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MacBook Air Q&A
Published July 24, 2011
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What are all the differences between the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models? Which is the best choice for my needs?
Please note that all notebooks mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.
By merely glancing at the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models -- the stock configurations of which are the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.6 11-Inch (Mid-2011) and "Core i5" 1.7 13-Inch (Mid-2011) -- it is obvious that size is a major factor of differentiation, but there are a number of additional external and internal differences. Size may be the most important, but there are other differences that also may be of critical importance to others.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left - 11" MacBook Air, Right - 13" MacBook Air)
External Differences
Both "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models use razor thin all aluminum cases. Both are 0.11 of an inch at the front and taper to 0.68 of an inch at the rear, but the 11-Inch model is 11.8 inches by 7.56 inches when closed whereas the 13-Inch model is 12.8 inches by 8.94 inches when closed to accommodate the larger display. The 11-Inch model weighs 2.38 pounds and the 13-Inch model weighs 2.96 pounds. Both models have displays that are high-resolution for their physical dimensions -- an 11.6" 1366x768 display for the 11-Inch model and a 13.3" 1440x900 display for the 13-Inch model.
Each has a full-size "chiclet-style"backlit keyboard, although the 11-Inch model also has 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 likewise have integrated stereo speakers and an integrated "FaceTime" webcam (not a high-definition FaceTime HD webcam, though).
Connectivity Differences
Connectivity is the same with one possibly important exception. Both models have 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi (as a minor point of minutia Apple stopped branding the wireless internet capabilities as "AirPort Extreme" with these models, although the technology is the same), Bluetooth 4.0, dual USB 2.0 ports, analog audio out, and a side mounted internal microphone. Both models also have a new "Thunderbolt" port that is backwards compatible with Mini DisplayPort and likewise supports an external display at 2560x1600 and passes an audio signal as well. Thunderbolt also supports other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard which provides up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.
However, the 13-Inch model additionally has an integrated SDXC-capable SD Card slot, whereas the 11-Inch model does not. Neither has Firewire, optical audio in/out, or Ethernet, although an external 10/100Base-T Ethernet adapter is available as a US$29 option. Neither supports a remote via IR, either.
Identification Differences
The "Mid-2011" MacBook Air line shares Model Numbers with earlier MacBook Air models, and consequently, these cannot be used for external differentiation. EMC Numbers, however, are unique -- with 2471 for the 11-Inch model and 2469 for the 13-Inch model -- and EveryMac.com has painstakingly documented these details for your convenience. These models also can be pinpointed by Model Identifier in software, and use MacBookAir4,1 for the 11-Inch model and MacBookAir4,2 for the 13-Inch model.
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can identify the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models by their Serial Numbers.
Internal Differences
Internally, there are major similarities between these systems. Architectures are essentially identical. By default, both the 11-Inch and 13-Inch models have "Sandy Bridge" Core i5 processors of differing clockspeeds, but regardless of speed, both have 3 MB of shared level 3 cache, and both use a 5 GT/s "Direct Media Interface" in lieu of the "traditional" system bus. Both have Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processors that share memory with the system as well.
All but the entry-level configuration of the 11-Inch model have 4 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 memory onboard (and the entry-level has 2 GB of memory onboard, and this can be upgraded to 4 GB as a US$100 option, but only at the time of purchase), Mini-SATA connected flash memory for storage that is not intended to be upgraded, and non-removable battery designs (with an estimate of 5 hours of runtime for the 11-Inch model and 7 hours of runtime for the 13-Inch model).
The 11-Inch model is available with either 2 GB of onboard RAM and 64 GB of flash storage (MC968LL/A) or 4 GB of onboard RAM and 128 GB of flash storage (MC969LL/A). The 13-Inch models all have 4 GB of RAM and are available with 128 GB of flash storage (MC965LL/A) or 256 GB of flash storage (MC966LL/A). The high-end configurations of each display size also can be upgraded to a 1.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-2677M) at the time of purchase via custom configuration.
Comparison Chart
The differences between the stock "Mid-2011" MacBook Air -- size, display size, connectivity, battery life, processor, architecture and configuration -- are summarized below:
 11-Inch |
 13-Inch |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 1.6 GHz* | 1.7 GHz** |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-2467M)* | Core i5 (I5-2557M)** |
| Shared L3 Cache: | 3 MB | 3 MB |
| Direct Media Interface: | 5 GT/s | 5 GT/s |
| Standard RAM: | 2 GB, 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 4 GB† | 4 GB† |
| Internal Storage: | 64 GB, 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Graphics Processor: | HD Graphics 3000 | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Shared VRAM: | 256 MB, 384 MB | 384 MB |
| Display Size: | 11.6" Widescreen | 13.3" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 1366x768 | 1440x900 |
| Battery Life: | 5 Hours | 7 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: | MC968LL/A, MC969LL/A | MC965LL/A, MC966LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 2471 | 2469 |
| Model Identifier: | MacBookAir4,1 | MacBookAir4,2 |
| Intro Price: | US$999, US$1199 | US$1299, US$1599 |
* A 1.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-2677M) processor also is available via custom order for the 11-Inch MC969LL/A configuration (which has 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of flash storage by default) as a US$150 upgrade. EveryMac.com also has documented this BTO/CTO configuration as its own model.
** A 1.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-2677M) processor also is available via custom order for the 13-Inch MC966LL/A configuration (which has 256 GB of flash storage by default) as a US$100 upgrade. EveryMac.com also has documented this BTO/CTO configuration as its own model.
† The entry-level MC968LL/A configuration can be upgraded to 4 GB of RAM only at the time of purchase as a US$100 option. RAM in all models is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
So, which "Mid-2011" MacBook Air is the best choice for my needs?
Please note that the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air has been discontinued and the below was written when it was a new model. However, it still may be helpful for those considering a "Mid-2011" MacBook Air on the used market.
Before it is possible to determine which MacBook Air is your best choice -- if a MacBook Air even is best for you -- it is important to first prioritize your needs. Although the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models improve both performance and connectivity compared to earlier models -- courtesy of higher performance processors and Thunderbolt, respectively -- the MacBook Air line still is designed for those who place more importance on size and weight than performance, connectivity or expansion.
If higher performance, additional connectivity (Firewire, for example), expansion (the ability to upgrade both RAM and storage), and/or an internal optical drive, are more important than weight or size, you would be better off considering a MacBook Pro.
If size and weight are the most important purchasing criteria to you, and you do not do demanding tasks while on the go (high-end video editing and encoding, for example), then a MacBook Air could be a great choice.
In general, EveryMac.com would discourage purchase of the entry-level MC968LL/A configuration with 2 GB of RAM. 2 GB already is rather inadequate for many users. As the RAM cannot be upgraded later, this limitation no doubt will shorten the usable life of the computer. Although both are obvious "upsells" to lure consumers from the entry-level US$999 price to higher margin configurations, spending an extra US$100 to upgrade the entry-level 11-Inch model to 4 GB of RAM or choosing the MC969LL/A configuration with 4 GB of RAM and more storage standard for an extra US$200 nevertheless would be money well spent in the long-run.
Also, in general, the 11-Inch display -- although high-resolution for its physical size -- still is rather limiting and most who do more than basic multitasking likely would prefer a 13-Inch model. The difference between the two in size and weight is unlikely to be enough to be critical for most. The 13-Inch model also is a little bit faster -- although the speed difference has been decreased for the "Mid-2011" line when compared to earlier models -- and the 13-Inch model has better battery life and the SDXC Card slot could be useful as well.
Nevertheless, for those who only do simple tasks on the go -- word processing, e-mail, web browsing, listening to music, and basic photo editing, for example -- or who are looking for a small portable notebook to complement a desktop Mac, the 11-Inch model could be perfect. If price is important, then the 11-Inch model is less expensive as well (although a used MacBook or MacBook Air would be cheaper, still).
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 G3 or later Mac.
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