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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? Which is the best choice for my needs?
Please note that all MacBook Air models mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated subsequently and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these notebooks on the used market.
Except for the obvious display size and corresponding housing size and weight differences, 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) -- are practically identical to one another.
Likewise, the custom processor configurations -- the MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.2 11" (Early 2015) and "Core i7" 2.2 13" (Early 2015) -- vary from their respective stock models only by processor.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (11-Inch & 13-Inch MacBook Air Models)
On October 27, 2016, Apple discontinued the 11-Inch models. The company continued to sell the 13-Inch models. More specifically, Apple continued to sell the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.6 13" (Early 2015) and its configure-to-order MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.2 13" (Early 2015) variant.
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).
Curiously, Apple continued to sell the same configure-to-order option as before, the MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.2 13" (Early 2015). On July 9, 2019, Apple discontinued all of the pre-Retina MacBook Air models entirely.
There are some important external and internal differences between these models. Additionally, as the models are so similar to each other (and earlier MacBook Air notebooks), identification details are particularly worthwhile, too.
External Differences
Like previous MacBook Air notebooks, the "Early 2015" models use a tapered aluminum case design -- 0.11 of an inch at the front and gradually increasing to 0.68 of an inch at the rear, but 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. The 11-Inch models weigh 2.38 pounds and the 13-Inch models weigh 2.96 pounds.
The 11-Inch models have a 11.6" 1366x768 display and the 13-Inch models have a 13.3" 1440x900 display. Although these displays are relatively high quality, they are not nearly as high resolution as the 2304x1440 resolution provided by the 12-Inch Retina MacBook or the 2560x1600 resolution provided by the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro systems.
Both sizes have a full-size "chiclet-style" backlit keyboard, although the 11-Inch systems have smaller function keys with the power key integrated into the same row to save space, as well as glass "no button" trackpads with "inertial scrolling" support. Both sizes also have built-in stereo speakers, dual side mounted microphones, and a 720p FaceTime HD webcam.
Connectivity Differences
The 11-Inch and 13-Inch "Early 2015" MacBook Air models have the same connectivity with one exception. The 13-Inch models have an SDXC-capable SD Card slot, whereas the 11-Inch models do not.
Both sizes otherwise pack the same connectivity -- 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, one "Thunderbolt 2" port, two USB 3.0 ports, an analog audio out port (that also supports the Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone), and a "MagSafe 2" power connector.
The "Early 2015" MacBook Air models share the A1465 and A1466 Model Numbers with earlier systems. However, as diligently hand documented by EveryMac.com, these notebooks can be uniquely identified by their 2924 and 2925 EMC Numbers on the bottom of the case toward the hinge in tiny type in addition to the MacBookAir7,1 and MacBookAir7,2 Model Identifiers in software.
These models also can be uniquely identified by Serial Number and other identifiers with EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature.
It is difficult to distinguish between the original "Early 2015" 13-Inch MacBook Air and the "Mid-2017" MacBook Air with 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
Internally, the "Early 2015" MacBook Air models are quite similar to one another. Both sizes originally were powered by a dual core, 14 nm 1.6 GHz Core i5 "Broadwell ULT" (I5-5250U) processor with 3 MB of level 3 cache and support for "Turbo Boost" up to 2.7 GHz.
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. This 1.6 GHz to 1.8 GHz processor bump, reflecting a clockspeed increase of 12.5%, delivers approximately 10%-13% better performance in Geekbench 4 benchmark results.
Both sizes also have an Intel HD Graphics 6000 graphics processor that shares 1.5 GB of system memory for video function, 4 GB of 1600 MHz "Low Power" LPDDR3 SDRAM soldered onboard, which can be upgraded to 8 GB of RAM for an extra US$100, but only at the time of purchase (On April 19, 2016, Apple bumped the RAM to 8 GB standard in the 13-Inch models), and 128 GB or 256 GB of PCIe 2.0-based SSD storage.
However, as first documented by site sponsor OWC, the 11-Inch "Early 2015" models have a PCIe 2.0 two-lane interface whereas the 13-Inch "Early 2015" models have a faster PCIe 2.0 four-lane interface. As a result, the 13-Inch models provide significantly faster drive speeds. For the higher-end configurations of each size (MJVP2LL/A and MJVG2LL/A), Apple offers, or offered, a 512 GB SSD option at the time of purchase for an additional US$300. Although Apple does not intend for end users to upgrade the storage after system purchase, the SSD in both model sizes is mounted on a removable module, so storage upgrades are quite possible.
Both models also can, or could, be custom configured with a dual core 2.2 GHz Core i7 "Broadwell ULT" (I7-5650U) processor with 4 MB of level 3 cache and a maximum Turbo Boost speed of 3.2 GHz. In the US, this custom configuration costs US$150.
Both models also have batteries that are built-in, and are not intended to be removed by the end user, but are not attached to the chassis with adhesive, either. Specifically, the 11-Inch models have 38-watt hour batteries and the 13-Inch models have 54-watt hour batteries. Apple estimates that the 11-Inch models provide an estimated 9 hours of "wireless web" use and 10 hours of "iTunes movie playback" whereas the 13-Inch models provide an estimated 12 hours of runtime for both tasks.
Comparison Chart
The differences between the standard "Early 2015/Mid-2017" MacBook Air models -- size, display size, connectivity, SSD speed, battery life, and price -- are summarized below:
 Early 2015 11-Inch |
 Early 2015 13-Inch |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 1.6 GHz* | 1.6 GHz*♦ |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-5250U)* | Core i5 (I5-5250U)*♦ |
| Turbo Boost: | 2.7 GHz* | 2.7 GHz*♦ |
| Shared L3 Cache: | 3 MB* | 3 MB* |
| On Package Interface: | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Graphics Processor: | HD Graphics 6000 | HD Graphics 6000 |
| Display Size: | 11.6" Widescreen | 13.3" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 1366x768 | 1440x900 |
| Battery Life: | 9-10 Hours | 12 Hours |
| SDXC Card Slot: | No | Yes |
| Dimensions: | .11-.68 x 11.8 x 7.56 | .11-.68 x 12.8 x 8.94 |
| Weight: | 2.38 Pounds | 2.96 Pounds |
| Order Numbers: | MJVM2LL/A, MJVP2LL/A | MJVE2LL/A**§, MJVG2LL/A**§ |
| Intro Price (US): | US$899, US$1099 | US$999, US$1199 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £749, £899 | £849, £999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$1099, C$1349 | C$1199, C$1449 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$1249, A$1549 | A$1399, A$1699 |
* A 2.2 GHz Core i7 (I7-5650U) processor was available via custom order as a US$150 upgrade. This processor has 4 MB of level 3 cache and a provides a maximum Turbo Boost speed of 3.2 GHz.
** On April 19, 2016, Apple boosted the 13-Inch models with 8 GB of RAM standard, but left the 11-Inch models configured with 4 GB of RAM by default. These new 13-Inch models were assigned new order numbers, as well, MMGF2LL/A and MMGG2LL/A configured with 128 GB and 256 GB of flash storage, respectively.
♦ 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.
† Both models could be upgraded to 8 GB of RAM as a US$100 option, but only at the time of purchase. RAM in all models is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
†† Higher-end configurations could be equipped with 512 GB of storage at the time of purchase for an additional US$300.
§ 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.
So, which "Early 2015/Mid-2017" MacBook Air is the best choice for my needs?
Apart from physical dimensions and display size, the differences between the "Early 2015/Mid-2017" MacBook Air models are minor. Both offered exceptional battery life at the time of their introduction.
Given their small size, low weight, and long battery life, all MacBook Air models are intended for those most interested in portability, rather than performance, connectivity, or upgrades.
Consequently, if size, weight, and battery life are most important to you -- and ignoring subsequent MacBook Air models -- either "Early 2015/Mid-2017" MacBook Air size would be a great choice. Alternately, if a higher resolution display and compact size are your most important criteria, but connectivity and upgrades are not, a newer Retina MacBook or MacBook Air could be even better. If higher performance, a higher-resolution display, additional connectivity, and/or upgrades are all important to you, a model from the MacBook Pro series would be better.
If you want the smallest, cheapest Apple notebook, the 11-Inch MacBook Air is a good choice on the used market, particularly if your usage is fairly basic -- word processing, e-mail, web surfing, music playback, and simple photo and video editing, for example.
However, just comparing these 11-Inch and 13-Inch pre-Retina MacBook Air models, the 13-Inch size likely is to be a better option as the size and weight increase are rather modest trade-offs to gain a larger display that is better for multitasking. Although the 11-Inch and 13-Inch models provide similar performance, the 13-Inch model does have even better battery life, faster storage, and the useful SDXC card slot. Of course, the later "Mid-2017" 13-Inch model has a faster processor, as well.
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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