Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

The new M2 MacBook Air still has one glaring flaw

Caleb Clark
By
Promotional logo for WWDC 2023.
This story is part of our complete Apple WWDC coverage

The M2 MacBook Air was among the biggest highlights from Apple’s WWDC keynote today. Not only does it feature a brand new design, but it’s also powered by the next-gen M2 chip.

However, for all the improvements M2 is getting from M1, there is still one glaring flaw around its ports.

The M2 MacBook Air sitting on a desk with ports in view.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The M2 MacBooks will still technically be limited to support for just one external monitor with a max resolution of 6K at 60Hz. This was a major pain point for creatives and productivity-minded users when M1 first launched, and apparently, it’s a struggle that will continue with these new devices.

Recommended Videos

The higher-tier 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros support two external displays with the M1 Pro and up to four with the M1 Max. These machines also include HDMI as an option for external display support.

Related

Of course, that doesn’t mean you are completely without options. You can still use DisplayLink adapters to use a second external display, but it is still not as user-friendly as native support.

The M2 MacBook Air showing several apps open on its display.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

That disappointing news aside (along with a few no-show announcements), WWDC was packed with loads of updates and exciting features. Most notably, MacOS Ventura’s Stage Manager feature will make multi-tasking easier on Mac, and the improved power of M2 and Metal 3 should make gaming on the Mac even better.

Of course, the MacBook Air stole the show, at least in the MacOS department. The MacBook Air is Apple’s most popular laptop, and it received a total redesign for the M2 launch. That redesign includes a squared-off chassis (akin to the new iPads and MacBook Pros), a slightly larger display, and even a notch. It is, however, more expensive than the M1 MacBook Air, which is still being sold for its entry-level price.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Caleb Clark
Caleb Clark
Caleb Clark is a full-time writer that primarily covers consumer tech and gaming. He also writes frequently on Medium about…
Here’s why people are raising concerns about the M3 Pro MacBook Pro
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip seen from behind.

I published my review of the M3 Max MacBook Pro earlier this week, and suffice it to say, I was pretty impressed. I'm fond of the Space Black color, and the GPU performance in particular blew me away.

But one configuration of the new MacBook Pro went a bit more under the radar -- the M3 Pro model. Apple wasn't keen on sending this exact unit out to reviewers, instead leading with its much stronger foot, the M3 Max. And while the M3 Max and Pro were a bit closer in performance in the M2 generation, this time around, it seems as if there's more of a disparity.

Read more
The MacBook Pro M3 doesn’t have a memory problem — it has a pricing problem
The MacBook Pro open on a table in front of a couch.

Apple just upset everyone, claiming that the 8GB of Unified Memory available in the base MacBook Pro M3 is "probably analogous to 16GB on other systems."

The MacBook Pro M3 has already come under fire for only including 8GB of Unified Memory in its base configuration, which runs $1,600. MacWorld recently ran a story criticizing the 8GB of memory in the MacBook Pro M3, saying, "If 8GB will be a bottleneck for many today, imagine the performance of that non-upgradeable laptop in a few years’ time."

Read more
MacBook Pro M3: Should you choose the M3, M3 Pro, or M3 Max?
The MacBook Pro open on a table.

Apple's next generation of MacBook Pros is finally here, and they arrive touting the highly anticipated M3 chip. Like the previous generation, you have a choice between a 14-inch and 16-inch model, but there are a lot of differences when you start looking at the three versions of the chip that are available: the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max.

We're here to run you through all of the configuration options for the MacBook Pro M3, as well as if you should choose the M3, M3 Pro, or M3 Max. Apple currently has the

Read more