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MacBook Air Q&A
Update Published April 3, 2015
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What are all the differences between the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models and the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air that they replaced?
The "Mid-2013" and "Early 2014" MacBook Air models all have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.
The standard "Early 2014" MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.4 11" (Early 2014) and "Core i5" 1.4 13" (Early 2014) -- are practically identical to the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models replaced -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.3 11" (Mid-2013) and "Core i5" 1.3 13" (Mid-2013).
These systems vary only by processor speed, official battery life (which is more of a technicality than an actual change), and price (in many markets). Default memory and storage configurations are identical and even identifiers almost are the same.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left - 11" MacBook Air, Right - 13" MacBook Air)
Marketing Differences
An astute student of marketing would note that for all practical purposes, the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models practically are just a price cut compared to their predecessors. However, by increasing the processor speed slightly, it made it easier to shift the focus from price alone to value.
Just cutting the price could be perceived as a weakness in market demand by savvy consumers and competitors alike. However, the price cut along with the processor speed increase means that most people likely interpreted the change as more performance for less money.
Apple's own press release for the "Early 2014" MacBook Air says as much, trumpeting that these changes make "the perfect everyday notebook an even better value." Although there was a mention of value for the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models, the primary focus was on battery life.
Consumers typically like more for less, but this price positioning also is evident of the transition of the MacBook Air series over the years from a high-end niche product to a mainstream product and finally to a budget offering within Apple's relatively high-end market segment.
External & Connectivity Similarities
The "Mid-2013" and "Early 2014" MacBook Air models are externally identical and have the exact same connectivity.
Both lines use the same razor thin all aluminum cases -- 0.11 of an inch at the front and tapered 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 accommodate 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.
All of these models have 802.11ac Wi-Fi, two USB 3.0 ports, one "Thunderbolt" port, 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.
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 "Mid-2013" and "Early 2014" MacBook Air models are so similar that unique identification is difficult.
Specifically, externally, both lines share the same A1465 and A1466 Model Numbers and even the 2631 and 2632 EMC Numbers, so these identifiers are not suitable to uniquely identify either line.
In software, these lines also share the MacBookAir6,1 and MacBookAir6,2 Model Identifiers, so this detail cannot be used for unique identification, either.
For most purposes (SSD upgrades, for example), it is suitable to just consider the two 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 are by Order Number (which is not available on the computer itself) or by Serial Number with EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature.
More information about identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Similarities & Differences
The only internal difference between the standard "Early 2014" models -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.4 11" (Early 2014) and "Core i5" 1.4 13" (Early 2014) -- and the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models replaced -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.3 11" (Mid-2013) and "Core i5" 1.3 13" (Mid-2013) is the processor.
Specifically, both lines have power conserving 22 nm "Haswell ULT" Core i5/i7 processors, but the "Mid-2013" models have a 1.3 GHz Core i5 (4250U) and the "Early 2014" models have a 1.4 GHz Core i5 (4260U). The custom configurations in both lines have the same 1.7 GHz Core i7 (4650U).
All of these models have Intel HD Graphics 5000 that share 1 GB of memory with the system, 1600 MHz "Low Power" LPDDR3 SDRAM that cannot be upgraded after purchase, PCIe-based flash memory storage that is not intended to be upgraded after purchase (but can be), and non-removable battery designs.
As eagle-eyed bloggers were quick to emphasize, the official battery life for the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models increased for iTunes movie playback compared to the "Mid-2013" models replaced.
Specifically for movie playback, Apple officially reports 9 hours (up from 8 hours) for the 11-Inch models and 12 hours (up from 10 hours) for the 13-Inch models.
However, both lines use the same 38 and 54 watt-hour batteries, so this increase in battery life is reflective of improved battery management by OS X Mavericks (10.9) compared to OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) rather than a hardware difference. If the earlier "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models also are running OS X Mavericks, the battery life will be effectively the same as the subsequent models (at least if the batteries both are of equivalent health).
Comparison Charts
The differences between the "Mid-2013" and "Early 2014" MacBook Air models -- processors, official battery life, and price -- are summarized below. Notable similarities are shown as well.
11-Inch Models
The 11-Inch model gained a faster default processor, longer official battery life, and the lowest introductory price ever for an Apple notebook in many markets:
 Mid-2013 11" |
 Early 2014 11" |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 1.3 GHz* | 1.4 GHz* |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-4250U)* | Core i5 (I5-4260U)* |
| Turbo Boost: | 2.6 GHz* | 2.7 GHz* |
| Standard RAM: | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 8 GB† | 8 GB† |
| Internal Storage: | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| SD Card Slot: | No | No |
| Display Size: | 11.6" Widescreen | 11.6" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 1366x768 | 1366x768 |
| Battery Life (Overall): | 9 Hours | 9 Hours |
| Battery Life (Movies): | 8 Hours | 9 Hours |
| Order Numbers: | MD711LL/A, MD712LL/A | MD711LL/B, MD712LL/B |
| Intro Price (US): | US$999, US$1199 | US$899, US$1099 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £849, £1029 | £749, £899 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$999, C$1199 | C$999, C$1199 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$1099, A$1349 | A$1099, A$1299 |
* A 1.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-4650U) processor was available via custom order 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 also gained a faster processor, longer official battery life, and was offered at lower prices, too:
 Mid-2013 13" |
 Early 2014 13" |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 1.3 GHz* | 1.4 GHz* |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-4250U)* | Core i5 (I5-4260U)* |
| Turbo Boost: | 2.6 GHz* | 2.7 GHz* |
| Standard RAM: | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 8 GB† | 8 GB† |
| Internal Storage: | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| SD Card Slot: | Yes | Yes |
| Display Size: | 13.3" Widescreen | 13.3" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 1440x900 | 1440x900 |
| Battery Life (Overall): | 12 Hours | 12 Hours |
| Battery Life (Movies): | 10 Hours | 12 Hours |
| Order Numbers: | MD760LL/A, MD761LL/A | MD760LL/B, MD761LL/B |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1099, US$1299 | US$999, US$1199 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £949, £1129 | £849, £999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$1099, C$1299 | C$1099, C$1299 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$1249, A$1449 | A$1199, A$1399 |
* A 1.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-4650U) processor was available via custom order for both lines.
† Note that RAM is soldered in place in all models and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
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, the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models provide the most minor of speed boosts at a lower price than the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models replaced.
Although more performance for less money always is welcomed, and the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models are a solid choice as a result, the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models are available at even lower prices on the used market and are well worth considering, too.
MacBook Air Purchase & Sale Options
There are any number of places to purchase a new or used MacBook Air. However, purchasing from a quality seller with extensive experience in the Mac market -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, 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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