Free storage space in MacBook Air out of the box?

Most users do not check the amount of storage used by a default install of macOS from the factory since they are anxious to use their brand new laptop so it is very unlikely you will get an answer to your question. You will probably have better luck going to an Apple Store or other physical store selling the laptop so you can check for yourself. Or if you have a Mac, you could perform a clean install of macOS Monterey (perhaps in a VM) to see how much storage space is used by a default install, although an M1 Mac will use a bit of storage space for some special required partitions needed for booting an M1 Mac.

Plus keep in mind the usable storage space on an empty 256GB SSD will most likely be closer to 250GB.

Perhaps to future-proof your investment, & it may retain higher value, longer..

Check into the 'built to order' specs (as most are, even samples in retail) to see

what higher storage capacity and integrated RAM upgrade(s) cost. That's one

thing I'd not buy; a limited-spec computer ~ & has no 'end-user' upgrade path.

• MacBook Air - Technical Specs - Apple

https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/specs/

Higher-end 'next newest' M1x MacBook/Pro models have higher specs.

Plus more advanced in almost every measurable way; to include cost..

For ideas about newer MacBook Pro models (two M1 2021) begin here:

• Identify your MacBook Pro model - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201300

Specs and user guides are beneath each build model year series.

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) M1

Model Identifier: MacBookPro18,3, MacBookPro18,4

Tech Specs: MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)

User Guide: MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) M1

Model Identifier: MacBookPro18,1, MacBookPro18,2

Tech Specs: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)

User Guide: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)

[above two series MB/Pro are superior; next one, lesser]

MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)

Model Identifier: MacBookPro17,1 

Tech Specs: MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)

User Guide: MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)

Be careful with low-end specs, you may have no workable storage

within the first six months. Also avoid early upgrades once you get

a new model; let the dust settle on those newest systems.

[A good demo MB/Air for a few weeks of play, may be one with paltry

512GB storage and 8GB unified memory. (At least 1TB storage + 16GB

unified memory would be adequate for the first year.) The initial Apple

warranty period; w/ backup external drives. & Budget for AppleCare+.]

That said, I'd be a bit casual; and be sure they've got newest, done right.

You should update this thread with the results so it may help other users as well since you may not be the only one interested in the details.

GFL.

That would depend on the 'exact as-shipped' configuration

prior to your loading up any choice of software. Order me 1.

Otherwise you may do your own math. ~ As an Apple user since

1982; and Volunteer 'non-compensated' helper, near 20 years..

These newest 'System on Chip' other details by now are widely

known to anyone who is a Mac-addict. Or techno-geek. I'm not

either. Since I had no idea what your elemental mindset may be

..I'm not about to lock horns with you.

My advice is to buy as much as you can afford; specs sited by

you are not enough according to dozens of persons after few

months use. Those low-end specs, are way too low. [Go figure.]

At this point I feel my time paving a silk road for a road apple

is barely worth my effort to reply ~ in anything, but in-kind.

And given those super entry level specs, I could only guess at

what your level was. ~ looking back, I've been too generous.

..Yours is among next to the lowest level of courtesy in reply to me

since May 2003 & my initial foray into Apple Discussions. By then,

I'd already restored and donated over 600 Macs, free to charity.

At 200+ miles one way, from where I've lived, to donated. Not in an

urban area; where folks like you go armed: I don't. moose/bears?

Truly not in an urban environment. While I donate time in many ways.

[You're truly a piece of work. I'm at a point I do not care if I'm banned.]

Good luck! (not really!) LOL

😜☃️😻🐢❄️🐝🙀☺︎🤖

PS: Apple hosts, feel free please edit.

Thank you!🌻

Anyway as a potential buyer those MB/Air

2020 specs have repeatedly been said by

actual buyers to be inadequate. And your

response bares your intent most adequate.

Your question is not technical enough for this ASC.

I will not try to raise indefensible tech arguments.

In my opinion, forgoing any 'bait n switch'

detail, & are such as to not be taken serious.

{..How many others here were good enough to

offer general advice to your Q: And where are

they now? Those posts were removed..}

[Edited by Moderator]

My experience is your estimates are pretty good. However, you need to leave 10-15% of your disk space unused at all times to give the OS room to operate.

If you're like most users, sooner or later you'll run out of internal disk space, 256 GB is actually a pretty smallish drive, so plan on an external Data drive. And while you're at it, you need to have backups and that needs a dedicated external drive of at least 2X your internal's size.

1TB drives are cheap and easily available; a spinning platter HDD is fine for either unless you require the speed os an SSD.