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Retina MacBook Air Q&A
Update Published December 5, 2020
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What are all the differences between the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air models? Is a Retina MacBook Air right for me? Which "2020" Retina MacBook Air is best?
Please note that the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air models both have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful for anyone considering one of these notebooks on the used market.
There only is a single "2019" Retina MacBook Air -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.6 13" (True Tone, 2019) -- which was replaced by two stock models in "2020" -- the MacBook Air "Core i3" 1.1 13" (2020) and "Core i5" 1.1 13" (2020).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Retina MacBook Air 2020)
Retina MacBook Air 2020 Differences
The two Retina MacBook Air 2020 models -- the MacBook Air "Core i3" 1.1 13" (2020) and "Core i5" 1.1 13" (2020) -- differ by processor, storage, and price:
| "2020" MacBook Air | "Core i3" 1.1 | "Core i5" 1.1 |
| Processor: | 1.1 GHz Core i3 | 1.1 GHz Core i5 |
| Processor Cores: | 2 | 4 |
| Max Turbo Boost: | 3.2 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Standard Storage: | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Intro. Price (US): | US$999 | US$1299 |
| Intro. Price (CA): | C$1299 | C$1699 |
| Intro. Price (UK): | £999 | £1299 |
| Intro. Price (AU): | A$1599 | A$1999 |
For the first time for the Retina MacBook Air, both of the standard "2020" models also could be custom-configured with an even faster, quad-core Core i7 processor. EveryMac.com also documents this configuration as its own model -- the MacBook Air "Core i7" 1.2 13" (2020) -- for reference.
Retina MacBook Air 2019 and 2020 Differences
There are many similarities between the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air, but there also are significant improvements in the latter model that are important to understand.
External Differences
The "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air models look nearly identical at first glance. Both lines are offered in the same three colors -- silver, a darker "Space Gray", and a warm-toned gold color -- but the "2020" series is ever so slightly thicker toward the rear and a litte bit heavier.
Both lines have the same attractive 13.3" color widescreen LED-backlit "Retina" display (2560x1600 native resolution at 227 ppi, which displays as a scaled resolution of 1440x900 by default) with "True Tone" technology that automatically adjusts the color temperature of the display.
Both the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air have the same integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam, same large "Force Touch" trackpad, same Touch ID authentication, same two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C connector) ports and the same 3.5 mm headphone jack. Wi-Fi is the same, as well, 802.11ac, but the "2020" Retina MacBook Air has newer Bluetooth (5.0), compared to Bluetooth 4.2 for its predecessor.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Retina MacBook Air 2019 - Left; 2020 - Right)
However, the keyboard for the "2020" Retina MacBook Air is much improved compared to the "2019" Retina MacBook Air with a likely far more reliable "Scissor Switch" mechanism rather than a third revision of the failure-prone "Butterfly Switch" that came before it.
The "2020" Retina MacBook Air keyboard has a much better feeling 1mm of travel and has its arrow keys in a much more natural inverted-T arrangement, as well.
Identification Differences
As diligently hand documented by EveryMac.com, the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air models have different Model Numbers and EMC Numbers.
Although these identifiers are unique to the "2020" Retina MacBook Air, they are not unique to the "2019" models, so the Model Identifier in software is a more reliable way to differentiate between these notebook lines:
| MacBook Air | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| 2019 | A1932 | 3184 | MacBookAir8,2 |
| 2020 | A2179 | 3302 | MacBookAir9,1 |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can uniquely identify all Retina MacBook Air models by their serial numbers.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Differences
There are some internal similarities between the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air -- both cannot have the processor, RAM, or storage upgraded after purchase and both use the same 49.9 watt-hour replaceable lithium polymer battery, for example, but in general, the two lines have little in common.
The "2020" Retina MacBook Air model represents a significant improvement with a much faster processor and architecture, more capable graphics with support for larger 6K displays, faster RAM, and more default storage. However, the earlier "2019" Retina MacBook Air actually does have slightly better battery life with an estimated extra hour of runtime in wireless web tests.
Comparison Chart
The above differences between the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air -- keyboard design, processor, architecture, graphics, RAM, storage, Bluetooth, battery life, identifiers, size, weight, and starting prices -- are summarized below:
| Retina MacBook Air | 2019 | 2020 |
| Keyboard: | Butterfly | Scissor Switch |
| Arrow Keys: | Awkward | Inverted-T |
| Architecture: | Amber Lake Y | Ice Lake |
| Graphics: | UHD Graphics 617 | Iris Plus |
| Max. Ext. Display: | 5120x2880 (5K) | 6016x3384 (6K) |
| RAM Type: | 2133 MHz LPDDR3 | 3733 MHz LPDDR4X |
| Standard Storage: | 128, 256 GB | 256, 512 GB |
| Bluetooth: | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Wireless Web: | 12 Hours | 11 Hours |
| Model ID: | MacBookAir8,2 | MacBookAir9,1 |
| Dimensions (Inches): | .16-.61 x 11.97 x 8.36 | .16-.63 x 11.97 x 8.36 |
| Weight: | 2.75 lbs (1.25 kg) | 2.8 lbs (1.29 kg) |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1099, US$1299 | US$999, US$1299 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1449, C$1699 | C$1299, C$1699 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1099, £1299 | £999, £1299 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$1699, A$1999 | A$1599, A$1999 |
So, is a Retina MacBook Air right for me? Which "2020" Retina MacBook Air is best?
Ignoring subsequent MacBook Air models, the quickest answer to whether or not a Retina MacBook Air is for you is yes. The Retina MacBook Air was the ideal choice for most people who wanted a Mac notebook when it was released and it remains a solid choice on the used market. It is attractive, lightweight, has a beautiful display, good battery life, and certainly is fast enough for mainstream use.
Between the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air, the newer model is a substantial improvement. The keyboard alone is reason to buy the "2020" model instead of its predecessor, and the extra performance, storage, and lower starting price tag certainly are worthwhile, too.
However, for those on a tighter budget, the earlier "2019" Retina MacBook Air remains well worth consideration, particularly given even lower prices on the used market.
Between the three "2020" Retina MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "Core i3" 1.1 13" (2020), "Core i5" 1.1 13" (2020) and "Core i7" 1.2 13" (2020) -- it depends on your definition of best. Originally, the entry-level model was the cheapest, and the custom-configured Core i7 model was the fastest, so for those looking for the cheapest or fastest "2020" Retina MacBook Air, those are the best.
However, for those looking for the best value, EveryMac.com would suggest that the mid-level Core i5 configuration -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.1 13" (2020) -- originally was the one to buy. Although value may have changed somewhat on the used market, it cost 30% more (US$300) than the entry-level model, but because it is equipped with twice as many processor cores -- four instead of two -- it provides roughly 40% more performance in multicore tasks. It has twice as much storage, also. With a more significant increase in performance and storage than its cost difference, it was the best value for money.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Retina MacBook Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing and JemJem sell 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.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used MacBook Air models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
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