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MacBook Air Q&A (MacBook Air FAQ) @ EveryMac.com
Revision Published January 27, 2021
Also see: MacBook Air Specs | All Mac Q&As
EveryMac.com's MacBook Air Q&A answers questions about the entire MacBook Air series from the original model released in 2008 to the pre-Retina models last revised in 2017 and discontinued in 2019.
Questions range from "What are all the differences between the "Early 2015" and "Mid-2017" pre-Retina MacBook Air models?" to "How do you replace or upgrade the battery in the MacBook Air? Is it even possible or is it glued in place?" and everything in between.
Please note that all pre-Retina MacBook Air models have been discontinued, but this Q&A has been updated subsequently and can be quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these notebooks on the used market.
EveryMac.com covers subsequent MacBook Air models separately in the Retina MacBook Air Q&A and Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A. The Retina MacBook Air models use the A1932 and A2179 model numbers whereas the Apple Silicon MacBook Air uses the A2337 model number.
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Most Frequently Asked MacBook Air Q&As:
How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the "Mid-2013," "Early 2014," "Early 2015" and "2017" MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
What are all the differences between the "Early 2015" and "Mid-2017" pre-Retina MacBook Air models? Which is the best choice for my needs?
How do you replace or upgrade the battery in the MacBook Air? Is it even possible or is it glued in place?
What are all the differences between the "Early 2015/Mid-2017" pre-Retina MacBook Air models and the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models replaced?
What is the best USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 hub to use with the MacBook Air while traveling?
How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
Does the MacBook Air really not have an Ethernet port? How can you connect to wired networks?
How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the original, "Late 2008" and "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models? Can you swap the hard drive for an SSD?
What are the "pros and cons" of the pre-Retina MacBook Air models? Is one the right Apple notebook for my needs?
Which SD Card Slot storage solution is best for the MacBook Air? Which models are compatible? Is this kind of storage safe?
Software Compatibility Q&As:
What version of Mac OS X is pre-installed on the pre-Retina MacBook Air models? What is the maximum version of OS X supported by each line? Can the MacBook Air run older Mac software?
How do you install software on the MacBook Air without an optical drive?
How do you restore the operating system on the "Late 2010" and subsequent MacBook Air models? Do these models really not include a restoration CD or DVD?
Can the MacBook Air play DVD movies via remote disk from another computer?
Can the MacBook Air run Windows? Can you install Windows without the external optical drive?
Can the MacBook Air run Linux?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (2015/2017):
What are all the differences between the "2015/2017" MacBook Air models? Which is the best choice for my needs?
What are all the differences between the "2015/2017" MacBook Air models and the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models replaced?
What are the major differences between the 13-Inch pre-Retina MacBook Air, 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro and the "regular" 13-Inch MacBook Pro? Which is best for me?
What are the main differences between the 11-Inch/13-Inch pre-Retina MacBook Air and the 12-Inch Retina MacBook? Which is best for me?
What are the main differences between the MacBook Air and the iPad? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
How fast are the "2015/2017" MacBook Air models compared to the 12-Inch Retina MacBook and the 13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro available at the time the MacBook Air was introduced?
What is the battery life of the "2015/2017" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests? Is it really as long as Apple claims?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "2015/2017" MacBook Air models? Is one the right Apple notebook for my needs?
What is "Thunderbolt"? Is it an industry standard? What advantages does it offer? Are there any disadvantages?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Early 2014):
What are all the differences between the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models? Which is the best choice for my needs?
What are all the differences between the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models and the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models replaced?
What are the major differences between the 13-Inch pre-Retina MacBook Air, 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro and the "regular" 13-Inch MacBook Pro? Which is best for me?
What are the main differences between the MacBook Air and the iPad? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
How fast are the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models compared to one another and to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast are these models compared to the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro?
What is the battery life of the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests? How does the battery life compare to the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Early 2014" MacBook Air models? Is one the right Apple notebook for my needs?
What is "Thunderbolt"? Is it an industry standard? What advantages does it offer? Are there any disadvantages?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Mid-2013):
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models?
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models and the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models that they replaced?
What are the major differences between the 13-Inch MacBook Air, 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro and the "regular" 13-Inch MacBook Pro?
What are the main differences between the MacBook Air and the iPad? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
How fast are the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models compared to one another and to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast are all of these models compared to the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro?
What is the battery life of the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests? Is it really as long as Apple claims?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Mid-2013" MacBook Air models?
What is "Thunderbolt"? Is it an industry standard? What advantages does it offer? Are there any disadvantages?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Mid-2012):
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models?
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models and the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models that they replaced?
What are the major differences between the 13-Inch MacBook Air, 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro and the "regular" 13-Inch MacBook Pro?
What are the main differences between the MacBook Air and the iPad? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
How fast are the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models compared to one another and to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast are these models compared to the 13-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro?
How much faster are the custom processor configured "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models than the stock models? Is the extra performance worth the extra cost?
What is the battery life of the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models?
What is "Thunderbolt"? Is it an industry standard? What advantages does it offer? Are there any disadvantages?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Mid-2011):
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models?
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models and the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models that they replaced?
What are all the differences between the education-only "Mid-2011" MacBook Air and the standard 13-Inch "Mid-2011" MacBook Air?
What are the major differences between the 13-Inch MacBook Air, 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro and the "regular" 13-Inch MacBook Pro?
What are the main differences between the MacBook Air and the iPad? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
How fast are the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models compared to one another and to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast are these models compared to the "Early 2011" MacBook Pro models?
How much faster are the custom configured Core i7-powered "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models than the stock Core i5-powered models? Is the extra performance worth the extra cost?
What is the battery life of the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests? Do the faster custom-configured Core i7 models have inferior battery life than the standard models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models?
What is "Thunderbolt"? Is it an industry standard? What advantages does it offer? Are there any disadvantages?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Late 2010):
What are all the differences between the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models and the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models that they replaced?
What are the major differences between the 13-Inch MacBook Air, 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro and the "regular" 13-Inch MacBook Pro?
What are the main differences between the MacBook Air and the iPad? Which makes the most sense for my needs?
How fast are the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models compared to one another and to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast are these models compared to the "Mid-2010" MacBook and MacBook Pro models?
What is the battery life of the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Mid-2009):
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models?
What are all the differences between the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models and the "NVIDIA/Late 2008" MacBook Air models that they replaced?
How fast is the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air compared to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast is it compared to the "Mid-2009" MacBook Pro models?
What is the battery life of the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models in real-world usage tests?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (NVIDIA/Late 2008):
What are all the differences between the MacBook Air (NVIDIA/Late 2008) models?
What are all the differences between the MacBook Air (NVIDIA/Late 2008) models and the original MacBook Air?
How fast is the MacBook Air (NVIDIA/Late 2008) compared to the original MacBook Air? How fast is it compared to the "Unibody" MacBook and MacBook Pro models?
What is the battery life of the "NVIDIA/Late 2008" MacBook Air models in real-world usage tests?
What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Late 2008" MacBook Air models?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Original Models):
What are all the differences between the original MacBook Air configuration options?
What are the differences between the original MacBook Air and the PowerBook G4 12-Inch models?
What are the major differences between the MacBook Air and the "regular" MacBook?
How fast is the original MacBook Air compared to the MacBook and MacBook Pro available at the time it was introduced?
What is the battery life of the original MacBook Air in real-world usage tests?
What are the "pros and cons" of the original MacBook Air models?
Expansion & Upgrades Q&As:
What processors do the MacBook Air models use? Is it upgradable?
How do you upgrade the RAM in the MacBook Air models? How much RAM of what type does each support?
How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the original, "Late 2008" and "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models? Can you swap the hard drive for an SSD?
How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the "Late 2010" and "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the "Mid-2013," "Early 2014," "Early 2015" and "2017" MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
Which SD Card Slot storage solution is best for the MacBook Air? Which models are compatible? Is this kind of storage safe?
How do you replace or upgrade the battery in the MacBook Air? Is it even possible or is it glued in place?
What are the capabilities of the external SuperDrive available for the MacBook Air? Which other Macs does it support?
What is the best USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 hub to use with the MacBook Air while traveling?
Video & Display Q&As:
What kind of video processor is provided by the MacBook Air models? How much system memory is reserved by each for graphics? Which models have which type of port for video out? What is the maximum resolution each can support on an external display?
Are there any adapters or "hacks" that make it possible to connect a second external display to a MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air model?
What is a "micro-DVI" port? How is it different from DVI and mini-DVI?
What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?
What is "Thunderbolt"? Is it an industry standard? What advantages does it offer? Are there any disadvantages?
Battery Q&As:
How do you replace or upgrade the battery in the MacBook Air? Is it even possible or is it glued in place?
What is the battery life of the original MacBook Air in "real-world" usage tests?
What is the battery life of the "NVIDIA/Late 2008" and "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests?
What is the battery life of the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests?
What is the battery life of the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests? Do the faster custom-configured Core i7 models have inferior battery life than the standard models?
What is the battery life of the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests?
What is the battery life of the "Mid-2013," "Early 2014" and "2015/2017" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests? Is it really as long as Apple claims?
Connectivity, Networking & Input Q&As:
What is the best USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 hub to use with the MacBook Air while traveling?
Does the MacBook Air really not have an Ethernet port? How can you connect to wired networks?
Is an external modem available for the MacBook Air?
Is the "MagSafe" power connector that shipped with MacBook Air models also compatible with the MacBook and MacBook Pro?
What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?
What are the differences between the keyboards on MacBook Air models? Do they all have backlit capability?
What are the differences between the "multi-touch gesture" and "inertial multitouch" trackpads on the MacBook Air? Which MacBook Air models have which type of trackpad?
Design, Configuration & Purchasing Q&As:
Who designed the MacBook Air models?
What are the dimensions of the MacBook Air models? How much does each weigh?
Is the MacBook Air truly the "world's thinnest" notebook?
Where can I buy a pre-Retina MacBook Air?
What are the "pros and cons" of the original, "Late 2008" and "Mid-2009" MacBook Air models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Late 2010" and "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models?
What are the "pros and cons" of the "Mid-2013" and later MacBook Air models? Is one the right Apple notebook for my needs?
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