The 15" MacBook Air is the Clear Winner for Most Users
When comparing the latest 15" MacBook Air versus the iMac, the MacBook Air comes out ahead for a majority of users based on its combination of performance, portability, and value. As an experienced tech product analyst, I‘ve compared every aspect in detail and believe the MacBook Air‘s advantages make it the right choice for students, professionals, and general users alike.
At a high level, the MacBook Air with the new M2 chip beats out the iMac‘s M1 chip in processing power while weighing only 2.7 pounds compared to the iMac‘s 9.88 pounds. The MacBook Air can be configured with up to 24GB RAM and 2TB storage for excellent performance at a lower starting cost of $1,199.
Let‘s take an in-depth look at the numbers and features.
Benchmarks Show M2 Chip‘s Superior Performance
Geekbench benchmarks comparing the M2 vs M1 chips demonstrate that the MacBook Air‘s M2 provides a nearly 15% boost in single-core performance and an enormous 35% improvement in multi-core scores as shown below:
| Model | Single-Core Score | Multi-Core Score |
|---|---|---|
| 15" MacBook Air M2 | 1,919 | 8,927 |
| iMac 24" M1 | 1,707 | 7,447 |
Likewise, graphics benchmarks demonstrate the 10-core GPU in the MacBook Air M2 generates up to 25% higher frames per second in games and up to 30% faster performance in video exporting tasks compared to the iMac‘s 7-core GPU.
The MacBook Air‘s M2 advantage comes from having 2 more high-performance cores and 3 more graphics cores than the iMac‘s M1 configuration. Essentially you get significantly more processing muscle in a slim and portable machine.
Displays: Larger vs. More Portable
The iMac‘s 24-inch 4.5K Retina display provides almost 40% more screen real estate than the MacBook Air‘s 15.5-inch display. The higher 4.5K resolution and expanded surface area give the iMac the edge for creative workflows where screen space is at a premium.
However, the MacBook Air‘s display is no slouch. It provides a sharp 225 pixels per inch, supports a wide P3 color gamut, and delivers 500 nits of brightness for excellent color accuracy and vibrance. At just 2.7 lbs, the ultra-portable Air can be easily taken anywhere.
So while the iMac display is better suited for design-intensive work, the MacBook Air gives you enough pixels and performance to be quite capable for general productivity, web browsing, photo editing, video calls and more.
Design and Portability: No Contest
The MacBook Air lives up to its name at just 0.44 inches thick and 2.7 pounds light. By comparison, the iMac stands nearly 21 inches tall at its thinnest point and weighs a hefty 9.88 pounds.
The super-slim, compact Air can easily fit in any bag or backpack and won‘t weigh you down. The all-in-one iMac requires much more desk space and certainly won‘t travel far from your home or office.
If you value the ability to work from anywhere – from the couch to the coffee shop – then the Air‘s slim, lightweight design is a huge perk compared to being tethered to the iMac‘s large stationary form.
Memory and Storage: Both Configurable
One advantage of the iMac is you can configure it with up to 64GB of RAM compared to up to 24GB for the MacBook Air. However both offer configurations up 2TB of fast SSD storage.
Realistically though, the MacBook Air‘s max 24GB RAM option will sufficiently power through intensive tasks like photo and video editing, often beating Windows laptops with 32GB RAM in benchmarks. Unless you regularly work with massive creative files, the Air should meet your needs.
Connectivity and Ports
The iMac provides more physical connectivity options with 2 USB-C ports, 2 Thunderbolt ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an SDXC card slot.
The MacBook Air has just 2 Thunderbolt USB-C ports plus the 3.5 mm headphone jack. Port-wise, the iMac certainly provides more flexibility for connecting accessories and peripherals.
However, both models support the latest Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless networking and Bluetooth 5.0 for syncing devices. So for most everyday tasks, the MacBook Air still has you covered.
Performance Per Dollar: Air Provides More Value
Starting at $1,199 with an M2 chip, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD, the MacBook Air delivers strong performance at a lower cost compared to the iMac starting at $1,299.
When you factor in portability and battery life up to 18 hours, the base MacBook Air configuration gives you more value for day-to-day productivity and content creation vs paying $100 more for the iMac.
The iMac Still Wins for Creative Pros
While the MacBook Air is best for general use, the iMac remains a smart choice for creative professionals who demand the highest performance and most desktop space.
The iMac‘s additional GPU core provides a bit more graphics horsepower for intensive tasks like 3D modeling and video editing. The bigger 27-inch screen offers more working room for detailed visual work. And configuring 64GB RAM gives you an edge for hardcore multitasking.
For these power users, the iMac‘s higher performance ceilings and expansive display justify its larger form factor and higher costs. But for most mainstream users, the MacBook Air is more than powerful enough.
The 15" MacBook Air – A Clear Winner Overall
When weighing all the factors – from mobility and value to performance and functionality – the 15" MacBook Air emerges as the winner for a majority of users.
Unless you require the most powerful creative workstation and bigger screen, the MacBook Air‘s combination of speedy M2 performance, ultra-portable design, and lower starting cost make it today‘s best all-around choice for school, work, and entertainment.
