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Retina MacBook Air Q&A
Update Published December 9, 2020
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How do you connect an external display to the Retina MacBook Air? What is the maximum supported resolution? Are adapters required?
All Retina MacBook Air notebooks support one or two external displays with the "2020" Retina MacBook Air capable of supporting a larger single display than the earlier "Late 2018" and "2019" models that now are discontinued:
| MacBook Air | Single External Display | Two External Displays |
| 2018 | 5120x2880 (5K, 60 Hz) | 4096x2304 (4K, 60 Hz) |
| 2019 | 5120x2880 (5K, 60 Hz) | 4096x2304 (4K, 60 Hz) |
| 2020 | 6016x3384 (6K, 60 Hz) | 4096x2304 (4K, 60 Hz) |
For older monitors equipped with a HDMI port or a vintage VGA port, you can connect these to a Retina MacBook Air model using either the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (MJ1K2AM/A), which has an HDMI port, or the Apple USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter (MJ1L2AM/A), which has a VGA port. With these adapters, you then will just need a regular HDMI or VGA cable to connect the external display.
Best USB-C Display for 2018 & 2019 MacBook Air
Naturally, the ideal option is to use a Thunderbolt 3/USB-C equipped display without any adapters. Lower resolution displays additionally will work, but an ideal choice for the "Late 2018" and "2019" Retina MacBook Air models is the Apple-recommended 27" LG UltraFine 5K Display.
Photo Credit: LG Electronics (27" LG UltraFine 5K Display)
The LG UltraFine 5K Display has a native resolution of 5120x2880 (5K) -- the largest that the "Late 2018" and "2019" Retina MacBook Air models can support -- and also has integrated speakers, webcam, and microphone that work with the macOS. Those on a tighter budget might also want to consider the smaller 22" LG UltraFine 4K Display, although it is harder to find these days.
Best USB-C Display for 2020 MacBook Air
For the "2020" 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) -- the ultimate choice is Apple's own beautiful, but pricey, Apple Pro Display XDR.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (32" Apple Pro Display XDR)
Apple's 32" Apple Pro Display XDR has a native resolution of 6016x3384 (6K) -- the maximum resolution that the "2020" MacBook Air models can support -- and is the best choice accordingly.
Of course, at a minimum price of US$5298 (US$4999 + US$299 for a VESA mount adapter), it is far from a cheap display, and a smaller 5K display is well worth considering for those without the deepest of pockets, too.
What type of video processor is provided by the Retina MacBook Air? Does it have "integrated" or "dedicated" video memory? Is it upgradable?
All Retina MacBook Air models have an Intel graphics processor that reserve up to 1.5 GB of system memory for video function.
However, the "2020" MacBook Air models use a more advanced graphics processor than the "Late 2018" and "2019" models:
| MacBook Air | Model No. | Graphics Processor |
| 2018 | A1932 | Intel UHD Graphics 617 |
| 2019 | A1932 | Intel UHD Graphics 617 |
| 2020 | A2179 | Intel Iris Plus |
The video processor in all Retina MacBook Air models is "integrated," meaning that it does not have dedicated VRAM, and it cannot be upgraded either at the initial time of system purchase or later.
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