M2 MacBook Air goes on sale and ship dates slip like iPhone

The M2 MacBook Air is available for pre-order today, expected in some retail stores this time next week – and it looks like demand once again exceeds supply. The wait for some models has already reached weeks — it’s almost like an iPhone launch.

You just can’t get enough

Apple’s all-new Mac was only made available to pre-order in the U.S. a few hours ago, but it’s already in short supply. We’re already seeing ship dates slip for some models, particularly the high-end silver Air. And if you want a build to order enhanced model, you’ll be waiting longer. The experience is similar in the UK, where some models are now delayed into August. The waits are likely to become longer during the weekend.

This shouldn’t be a huge surprise. Not only is the MacBook Air one of the most popular notebooks Apple makes, but component shortages have reportedly impacted production across the industry. That combination of scarcity and popularity means wait times have been inevitable since the product was announced, even if some of the scarcity is artificial. No wonder competing manufacturers are beginning to make sad groaning sounds.

What are you getting?

The first reports coming in suggest these Macs are worth waiting for. Light, powerful and with great displays about the only consistent complaint seems to concern the FaceTime camera notch. Everything else is an all systems go moment, which means the M2 ‘Air’s provide all the power and performance most Mac users need.

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Essentially, if you don’t know you need a MacBook Pro – and if you aren’t already running an M1 machine – then one of these is going to be all the notebook you need. I quite like how LifeWire puts it in its look at these new machines.

Apple CEO Tim Cook with a line of M2 Macs at the Steve Jobs Theatre at WWDC 2022.

Apple’s steady as she goes

Finally, of course, whatever the status on the demand/supply balance, the momentum behind Apple’s most popular laptop seems pretty evident, as Apple continues to turn its winning brand advantage combined with its full stack approach to hardware/services/software and silicon into market share and revenue. Perhaps this is reflected in its partner’s fiscal announcements, too.

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