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MacBook Air Q&A
Update Published August 10, 2019
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What are all the differences between the "Early 2015/Mid-2017" MacBook Air models and the "Early 2014" MacBook Air that they replaced?
Please note that all MacBook Air models mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, it has been updated subsequently and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these notebooks on the used market.
The standard "Early 2015" MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.6 11" (Early 2015), and "Core i5" 1.6 13" (Early 2015) -- have quite a bit in common with the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models replaced -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.4 11" (Early 2014) and "Core i5" 1.4 13" (Early 2014) -- but there are some notable differences, as well.
Specifically, the "Early 2015" MacBook Air models use a more advanced processor and architecture, have more advanced graphics, and have more advanced connectivity. These models have some different identifiers, as well.
On June 5, 2017, Apple discontinued the standard MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.6 13" (Early 2015) and replaced it with the modestly faster MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.8 13" (Early 2015/Mid-2017). Apple refers to this model as the "MacBook Air (13-Inch, 2017)" in some places, but it is the same as its predecessors apart from processor speed and some identifiers. Apple discontinued this model on July 9, 2019.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left - 11" MacBook Air, Right - 13" MacBook Air)
External & Connectivity Similarities & Differences
The "Early 2014" and "Early 2015/Mid-2017" MacBook Air models are externally identical with the exception of one notable difference in connectivity.
Each line uses the same tapered thin all aluminum cases -- 0.11 of an inch at the front and increasing to 0.68 of an inch at the rear. The 11-Inch models are 11.8 inches by 7.56 inches when closed and the 13-Inch models are 12.8 inches by 8.94 inches when closed to hold the larger display.
The displays also are the same -- an 11.6" 1366x768 display for the 11-Inch models and a 13.3" 1440x900 display for the 13-Inch models. All have a backlit keyboard and the same glass "no button" trackpads with "inertial scrolling" support. All likewise have stereo speakers, dual side mounted internal microphones, and a 720p FaceTime HD webcam.
These models all have 802.11ac Wi-Fi (which is backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n), two USB 3.0 ports, an analog audio out port (that also supports the Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone), Bluetooth 4.0, and a "MagSafe 2" power connector. However, the "Early 2014" models have a single "Thunderbolt" port whereas the "Early 2015" models have a more advanced single "Thunderbolt 2" port.
The 13-Inch models in both lines additionally have an integrated SDXC-capable SD Card slot, whereas the 11-Inch models do not in either line.
The "Early 2014" and "Early 2015" MacBook Air models share the A1465 and A1466 Model Numbers.
Although the "Early 2015" models can be uniquely identified by EMC Number externally and by Model Identifier in software, the "Early 2014" models share these identifiers with the previous "Mid-2013" line.
Specifically, the "Early 2015" models can be uniquely spotted by the 2924 and 2925 EMC Numbers whereas the "Mid-2013" and "Early 2014" models use the 2631 and 2632 EMC Numbers. Likewise, the "Early 2015" models use the MacBookAir7,1 and MacBookAir7,2 Model Identifiers and the "Mid-2013" and "Early 2014" models use the MacBookAir6,1 and MacBookAir6,2 Model Identifiers.
For most purposes (SSD upgrades, for example), it is suitable to just consider the "Mid-2013" and "Early 2014" lines as one in the same, and the EMC Numbers or Model Identifiers are sufficient for this purpose. However, the only way to uniquely identify specific models in these lines are by Order Number (which is not available on the computer itself) or by Serial Number with EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature.
It is challenging to distinguish between the original "Early 2015" 13-Inch MacBook Air and the "Mid-2017" MacBook Air that has a faster 1.8 GHz processor except by serial number, although Apple does refer to the later model as the "MacBook Air (13-Inch, 2017)" in some places.
It is not clear if it is possible to differentiate between the custom processor option -- the MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.2 13" (Early 2015) -- sold before and after June 2017. They appeared to be identical when EveryMac.com reviewed systems available in the supply channel shortly after the release of the 1.8 GHz model. If you have recently purchased one of these notebooks with a custom processor, please get in touch to help confirm identifiers. Thank you.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Differences
The "Early 2014" and "Early 2015" MacBook Air models use different architectures, although these architectures do have some similarities, also.
The "Early 2014" MacBook Air models use 22 nm Core i5/i7 "Haswell ULT" processors whereas the "Early 2015" models use more advanced 14 nm Core i5/i7 "Broadwell ULT" processors. Both lines are quite power efficient, but the smaller Broadwell architecture is even more efficient than its predecessor.
The "Early 2014" MacBook Air models have Intel HD Graphics 5000 graphics and the "Early 2015" MacBook Air models have more advanced Intel HD Graphics 6000 graphics, although both graphics systems are "integrated" and share system memory.
Both lines use 1600 MHz "Low Power" LPDDR3 SDRAM that cannot be upgraded after purchase, have removable PCIe-based flash memory storage (although it is faster in the 13-Inch "Early 2015" models), and non-removable battery designs. Battery life is a bit better for the 11-Inch "Early 2015" models compared to their predecessors, but it is the same for the 13-Inch models in both lines.
Comparison Charts
The differences between the "Early 2014" and "Early 2015" MacBook Air models -- processors, architectures, graphics processors, battery life, and connectivity -- are summarized below. Notable similarities are shown as well.
11-Inch Models
The 11-Inch model gained a more advanced architecture, more advanced graphics architecture, improved battery life, and more advanced connectivity:
 Early 2014 11" |
 Early 2015 11" |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 1.4 GHz* | 1.6 GHz* |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-4260U)* | Core i5 (I5-5250U)* |
| Processor Architecture: | Haswell | Broadwell |
| Processor Size: | 22 nm | 14 nm |
| Turbo Boost: | 2.7 GHz* | 2.7 GHz* |
| Graphics Processor: | HD Graphics 5000 | HD Graphics 6000 |
| Standard RAM: | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 8 GB† | 8 GB† |
| Internal Storage: | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Storage Interface: | PCIe 2.0 2-Lane | PCIe 2.0 2-Lane |
| SD Card Slot: | No | No |
| Thunderbolt: | Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 2 |
| Display Size: | 11.6" Widescreen | 11.6" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 1366x768 | 1366x768 |
| Battery Life (Overall): | 9 Hours | 9 Hours |
| Battery Life (Movies): | 9 Hours | 10 Hours |
| Order Numbers: | MD711LL/B, MD712LL/B | MJVM2LL/A, MJVP2LL/A |
| Intro Price (US): | US$899, US$1099 | US$899, US$1099 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £749, £899 | £749, £899 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$999, C$1199 | C$1099, C$1349 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$1099, A$1299 | A$1249, A$1549 |
* A Core i7 processor custom order option was offered as a US$150 upgrade for both lines.
† Note that RAM is soldered in place in all models and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
13-Inch Models
The 13-Inch model gained a more advanced architecture, more advanced graphics architecture, faster storage, and more advanced connectivity:
 Early 2014 13" |
 Early 2015 13" |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 1.4 GHz* | 1.6 GHz*♦ |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-4260U)*♦ | Core i5 (I5-5250U)*♦ |
| Processor Architecture: | Haswell | Broadwell |
| Processor Size: | 22 nm | 14 nm |
| Turbo Boost: | 2.7 GHz* | 2.7 GHz*♦ |
| Graphics Processor: | HD Graphics 5000 | HD Graphics 6000 |
| Standard RAM: | 4 GB | 4 GB, 8 GB** |
| Maximum RAM: | 8 GB† | 8 GB† |
| Internal Storage: | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Storage Interface: | PCIe 2.0 2-Lane | PCIe 2.0 4-Lane |
| SD Card Slot: | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt: | Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 2 |
| Display Size: | 13.3" Widescreen | 13.3" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 1440x900 | 1440x900 |
| Battery Life (Overall): | 12 Hours | 12 Hours |
| Battery Life (Movies): | 12 Hours | 12 Hours |
| Order Numbers: | MD760LL/B, MD761LL/B | MJVE2LL/A**§, MJVG2LL/A**§ |
| Intro Price (US): | US$999, US$1199 | US$999, US$1199 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £849, £999 | £849, £999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$1099, C$1299 | C$1199, C$1449 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$1199, A$1399 | A$1399, A$1699 |
* A Core i7 processor custom order option exists as a US$150 upgrade for both lines.
♦ On June 5, 2017, Apple increased the processor to a 1.8 GHz Core i5 "Broadwell ULT" (I5-5350U) with Turbo Boost up to 2.9 GHz. Apple refers to this model as the "MacBook Air (13-Inch, 2017)" in some places.
** On April 19, 2016, Apple updated this model to have 8 GB of RAM standard rather than 4 GB and changed the order numbers to MMGF2LL/A and MMGG2LL/A for 128 GB and 256 GB of flash storage, respectively.
† Note that RAM is soldered in place in all models and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
§ The 1.8 GHz configurations introduced on June 5, 2017 were assigned order numbers MQD32LL/A and MQD42LL/A for 128 GB and 256 GB of storage, respectively.
For pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the MacBook Air specs page for the model of interest as well as EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Comparison Summary
Ultimately, although later MacBook Air models are faster still, just compared to their predecessors, the "Early 2015/Mid-2017" MacBook Air models provide some modest improvements in performance, graphics performance, and connectivity.
Although these improvements are no doubt welcomed, and the "Early 2015/Mid-2017" MacBook Air models remain a solid choice as a result, the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models cost even less on the used market and remain well worth considering, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Air, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Air models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
Please refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook Air model to any other Mac.
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