MacBook Air

Intel-based

Main article: MacBook Air (Intel-based)

Unibody (2008–2009){{anchor|First generation (Unibody)|Unibody|1st gen (Unibody)|2008}}

Steve Jobs introduced the MacBook Air during Apple’s keynote address at the 2008 Macworld conference on January 15, 2008.

The first MacBook Air was a 13.3 in model, initially promoted as the world's thinnest notebook at 19 mm (a previous record holder, 2005's Toshiba Portege R200, was 19.8 mm high). It featured a custom Intel Merom CPU and Intel GMA GPU which were 40% smaller than the standard chip package. It also featured an anti-glare LED backlit TN 6-bit color panel display, a full-size keyboard, and a large trackpad that responded to multi-touch gestures such as pinching, swiping, and rotating.

The MacBook Air was the first subcompact notebook offered by Apple after the 12 in PowerBook G4 discontinued in 2006. It was also Apple's first computer with an optional solid-state drive. It was the last Mac to use a PATA storage drive. To conserve on space, it uses the 1.8 in drive used in the iPod Classic instead of the typical 2.5 in drive. It was Apple's first notebook since the PowerBook 2400c without a built-in removable media drive. To read optical disks, users could either purchase an external USB drive such as Apple's SuperDrive or use the bundled Remote Disc software to access the drive of another computer wirelessly that has the program installed. The MacBook Air also did not include a FireWire port, Ethernet port, line-in, or Kensington Security Slot, which were standard features in most other Apple notebooks at the time.

On October 14, 2008, a new model was announced with a low-voltage Penryn processor and Nvidia GeForce graphics. Storage capacity was increased to a 128 GB SSD or a 120 GB HDD, and the micro-DVI video port was replaced by the Mini DisplayPort. The disk drive was also changed from a PATA drive to the faster SATA drive.

The mid-2009 revision featured slightly higher battery capacity and a faster Penryn CPU.

Tapered Unibody (2010–2017){{anchor|Second generation (Tapered Unibody)|2nd gen (Tapered Unibody)|Tapered Unibody|2010}}

On October 20, 2010, Apple released a redesigned 13.3 in model with a tapered enclosure, higher screen resolution, improved battery, a second USB port, stereo speakers, and standard solid state storage. An 11.6 in model was introduced, offering reduced cost, weight, battery life, and performance relative to the 13.3 in model, but better performance than typical netbooks of the time. Both 11-inch and 13-inch models had an analog audio output/headphone minijack supporting Apple earbuds with a microphone. The 13-inch model received a SDXC-capable SD Card slot. Solid-state storage was made standard, and later revisions added Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and Thunderbolt.

On July 20, 2011, Apple released updated models, which also became Apple's entry-level notebooks due to lowered prices and the discontinuation of the white MacBook around the same time. The mid-2011 models were upgraded with Sandy Bridge dual-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, Intel HD Graphics 3000, backlit keyboards, Thunderbolt, and Bluetooth was upgraded to v4.0. Maximum storage options were increased up to 256 GB. This revision also replaced the Expose (F3) key with a Mission Control key, and the Dashboard (F4) key with a Launchpad key.

On June 11, 2012, Apple updated the line with Intel Ivy Bridge dual-core Core i5 and i7 processors, HD Graphics 4000, faster memory and flash storage speeds, USB 3.0, an upgraded 720p FaceTime camera, and a thinner MagSafe 2 charging port. The standard memory was upgraded to 4 GB, with a maximum configuration of 8 GB.

On June 10, 2013, Apple updated the line with Haswell processors, Intel HD Graphics 5000, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Storage started at 128 GB SSD, with options for 256 GB and 512 GB. The Haswell processors considerably improved battery life from the previous generation, and the models were capable of 9 hours on the 11 in and 12 hours on the 13 in model; a team of reviewers exceeded expected battery life ratings during their test.

In March 2015, the models were refreshed with Broadwell processors, Intel HD Graphics 6000, Thunderbolt 2, and faster storage and memory.

The 11 in model was discontinued in October 2016. In June 2017, the 13 in model received a processor speed increase from 1.6 GHz to 1.8 GHz. The 2017 model remained available for sale after Apple launched the next generation in 2018. It was discontinued in July 2019. Before its discontinuation it was Apple's last notebook with USB Type-A ports, a non-Retina display (TN 6-bit color panel), a user-upgradable SSD, and a backlit rear Apple logo.

Retina (2018–2020){{anchor|Third generation (Retina)|3rd generation (Retina)|Retina}}

On October 30, 2018, Apple released a new MacBook Air with Amber Lake processors, a 13.3 in Retina display with a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels, Touch ID, and two combination USB-C 3.1 Gen 2/Thunderbolt 3 ports plus one audio jack. The screen displays 48% more color, and the bezels are 50% narrower than the previous generation and occupies 17% less volume. Thickness was reduced to 15.6 mm and weight to 1.25 kg. It was available in three finishes, silver, space gray, and gold. Unlike the previous generation, this model could not be configured with an Intel Core i7 processor.

The base 2018 model came with 8 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 RAM, 128 GB SSD, Intel Core i5 processor (1.6 GHz base clock, with Turbo up to 3.6 GHz) with Intel UHD Graphics 617.

Apple released updated models in July 2019 with True Tone display technology and an updated butterfly keyboard using the same components as the 2019 MacBook Pro. A test found that the 256 GB SSD in the 2019 model has a 35% lower read speed than the 256 GB SSD in the 2018 model, though the write speed is slightly faster.

Updated models were released in March 2020 with Ice Lake Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, updated graphics, support for 6K output to run the Pro Display XDR and other 6K monitors, and replaced the butterfly keyboard with a Magic Keyboard design similar to that initially found in the 2019 16 in MacBook Pro.

Apple silicon

Main article: MacBook Air (Apple silicon)

M1 (2020–2024)

Third generation (Retina with Apple silicon)

On November 10, 2020, Apple announced the MacBook Air with an Apple-designed M1 processor, launched alongside an updated Mac Mini and 13 in MacBook Pro as the first Macs with Apple's new line of custom ARM-based Apple silicon processors. The device incorporates a fanless design, the first ever on any MacBook Air. It also adds support for Wi-Fi 6, USB4 / Thunderbolt 3 and Wide color (P3). The M1 MacBook Air can only run one external display, unlike the previous Intel-based model that was capable of running two 4K displays. The FaceTime camera remains 720p but Apple advertises an improved image signal processor for higher quality video.

The M1 MacBook Air received widespread positive reviews, with reviewers praising the fast performance and long battery life.

M2 and later (2022–present)

On June 6, 2022, during the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple announced their second-generation processor, called M2, with an improved performance versus the previous M1 processor. The first computer to receive this new chip was a radically redesigned MacBook Air.

The latest MacBook Air was redesigned away from the tapered body in 2022 to match the latest MacBook Pro models and upgraded to the M2 processor. The new model was given a larger 13.6 in screen and brought back MagSafe, now the third iteration of Apple's magnetic laptop charger ports.

This complete redesign features a dramatically thinner, flat design, doing away with the familiar wedge shape chassis that MacBook Air was most known for having. The new MacBook Air takes on hardware design cues from the 14 in and 16 in MacBook Pro notebooks released on October 26, 2021, such as a thinner, lighter, flat chassis with 20% less volume than the previous MacBook Air. Other features include MagSafe 3, which also supports fast charging up to 50% in 30 minutes with a 67 W or greater power adapter, a taller 13.6 in Liquid Retina display with 500 nits max brightness (25% brighter than the previous MacBook Air), a 1080p FaceTime Camera, a three-mic array with advanced beam-forming algorithms, a high-impedance headphone jack, four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio, full height function keys, and four finishes (Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Midnight). The Gold color has been discontinued and replaced by the Starlight color found with the introduction of the iPhone 13 in 2021.

On June 5, 2023, during the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple announced the new 15 in display size option for the M2 MacBook Air lineup, with the advanced six-speaker sound system along with the major technical features such as 1080p FaceTime camera and MagSafe charging. Ordering the 15 in MacBook Air started on June 5, with the general availability having started on June 13.

On March 4, 2024, Apple announced a refreshed M3 MacBook Air in both 13 in and 15 in sizes. This model retains the same design as the M2 MacBook Air but adds support for two external displays when the lid is closed.

On March 5, 2025, Apple announced an updated MacBook Air, now with the M4 chip. This model retains the same design as the M2 and M3 MacBook Air but adds support for two external displays with the internal display on, a new color (Sky Blue, which replaces the Space Gray color from previous models), a new 12MP Center Stage camera, and a lower starting price. The M4 MacBook Air can reach up to 20 hours operating time on a single charge, making it the longest-lasting Air battery to date.

The M4 MacBook Air was positively received by critics, with Brenda Stolyar of Wired praising its great performance, bright display, updated webcam, long battery life, and double the base memory. Mark Spoonauer of Tom's Guide called it "the best MacBook for most people and for me the top laptop for most people, period.

Supported operating systems

macOS

macOS Sequoia will work with Wi-Fi and graphics acceleration on unsupported MacBook Air computers (except for the 2018 and 2019 models) with a compatible third-party patch utility.

The MacBook Air 2018 and 2019 models cannot currently be patched due to an issue with the T2 Security Chip that prevents them from running macOS Sequoia.

Windows through Boot Camp (Intel only)

Boot Camp Assistant allows Intel Macs to dual-boot Windows. Apple silicon Macs do not support Boot Camp, even with ARM-based version of Windows 10 and 11.

Current lineup

Timeline

Notes

References

References

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52. There are no graphics drivers available for the GMA X3100 after OS X Mountain Lion.
53. Requires at least 10.4.9 due to 64-bit EFI. No graphics acceleration is available for the GMA X3100. Trackpad settings and function keys are unavailable. Backlight keyboard and sleep does not work. Audio input/output will only work with "Mac OS X 10.4.11 Combo Update".
54. macOS Sonoma cannot be installed in 2 GB RAM models since the installer will not work. However, the OS can still be run if installed from another machine. 4 GB RAM models are unaffected.
55. macOS Sequoia cannot be installed in these models since it has 2 GB RAM as standard, so the installer will not work. However, the OS can still be run if installed from another machine, although having mixed results due the lack of RAM.
56. macOS Sequoia cannot be installed in 2 GB RAM models, so the installer will not work on them. However, the OS can still be run if installed from another machine, although having mixed results due the lack of RAM. 4 GB RAM models are unaffected.
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64. Windows XP can only be installed on Macs with Boot Camp 3 or earlier. This includes Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier and copies of Mac OS X 10.7 that have not been updated to Boot Camp 4.
65. Windows Vista can only be installed on Macs with Boot Camp 3 or earlier. This includes Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier and copies of Mac OS X 10.7 that have not been updated to Boot Camp 4.
66. The 32-bit version of Windows 7 can only be installed on Macs with Boot Camp 3.1 to 6.0. This includes OS X 10.11 and earlier.
67. The 64-bit version of Windows 7 can only be installed on Macs with Boot Camp 3.1 or later, running macOS High Sierra or earlier. Later versions of macOS no longer support Windows 7.
68. Windows 8 can only be installed on Macs with Boot Camp 5.0 to 6.0. This includes OS X 10.11 and earlier.
69. Only 64-bit versions of Windows are supported for Windows 8 and later.
70. Windows 8.1 can only be installed on Macs with Boot Camp 5.1 or later, running macOS High Sierra or earlier. Later versions of macOS no longer support Windows 8.1.
71. Windows 10 can only be installed on Macs with Boot Camp 6.0 or later. It is the only supported version of Windows on macOS Mojave and later.