The MacBook Air family is a line of ultraportable Macintosh notebook computers from Apple Inc.
Product history[]
1st generation[]
- Main article: MacBook Air (1st generation)
MacBook Air unveiled at Macworld 2008
The first-generation MacBook Air was a 13.3"-only model, introduced at the Macworld Conference & Expo as the "World's Thinnest Notebook" on January 15, 2008.[1] It featured a custom Intel Merom CPU and Intel GMA graphics.[2] In late 2008, the CPU was updated to a faster, non-custom Penryn CPU and integrated Nvidia GeForce graphics while the hard drive capacity was increased and the Micro-DVI video port was replaced by the Mini DisplayPort. A mid-2009 refresh, introduced alongside the MacBook Pro family,[3] featured a slightly higher-capacity battery, and a faster Penryn CPU.[4]
2nd generation[]
MacBook Air 11.6" and 13.3"
- Main article: MacBook Air (2nd generation)
Front and back of the 2nd generation MacBook Air
On October 20, 2010, Apple released a redesigned 13.3" model, with improved enclosure, screen resolution, battery, and flash storage instead of a hard drive. In addition, a new 11.6" model was introduced, offering reduced cost, weight, battery life, and performance relative to the 13.3" model, but better performance than typical netbooks of the time.[5][6][7]
On July 20, 2011, Apple released an updated model in the same form factor as the prior model. The new model was powered by new dual-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, had a backlit keyboard, Thunderbolt instead of Mini DisplayPort, and Bluetooth was upgraded to v4.0. Maximum flash storage and memory options were almost identical.[8]
3rd generation[]
- Main article: MacBook Air (3rd generation)
On October 30, 2018, Apple released the 3rd-generation MacBook Air, which incorporated a Retina display and USB-C, superseding the Retina MacBook. In March 2020, it was updated with Apple's new Magic Keyboard. On November 10, 2020, Apple introduced the first MacBook Air to incorporate Apple's own M1 chip.[9]
4th generation[]
The new MacBook Air - Supercharged by M2 - Apple
- Main article: MacBook Air (4th generation)
Introducing MacBook Air 15” - Apple
On June 6, 2022, Apple announced the redesigned MacBook Air, which featured the new Apple M2 chip in a flatter, non-tapered design that took up 20% less volume than the previous generation model. The top of the 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display featured a new 1080p camera in a "notch" previously seen on M1-based MacBook Pros. It also added the MagSafe 3 connector for charging. Pre-orders began on July 8 with shipments arriving on July 15, 2022 in Silver, Space Gray, Midnight, and Starlight finishes.[10][11] On June 5 during the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple introduced a new 15-inch version of the MacBook Air. Pre-orders began after the event with availability in Apple Stores and shipments arriving on June 13, 2023.[12]
On March 4, 2024, Apple announced, through a press release, updated 13 inch and 15 inch MacBook Airs powered by Apple M3. They look identical to the MacBook Air with Apple M2. The Midnight color of each MacBook Air has a new anodization coating found on the Space Black MacBook Pros that helps to reduce fingerprints. They can connect to two displays at once, with the laptop lid closed, and the base model, 256 GB, come with two NAND chips instead of one found in the M2 MacBook Air. They were released on March 8 of the same year.[13]
On October 30, 2024, the base RAM of all 4th-generation MacBook Air models was increased from 8 GB to 16 GB, with prices remaining the same.
On March 5, 2025, Apple announced updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs with Apple M4. A new Sky Blue colour was introduced, replacing the Space Gray colour of previous MacBook Airs. The MacBook Airs with M4 also support 2 external displays while the lid is open, and the price was lowered, to $999 for the 13-inch model, and to $1199 for the 15-inch model.
References[]
- ↑ Apple Introduces MacBook Air—The World's Thinnest Notebook. Apple (15 January 2008). Retrieved on 19 November 2009.
- ↑ The MacBook Air CPU Mystery: More Details Revealed
- ↑ The 2009 Macbook Air. Forevermac.com (15 January 20011). Retrieved on 19 November 2011.
- ↑ Evans, Bill. Apple Updates MacBook Pro Family with New Models & Innovative Built-in Battery for Up to 40% Longer Battery Life. Apple Inc.. Retrieved on 2010-05-22.
- ↑ Apple's new 11.6-in. MacBook Air: Don't call it a netbook
- ↑ Apple Special Event. Apple Inc..
- ↑ Apple Reinvents Notebooks With New MacBook Air. Apple Inc..
- ↑ Apple Unveils New MacBook Air, Lion Operating System
- ↑ Apple Event — November 10 by Apple, YouTube. 2020-11-10.
- ↑ Apple unveils all-new MacBook Air, supercharged by the new M2 chip, Apple Inc. 2022-06-06.
- ↑ M2 MacBook Air preorders begin on Friday, July 8 by Mike Peterson, AppleInsider. 2022-04-06.
- ↑ Apple introduces the 15‑inch MacBook Air, Apple Inc. 2023-06-05.
- ↑ Apple unveils the new 13- and 15‑inch MacBook Air with the powerful M3 chip, Apple Inc. 2024-03-04.
External links[]
- MacBook Air at Apple
- MacBook Air at Apple Support Tech Specs
- MacBook Air at EveryMac
- MacBook Air at Wikipedia
Articles[]
- Low End Mac’s Compleat* Guide to the MacBook Air by Alan Zisman at Low End Mac (2018-02-14)