Last updated: 2026-01-15

For most people with a MacBook Air M2, the easiest way to get reliable, high-quality screen recordings is to use StreamYard’s browser-based studio, which runs on modern macOS browsers with no install. If you specifically need deep encoder control or a desktop-only workflow, you can look at OBS Studio or Loom’s macOS app as alternatives.

Summary

• StreamYard runs in your browser on MacBook Air M2, so you can record your screen, camera, and guests without installing an app. (StreamYard requirements)
• OBS Studio offers native Apple Silicon builds for M1/M2 Macs when you want full control over local encoding and advanced scenes. (OBS system requirements)
• Loom’s macOS app supports Apple Silicon but requires at least macOS 12.3 and specific hardware/RAM levels. (Loom device compatibility)
• For clear presenter-led recordings, instant reuse, and team-friendly pricing, StreamYard is usually the best default starting point.

Does StreamYard support screen recording on MacBook Air M2?

Yes. StreamYard runs in modern browsers on macOS, including on Apple Silicon laptops like the MacBook Air M2, with support for Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. (StreamYard requirements)

Because everything happens in the browser, you don’t install a heavy desktop app. You open a studio, choose your mic and camera, share your screen, and hit record. From there, you can:

• Use presenter-visible screen sharing with layouts that keep you on camera while you demo.
• Control your screen audio and mic audio independently so viewers always hear what matters most.
• Capture local multi-track recordings (one per participant) that are ready for post-production.
• Produce both landscape and portrait outputs from a single session to repurpose content.
• Layer in logos, overlays, and other branding live so you spend less time editing afterward.
• Keep private presenter notes visible only to you while you record.
• Let multiple people share their screens in the same session for collaborative demos.

On macOS, the only extra step is granting your browser permission to record the screen. You do this once in System Settings under Screen Recording by checking the box next to your browser. (Mac screen share permissions)

For typical teaching, product walkthroughs, and webinar-style content, this gives you everything you need without worrying about codecs, frame buffers, or dropped frames due to misconfigured encoders.

Which browser is recommended for StreamYard on MacBook Air M2?

On an M2 Mac, the safest starting point is a current version of Chrome or Edge.

StreamYard supports Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera on macOS, but some AI-driven visual features—like virtual backgrounds and certain filters—are not supported in Safari. (StreamYard requirements)

A simple setup that works well on most MacBook Air M2 devices:

• Primary choice: Chrome, with hardware acceleration left on.
• Backup choice: Edge or Opera if your organization prefers them.
• Use Safari if you must, but expect some advanced visual effects to be unavailable.

We also recommend at least 5 Mbps up and 5 Mbps down for smooth recording and streaming, which most home and office connections in the US comfortably exceed. (StreamYard requirements)

StreamYard vs OBS on MacBook Air M2 — performance and workflow trade-offs?

If you’re deciding between StreamYard and OBS on a MacBook Air M2, you’re really choosing between low-friction workflow and deep technical control.

How OBS fits an M2 Mac

OBS Studio is a free, open-source application for recording and live streaming on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It lets you build complex scenes from multiple sources—screen captures, windows, webcams, images, capture cards—and mix them into one output. (OBS overview)

Recent versions offer native Apple Silicon builds, so OBS can run directly on M1/M2 chips instead of through Rosetta, and it supports modern macOS APIs like ScreenCaptureKit on newer macOS releases. (OBS system requirements)

That makes OBS attractive if you:

• Want granular control over encoders, bitrates, and file formats.
• Plan to record long gameplay sessions or high-FPS captures.
• Are comfortable tuning CPU/GPU usage and troubleshooting dropped frames.

However, this power comes with trade-offs:

• You manage local storage for all recordings.
• You are fully responsible for correct encoder settings and performance tuning.
• The learning curve is steeper; OBS itself suggests running an Auto-Configuration Wizard to optimize settings. (OBS help)

Where StreamYard is usually the better default

On a thin-and-light laptop like the MacBook Air M2, many creators care more about stability and speed of setup than about squeezing every bit out of the hardware.

With StreamYard you:

• Avoid installing and updating a heavy app.
• Get automatic cloud recordings on paid plans (with documented per-stream limits) while still having local multi-track files for editing. (StreamYard storage and length limits)
• Focus on the story you’re telling instead of hunting through encoder menus.

A practical rule of thumb:

• Choose StreamYard if your priority is presenter-led screen recordings, webinars, tutorials, or live demos where you want guests, branding, and easy reuse.
• Choose OBS when your top priority is a highly customized scene setup and you’re willing to invest time in configuration.

For most MacBook Air M2 owners in the US, StreamYard ends up being the everyday workhorse, with OBS reserved for niche, more technical projects.

What are Loom’s macOS and hardware requirements for M1/M2 Macs?

Loom is popular for quick async screen-and-camera clips, especially inside teams.

For an Apple Silicon Mac like the MacBook Air M2, Loom’s desktop app requires:

• macOS 12.3 (Monterey) or later.
• An Apple M1 or later, or recent Intel Macs (2018 onward).
• At least 8 GB of RAM, with 16 GB recommended for better performance. (Loom device compatibility)

Loom’s free Starter plan limits you to 25 videos per person and 5-minute screen recordings, while paid plans remove those caps and add higher resolutions and more collaboration features. (Loom pricing)

For MacBook Air M2 owners, Loom is a reasonable option if your primary need is short async messages rather than longer-form recordings, live events, or multi-guest sessions.

How does pricing compare for teams using StreamYard vs Loom on MacBook Air M2?

If you’re equipping a team with MacBook Air M2 laptops, how you pay matters as much as how you record.

Loom charges per user: its Business and Business + AI plans are priced per user per month, even though they offer unlimited recording time and storage on those tiers. (Loom pricing)

At StreamYard, pricing is per workspace rather than per user, which means you don’t pay more every time you add a collaborator. That structure often ends up meaningfully cheaper for teams that have several presenters, producers, or rotating guest hosts who all need to record or go live from their MacBook Air M2 devices.

If you mainly want to:

• Run recurring webinars or live demos.
• Record screen-led courses or onboarding material.
• Involve multiple presenters over time.

…a workspace-based subscription usually produces a lower total cost of ownership than stacking per-seat licenses for every team member.

What we recommend

• Start with StreamYard on a modern browser for MacBook Air M2 screen recording; it gives you fast setup, strong presenter tools, and flexible reuse.
• Use OBS Studio when you specifically need hardware-level control or complex scenes and are comfortable configuring encoders.
• Add Loom only if async, link-first micro-videos are central to your workflow and per-user pricing still makes sense.
• Whichever path you choose, test a short recording and check playback on your audience’s typical devices before committing to a full production workflow.