’m in medical school and few weeks ago my old dell gave up on me. Now I have to go through medical school reading with just my phone which is stressful both physically and mentally. Thank you.

[georginaac]

I have the new MacBook Air and it definitely does not over heat. My old MacBook Pro was over heating having word and excel open and with my new MacBook i had those open plus 3 safari pages open and it was still cool

[jeffbyrge]

For me, rendering video is the activity that will push my (soon to be here 16gb/RAM) M2 to the limit, and that isn't going to be something I do all day. So, this will work just fine. I have to also comment on all of the "hysteria" on the heat throttling... This is only an issue because this is really the first time that a fanless design could do some heavy duty work, even in short spurts... For me, that's perfect to have that capability. Obviously, if you're doing heavy duty coding or rendering all day, get a Pro MB with an active cooling system.

[rshopesque]

As an accounting student, is the M2 Air base model good for me?

[alkilamedia]

If budget is too tight, 16GB RAM upgrade or 512GB SSD upgrade?

[mahanc]

I have the 16" 2021 MBP and still use a 2014 MBA 13" as a secondary/travel computer, and it works great