I love my 13” 16gb 1tb M2 MBA, but this question popped into my mind today.

Do you think Apple just wanted a new design language, or do you think they needed the extra space for the components?

I’ve never owned an Air before, but from what I gather, the tapered wedge is more comfortable to type on?

This is not a moan or a rant, but rather just a query.

Hope you’re all enjoying your machines.

I prefer the blocky feel of my M2 Air to the wedge design of my M1 Air. I'm a big dude with fairly beefy hands so the extra weight on the palm rests feels good to me and I'm not so worried I'm going to crush the casing (not that I think I would but with how thin it is, it certainly feels "off"). I am sure mileage may vary depending on your personal preferences and body size but for me thicker blocky front > tapered thin front

I would presume that if they had really wanted to, they could have fit M2 components in the same spaces as the M1 components from the first generation Apple silicon machines. So it's either new design language or forward thinking with them knowing what M3, M4, etc. look like and will have to fit into case designs they want in place now.

Regardless, I personally think the new casings for the Airs and Pros look fabulous and to me they are a big upgrade over what Apple was doing in the later Intel era.

I feel like it's a design language thing - the M2 MBA falls more in line with what they did with MBP.

But I still prefer the design of my M1 MBA over my wife's M2 Air. I know mine is not actually smaller, but it feels that way to me.

CR, I've wondered the same. And, I’ll throw out a theory about it, too. Given all the screens cracking on the M1 MBAs, the squarer, classic MBP, non-wedge shape was needed to reduce the stress on the thin bezeled screen when closed and eliminate the problem. The original MBAs didn't have the problem because the large bezels offered excellent support.

A small percentage, for sure, of the M1 MBAs have suffered screen cracking, but enough to generate a class action suit, a massive 50-page thread even on Apple's discussion forums, many posts and articles around the Internet, and several threads here — one, in the interest of full disclosure, that I started when I was staggered to discover the problem. (See those threads before dismissing this issue out of hand — it's a small %, but definitely a real problem.)

But it could be that both are true — Apple wanting to return to its boxy, outdated look for its entire line rather than to retain its futuristic svelte wedge shape — as well as to eliminate screen cracking.

In my experience, the wedge-shape of the classic MacBook Air series (say, 2013-2017) was far more comfortable to type on than the higher squared off front edge of the MacBook Pros. The MBPs left creases or red lines in my palms and were harder to type on than the MBAs. It didn't matter whether I typed in my lap or on a desk.

I found the 12” Retina MacBooks especially ridiculous and difficult to type on as the palm rests were too short, lacking in depth.

Now, I have large hands and am a touch typist, so that could be a factor in all these judgments.

N.B. The usual disclaimer applies: I'm making no universal judgment about the typing experience or comfort; these are my individual reactions. Others have no problem and even prefer the non-wedge shape.

As the Romans used to say: De gustibus non est disputandum.

I have had the M1 MBP and M2 MBA and have to say I still prefer the shape and feel of the M1 MBA. The wedge shape is an instant and future design classic and true that is it a dream to type on due to the thin front lip.

While the M2 MBA specs might be thinner on paper, the wedge FEELS smaller to the touch. Much prefer the M1 MBA for this reason. The M2 MBA resembles the rest of the Macbook line up far too much to carry the Air name. IMHO

The chassis volume increased by about 12%. But the battery capacity increased by only 4.6%.

The boxy design of the 13.6-inch model was likely a design choice.

I've seen some videos showing how the batteries have to be stepped in the wedge shape which wastes space. The uniform design of the new Airs and Pros seem to solve that problem/non-problem. The wedge shape gave the illusion of the Air being thinner overall than it actually was? My 11" Air did not have good battery life when it was new and it is an odd comparison to my 13" M2 now. I keep it for nostalgia and because it makes a good screen for watching cooking videos in the kitchen but I much prefer the new Air shape. I was fortunate to be taught typing in school so I do not rest my palms or wrist on the computer surface when I type. I love the new shiny things

Could be both. I think the redesign helped with more optimal use of aluminum and thermals.