MacGameFPS

MacBook Air M1 vs MacBook Air M2: which is better for gaming?

Compared across 35 Mac games · High preset · no MetalFX

In short

The MacBook Air M2 (Apple M2) is 38% faster on average than the MacBook Air M1 (Apple M1): 40 vs 29 FPS at 1080p High across the games both can run. It clears 60 FPS in 10 games versus 0.

It is a noticeable jump: the MacBook Air M2 lets you go one step up in quality or resolution in most games.

MacBook Air M1
MacBook Air M1

Apple M1 · 7/8 GPU · 8/16 GB

8

0 games at 60+ FPS · wins 0 of 35

MacBook Air M2
MacBook Air M2

Apple M2 · 8/10 GPU · 8/16/24 GB

11

10 games at 60+ FPS · wins 33 of 35

Average FPS by resolution

ResolutionMacBook Air M1MacBook Air M2Difference
1080p29FPS40FPS+38 %
1440p18FPS25FPS+39 %
4K9FPS13FPS+44 %

Which one for your resolution?

  • 1080p: MacBook Air M2, at 40 FPS on average, playable.
  • 1440p: MacBook Air M2, at 25 FPS on average, though neither is smooth without lowering settings.
  • 4K: MacBook Air M2, at 13 FPS on average, though neither is smooth without lowering settings.

Specifications

MacBook Air M1MacBook Air M2
ChipApple M1Apple M2
GenerationM1M2
GPU cores7 / 88 / 10
Geekbench Metal29,49739,429
Unified memory8 / 16 GB8 / 16 / 24 GB
CoolingFanlessFanless
Gaming score8/10011/100
Year20202022

Game performance

Estimate

1080p · High

GameMacBook Air M1MacBook Air M2Winner
Assassin's Creed ShadowsWon't runWon't run=
Crimson DesertWon't runWon't run=
Cyberpunk 20779FPS12FPSMacBook Air M2
Baldur's Gate 314FPS19FPSMacBook Air M2
Control Ultimate Edition13FPS18FPSMacBook Air M2
Death Stranding Director's Cut26FPS35FPSMacBook Air M2
Hitman World of Assassination30FPS41FPSMacBook Air M2
Lies of P38FPS52FPSMacBook Air M2
Metro Exodus23FPS31FPSMacBook Air M2
Resident Evil 419FPS26FPSMacBook Air M2
Resident Evil Village19FPS26FPSMacBook Air M2
Total War: PHARAOH12FPS17FPSMacBook Air M2
Total War: WARHAMMER III11FPS15FPSMacBook Air M2
Frostpunk 229FPS40FPSMacBook Air M2
GRID Legends37FPS51FPSMacBook Air M2
No Man's Sky29FPS40FPSMacBook Air M2
Resident Evil 229FPS40FPSMacBook Air M2
Resident Evil 322FPS30FPSMacBook Air M2
Resident Evil 7 biohazard29FPS40FPSMacBook Air M2
Rise of the Tomb Raider34FPS47FPSMacBook Air M2
Shadow of the Tomb Raider24FPS33FPSMacBook Air M2
XCOM 229FPS40FPSMacBook Air M2
Cities: Skylines44FPS61FPSMacBook Air M2
Civilization VI44FPS61FPSMacBook Air M2
Civilization VII38FPS53FPSMacBook Air M2
Crusader Kings III44FPS61FPSMacBook Air M2
Divinity: Original Sin 244FPS61FPSMacBook Air M2
Final Fantasy XIV44FPS61FPSMacBook Air M2
Myst23FPS31FPSMacBook Air M2
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous44FPS61FPSMacBook Air M2
Stellaris44FPS61FPSMacBook Air M2
Stray16FPS23FPSMacBook Air M2
Valheim44FPS61FPSMacBook Air M2
World of WarcraftWon't run87FPSMacBook Air M2
World of Warcraft: ForeverWon't run87FPSMacBook Air M2

The MacGameFPS verdict

Calibrated on real Mac benchmarks, not spec sheets

Verdict

The MacBook Air M2 wins in 33 of 35 games. It is a noticeable jump: the MacBook Air M2 lets you go one step up in quality or resolution in most games.

FAQ

Which is better for gaming, the MacBook Air M1 or the MacBook Air M2?

The MacBook Air M2: it wins in 33 of 35 games and is 38% faster on average at 1080p High.

Is upgrading from the MacBook Air M1 to the MacBook Air M2 worth it for gaming?

It is a noticeable jump: the MacBook Air M2 lets you go one step up in quality or resolution in most games.

How big is the FPS gap in Cyberpunk 2077?

At 1080p High, the MacBook Air M1 gets about 9 FPS and the MacBook Air M2 about 12 FPS.

Which one for 1440p or 4K gaming?

At 1440p the average is 18 vs 25 FPS, and at 4K 9 vs 13 FPS (MacBook Air M1 vs MacBook Air M2).

How much memory should I get?

For gaming, 16 GB is the sensible minimum and 24 GB leaves headroom. The MacBook Air M1 ships with 8, 16 GB and the MacBook Air M2 with 8, 16, 24 GB.

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