Apple MacBook Air 2022 could use M1 chip AGAIN but with a new name

Apple MacBook Air 2022 model could use a mildly beefed up variant of the M1 chip, could be called the M2 chip.

Apple MacBook Air M2 could be all about the new design, suggest rumours. (Jon Prosser )

Apple MacBook Air new version for 2022 could do something similar to the iPhone 14 — carry an old chipset with mild updates! The MacBook Air 2022 model is now said to face the same issue as the iPhone 14, and Apple could be using the M1 chip once again for the new model, albeit with a new name and some minor improvements. The information comes from reliable tipster Ming-Chi Kuo, who says the M2 chip will have minor CPU upgrade over the M1 chip as we know.

In his note, Kuo says that Apple is facing the same issue as it is facing with the iPhone 14's processor. The iPhone 14 is going reuse the A15 Bionic chip based on the 5nm process this year considering the 4nm process does't offer any meaningful upgrades. Apple is therefore sticking to the 5nm process this year, and will wait for the 3nm chip when it becomes available in 2023. The same issue exists for the MacBook Air's M2 chip.

Apple MacBook Air 2022 to use M1 chip again

In his note, Kuo says, “All-new design MacBook Air's CPU encounters the same technical limitations as A16. But I think it's another case. All-new design is already a big selling point for new MBA. Leaving much-anticipated M2 series debut to next 14"/16" MBP may contribute more to Apple.”

“There is nothing bad with naming a minor-upgrade CPU of all-new design MBA as M2, which can also help new MBA sales. But if M2 series aims to bring great upgrades vs. M1 series and further enhance Apple Silicon's brand image, using 2023 N3/N4P wafer for M2 is better,” he adds.

Hence, it seems we could be getting a new MacBook Air with the Apple M2 chip with minor performance upgrades over its predecessor. The focus will be on the new design, which Kuo says could be substantial over the current model. The current-gen 2020 MacBook Air M1 carries the same design that Apple introduced back in 2018. Many speculate that the new MacBook Air 2022 could bring slimmer display bezels than before, have flatter edges, and may bring more design cues from the MacBook Pro models.

Will the M2 chip being a mildly updated M1 chip pose an issue for prospective buyers looking for an upgrade? The current M1 chip is based on the 5nm process and is among the most efficient chips around for a PC. Despite the 12th Gen Intel processors and AMD Ryzen 6000 series processors around, the M1 chip continues to lead the game in terms of efficiency and battery life.