Is the M1 MacBook Air 2020 good for college students in 2023?

sportskeeda.com:

The M1 MacBook Air model has put some miles behind itself since its original release in 2020. With a brand new chip back then, Apple managed to attract the masses with what was considered a revolutionary notebook for professionals.

However, times change, and three years is a long time in the laptop market. One can easily gage advancements from the fact that Apple itself released the M2 MacBook Air in 2022. That raises the question of whether someone should get the M1 variant in 2023.

For some, getting the older model won’t make much sense due to the limitations of the hardware. But the equation changes if the laptop is to be used by students, whose needs vary from those of professionals. There’s still enough left in the M1 MacBook Air, making it particularly appetizing for students.

Compared to stats, the M1 MacBook Air is weaker than the more recent M2 variant. The latter comes with an updated chipset that improves power and efficiency. There are no qualms as to which is the better performer in 2023.

Yet, students' needs will be better suited by the older model, which remains viable in 2023. The 13.3” screen doesn’t feature the Super Retina Display found on the newer variant. However, the IPS panel still offers 400 nits of peak brightness, ensuring the display is crisp and neat. There’s support for up to 1680x1050, which should be enough to get different work done.

A student is unlikely to carry out work like professional video processing daily. Even if they’re studying media and technology, their utilization will differ from similar work done by a professional. The fanless model could have been a problem for the latter as it could have resulted in heating issues. With students, however, the chances of it happening are few