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MacBook Air 15″ M2: gaming performance

The MacBook Air 15″ M2 (2023) is best suited to light games and cloud gaming. In native games it runs Cyberpunk 2077 at about 21 FPS and Baldur's Gate 3 at about 26 FPS at 1080p High, and League of Legends at about 135 FPS. Windows games through CrossOver, like Counter-Strike 2, reach about 50 FPS. Its 10-core GPU performs roughly like a desktop RX 6400 in native games, although the fanless design slows it down in long sessions. With 16 GB of unified memory, about 10.4 GB is available for graphics.

Specs that matter for gaming

2023 · MacBook Air 15″

ChipApple M2
CPU8-core CPU (4P + 4E)
GPU10-core
Unified memory8 GB / 16 GB / 24 GB
Display2880×1864
CoolingFanless (throttles in long sessions)
Similar PCRX 6400 + Ryzen 5 5600G

Cyberpunk 2077 by settings

Native Mac version, 16 GB memory.

Quality1080p1440p1440p + MetalFX
Low372636
Medium292028
High211521
Ultra171116

FPS in 16 games

High settings, 16 GB memory, average FPS. "CrossOver" means the Windows version through translation.

GameRuns as1080p1440pRetina (2880×1864)
Cyberpunk 2077Native211512
Baldur's Gate 3Native261815
Resident Evil 4Native231612
Assassin's Creed ShadowsNative17119
Death Stranding Director's CutNative251814
No Man's SkyNative241713
Lies of PNative271915
World of WarcraftNative422923
League of LegendsNative1359475
Minecraft (Java)Native15912297
Counter-Strike 2CrossOver503527
Elden RingCrossOver181210
GTA V (story mode)CrossOver281915
ValorantNot on Mac–––
FortniteCloud only–––
Call of Duty: WarzoneNot on Mac–––

Try other games and settings

Similar Macs

MacBook Air 13″ M2 (8-core GPU)2022 · Cyberpunk 1080p ≈18 FPSMacBook Air 13″ M2 (10-core GPU)2022 · Cyberpunk 1080p ≈21 FPSMacBook Air 13″ M3 (8-core GPU)2024 · Cyberpunk 1080p ≈21 FPSMacBook Air 13″ M3 (10-core GPU)2024 · Cyberpunk 1080p ≈25 FPSMacBook Air 15″ M32024 · Cyberpunk 1080p ≈25 FPSMacBook Pro 13″ M22022 · Cyberpunk 1080p ≈25 FPS

MacBook Air 15″ M2: quick answers

Is the MacBook Air 15″ M2 good for gaming?

The MacBook Air 15″ M2 (2023) is best suited to light games and cloud gaming. Expect about 21 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 and 135 FPS in League of Legends at 1080p High.

What PC is the MacBook Air 15″ M2 equal to for gaming?

In native Mac games its graphics perform roughly like a RX 6400, with CPU performance close to a Ryzen 5 5600G. Windows games through CrossOver run about a third slower.

How much memory does the MacBook Air 15″ M2 need for gaming?

Avoid the 8 GB version for modern games. 16 GB gives about 10.4 GB to graphics, which is enough for 1080p–1440p High.