Apple recently updated the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with the new M2 SoCa new-generation chip that maintains an 8-core CPU configuration divided into two blocks, one high-performance quad-core and one high-efficiency quad-core, and is accompanied by a GPU with up to 10 graphics cores.

The point is that the MacBook Air 2022, which uses the M2 SoC, has passive cooling systemi.e. completely without fans, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro, which mounts the aforementioned chip, uses an active cooling solution, consisting of a fan that speeds up the cooling process and prevents heat build-up.

The use of a passive cooling system has its advantages, as it is largely unaffected by the passage of time and the accumulation of dust and dirt and offers completely silent operation. However, it also has its disadvantages, namely that it is able to dissipate less heat, which in certain situations can lead to relatively significant problems of “thermal strangulation”, that is, to loss of performance due to excessive heat.

MacBook Air M2 suffers performance loss due to excessive heat

And the problem is not new, it also appeared in the MacBook Air with the M1 chip, present in the 2020 models. The jump to the ARM architecture and the development of own chips It was a success for Apple, mainly because of the leap it made possible in terms of performance, consumption and working temperatures. However, Apple has not been successful in the cooling systems used in its MacBook Air line, and performance tests conducted by The Verge confirm this.

The MacBook Air with the M1 chip dropped from 6803 points in Cinebench R23 (multithreaded test) in the first round to 5369 points after a 30-minute cycle. In the case of the MacBook Air with the M2 chip, the drop is also very striking, as it goes from 7,706 points to 6,767 points. It is clear that this is a power loss issue due to excessive heatbecause the 13-inch MacBook Pro, which is equipped with an M2 chip and an active cooling system, not only does not lose performance, but also improves its score in a 30-minute cycle.

However, it must be acknowledged that Apple has managed to reduce the power loss due to heat compared to the previous generation, as it loses less power than the MacBook Air M1 compared to the MacBook Air M2. I can understand without a fan improves the user experience in certain aspects, because it reduces weight and allows for a lighter and slimmer design, but at the same time forces the user to bear a significant loss of performance.

I don’t want to end without reminding you that in addition the 2022 MacBook Air It was also surrounded by some controversy due to the slowness of SSDs basic configuration compared to the previous generation model.