5 Things to Know About M2 MacBook Air 4K ProRes Throttling

The M2 MacBook Air throttles more aggressively than the M1 during sustained 4K ProRes video editing. In long exports, the M1 can actually hold higher average performance.

The problem is a design trade-off. Apple put a bigger, faster chip into the same fanless chassis as the M1 Air.

The M2 runs hotter because it has more transistors and a higher peak clock. Its thermal dissipation is no better than the M1 Air.

During sustained work, the M2 hits 108°C quickly and throttles hard. It often drops clocks below the M1’s sustained level.

Real-world tests show the M1 Air staying around 2.4–2.6 GHz sustained. The M2 can dip to 1.8–2.0 GHz after prolonged use.